I also did a couple CaniX training runs in preparation for this weekend. I did a short 3.5km run with Blaze and Rex last Sat and then on Sunday after agility I did a longer 5.76km run with Blaze, Rex and Pippa with Si on the bike ahead. We got absolutely soaked as the heavens opened just after we set of. But we managed to complete it in 28.07 mins - probably due to the incentive to get dry again ;-)
This weekend we were down to Surrey for the 2 day CaniX event at Bagshot. This is the last CaniX event of the season for me and I'm a little disappointed its come to the end so quickly as both myself and the dogs have really enjoyed it. I certainly feel just we've just got together in both confidence and fitness although we'll keep up the early morning/late evening runs through the summer months. That said, I completely understand why the season runs Sept-May as it was rather warm this weekend. As a result they shortened the course to 5.6km rather than the original 7.6km. Teams were also urged to pull their dogs if they were worried about them in the heat and run without the dog - certain heavy coated breeds like Malamutes obviously weren’t going to cope at all. I love how CaniX is so focused on the dogs welfare - if dogs start to flag and run behind the handlers then they get pulled out as obviously the dogs, for whatever reason, don’t want to run. They had big bowls of water scattered around the course with the marshals and it was great seeing people queuing to let their dogs drink rather than pushing them on.
Saturday was probably the warmer of the two days, although it was nice in the dappled shade of the forest some of the narrower trails didn’t seem to have much air. Rex and Blaze were really hyped and Blaze was screaming with excitement on the start line. The course was hilly in places but not as bad as I was expecting, and the last run along the hedgerow including some ducking and weaving of fallen trees. We managed to finish in 30:38.35 and ended up winning our category. As the results of the 2 days are combined the pressure was on.
Sunday I was at the front of the 2 dog females and behind the 2 dog males. I knew I couldn’t catch them and it was a bit odd as for several stretches of the course I couldn’t see anyone ahead of me so I didn’t get the pull of the dogs to catch up quite as much. That said we ran at a much more even pace...until I went for a bit of a tumble down a hill. I usually let myself go down the hills but on this occasion I felt my foot catch a tree root and before I knew it I was falling...and there was nothing I could do about it. I landed on my right hand, grazed my right knee, left arm, right shoulder and got dirt all over my face (still no idea exactly how!) and all in front of a group of mountain bikers taking a break. I got up as quickly as I could and pretended no one had seen me LOL. Thankfully it wasn’t too far from the end so I pushed on and finished - the dogs were more frustrated at me slowing them down lol. Unfortunately my hand was beginning to swell up so we ended up getting an ice pack from Richard. Despite my fall we finished in 30:12.45 and won our category again for the 2nd day, and winning the combined results. I also got given an "Up & Running" goodie bag for "The Most Spectacular Fall"...how embarrassing!
Still, despite the aches and the bruises it was a great end to the CaniX season for us and I'm already looking forward to next season, and our next training run. We'll be working on our fitness over the summer. I never thought I would start enjoying training runs as much as I do now I run with dogs. Beats running on your own, or on the treadmill any day!
Just after the start on Day2 - look at Blaze go! He certainly puts his all into pulling.
Near the finishline on Day1. I was determined that the guy behind wasnt going to overtake (even if he did probably beat me anyway due to the interval starts..and despite it not actually mattering as hes not in my category anyway). Blaze still as enthusastic as when he started.
Blaze & Rex cooling off at the end
Blaze & Rex
More photos HERE
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