paddleboarding | Outdoor Running Adventures

The title pretty much sums up my last week.

I adopted two new kittens so any spare time I have had has been consumed by hugging, kissing, playing with, looking for and taking photos of my new kittens. Kittens are a bigger time drain than Facebook, but way more fun and just so cute.

Aren’t they cute? Casper and Cricket are their names.

It’s been so hot here. Not Texas hot, but it hits the mid 90’s every day and the humidity is high for us too. Because it’s been hot I have justified eating lots of ice cream with Kobi. She’s not complaining.

mmmm ice cream (she gets her own cone)

I’ve also been out paddleboarding with my pro Kobi. She’s so cool.

Kobi pre board

Kobi is a pro

And I’ve been running. Mostly lots of hill repeats to attempt to get ready for my upcoming races. Why did I sign up for two mountain trail runs? Because I love mountains and trails of course, but running hills in this weather is getting hard (as is packing 2 litres of water for every run).

Because it’s so darn hot out, all our routes have to centre around water sources so Kobi can cool off every 10-15 minutes. I’m desperate to cool off too and went so far as standing in a creek to cool my toes, but realized that water in your shoes makes your feet really heavy. Oh well. I’ll remember that next time. It did feel really good for 2 minutes.

Kobi isn’t fussy when it comes to water, ditch water works fine

How hot is it where you live? Would you opt for heavy wet shoes in order to have nice cool feet for a few minutes? Do you eat lots of ice cream when it’s hot out (with your dog)? Don’t you think my kittens are cute?

Why is it when you’re having fun time goes by way too fast? That seems to be how things have been rolling for me. I’ve also been burning up any spare time preparing for some races.

Random photo of very large bear poo on the trail

I did a near Olympic distance triathlon (the swim is only 1000m not 1500m) a few Sunday’s ago and managed a 2:29:59. My secret goal was to complete it under 2:30. Talk about squeaking in hey?! I had no clue at any point what my times were so that was a really nice surprise.

Kobi sporting my triathlon swag

I have two more races this summer: a trail half marathon in Whitehorse and then a 20km mountain run in Tumbler Ridge 6 days later. Both are very challenging elevation wise. I really wanted to do the Whitehorse run and I just couldn’t miss Tumbler (it’s my favorite). I just hope I don’t get too wrecked from the Whitehorse race.

I have also been up to my new favorite thing next to running – paddleboarding. I love it. I suck at it and my technique is probably all wrong, but I don’t care I’m having so much fun. The awesomest part is that I really really wanted Kobi to board with me and would you believe she had it down in 20 minutes!? I was stoked. She is a SUP superstar. She should have her own reality TV show!

Me and Kobi boarding

Those of you who run with your dog know how awesome it feels, but I have to say that paddleboarding with your canine is rad. Just watching her take in the scenery while we’re on the water is so amazing. I do get a little worried when she sees ducks or snaps at horse flies, but so far so good. She even digs her PFD.

Kobi demonstrating safe boarding techniques in her PFD

Do you SUP? Would you want to SUP with your dog? Ever done two races in one week or am I the only person out there who can’t race plan very well? What’s the biggest (native) wildlife poop you’ve ever seen out running?