I wanted to jot a few lines to reflect on the last 12 months not just in context of Canicross Routes but also myself and my running journey which feels quite self indulgent let alone I suspect slightly less interesting for anyone who passes by but it does offer up I guess an insight to my drivers for the site as well as celebrating what I consider to have been a great year.
Some Statistics…
We covered some ground this year with and without our four legged pals and I’ve been running 112 times and though the summer was hot which meant not every run carried the risk of being dragged into a hedge after small furry moving targets we did manage only 7 runs dog free, honestly it felt like more.
It hasn’t been quick averaging 7:43/Km though I like to think this is representative of the time we have spent laughing at each other as we lie in the dirt, waiting for our pups to do what they do, climbing stiles and negotiating puddles. It’s never been about beating the rest, being King or Queen of that segment and more about the journey we have taken together. It’s a big driver for me seeing others enjoy and progress and this year has been great for that but I’ll get to that later.
We have covered 862Km’s that’s a lot, I mean that really is a long way just to give those that are less spatially aware it’s the equivalent of running as the crow flies from the end of Brighton Pier to Thumster, Scotland (Just 26km shy of John o’Groats) which is just a little bit frustrating but I guess sets a challenge for next year.
I’ve personally spent more time this year injured than I would have liked which has been a frustration, a turned ankle in January as I was getting my running mojo back after a shocking 2018 and more recently a pulled hamstring which is still in recovery. Hoping 2020 will be better.
Where We Ran…
We don’t creep too far from West Sussex which is no surprise, looking at the heatmap (Try it yourself if you use Strava) Loxwood, Storrighton (South Downs), Barns Green and Rudgwick seem to have been our main spots though we have found a few more routes this past year which will be added to the site during 2020.
People and Hounds…
Having had a shocking 2018 where life somewhat got in the way, sucked all my energy and quite frankly needed to be laid to rest carefully under a hedge somewhere 2019 has been quite the opposite. Sussex being a big county I was finding I was spending more time driving to run with Canicross Sussex than actually running which ultimately wasn’t fair on my hound but was becoming rather time consuming. During this period a few I had met along the way had expressed a want to run locally on a regular basis, so one became many and this years frolicks began…
The group was a good mix of those who had run, could run, were interested in running or like a Springer Spaniel just wanted to be outside. Confidence was low, hills were long, shallow inclines steep and the mere mention of running further than 5km sent shivers down spines and dogs cowering in corners.
During the early part of 2019 the group worked so hard and we slowly increased our distance until at the latter end of March our intrepid group Ran 10.72Km and therefore crossing the boundary of I can’t to I can…..
We had hit our milestone somewhat sooner than we had hoped and there was talk of running a 10km in the Autumn to add a stamp to this momentous occasion but as I am sure many runners have experience it only needs one person to say I’m running half marathon before it honestly seems like a good idea and all and sundry have signed their lives away to running 4 times a week for the following 12 weeks convincing themselves it was a good idea all along.
So we trained hard and what became a sweltering hot day we ran the South Downs Way Half Marathon, by the time we had run half way it was clear the signage wasn’t what it should be, the temperature had risen and the event became a bit of a walk/run which felt like a shame but we did it as a group. Thanks can’t be said enough to Alder Veterinary Practice who sponsored our very bright running tops for the day.
Albeit having managed to get lost, find our way back on track and running a few extra Km’s we all ran in over the line thrilled we had hit our goal even with talk of running another in the spring 2020….I guess watch this space for that!
Eyes turning now towards the autumn and cooler more canine friendly weather the group decided to sign up for the Maverick Dark at Denbies in Dorking. This turned out to be an amazing event.
I would highly recommend any of the Maverick Series, the crowd is friendly, they are well organised and the locations are stunning.
Other things…
So it has not all been about running, In July though my place of work I completed the Yorkshire Three peak challenge, a challenge it was at times it was cold and wet, other times just stunning and all done attached to my trusty hound. We raised money for 4 fantastic charities (The Amy Winehouse Trust, The Royal Marsden Cancer Hospital, Domestic Abuse Housing Alliance and Mind, the mental health charity).
In November the World Sleddog Association Dryland Championships 2019 came to Firle which was a fantastic day out, it was so exciting to see all the competitors and hounds working hard together.
2020 and beyond…
More routes, a few races and time spent with friends and hounds alike, no real plans for Canicross Routes as yet but a more concerted effort to get others to share routes will be the feel for 2020. If you want to get involved check the FAQ or submit a route via the link at the top of the page. Also If you’re a group do get in touch and maybe share your club routes in one place.
Last but not least, I want to thank everyone who has passed by in the last year maybe run a route or two and wish you all a Happy New Year!
AM