For people who run with their dogs, hitting the trail or road as a pack is a key part of their connection, a shared experience that makes the miles tick by a little quicker.
Running is potent medicine. A leg-pumping workout that torches calories, lowers anxiety, and strengthens the heart, running is beneficial for both humans and their canie companions.
For people who run with their dogs, hitting the trail or road as a pack is a key part of their connection, a shared experience that makes the miles tick by a little quicker. Running with a dog is distraction, companionship, hard work and playtime, a reason to lace up sneakers when you'd rather stay in bed and to charge up a hill when you'd rather walk. Dogs not only get us out the door, they keep us engaged and excited, seeing the world through the eyes of a four-legged creature who's thrilled by every squirrel and stick.
Even when we haven't hit our splits, dogs remind us that running is more than a workout. It's a chance to open our lungs, stretch our legs and marvel at the goodness of being outside and on the move together. We spoke to seven runners about the sense of connection that comes from working out with their dogs. In turn, they shared stories of pack mentality, adventure and forging a bond with the furry companion sprinting by their side.