Michelle and Louise are joined by Clare Thompson and her rescue dog Loki, whose first season together has been full of surprises, progress and plenty of learning. Clare moved from ultra running into canicross, first with her rescue dog Rex, and then with Loki, a young, high-energy pointer who arrived underweight, inexperienced and in need of confidence. What began as a gentle, low-pressure introduction to racing soon became a standout season, with Clare and Loki finishing second nationally and putting in an expression of interest for Poland. But this conversation is about much more than results. Clare talks openly about working with the dog in front of you, building trust, managing race environments, decompression after events and why canicross can be such a powerful outlet for rescue dogs. As a sports therapist, Clare also brings valuable insight into the human side of the sport. The episode explores why strength training matters so much for canicross runners, especially when adding the extra force of a strong pulling dog. From squats and deadlifts to core work, upper body strength and “snack exercises”, Clare explains how small, consistent habits can help reduce injury risk and support better running. There is also a fascinating discussion around pain, mindset, stress, confidence, comfort zones and why canicross can be just as important for mental wellbeing as it is for fitness. Whether you race competitively, run socially, have a rescue dog, or are just canicross-curious, this episode is full of encouragement, practical advice and honest reflections. Timings0.31 – introducing Clare and Loki0.56 – how Clare found canicross after ultra running2.52 – finding Loki in rescue and taking a chance on a high-energy dog4.01 – building Loki up slowly and starting with short course races5.29 – how Loki copes with the race environment6.23 – overtaking, focus and confidence around other dogs8.43 – not rushing rescue dogs into more than they are ready for9.21 – moving from ultra running to fast 5k canicross13.53 – Clare and Loki’s national result15.02 – putting in an expression of interest for Poland15.42 – working with different dogs and different levels of drive18.17 – Clare’s background as a sports therapist19.28 – why strength training matters for canicross runners20.52 – squats, deadlifts, single-leg work and upper body strength22.25 – core work and loaded carries23.38 – balancing running and strength sessions25.00 – helping injured runners take responsibility for rehab28.38 – snack exercises and fitting strength into everyday life31.14 – pain, discomfort and the brain’s role in injury36.38 – books on the body, stress and pain37.27 – international inspiration and watching canicross abroad38.27 – canicross as friendship, fresh air and mental wellbeing40.24 – canicross for dogs who cannot be off lead43.00 – Loki’s progress and getting stronger for next season Resources mentionedThe Body Keeps the ScoreWhen the Body Says NoCanicross MidlandsCanixBSSFCani-FitLouise’s strength training blog after the London MarathonPrevious episode with Lindsay from Cani-Fit