From “I’m Not a Natural Runner” to 5K Success: Moose and Lou
As we celebrate over 10 years of DogFit and the thousands of people we’ve helped start their Canicross journey, there’s nothing more inspiring than hearing from someone who’s lived it.
When we relaunched our enhanced Canicross Beginners 5K Course, we invited Lou to join us on the Talk Canicross podcast to share her experience. What followed was a story about confidence, partnership, unexpected speed… and a Cockapoo called Moose.
You can watch the full episode at the bottom of this blog, however here’s Lou’s journey in blog form – because sometimes it helps to read how it all unfolds.
“I’m a runner… but not a natural one”
Lou describes herself as a runner – but not the effortless kind.
For years she’d battled the usual internal dialogue:
- This is hard.
- I can’t breathe.
- I’m not fast enough.
Like many runners, she stuck with it, joined a supportive running group, and gradually learned to quieten those mental demons. But running still felt like something she had to work at.
Then Moose arrived!
A Cockapoo she hadn’t expected to own (despite being there when he was born!), Moose quickly became more than just a pet. He became her training partner.
The idea of Canicross was first planted by friends at her running club. A quick Google search later, she found DogFit – and reached out for advice on harnesses and kit.
“I was clueless,” she admits. “I didn’t know what I needed.”
Starting with the right equipment and proper guidance gave her the confidence to begin safely – for both her and Moose.
Why she chose the Beginners 5K Course
Even though Lou already ran, she didn’t want to “wing it” with Moose.
Her priorities were simple:
- Keep him safe.
- Avoid injury.
- Learn the right way to build him up.
- Follow proper guidance.
With no local Canicross training available at the time, the flexibility of the online course appealed immediately.
Although the programme is structured over eight weeks, you get access for a year. That flexibility mattered.
“You can revisit week one. You can stay on week two for two months. It fits around your life.”
And life does get in the way – especially when you start a one-year-old dog in May… and then hit a hot summer.
The weather slowed their progress, but instead of quitting, Lou simply adapted. The course allowed them to pause, repeat sessions, and progress when conditions were safe.
No pressure. No deadlines. Just steady progress.
The biggest fear: “Is he going to pull me over?”
One of the most common questions we get from beginners is: “What if my dog pulls me over?”
Lou had the same worry. Moose was quick off-lead, and she imagined herself face-down in the mud.
In reality? She’s only fallen once – and that was while standing still on uneven ground!
With the right Canicross kit and gradual training, Moose learned how to work in partnership. The bungee line absorbed sudden movements, and the commands built control and communication. That fear quickly disappeared.
The transformation: From sniffing puppy to focused teammate
Lou recently looked back at her very first training video. Moose, nose down, sniffing everything, had no idea what was going on.
Fast forward to now, and he:
-Knows directional commands.
-Checks in with her.
-Understands the difference between walking and Canicross mode.
-Rarely “messes about” when they’re attached.
“He just seems to know – right, head in the game.”
One of the unexpected bonuses? The improved communication has carried over into everyday walks. Moose is more tuned in, more responsive, and more connected.
That’s one of the powerful side-effects of training properly: you don’t just build fitness. You build understanding.
“Running feels effortless now”
Perhaps the most surprising part of Lou’s story?
She used to find running hard. But now, when Moose is pulling in front, she says it feels effortless.
“It doesn’t hurt. I don’t feel in pain. I don’t feel like I can’t breathe.”
She talks to him constantly while they run. If she momentarily struggles for breath, Moose turns to check on her.
That partnership – that subtle communication – has changed how she experiences running.
It’s no longer just exercise.
It’s teamwork.
And yes, in race photos they’re both grinning.
“You can’t fake that.”
The 5K that changed everything
When they finished the course, Lou signed up for a local 5K event to mark the occasion.
She had no expectations.
When asked for an estimated finish time on the entry form, she put 40 minutes – just to be safe. They were gridded last.
Then they ran. – They crossed the line in 28 minutes. Lou had to look at her watch twice!
Her personal 5K PB – untouched for six or seven years – had just been smashed.
“That just blew me away.”
But perhaps even more importantly, Moose taught her something else:
She can’t control everything.
If he doesn’t want to pull one day, that’s okay. If something distracts him, that’s okay. It’s not just her race anymore. And strangely, that’s made her more relaxed as a runner.
From hesitant beginner to event addict
- Since that first 5K, Lou and Moose have:
- Entered multiple Canicross races.
- Completed a fun 10K.
- Joined local Canicross groups.
- Signed up for a full season of races nearby.
She now happily drives 30 minutes to meet other Canicross runners for a four-mile run – something she’d never do alone.
“I never go out thinking I don’t want to run.” That’s the Canicross effect.
Lou’s advice if you’re sitting on the fence
If you’re unsure whether to start the Beginners 5K course, Lou’s message is simple:
“Don’t even think about it. Just sign up.”
-Repeat weeks if you need to.
-Go at your own pace.
-Ignore everyone else’s progress.
-Focus on you and your dog.
-You don’t have to race.
You don’t have to chase times.
You don’t have to be fast.
-You just have to show up.
Because at its heart, Canicross isn’t about competition.
It’s about:
-Building a bond.
-Moving together.
-Having fun.
-Finishing with a kiss and a “thank you” to your dog.
And sometimes, discovering you’re capable of far more than you thought.
Ready to start your own journey?
Our enhanced Canicross Beginners 5K Course is designed to:
-Build fitness safely for you and your dog.
-Teach proper commands and best practice.
-Guide you on temperature safety and welfare.
-Help you progress confidently to your first 5K.
Like Lou and Moose, you might just surprise yourself.
Canicross really does make you happy 🐾
You can follow Lou and Moose @mooseandlou_canicrossjourney on Instagram
