Two more shorter adventure races completed (http://www.adventureracingcanada.com/). Opportunities to build fitness and strength for the extreme marathon in October, but also a great way to experience new outdoor areas of southern Ontario. The adventure races are also a great way to cross-train and give the legs a break from the hours and hours of pounding on roads and trails. The first was in mid-June in the Kelso Conservation Area, in winter an area with small ski slopes, and close to the Greater Toronto Area. The second in early July was in Bracebridge further north. Both these races have only been my 2nd and 3rd time canoeing, but with each race our duo improves dramatically. The mountain biking is extremely challenging !

The weekend away in Bracebridge also gave an opportunity to briefly explore a new area for me of Georgian Bay. Since arriving in Canada last year April, much of last year was all work and no play. At least this year I have managed a better balance and getting to experience many new areas of southern Ontario. The province on its own is massive, almost as big as the whole of South Africa. An unusual experience was the sandy beaches in places along Georgian Bay and Lake Huron. Something I never associated with the Great Lakes growing up in southern Africa, and never remember seeing the beaches in any of the tourist brochures, web sites or "coffee-table" photographic books.