Last updated: 15-Nov-18
Happy Chinese New Year. This year it is the Year of the Dog and we at RunUltra have found some dog-related running stuff for you to enjoy. Before we get to that, let’s paws and look at what the Year of the Dog might bring.
The dog is the eleventh of all zodiac animals out of a total of 12. It represents integrity and equality. It is yang (rather than yin) and is connected with the hours 7-9 in the evening.
The good news is that according to Chinese Horoscopes, 2018 is expected to bring prosperity, particularly if you are dogged, work hard and communicate well. Also, those who show generosity to others will reap the greatest benefits throughout the year.
Did you know that, in China, it is still popular to name dogs Wàng Cái which means “prosperous wealth” and comes from the sound for bark (wàng wàng).
Now, on to the running.
First up is Canicross which is basically attaching yourself to your dog and then running together. The great thing about it, when you get it right, is that you can go a lot faster than normal. It is a sport in itself and Canix organise events all over the UK, and Canicrossus does the same for the USA. There is something really appealing about racing with your dog, and even more appealing about having him/her haul you up the big hills by your bungies, so check it out. All you need is a can(ine) do attitude.
No running dog feature, especially when related to China, is complete without a mention of Finding Gobi by Dion Leonard. If you haven’t read this yet, we highly recommend it. It is a truly touching story about running, and the bond between man and dog.
And finally, the Fat Dog 120 Trail Race is a biggie and might be one for you to aim for in 2018. It is set in British Columbia’s beautiful Cascades Mountains, and there are five distances: 120, 70, 50, 40 miles. If you take on the 120 miler, be ready for lots of ruff trails, plenty of technical terrain and some serious climbing.
Happy Year of the Dog, Wàng Wàng.
