Canicross Conversations

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Cam Wimble, the Dog Nutritionist, about what we should be feeding our dogs, and how their diet, like ours can affect their quality of life, and their longevity.   You can download the recipes Cam mentions in the podcast from his website https://www.thedognutritionist.com/ and be sure to follow him on Instagram.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Laura Clark, registered dietitian, and experienced specialist in women's health and menopause. Laura talks us through the battles women have had growing up during a diet culture, and gives us some food for thought about maximising our nutrition as we go through menopause. You can follow Laura on her Instagram @menopause.dietitian Visit her website www.themenopausedietitian.co.uk and sign up to her mailing list to find out more about The Nourish Lab

In today's episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Stacey Marston, a canicrosser who recently participated in the Get Stronger, Run a Faster 5k course. Stacey talks us through her experience of the course, and reveals how she feels she improved her strength and speed.   Louise and Michelle also launch an exciting new edition of the course, aimed at canicrossers to get them ready for the new season!   You can sign up for the course here, using the earlybird code EBmay23 until the 30th April

This week in our Canicross Stories feature we chat to Ellie Coleman who has just completed the first ever Ultra Marathon soley for Canicross. We chat about how it came about and how Ellie doesn't actually have her own dog!  Find our more about adventure with Blue her borrowed dog on instragram.  You can find Ellie here If this has inspired you to trying an ultra marathon with your dog then check out Cani-Trail-UK

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Anna Harding from The Running Channel about how she started canicross, and how training is going as she introduces her sprocker spaniel Ralph to longer distances. Anna's running mantra is "complete not complete" and she recently ran 115 miles from London to Rugby - we chat about what's next for her and Ralph. 📷 Nick Wolstenholme Photography

In this episode of our regular Canicross Stories feature, Michelle and Louise chat to Sophia Kelly, a veterinary nurse who canicrosses with her dog Dillon, who is partially sighted. Sophia rescued Dillon in 2018, knowing he has Progressive Retinol Atrophy, not expecting him to be able to canicross, but 5 years later they are attempting a marathon together. A truly heart-warming episode about the special bond of trust between dog and human.

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to behaviourist Emma Johnston from Speak Dog about her experiences of raw feeding* her working sled dogs.  We chat about the different types of raw feeding: DIY; 80/10/10; 80/20 and have a fascinating conversation about the impact that nutrition has on a dog's behaviour. In the wild, dogs, who are natural scavengers rather than predators, would eat up to 44 different varieties of food and this variety is the key to build up gut microbiomes, which can impact behaviour. We also chat through options for natural treats and managing behaviour through decompression chews. *NB Emma is not a nutritionist, so her experiences of raw feeding are very individual, and should not be taken as guidance, but she is a qualified and knowledgeable behaviourist, and she gives us a really interesting insight into raw feeding from this perspective. Emma started in dog sports as a canicrosser, and now rig races, breeds and shows her 12 Siberian Huskies. 

Do you know what it means when you see a dog wearing yellow? This is an episode originally released at the end of 2021, before the very first Dogs in Yellow awareness day took pace on 20th March 2022, and as it's coming up again we thought we would reshare an important message. In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to Sarah Jones, who founded My Anxious Dog, after realising her working cocker spaniel Bella was very anxious around other dogs and people. Sarah is raising awareness of her #YellowArmy of dogs wearing yellow, and how it is helping other dog owners keep their dogs at a comfortable distance so Bella can continue to enjoy her outside space without being fearful. We also chat about how canicross is helping Bella become less anxious.   #DogsInYellow Day is happening on 20th March 2023 You can learn more about My Anxious Dog here and follow the Facebook page here

In this episode, Louise and Michelle chat to menopause expert Karen Weir about how to get the most out of our running during perimenopause and post-menopause, and the advice is surprising. Karen talks through the risks to our bodies during this time of immense change, and recommends the kind of strength training and running we should be doing, and it's not what you might think. It's certainly made Louise and Michelle reconsider their own training. We'd love to know what you think, and if you have any questions. You can follow Karen on her Instagram @RunwithKaren or on her website runwithkaren.com

Louise is flying solo today and chats to canicross coach Emily Thomas, who also appeared on episode 48 talking about canine hydrotherapy.   Emily's business offers training to people interested in becoming a canicross coach, and offers a Run Leader course, a Certified Coach course and a higher Level 3 qualification in canicross coaching.   Emily will be at Crufts next week so if you're there, do pop by and say hello.