We've all seen it: a runner floating down singletrack, dog bounding effortlessly ahead, both creatures locked in some primal, joyful rhythm. It's one of trail running's most romantic images. Then you actually try to run with your own dog and spend the first mile getting clotheslined by a leash, chasing a squirrel up a hillside, or apologizing to every hiker you pass.
Your Best Training Partner Has Four Legs (But It'll Cost You Some Miles)
Running with your dog sounds like pure trail magic — and it can be — but getting there requires real work, patience, and a willingness to start over from scratch. Here's what every trail runner needs to know before clipping that leash.
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