Boreas Trail Adventures & Canicross

Race report by OMR Athlete Ellie Jarvie

This race put on by Kenosha Running company was re-scheduled due to the polar vortex.  It was my second canicross race (dog and person) at the Seno Nature Preserve. 

Thankfully, it was not as warm as predicted so it was not a melty mess.  My coach Karyn McAdams gave me a patient reminder that it is always best to follow my race plan when I had a last-minute idea to go as fast as possible to outrun conditions.  See what benefits having a coach brings? 

Race Director Brian Thomas was welcoming us all and directing parking lot traffic as I arrived.  He’s always so approachable and makes all runners feel welcome.  You would hardly know he is coordinating details for a race.  

About 65 people attended, and about half of us ran with our dogs. Patrick Morris from OMR ran his first Cani cross with his beautiful pup.  I met my friend Carolyn who I have seen at a few other races and made some follow up plans to find some easier trails around Whitewater to train for my May race.  And Mary, who fosters dogs, was great about watching my pup for that one last bathroom stop before the race. 

One thing about my running partner, he is raring to go.  Pre-race Fritz jumped the hatch and did a self-directed warmup.  Luckily, I was able to call him back after about a five-minute romp, and he avoided the highway.  He made up for it by staying calm when we got tangled leashes with a front runner who had to double back as he missed the first hard left.  

The trail served up just about every condition- we had some deep snow, ice, mud and bare ground, and one really killer hill. Good representation by OMR folks, nice to be able to identify them by their swag!   I was able to keep my pace conservative after twisting my ankle 12 minutes in with the calf-deep snow.  Three fun filled loops.    Afterwards I enjoyed a beer and snacks with some racers in a COVID-safe way.  

Another super fun day capped off by a drive home with the aroma of wet dog.  Fritz and I both slept well that night.  We were dreaming about our next run with friends old and new!