Canicross Story: Claire, Pip and Ivy (Episode 176)

In this episode of Canicross Conversations, Louise and Michelle are joined by Claire, better known as @theyorkshirewhippets on Instagram.

 

Claire shares her upside-down journey into the world of canicross when a friend convinced her to enter a race with her whippet, Pip. From her early days of social running, to training for her first half marathon, Claire brings energy, honesty and giggles.

 

Listeners will hear about Claire’s transition from casual runner to competitive canicrosser, how she manages training with two very different dogs, and the importance of cross-training and recovery. She opens up about the challenges of running in hot weather, how yoga and horse riding have helped her canicross performance, and how she balances full-time work with a very active lifestyle.

 

The episode is packed with practical tips on kit, nutrition, and building confidence in younger dogs, especially for those working with breeds not traditionally seen as endurance runners. Claire also shares her reasons for fundraising for Stray Aid, and how this sport has become a meaningful part of her life.

 

Tune in for a heart-warming and humorous chat that celebrates the bond between dogs and humans, the joys (and face-plants) of trail running, and the importance of listening to your body and your dog.

 

Topics and timings

1.10 – Why dogs shouldn't run in the heat
4.30 – Claire's canicross journey begins
10.00 – Claire's first Trail Dogs experience
15.40 – Training and building fitness
22.00 – Whippets as endurance athletes
28.30 – Running kit upgrades
33.00 – Balancing life, work, and training
36.10 – Nutrition and fuelling for longer distances
41.50 – Funny stories and muddy mishaps
46.00 – Preparing Ivy for her first race
52.00 – Fundraising for Stray Aid

 

Resources mentioned

• Trail Dog events
• Non-stop free motion harness & trail belt
• Peak2Peak energy bars
• Episode 2 with Ann Carter (heatstroke and dogs)
• https://www.strayaid.org.uk/