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Canicross Conversations

Canicross Conversations

By: Michelle Mortimer and Louise Humphrey
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 The leading podcast for all things canicross and cani-sports. Canicross instructors Louise and Michelle chat to various guests and experts, who love to run or compete with their dogs, about how to keep both dog and human happy and healthy.Copyright 2021 All rights reserved. Hygiene & Healthy Living Running & Jogging
Episodes
  • Event Series: Building community races with Sporting Paws (Episode 203)

    Event Series: Building community races with Sporting Paws (Episode 203)
    Apr 17 2026
    Michelle and Louise chat to Ebony from Sporting Paws, a dog trainer, behaviourist, and passionate canicross advocate who has recently organised her very first race in Lancashire. Ebony shares her personal journey into canicross, which began not through competition, but through a desire to reconnect with her dog during a difficult period. What started as simple runs together quickly became something much more powerful, helping both her and her dog rebuild confidence, trust, and enjoyment together. Ebony has built Sporting Paws from the ground up, focusing on making dog sports more accessible, especially for younger people. She offers a refreshing perspective on canicross as a tool for wellbeing, behaviour, and connection, rather than just performance. Ebony talks openly about the challenges of securing permissions for her first race, designing a course, managing logistics, and creating an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere for all abilities. Her first event at Beacon Country Park highlights what canicross is all about: community, encouragement, and shared enjoyment with your dog. This episode is full of inspiration for anyone new to canicross, thinking about entering their first race, or even considering organising an event in their own area. Timings 0.00 – Introduction to Ebony from Sporting Paws 1.05 – How Ebony discovered canicross and rebuilt her bond with her dog 3.30 – Early barriers to racing and accessibility challenges 6.00 – Becoming a dog trainer and founding Sporting Paws 7.30 – Mission to make dog sports accessible for younger people 10.00 – Growth of the Sporting Paws canicross community 11.30 – Organising the first race at Beacon Country Park 14.30 – The realities of race planning and permissions 16.30 – Designing a fun and technical course 18.30 – Feedback from the first event 19.00 – Supporting beginner racers 21.00 – Beach races and upcoming events 23.30 – Expanding races across the North West 24.30 – Lessons learned and future improvements 27.30 – Advice for first-time racers Links
    • Sporting Paws
    • Crosby Beach race
    • Rivington Pike race
    • Pennington Flash event
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    34 mins
  • Ask the Expert: Dr Juliet McGrattan on running through menopause (Episode 202)

    Ask the Expert: Dr Juliet McGrattan on running through menopause (Episode 202)
    Apr 10 2026
    Dr Juliet McGrattan returns to share expert insight into one of the most misunderstood topics in women’s health: menopause and its impact on running. Drawing on her experience as a former GP, runner, and author of The Runner’s Guide to Menopause, Juliet brings both professional knowledge and lived experience to a conversation that is honest, reassuring, and highly practical. Listeners are guided through what menopause actually means - including the often-overlooked perimenopause phase - and why symptoms can start much earlier than expected. The episode explores how hormonal changes can affect performance, motivation, recovery, and overall enjoyment of running, while reinforcing that every woman’s experience is unique. Importantly, the conversation focuses on what can be done. From adjusting training expectations and embracing slower running, to the importance of strength training, nutrition, and recovery, Juliet offers realistic strategies to help women continue running in a way that supports their changing bodies. There is also a balanced discussion around hormone replacement therapy, helping listeners understand when it may be helpful and why it isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. This episode is empowering, informative, and inclusive, reminding runners that while menopause may bring changes, it can also be an opportunity to reconnect with running in a more sustainable and enjoyable way.

    Key takeaways

    • Menopause includes perimenopause and post-menopause, not just one moment in time
    • Symptoms can begin in your 30s or early 40s, often without obvious signs
    • Running may feel harder due to hormonal, physical, and mental changes
    • Losing motivation and performance is common, and normal
    • Slow, steady running (zone 2) supports recovery and endurance
    • Strength training is essential for muscle, bone, and long-term health
    • Nutrition should focus on fuelling, not restriction.
    • Mobility, balance, and core strength are key for injury prevention
    • HRT can be helpful but should be an individual decision
    • Running can still improve mood, identity, and social connection during menopause
    Timings 0.00 – Introduction and Juliet’s background 2.00 – Why the book was written 4.00 – What menopause actually means (peri, post, timeline) 7.30 – When symptoms can start and why many miss them 10.00 – Misinformation and the menopause “industry” 12.00 – Early signs in running: fatigue, slower pace, loss of motivation 16.00 – Mental health, anxiety, and confidence changes 20.00 – How menopause affects performance and recovery 24.30 – Practical training advice and slowing down 28.00 – Endurance vs speed and why sprint work still matters 33.00 – Injury risk, balance, and coordination 36.00 – Managing hot flushes and temperature when running 41.00 – Benefits of running during menopause 44.00 – Strength training and why it’s essential 48.00 – Nutrition, fuelling, and avoiding under-eating 53.00 – Hormone replacement therapy explained 58.00 – Positives of running through menopause 1:00.00 – Listener questions Resources mentioned
    • The Runner’s Guide to Menopause – Dr Juliet McGrattan
    • Our running podcast episode with Juliet McGrattan
    • Our episode with Juliet on alcohol
    • drjulietmcgrattan.com
    • Juliet McGrattan Instagram
    • 261 Fearless running groups
    • Louise's blog about her menopause journey

    Photo credit: Endure Creative
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Canicross with a nervous dog: Emily and Max (Episode 201)

    Canicross with a nervous dog: Emily and Max (Episode 201)
    Apr 3 2026
    Emily shares the story of Max, her timid and easily spooked Weimaraner who initially struggled with wearing a harness or coping with everyday noises such as wind. As a behaviourist, Emily offers valuable insight into working with nervous dogs, including how to approach training without pressure, why progress isn’t always linear, and how small wins can lead to big breakthroughs. The conversation explores practical techniques such as using positive reinforcement, tracking progress through video, and introducing confidence-building experiences in a safe and supportive way. Listeners will also hear how unexpected moments - like running with another dog or entering a first race - can unlock a dog’s potential. Max’s transformation from a fearful dog to a confident canicross racer, even achieving a fourth-place finish, highlights that success doesn’t require a “perfect” dog. This episode is packed with reassurance, actionable advice, and encouragement for anyone navigating life with a sensitive or reactive dog, showing that with the right approach, canicross can be accessible to all. Timings 0.00 – Introduction to Max’s transformation 1.05 – Max’s early behaviour and harness aversion 3.10 – First steps into canicross and early challenges 5.19 – Ruling out pain and understanding behaviour 8.44 – Measuring progress and staying motivated 11.23 – Breakthrough moments in training 12.50 – First race expectations vs reality 14.53 – Emotional finish and confidence growth 18.44 – Running with two dogs and building a team 22.00 – Equipment setup and race strategy 24.52 – Advice for owners of nervous dogs 25.21 – Handling setbacks and real-life challenges 32.20 – Managing reactivity during runs 34.27 – Goals and future plans 36.30 – Favourite race experience Links Episode 17 – Harness aversion Canix UK races Beat the Black Dog Canitrail event Perfect Dog Training (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok)
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    44 mins
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