How Sanna Näslund balances canicross, motherhood, and championship success

Being a high-performing athlete in canicross while managing two kids, dogs, and work is no small feat.

Swedish canicross athlete, World Championship medalist, and Non-stop dogwear athlete Sanna Näslund shows us that with passion, perseverance, and teamwork, we can unleash our potential, even when life feels overwhelming.

In this article, we explore Sanna’s incredible journey, practical strategies for balancing dog training, competition, and parenting, and how she overcame challenges to inspire parents, athletes, and dog lovers alike.

The start of Sanna's journey into canicross and dog training

Sanna’s passion for dog-powered sports began at just 11 years old when she first tried skijoring, a sport combining skiing and dog power. She was instantly sold on it.

“I immediately got hooked... I loved the speed and was fascinated by how important teamwork with the dog is.”

This passion quickly grew into something more, a lifelong commitment to mastering dog sports and building an unbreakable bond with her dogs. For Sanna, the relationship between handler and dog is everything. She believes success comes from trust, consistent training, and clear communication.

Training and competing while pregnant

Breaking barriers and redefining expectations

In February 2020, Sanna was selected to represent Sweden at the European Championships in Åsarna, Sweden. She was halfway through her first pregnancy at the time, yet her commitment to competing remained unshaken.

“I was incredibly happy and proud that my federation believed in me as a pregnant athlete and that my sponsors stood by me and supported me through all my pregnancies. […] Normally, women are expected to stop their sport when they have children, and I am incredibly happy that women are showing that you can and want to stay active through pregnancies and continue competing afterward.”

While some questioned her choice to compete, Sanna pushed through physical challenges, including breathlessness and intense fatigue.

Competing alongside her loyal companion, Zigge, was a cherished memory, though the physical challenges were undeniable:

“One of the hardest things about being pregnant is how breathless I became. I had constant lactic acid buildup, which was exhausting.”

Matching training with pregnancy realities

Sanna’s pregnancies taught her that no two journeys are the same. She aimed to train as much as possible but had to adapt when her body demanded rest:

“During my first pregnancy, I could only run up to week 14, and after that, I experienced severe stomach pain. During my second pregnancy, however, I was able to run up until week 39.”

While everyone experiences pregnancy differently, she firmly believes that staying active during pregnancy helps the body recover faster postpartum.

Rebuilding strength post-pregnancy: small steps lead to big wins

After giving birth, Sanna faced the reality of rebuilding her body, a challenge many mothers can relate to. The body is not the same as before, and managing to take it slow was a hard task, but the greater lesson is to look at the long-term process.

“It’s really about rebuilding the body from scratch, and I have truly worked to build it up from the inside out. I focused a lot on strengthening my pelvic floor and started working on this already in the hospital both times with small, simple exercises.”

Sanna emphasizes the importance of pelvic floor exercises to regain stability and strength, especially for sports like canicross, which are high-impact. 

Making her return at the CaniX open

In a testament to her determination, Sanna set her sights on the CaniX Open 2023 in Czech Republic half a year after giving birth to her second son. Competing with her new dog, Bosse, the race marked an emotional milestone.

“I felt such happiness when we crossed the finish line after the second day. I was so proud of Bosse’s debut on the competition track, and I was so incredibly impressed with my body for managing to perform canicross just over six months after my most recent delivery.”

Why the bond with your dog matters

Sanna believes that success in dog-powered sports is rooted in the unique bond between handler and dog.

“He [Bosse] gives me a great sense of security on the track and always focuses fully forward as soon as he puts on the harness. After we cross the finish line, he always turns toward me and looks so incredibly satisfied with what we accomplished together, and this warms my heart so much.”

Their teamwork has been the key to achieving international medals and overcoming personal challenges.

“I especially love the teamwork between the handler and the dog, I love growing and developing as a team, I love competing, and I love that you are never fully trained—you can always keep improving.”

Family support – A key ingredient for success

Balancing family life, work, and rigorous dog training wouldn’t be possible without a strong support system. Sanna credits her partner, Niklas, and her extended family for making her journey manageable.

“Niklas’s support means an enormous amount, and our families are always happy to help with the kids when needed.”

Sanna also finds ways to involve her children Otto, 4 years old, and Sixten, 2 years old, in her active lifestyle, making training sessions family-centered.

“I want training and movement to become a natural part of my children’s lives, so I find it especially fun when clubs arrange kids’ classes at competitions. In the winter, they enjoy riding a snow racer behind Bosse, and in the fall, Otto loves cycling while Sixten still enjoys just riding in the stroller.”

Overcoming doubts – Trusting in your journey

Like many parents, Sanna faced moments of self-doubt about returning to competition.

“I wondered if I could match up against the other athletes again all the other incredibly skilled athletes again, or whether I would ever compete at the same level as I did before my pregnancies.”

Her determination to regain confidence paid off:

“I have truly realized that we are capable of so much more than we think. Even though motherhood can be incredibly demanding, it is also a superpower!”

Her bond with Bosse was a turning point. Competing together felt like rediscovering her confidence and joy in the sport.

“Every flawless run Bosse and I complete together is what makes me feel the best. That feeling when you and your best friend push each other to the limit, and everything works perfectly along the course, is for me the greatest victory. That is precisely why I do dog sled sports—because I truly love achieving that perfect teamwork as a team."

Sanna’s achievements, including a World Championship bronze in Spain and a European Championship silver in Finland, are testaments to her resilience and dedication.

Juggling training, parenting, and work: Sanna’s secrets

For Sanna, balancing work, parenting, and her rigorous training schedule requires smart systems and flexibility.

“I train either early in the morning before they wake up or after the kids have gone to bed at night. Many times, I bring the kids along for my training sessions, especially when I am out running with Bosse. That way, we get time together, and they also think it’s fun to cheer for Bosse when he trains.”

This also transcripts into building new routines at races.

“Having children with you at competitions is the most wonderful thing, but also, of course, quite demanding. Previously, I only had myself and my dog to focus on before races, but now I also have to carry the children around for hours before the race, make sure they eat, go to the bathroom, comfort them when needed, and so on. Of course, this doesn’t give me the best conditions to perform optimally, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world. They are my everything and give me so much back!”

Tips for balancing family and dog training

Sanna shares her tips for other parents striving to balance their passion for dog sports with parenting:

• Prioritizing and scheduling tasks. Create a weekly schedule that sets aside time for family, work, and dog sports. Tackle the most important ones first.
• Being flexible. Accept that not everything will go perfectly. Remember that it’s all about balance, and it’s okay to adjust and adapt along the way.
• Asking for help. Talk to other parents involved in dog sports. They may have valuable tips and experiences to share.
• Involving your family. Make dog sports a family activity. Children can learn a lot by participating and helping out, and it can become a fun shared hobby.
• Taking care of yourself. Don’t forget to take time for self-care. Being well-rested and feeling good makes it easier to manage all aspects of life.

Training tips to unleash your potential

When working towards recovery as well as going back to being performant, or simply getting into shape post childbirth, Sanna offers this advice:

1. Keep it simple. Train when you can, and don’t overcomplicate things.
2. Set achievable goals. Focus on progress, not perfection. Be kind to yourself. It’s okay not to be able to do everything at once.
3. Seek for support. You don’t have to do it all alone.
4. Make it a time for family. Make training sessions a fun, shared experience.
5. Trust your body. It’s capable of more than you know.
6. Continue recovery exercises. Pelvic floor strengthening helps to stay physically stable.

Sanna reminds us that every step, no matter how small, brings you closer to your goals.

“Enjoy the journey and those little moments with your family and your four-legged friends. You are doing an amazing job!”

Final thoughts – Inspire, train, and achieve with your dog

Sanna Näslund’s story is a testament to what’s possible with passion, support, and resilience. Her journey proves that with careful prioritization, dedication, and a strong bond with your dog, you can balance parenting, work, and high-level competition.

Now, she’s looking ahead to the World Championship in Nordic style in Røros, Norway, with Bosse by her side, ready to embrace new challenges and achieve even greater heights.
Inspired by Sanna’s story? Share this article with fellow parents and dog lovers to motivate them to stay active and unleash their potential!