Do you love running, or do you want to run with your dog? Canicross is all about running with your dog attached in front of you. When you and your dog are well trained, it can actually be a way to go faster than running solo. Beyond speed, it’s first and foremost a unique moment of connection with your best buddy.
To help you get started with canicross, we interviewed Anne-Sophie Vittet, multiple-time French canicross champion. Then we’ll share a few practical tips to fit canicross into your endurance training.
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Interview with Anne-Sophie Vittet, canicross champion
Hi Anne-Sophie, what do you love about running with your dogs? Which dogs do you practice canicross with?
Canicross is the perfect way to combine my two passions, running and dogs (especially huskies). I started track and field at 9, I’m 31 now, and I’ve never stopped. I got my dog Hitch 8 years ago, and he’s the one who made me want to run canicross. My second buddy, Iron (nicknamed Ronron), joined us a year later, and the two of them are an unstoppable duo.
Do you race? If yes, what results have you had?
I usually race the French Championships every year, and if my schedule allows, one or two canicross races in the Rhône-Alpes region. I’m really proud to say my Ronron is a 4-time French canicross champion. It’s an incredible feeling, even if Ronron didn’t really understand he’d won a race. He was simply happy to run with me!
Canicross gear for running with your dog
Do you use any specific gear to run with your dog?
To do canicross, you need a proper dog harness. Your dog needs a harness designed for running because they’ll be out front and pulling hard. A simple collar would choke them. For you, you need a canicross belt that stays in place while you run and distributes the pulling force evenly. Finally, you need a bungee leash to absorb the jolts.
How do you train?
I mostly run with my husband, and I prioritize what we call “free running” sessions for my dogs. I also have a friend, Sébastien Dos Santos Borges (an explorer in the Far North, especially with his dogs), who lives 5 minutes from my place. We share canicross sessions and, most importantly, I listen to his advice. For me, he’s Mr. DOG 😉
How to get started in canicross
What advice would you give someone who wants to start canicross?
I think the best advice is to remember that a dog is naturally faster than a human. So you should focus on training yourself before trying to train your dog.
And choose a dog that matches your level. There’s no point having an ultra-powerful dog if you can’t handle them. You’ll risk getting injured, and your dog will end up hating it.
Finally, never get angry at your dog during a run. They didn’t ask to be there. They run for fun and to make us happy.
Can you share a fun story from your canicross experience?
My funniest memory is finishing 2nd in a canicross race with Fleur, my mom’s Yorkie. Heads up, Fleur runs faster than me, but I had to carry her on the last downhill. Poor thing, there were big rocks that were basically mountains for her 😂
Thanks Anne-Sophie for sharing your experience and your canicross tips!
We’re often asked how to adjust your training and pacing when you run with your dog. As Anne-Sophie says, dogs are often faster than humans. So it’s better to do your vVO2max sessions and short interval workouts on your own, to build your own aerobic power and running performance.
Adjusting your training when you run with your dog
Your runs with your dog can fit well on long easy runs or steady aerobic runs. You’ll naturally tend to go quicker. If you want to stick to your training plan, make sure you stay within the heart rate zones suggested in your plan. For example, your heart rate at 140 bpm might put you at 12 km/h with your dog, instead of 11 km/h when you run alone.
Finally, strong core stability is key to handle the pulling. It can also load your posterior chain, especially your hamstrings, because of the extra speed. So make sure you do S&C for the upper and lower body.
For info, if you want to race canicross, you can connect with one of the 130 clubs in France under the Federation of Canine Sports and Leisure. Competitions take place on trail or cross-country style terrain. The French Championships run over 2 days, a short race of 3 to 4 km, and a long race of 6 to 7 km.
Whether you want to run with your dog on the weekend or line up for a canicross race, we hope these tips help. If you use the RunMotion Coach app for your training, focus more on your recommended heart rate than on your pace when you run with your dog.