Results Today from Synaptic on Mon 02-Oct at 11:04 am - #206 Mike and Doris (Canicross Zone 2) 80.6 race and 912 league points. #193 Silvia Kaos and Maya (Canicross Zone 7) 73.6 race and 889 league points. #211 Marta Frida and Tyrion (Canicross Zone 5) 67.8 race and 777 league points. #41 Alison Ronnie and Walter (Canicross Zone 5) 75.9 race and 874 league points. #116 Katie Vinnie and Ivy (Canicross Zone 3) 79.1 race and 942 league points...#60 Mandy Florrie and Reva (CaniTrek) 69 points. #208 Suzanne Luca and Eva (CaniTrek) 70.5 points...#13 Emma Magnum Kaos and Voltage (Bikejör and Scooter) 86.6 points. #13 Emma Magnum Kaos and Voltage (Bikejör and Scooter) 87.5 points...No CaniSwim results yet    Results Yesterday (Sun 01-Oct) from Synaptic - #193 Silvia Kaos and Maya (Canicross Zone 2) 77.2 race and 923 league points. #206 Mike and Doris (Canicross Zone 8 ) 79.5 race and 889 league points. #219 Katie Marley and Max (Canicross Zone 7) 76.3 race and 864 league points. #95 Adam and Skye (Canicross Zone 3) 86.4 race and 976 league points. #176 Darren and Bowie (Canicross Zone 5) 72 race and 801 league points. #178 Ian and Sage (Canicross Zone 7) 80.5 race and 873 league points. #60 Mandy Florrie and Reva (Canicross Zone 4) 82.5 race and 929 league points. #179 Laura and Theo (Canicross Zone 8 ) 70.4 race and 771 league points. #103 Justine Nellie and Boof (Canicross Zone 3) 84.6 race and 953 league points. #96 Elizabeth and Winnie (Canicross Zone E) 68.5 race and 753 league points. #97 Dougie and Gustav (Canicross Zone 9) 81.1 race and 877 league points. #153 Auriel and Tilly (Canicross Zone 4) 68 race and 790 league points. #26 Al Erik and Daisy (Canicross Zone 8 ) 85.1 race and 919 league points. #106 Susan Jack and Claire (Canicross Zone 10) 71.5 race and 815 league points. #175 Nicola and Connie (Canicross Zone 5) 79.5 race and 868 league points. #98 Sacha and Robin (Canicross Zone 2) 69.3 race and 834 league points. #90 Donna Maisie and Finn (Canicross Zone 6) 85.7 race and 939 league points. #177 Amanda and Fraggle (Canicross Zone 5) 81.4 race and 887 league points...#208 Suzanne Luca and Eva (CaniTrek) 65.2 points...#109 Anne-Marie and Bella (Bikejör and Scooter) 87.7 points...No CaniSwim submissions

Today we talk with Samantha West. Sam and Archie are very active members of the League and specialise in the endurance  / longer distances. Sam is without doubt a focal point of fun in our racing. We couldn't be without her ! Here is what she had to say...

 

Q1 Hi Sam !, before we get to answers to those key questions spectators want to know, a few other questions...

So the first thing is what do you like about canicross ?

A1 I love being with nature, the trails, being as one in a partnership with my dog, enjoying the freedom together, adventuring. I love the feeling of accomplishment I get from completing a run, I love the social groups and community of canicrossers. Canicross rocks!

Q2 So, the next question is easy, what are the things you don't like about canicross?

A2 The snobbery and judgement surrounding general canicross high end competitions and elite athletics in canicross, That you need to have a certain breed dog to run fast, specific kit, be a certain age. It frustrates me, any dog or person can be totally awesome.

Q3 What are your canicross ambitions for the future?

A3 Archie and I are attempting the 1st Dog Ultra in Wales, I’d also love a Sub 20 min 5km, but my main goal is to enjoy our runs together injury free long term and not ever resenting going out to run.  I’d really like to do a 3- 5 day run trek across Scotland one day. A WLC one maybe?

Q4 OK.... to the inside information. Do you have any thoughts about approaching a knockout competition for the first time?

A4 Being the member that came in like a wrecking ball of chaos last time, I just hope to hang on by my teeth for as long as I can! I cannot promise that I won’t throw out some cheeky jibs if I’m winning. I’m mostly excited to be part of a wider canicross community.

Q5 Do you think there are things to be careful of during the tournament?

A5 I think the biggest and most important thing is to enjoy the competition, to remember anyone can win it, not to beat yourself up if you don’t feel it on the day, you showed up and tried and that’s brilliant,  it is all based so fairly, the points total up on your own induvial strengths, so everyone has a fair chance. Have fun and support others as well.

Q6 Without giving the game away. Do you think some strategies will work better than others?

A6 Plan your run day based on how you are feeling that week and the weather, get some good fast music for your phone. Listen to some motivational podcasts.

Q7 How do you think you will prepare mentally as well as physically for a tough knockout competition?

A7 Personally, If I run as much as I run my mouth, I’ll be just fine. It’s anyone's guess what mood I’ll be in daily or even hourly; the competition normally drives my fire on the day! I’ll force it in the rest days in though.

Q8. Are there other questions we should have asked that you would have liked us to ask? If so, what are they and what would be the answer(s)?

A8 What type of dog do you have and how did you end up coming into the canicross world? Having never had a dog in my life or really run more than a few kms before, about two years I rehomed my rescue dog Archie from southern europe, he was severely abused and starved and extremely reactive. I tried absolutely everything for him as we couldn’t even leave the house. I came across the canicross community and we never looked back! Canicross has saved us both mentally, physically and emotionally. It has been such a fun, kind and supportive network. We are a very different pair now, mega fit, happy, proud and brave. It changed both our worlds.

What is your biggest canicross proud moment? 1st on a 10 mile hilly race was a pretty awesome feeling. Overtaking two really fast cyclists with them shouting ‘OMG no way! ‘is definitely  up there as a great memory too.