Wild Courage

Tim has brought so many beautiful teachings to my world. One of those being wild courage – the strength of mind to carry on. To have a go. To feel the fear and do it anyway.

Wild Canicross

Tim and I run together Canicross and raced successfully last season. Towards the end of the race season, determined to run as fast as I could for Tim, I fell and injured myself. Twice. It has been a long road to get back to running at race pace and my body still doesn’t like it in certain conditions, favouring longer runs at a steadier pace. Yoga and strength training have been key to my recovery and I choose to listen to my body more.

Wild Adversity

Opportunity often arises out of adversity and when I was unable to run, Tim and I tried Bikejor together. Tim loved it as it allowed him to run faster and more freely. So did I. Roscoe entered our world and Bikejor became part of our training. As we started the current canisport season, Tim and I entered Canicross races. We won our first race, but I felt it, and knew if I continued to run at sub 4min / km pace in muddy conditions, I risked aggravating the injury, and as a yogi we focus on creating longevity for the body.

Wild Opportunity

A race was coming up that both Tim and I love in the beautiful Darnaway Forest. Our favourite race location. I knew Canicross wouldn’t be an option for us, but Tim loves to race, I love racing with Tim, and wanted to give Tim the opportunity to do what he loves.

Wild Photography

Tom is an exceptionally talented race photographer and Tim and I are lucky that Tom shares his talent with us, and we train and race together as Team Meatball. Tom took some photos of Tim and I Bikejoring and at the end of the shoot Tom said that Tim was smiling at him from ear to ear as he ran past him. It was clear that Tim absolutely loves Bikejor. I could always feel it from Tim, but now I could see it in Tom’s photos too. Tim and Tom share a beautiful bond and I knew that Tim wanted Tom to show me how much he loves Bikejor.

Wild Bikejor

Racing Bikejor with Tim was an option for the Darnaway races. However we had only trained on straightforward trails. No twists, turns and steep downhills like race trails. Before I started Bikejoring with Tim earlier in the year, I hadn’t been on a bike for about 15 years. So my skills and confidence on the bike were a bit rusty. As I looked through Tom’s photo’s of Tim and I Bikejoring, both of us smiling ear to ear,  I knew I had to give racing Bikejor with Tim a go. For Tim, for Team Meatball, and for myself.

Wild Fear

I’ve spent too many years shying away from opportunities because they’ve scared me. Often choosing the easy option. But my yoga practice helps me embrace new challenges and confront my fears. Life is short. We are gifted one wild life. Now I choose to live it fully, with Tim as my guiding light. So with belief and encouragement from Tom, and friends and fellow canisport athletes Grant and Walt, Tim and I entered our first Bikejor race.

Wild Courage

I knew this would take courage on my part, but I learn courage from Tim in abundance. Tim has overcome so much adversity in his short life – loosing a job he loved when he was forced to retire early from his successful Trailhound racing career, nearly loosing his life, twice, and adapting to a new home and completely different lifestyle with me. He has got through all this with courage, strength and determination, and with the love of his beautiful breeder and Trailhound racing family, and now myself and others who adore Tim.

Wild Race

Our first Bikejor race was an incredible experience. The day before the race I didn’t know if I was completely petrified or incredibly excited, but I knew that Tim would keep me right and Tom had kindly shared some brilliant MTB tips with me for the trails. Tim and Tom believed in me. As we lined up at the start line I felt the connection. The love, unity and trust between Tim and I. I felt wild courage from Tim, and I knew this was going to be amazing. And it was. This was all about Team Meatball … Tim and I having fun out on the trails, and seeing Tom in his natural habitat, capturing magical moments of hounds and humans doing what they love.