My Biggest Mistake

It's been a strange few months when it comes to my blogging.
One reason for my absence has to do with my phone addiction.  I find it easier to hang out in cyber land on this little hand held device than deal with my broken lap top, however blogging with a teeny tiny key board has its challenges as well, so I just stayed away.

The other reason for the silence has more to do with why I have avoided coming here.
Today is the day.
 I feel it is time to break the silence even though it is still hard to talk about.

I should have been packing and prepping to leave for the Percy deWolfe Memorial Race. The plan was to leave this weekend.

I will not be going.

My heart hurts with the disappointment.

For two years it was all I could think of.
Nerves and excitement hung around me all the time.

I had a good feeling about my three dogs that were coming with me.  They were running well and we were slowly building distance.
There was a worry that the miles were not being put on quick enough, but they were strong and loved to run not wanting to stop when we did.

Hubba was losing weight as was I.
The only big step was to practice skijoring with the three together and with the pulk.

That is when I made a mistake.

A big mistake.

I did not listen to my dogs.
They put ALL their trust in me and I let them down.

We had gone running for the day with friends on gorgeous trails..... Perfect trails for training on.  I was so excited with the thought of camping here and spending most of my weekend on the trails only a couple hours away.
It was a nice day with temperatures hovering close to zero.  Nice for the humans but could have been a little cooler for the dogs.

What I loved most about this training were the hills.... Great training for both myself and the fur kids as I also had to run.

However it is also part of the reason we came into trouble.  One in a larger equation.

My first mistake was not packing water snacks.
I was told we wouldn't be gone very long so I did not pack them.  I should have asked how long we would be as my idea of not long is an hour or two.... We were out closer to five.

My second and biggest wrong doing was not listening.
I knew my kids were tired.
We were working hard on those hills and Rigby's tug line kept going slack.

His tug line never goes slack.... Ever.

I knew I should stop to rest but our human leader insisted we keep going to get out to the trucks.
Worried about being out on the trails in the dark we kept ourselves running forward.
I should have just stopped should have listened to my inner voice that kept telling me to stop.

Instead Rigby collapsed.
Heat exhaustion took over and he had to be bagged for the rest of the ride.

Rigby was fine by the time we got back.  But he has never run the same since.
He is worried that this will happen again.
He does not trust in me anymore.
Rigby was my power house.

I let him down.

I let myself down.

I knew then that there was no way I would be able to get the training miles on or just go with two dogs.
It still took over a month before I could tell anyone I was not going.

It broke my heart and my spirit.
It still hurts.

But I AM excited for Raija as she leaves today for the Yukon and to carry out our dream.
I will be with her in spirit.

newnessness

I am trying something new... Writing from my new phone. So bear with me through this learning curve.

It has been a long while since I have expressed myself in print.  To be honest with you I have been discouraged, disappointed, and not very proud of myself.  I felt as though I had given up and let everyone down.

Eating humble pie is not tasting very good at this juncture of my life.... So I have made the decision to spit it out and take a giant leap of faith.

I will be working towards finding sponsors to help me with the goal of getting to the Percy this year... And dear reader if you are able to help me out and spread the word I would be ever so grateful.

The newnessness (I know, NOT a real word) of using my phone and now asking for help is like taking a walk down a new road for me, and it is scary.

New harnesses are first on my list, these will be ordered this week... I have 3 dogs that are in need and I have no choice. As for myself, clothing to be worn in the frigid temps while skiing is needed along with new skis.

For those who don't know the sad story about how all my saved money was lost you will have to wait for another blog. It is a story perfect for Halloween.... A very scary tale for sure.

So for now I shall end this entry with a plea... Even if it seems more like I am begging... Please help me find some sponsors so that I can get myself and my small team of dogs to the Percy...an adventure we have been working toward the last 2 years... My sad story will come out if that helps.

But for now... Look into my fur kids eyes and tell him we WILL get to the Yukon this March!

Soul Searching

The heart races, stomach flips, and sweat begins to form on the palms of my hands.

Here I go again.
Nerves take over and I feel an almost fear in the deepest darkest and dirtiest part of my soul.... holy jeebers it's dusty down here!

I haven't been down in this alley for awhile, it seems the soul searching part of my life has been left alone for a time.
It's almost a little scary here as I look around at the relics that lay about forgotten, almost.

There!! In that corner is the "come on try it!! Just this once!"   There are a few of those, you know the 16 year old with a cigarette, or bottle of beer/whisky/wine, the rolled joint, and well... you have to see it for yourself.   I'm sure most of you have these ones.

And over there is the "should I marry him"  That was a good one, ending happily but of course.

If you look over in that corner you will see the pile of school searches... Art, then Business and finally Education Assistant.
No, not there, that is the Volunteer stuff... lots of those, most of which were all good searches that have helped me in the long run.

No, if you look over there you will see stuffed beside the Move to Alberta and Start a family is the Buy my own business which is buried under the Sell my business. 
It is here you will see the Do we get a sled dog? searches.

There are many of these in varying degrees with a brand new shiny one sitting right out there in the open.
You can't miss it.
Percy is in large letters on the front.

Go on, open it... here let me do it for you ----> here <---- br=""> *shudders*

Yeah, I know.
What was I thinking?

But hey.  I've been getting in shape myself.
Found 2500 acres of land to do some haw/gee training.
Found a new training buddy.
Possibly the use of other dogs to help in training.
I am excited with the amount of running we are going to get to do this winter.

AND I found me a couple of more sponsors.
Aces High Oilfield Services (I shall call my Gold sponsor)
And Carole and Barry Forhan (my wonderful Ma and Pa)

I can't thank them enough... which also means that I have to DO this.

I have to.

So why am I feeling so scared?

Time to be Happy... and Just DO IT

I've been itching....

.... to be creative.

....................... to create.

My scrapbooking corner calls to me daily, yet I walk up to it to only stand there staring with no intention of sitting down to begin work.

My journal and pen have also been crying to be picked up.  Millions of random thoughts have been pushing their way to the tips of my finger tips with the nerve endings twitching and pushing to get me writing these thoughts down.

I have opened my book, scrawled a few lines down, but end up closing it opting for a sudoku puzzle that lays close by instead.

I have however begun running again and it is wonderful.
Running with my girl three times a week in the early mornings as the world around us wakes to a new day.
There is a huge need to get myself in shape this summer and ready for the training season this fall with my dogs.  One that will take on a whole new meaning with our big race looming next March.
Confidence soars through me as I feel fit and ready to take on this challenge.

At the conclusion of my last run on Friday I found myself staring at my watch after I had reset it from interval training to the regular clock.  The seconds were ticking away and I couldn't take my eyes off of the numbers.
01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08..... on and on and on.
Seconds to minutes never stopping.

A sense of panic settled low in the pit of my stomach at how quickly times moves along.
I wanted it to stop, if only for a moment so I could catch my breath.

While watching the numbers tick along it felt as though I could feel the moments pushing their way past me knocking me over along the way. 
Reaching out trying to grab hold of it bringing it close and soothing time, "hush, shhhh, it's okay you don't need to be in such a hurry."
There was nothing to grasp onto as the moments rushed forward disappearing forever into the future.

Standing up I turned the watch away from me, brushed myself off and with a new determination in my step it was decided that these moments should not be wasted.
All this precious time must be used to my best advantage..... to live for the moment..... and in my moments I have decided to choose happiness.

With all the crap that has settled in the corners of my life it is easy to be brought down to sadness, frustration and mind numbing depression.
Yet with time rushing past at such an incredible speed I don't want to lose the opportunity to be happy.... carefree... doing things that I have only dreamed about.

I am going to live to my fullest.

AND I challenge everyone to join me.

Stand tall, smile and lets move forward doing the things we love with the people that we love.

The Percy and the Yukon calls to me.
I can do this.
I will do this.
I WANT to do this.

Meet the Musher

I have been working hard at writing letters in order to gain sponsors, creating a new Facebook page to show case our training and team, and putting up tid bits here in order to introduce my little team.

It is my turn now to share who I am, but I will admit it seems pointless in the back of my head.  Maybe I feel this way because talking about myself is something I cannot do easily, or perhaps it has something to do with how few people I seem to be reaching in the virtual world.

I can see the numbers here and on Facebook and it is a little discouraging when I feel as though I'm putting myself out there for all to scrutinize.

That is the first thing that you will learn about me, I take everything to heart.  Anything and everything that happens in my life is dissected and analyzed.  I sometimes spend too much energy worrying about what others think.  Although I must admit this last couple of years I have done an amazing job of learning how to let negative situations roll off my back.

*Stepping into the spot light, adjusting the hem of my shirt*

*clears throat*

This is harder than I thought... introducing myself... selling myself.... hoping to find people out there who believe in me, want to invest their time and money in me.

If you have read this blog for any length of time you will have learned some of who I am. 
Married for 28+ years.
Two wonderful 'adult' kids.
Work with children in a middle school.  I love my job.
Live in a small rural town in the middle of the prairies in chinook country, only 2 hours from the majestic Rocky Mountains.

The year I run the Percy I will be turning 50 years old.  I do not look, nor do I act my age.  There is no secret to staying  young.
I do not eat extremely healthy, no diet of avocado or sprouts to share.  In fact my diet is lacking this last couple of months.  I really need to eat more veggies for example.
I don't have a routine of facial care to share, no soap or any type of cleanser is used on my face... not because I don't believe in it, it is more that I'm lazy and it takes up time I don't want to waste in the morning. And the only makeup I use is a tiny bit of eye liner under my bottom lashes.

I would say I am a tom boy at heart.
I am more comfortable in a pair of jeans and hoodie than a skirt.
I have long hair that I do hardly anything with... I don't even know how to braid my own hair.
AND I'd rather be playing out in the mountains than going shopping for new shoes.

There are faults.  If someone said they didn't have any they are lying.
My biggest one is how lazy I am.
If allowed I could sit on the couch reading or playing on the computer all day long.
It is easy for me to find excuses to not do something, and I hate that about myself.

Which is why I need to share my adventure with you all...
I love running the dogs... what an incredible experience it is.  Nothing beats the feeling of being on the back of the runners in the middle of the mountains with silence all around you.  The trust between you and your best friends is a strong bond that is not felt in any other situation.
I cannot wait to get on my skis with THREE of my best friends.  I have never done more than two and the feeling I get in my stomach at the thought of three is exhilarating.
We have not had enough snow for me to try this out yet, and I cannot wait.
So I'm not lazy when it comes to my dogs.

My laziness is something that I need to put out on the table for all to see.   I need to have that push to keep myself going. 
I had been running to get into shape.
Made it to a 5K race and was so very proud of myself.

Then the times of the running club changed, my daughter moved back home, and my work hours increased at the end of the day by a bit.
Excuses I made, and no one to be accountable to but myself.
It was much to easy to let it slide.

I want to attend the Percy in the worst way.   I am excited about this adventure.  One that I will be sharing with a new friend, Raija, and can hardly wait for our next get together.
My hubby will be coming with as my 'handler', a support person who has been nothing but positive in this quest so far.
However I am nervous, a deep in the pit of my tummy feeling.. a make my hands sweaty feeling.
I need to be in better shape physically and financially.

This is where you dear readers will be helping me out.  Why I have created a new Facebook page and am blogging here much more often.
I have you to be accountable to.  
I cannot lie... no really.... I am unable to lie, it shows in both my writing and face. 
I also have you to share my story with as I hunt for sponsors to help me get to the Yukon and run this race.

A race that myself and Raija, and maybe a couple others from BC, will be the first women to have entered... there has never been a female skijourer up until 2014.

So please check out my Outback Huskies page if you have not done so already.. subscribe here to my blog.. even subscribe to my Youtube channel (there will be lots more video posted there soon)... and share it with your friends, co-workers, the paper boy, your rich uncle and anyone else you think may be interested or knows someone who would be.

I know this was a lot of reading... but thanks to everyone who comes here and wastes their time with me, it is so appreciated.

And share with everyone!!

Meet the dogs - Elly and Rigby

I still wonder at times what got into me when we said yes to two more siblings.  Yes I needed one more to make a team of 4, but siblings?  Again?  

Training siblings is lots of work, but how could I say no?  We met them when they were 2 weeks old and they were so darn adorable.

 

Naming them was a matter of searching the Internet for names in songs as we decided to go with the theme my son started.  Not sure if anyone has picked up on it yet. 

Beatles songs... Penny (Penny Lane), Rocky (Rocky Raccoon), and Molly was from the song Obla De... Hubba was already named, so we relate him to the Yoko Ono period.

My daughter came up with the idea of Eleanor Rigby... and we loved it.  Here they are at just over 18 months old now.

 

 

ELLY

 

Girls first!   I have to admit it, Elly is probably my favorite as I have become 'her' human.  She loves to cuddle with me on the couch, or the floor, or anywhere I may be sitting.  She is such a sweet dog, but so darn naughty too.

She has chewed holes in the living room and backroom carpets and eats ear plugs any chance she gets.  She also eats poop and I can't pick it up fast enough when I let them out of their runs, I know, disgusting!

We had her spayed as I was not going to have 2 girls in heat at the same time ever again but I believe it has added to Elly's struggle to keep weight off.  She grows fat over night I'm sure of it!   Feeding her is a science to keep the weight from building on her and it doesn't help that she LOVES to eat.

 

When these two were just pups we took them to our friends farm to have them run in a team.  Rick watched the dogs for me and commented that she was pulling out to the side which showed possible signs of a leader.

He was right.

Elly runs so well in lead, she is an amazing little dog with so much energy to burn she and runs like the wind. She also loves to run and screams a high pitch wail when putting her on line.

 

Elly still needs to work with other stronger leaders as she learns her commands but I can see her becoming an excellent skijour dog and I cannot wait to get on skis with her.

 

RIGBY

 

Then there is Rigby.  He is our comedienne of the pack.  Extremely vocal.  Terribly hyper.  Overly naughty.  Crazy focused, or obsessed depending on what he is doing.  Exhausting at times.

If Rigby was a human child he would most likely be on Ritalin as he would have been diagnosed with ADHD... mixed with OCD as well.. when you start throwing his ball he cannot stop chasing and bringing it back, to the point of putting it on your lap if you ignore him.

 

He loves to be loved and to be the center of attention.  Pushing others out of the way so that he can be pet first and solely.  If there is a command chain to the pack order he would be second.  Penny still puts him in his place and he respects her for sure.   If his ball lands right beside her he will wait for her to move before grabbing it.

However he bullies all the other dogs, steals toys and bones from them all, in fact if they are digging a hole he will push them out of the way to take over.

 

Rigby has cost us a fortune in vet bills from his strange disorder called Pica.  He eats non-food items with his favorite being socks.  And not actually just eating them, but swallowing them whole.  He has had colitis and almost died from this.  We have to watch him like crazy and keep an eye on what is laying around the yard or house.

 

But he has been worth every penny as far as I'm concerned.  He is crazy focused and pulls like a semi truck.  He has boundless energy and when running the dogs he hates to stop for any reason.   Fast and strong with a love for running makes him the perfect sled dog.

I just wish he didn't make so much noise.. when we put him in the truck to head to the trails he cries the entire way there, and continues to do so until we actually take off from the truck.

 

Will these two be coming to the Yukon with me...you bet!

 



Time to Meet the Dogs - Rocky and Penny

PENNY

 

Five years ago we said yes to our sons purchase of three siblings from Richard Smiths kennel.... Five years ago our lives changed.  Five years ago our lives went to the dogs.

 

Penny was one of two females in the litter of pure bred Siberian Huskies, a bi-eyed Agouti with a strong personality.

In fact Penny is our alpha dog of the pack and because of this she can be a bit stand offish when it comes to humans.  She will sit back and wait for the others to come get their hugs and loves and then when she is ready will come for her share.  It is as though she would rather not be in the middle of a crowd, much too sophisticated to be in a muddle, actually I would say a bit of a diva.  Did I say a bit??

 

Penny hated her sister Molly, to the point of drawing blood and we were worried that she was a mean dog until we started introducing her to other non-pack dogs to discover she loves making friends and playing with new dog buddies... she just hated her sister for some unknown reason, and her sister hated her (Molly is the reason for the missing ear tip).   We were told once that female Huskies never forget and never forgive, and this was very true for these two sisters.

Sadly we had to re-home Molly, who ended up back with Richard and is in a happy place now.

 

Penny spent the first couple years of her life living in the same run with Oaky, an older experienced dog from the Wannamakers kennel.  Oaky taught all of her queenly, divaish ways to Penny, in fact  it turns out that Oaky was a great aunt to the three siblings so it was inevitable that we should have a princess too.

 

Penny loves to run, with me on a belt, with a scooter and in front of the sled... loves to run when it suits her... if there is a smell or something that pegs her interest then she will do a quick stop to investigate.  Her leader abilities were learned from Oaky and she knows all her command very well as for being a great leader... well again I say... if there is a smell or something that pegs her interest,,, you know the rest. 

 

Will she come to the Yukon with me... No... I have a feeling she is going to rebel with the distances that I plan to put on the dogs this winter.  She could surprise me, but I know my Penny Shpenny and it would be too much work for my princess.

 

 

 

 

 

ROCKY

 

Rocky my boy, brother to Penny, is a sweet heart.  A bit of a suck and scared of the kitchen floor.  He wishes badly that he could be the alpha dog and 'pretends' with Hubba and Rigby.   It is quite funny to watch as he bounces around them giving orders and trying to hump Rigby, he is usually completely ignored, making me feel kinda sorry for him.

 

There is a regal'ness' to Rocky in the way he sits with his front feet crossed watching the pack.  Or how he stands in perfect show form, his tail all curled up fluffly like over his back.  A tail he is very proud of I might add as no one is allowed to touch it... ever!

 

Rocky has surprised me this year with his running abilities.  Of course he loves to run, very much so.  His face seems to light up and he stands tall in his harness.  He has always been put in wheel and with his stocky build and strength it was a perfect spot for him.  This year however I noticed something in him when running doubles on the scooter with the puppies.  His ability to push them where they are suppose to go and his great listening skills to me when giving commands.

 

So when the snows fell and the sled came out I put him in lead... and guess what?  It is the perfect position for him.  I've been so proud of my boy.

 

Will he come to the Yukon with me?

I am hoping so.   We just have to work on our distance and getting him to eat on the trail, but I have a good feeling that Rocky will be with me in the North.

 



 

The three elders share a quiet indoor moment together.

Time to Meet the Dogs - Hubba Bubba

I don't think I have properly introduced my dogs to you and it is about time you learn who is in our pack.
Everyone has unique personalities with their own strengths that add to our little team.  Not everyone will make the team to the Yukon, but no matter they all have a special place in my heart.

Starting with the eldest dog and working down to the youngest I will attempt to bring you into my world of canine joy.

Hubba Bubba

 

This big boy is from our friends the Wannamakers kennel.  He wasn't a lover of long distance and they thought he might make a better small team or skijour dog.

Well, we've owned him almost 3 years and at 6 years old I'm still not sure what he wants to do.

 

He is a dog who thrives in a peaceful non-violent atmosphere... if anyone raises their voice he gets immediately stressed. 

Hubba lives to please and craves loving.... ALL the time.  His life would be complete if you could pet and stroke him 24/7.

 

As I mentioned already he is a big boy.   Arnold should be his name as he has a rather large chest and shoulders, unfortunately he is a 'tad' over weight too. *I hang my head in shame*

The weight however is coming off with a diet and lots of exercise, so I'm not too worried about him.

 

I cannot decide if he loves to run or not.  He seems to love running in a team and is an excellent leader when the moment presents itself... but he hates, HATES skijouring.  I have yet to have a perfect run with him on skis... now.... I should maybe correct myself here with this... he does skijour with me in a non-stressed atmosphere out in the mountains, but in a race setting.. no way.

In fact he doesn't love to lead in a race either.  He feels the excitement of the day and it stresses him out big time.

However he is an extremely fast dog, especially when he realizes he is heading back to the truck at a race... I've never flown so fast on skis!

 

So will he come to the Yukon with me?

 

Probably not.  He is going to be doing some long distance running this winter, I think he loves me enough to want to please, and in the back country of the mountains where it is a calm relaxed run I'm pretty sure I can get him to run with us.   But to race?  I would have serious doubts he would be happy in that situation... but we have 2 race seasons to sort that out... you never know.

Of Dogs and Butterflies

My stomach is doing big time flip flops.

They call it having butterflies and I'm not sure why.
I think of butterflies as soft fluttering creatures that would almost tickle your insides if that is where they were floating about.
What I'm feeling is more like large toads pushing and fighting their way to find a more comfortable spot in my stomach.

I received an e-mail this morning that gave hint that there may only be 2 of us attending the Percy in 2014.  I understand completely the reasoning for one lovely lady not attending, and then the other 2 as we have never gotten together with any of them as a group yet.

I'm pretty sure I still have 1 partner in crime, and my fingers are crossed this is to be.  However I was also left with the realization that it could be just me attending.... and this is when the toads arrived, along with sweaty palms.

Doubt began to creep into my mind... can I really do this?
It's a huge undertaking for me.
We were suppose to all get together in Kimberly this weekend to learn more about Pulks and Pulka training... I've yet to try one... but they had to cancel the get together and move it to a later date.
I do live close enough to the wonderful family that was going to work with us that I can go up myself one weekend.  Yet still sad as I was looking forward to getting together with everyone.  I don't get much chance to talk 'dog' as I am sure the regular people I normally hang around with get tired or bored with my obsession.

Physically there is much to be done.
Early snows have helped with the dogs.
I just need to get myself to the gym and on my skis more often... I can do that.

Financially it's a giant undertaking.
But we always seem to find a way.

No excuses... I will push through all my doubt... I know I can do this.  I know I can. I will.
It is going to be hard.  This I know.
"It's suppose to be hard.  If it wasn't hard everyone would do it.  The hard ... is what makes it great."

Here I Go

I've been lacking in keeping up with my 'blog' and for that I am terribly ashamed.  *head hangs in shame*

It was decided awhile back that I would use this page to record and share what I have been doing to prepare and train for the Percy that I hope to attend in 2014.
The problem with me, is when I become discouraged, I tend to back away from any form of writing.  Which only reminds me of how little I have done.
However if I am to take you, dear reader, on this adventure with me then I must be true with the ups AND the downs.

The word of the day, week, month(s) is discouraged.

I have been unable to meet up with the running group that I joined back in the spring.  The timing was off and I thought I could do this on my own.
Nope.
I have not been keeping up with my daily runs and although I don't feel out of shape my eating habits this last month have been terrible!!!!  Bad me!

The snows and ice have arrived making running a new experience, one that I plan to work on with 'Yaktrax' under my feet.  I can do this, I WILL do this!
With snow comes the joy of my cross country skis... so although I do want to run at the very least once a week, I also need to get out on the trails with my skis.

As the snow increases (fingers crossed) I will be able to finally take my fur kids out as a team and begin their training in full swing.  It has been hard owning only 1 scooter.. and our little quad has been out of commission... so there hasn't been an easy opportunity to run as a team yet... I'm dying with anticipation for my kids.

The biggest form of discouragement for me is not the physical training (we usually are not in full training mode until now as a rule anyway), but is the financial side of this adventure.

Raising dogs is an expensive hobby as most of you will know and it does not end with feeding and vet bills.    Feeding however is expensive when you have dogs that participate in this form of activity, like any high endurance athlete they need a well balanced diet.  
We have struck it lucky in the meat department this year however and a HUGE thank you must go out to a very wonderful family, the CHAPMANS, with their donation of last years meats from hunting... and a help in finding more from their hunter friends.  Our freezer is nicely stocked and helps our grocery bill towards the dogs tremendously!

AND our vet became our first business sponsor!  A giant shout out to the Didsbury Vet Clinic ... you have no idea how much you helped us out this season.. it's a massive relief in this household for sure.

Unfortunately there is still so much to raise money for.
Travel expenses are on going.  We have no choice but to drive to our training locations... most of which are more than 2 hours away if we want any form of mileage under our runners.   Races are also a day or two travel for us which also means accommodation and food for the humans.
The scariest expense for my big race in 16 months from now is the vehicle itself.  We will most definitely need something newer that we can trust to get us north to Dawson City.

Lines, new skis (which are a big need this year), harnesses, booties for the dogs, clothing gear for me, a pulk, and so much more... all expenses that I have yet saved up for... gulp.

Discouraged... you bet.
I truly need a second job in order to obtain this dream, but if that were to happen I'm not sure when I would fit the training in for myself or the dogs.

So, you may ask, what is your next step?
Letters.

The writing of lots of letters looking for sponsorship in many forms.   It seems to be the only way to get this dream up and running in full swing.
Once my dog boxes are painted we will have a ready canvass to advertise all our sponsors... I will even patch up my coats, ski pants, dog bags.. you name it.. we will be a roving advertisement board!

I love dog sledding and skijouring and wish it was a simple matter of just running dogs.  Racing  is also about business it seems.  At least if you are wanting to go further with your dogs.

Sitting here watching the snow come down, dogs laying around being couch potatoes, I cannot wait for it to build up on the trails so that we can get on the runners again....

Money aside... 

THIS is why I do this in the first place.

 

 

Well... here goes nothing then... the adventure to be blogged.. the good and the bad, it all belongs together. 

Here I Go.

 

signed, Rochelle, (yup, first time my names been mentioned on this sight) of Outback Huskies.

Attending a Sled Dog Seminar

OR
Attending a Meeting with Other Dog Nutty People

OR
10 Things I Learned This Weekend

The Gateway Sled Dog Club (Canadian Challenge) in Prince Albert hosted a Vet Education Seminar aimed at Sled Dogs this weekend.
Prince Albert Saskatchewan, an 8 hour drive North East for us.

A long drive for a 1 day seminar.  A drive of nothing but wide open going on forever fields of wheat.

It was totally worth it.

I was able to meet others who were as invested in their dogs as I was, most of whom had years of experience under their belts.    Ask questions and learn.
I love learning and when it comes to my dogs you can bet I was in my happy place.

Meeting Bart DeMarie and listening to his stories from the Yukon Quest Trail was an hour that could have been all morning for me.  His brother Stefaan shared tons of helpful and very useful information with me as well.

Karen Ramstead was also a presenter this weekend and I was thrilled to be able to meet her.  After following her mushing career for quite a few years it was in a small way almost like meeting a mushing 'rock star' to me.  Karen has been an inspiration for me when it comes to dog sledding as a woman in a largely populated male world.

 

Karen is a wonderful speaker and just like Bart her time speaking was way too short.

 

Ruth Sims was the Vet who spoke of dog sledding injuries and dehydration, what to look for and helping the dog with massage.  There was also talk of what a sled dog should weigh and how to determine the perfect body on the dog... information that interested me greatly as we try ever so hard to get Hubba to lose weight.

 

 

Yes, I learned lots this weekend... which I will sum up in my top 10 list....

 

1.  I have a couple chubby (fat) sled dogs who need to lose a few pounds.

 

2.  Long and mid distance mushers are a very laid back group of people. 

 

3.  That I will most likely find open water and jumble ice on the Yukon River when I'm there

 

4.   I'm VERY excited about my adventure in 2014.

 

5.   I do not like driving through Saskatoon... drivers here in this province are way too aggressive.

     

6.  Saskatchewan nights on the prairies are very dark.

 

7.  Never, NEVER camp beside the loading door of Walmart.

 

8.  Tea made over a camp stove tastes the best..

9.   I LOVE my -50 sleeping bag. Especially with the cold clear night here in Prince Albert.

 

 

10.  Winter can't come fast enough for me.

Mid Life Crisis

You could call my tattoo a mid-life 'little red sports car' if you want.

However it has lots of meaning for me.

I suppose you could call it a mid-life crisis what with the fact that I am turning 50 in less than 2 years, but it is much more than that.

The tattoo itself represents my learning not to care what others think of me. 
I am me and will not/ cannot change who I am.  Either you accept me or you don't, that is your choice not mine.

It represents my dogs, obviously, and even though I used Rigby as the face it is in memory of any dog who has been with me throughout my life.
Family dogs as a child and dogs in my own home as an adult.  Dogs that are no longer here on earth with me, but in my heart, and dogs that cover me in kisses every day.

Rigby's face embodies the focus that he was born with.  An extremely focused dog which is something I dig deep for as I prepare myself mentally and physically for the big race in 2014.
I'm also pretty sure he will be one of three dogs along with me in the Yukon.

This tattoo also represents the dog powered sports that I love so much.  Be it behind the dogs with the belt and my own power of feet, muscle and cardio, or on a scooter, sled or skis... It is the fun and joy I share with my dogs.

Lastly it is all about adventure. 
Adventures that are all about the life we lead, allow ourselves to lead.
Now that I've hit my mid life it is ALL about adventure.  Whether it is going for a tattoo, running dogs in the mountains, attending sprint races, running 5K foot races or taking an incredible job in a middle school, it is all an adventure.

And I'm out to find more! 

MY Perfect Life

I am full.

Happy.

Not everything is perfect... show me a perfect life and you'll see boring.
Oh yes there are times I would love to live boring... who doesn't?

I am surrounded by family who supports and loves me.. although there are times I wish they lived closer.
My world is filled with doggy love, which is the best kind ever... full of adventure and naughtiness.
A perfect job with awesome co-workers... and amazing kids.
A roof over my head... even though it leaks in places it's mine.

As I sat here writing this my two younger pups came running up to me and knocked me down to kiss me tails wagging.  Laughing as I sat up Rigby started singing to me in his rather loud voice with a big smile on his face.
Now if that doesn't add to my perfect life I don't know what would?

I cannot wait to begin full fledged training with these two.  They love me unconditionally and would do anything for me.  I sense an amazing adventure awaiting for us.

Working hard at getting myself into shape, and having completed my first ever 5K race, it is becoming clear that this 100 mile undertaking on skis is a dream turning into reality.

If you want something bad enough, and you're willing to make sacrifices, you can do it.

But first

You have to believe in yourself.

Summer? Helloooo Summer???

Not sure what happened to our weather this year.
Winter decided to keep it's distance.
And now summer has made itself scarce.

I will admit we've had humidity... and we are not used to that where we live.
Not high humidity mind you, but warm enough that I cannot run the dogs with the scooter.
I decided to run by myself this morning at 6... and I was sweating buckets by the time I was done... There is no way my fur kids would have done it.... well, they would have, and would have happily... at least until the heat hit them, and then that would have been the end of it. 
My dogs trust me to not over do it with them... and heat with my kids is an over do.... I suppose it is their summer holidays too.

As I write this it is about 12 degrees... and raining... but it feels colder.
If this is what we've been dealt then the snows might as well come.
Bring on winter so I can work on training my pups..... I cannot wait to get started.

Winter better happen this year... or.... or.... well.... or else!

I shared this bumper sticker on facebook, and thought it worthy to put here... our 'girl' team for Percy needs a name... and I'm wondering if Mush Girls would work.. or Mushing Mamas? 

Good Day Sunshine

The longest day of the year has come and gone having left us with 18 hours and 44 minutes of light. (although if you consider the nautical sunrise and sunset it was more like 21 hours)
I have a love hate relationship with the length of daylight that spills in though my window.  It's not the warmth or soul lifting that it brings into my life.  I crave sunshine no matter what day in the year.   I Love the way it warms my face on a cold winters day, or how it brings out the diamonds that lay on a field of snow.
No, it's the fact that I am already an early riser and don't really need the extra prodding to open my eyes at 4:30 in the morning that leaves me with a hint of displeasure.  
This could be fixed with darker blinds in my room.. but for those who know me, that'll never happen.

I will admit however that this last week of early rising has been a gift as I sit watching the sky change into the most magnificant colours to announce the coming of a new day.
Having to watch it through my living room window covered in the art of doggy nose prints added to my happiness as I was reminded of what a wonderful and full life I have.

Has it been aging that has finally let me see the joy in life?
Or can it be as I physically become healthier my mental health too has improved?

I have now run 5K more than once and have been so proud of myself.
I'm not quite ready to do the entire distance in one shot, however I do have to remind myself the location I am training on is all hills.   With my running group last night I did 10 minute runs 3 times.. it ended at the bottom of the long hill that is a killer everytime I run it... At the top of this hill is the 5K mark and it would have taken me all of 5 minutes to finish it..
I just couldn't find the energy to do it last night.

The sunshine that I crave and love was beating down upon me making it hard to breath as my sweat soaked through the t-shirt trying to cool me.  
We haven't had much heat as of late and I found it hard to complain, but it was the main reason I could not find the reserves that are usually buried deep down to run that hill one more time.

Knowing what I have accomplished in just 2 months time has led me to believe that I WILL be able to prepare for 100 miles on skis with my dogs.
And thinking ahead about the training season with my dogs I can only smile and feel a bolt of excitment rush through me.  What fun we are going to have!! 

Here I am not even 24 hours away from the longest day of the year and the first day of summer and I'm already longing for winter!

My motivation for the day....

Oh, why not.... the song of the day...

Canine Crap

Obsessed?

I'm not sure what the correct term is for what I've been going through.

Consumed..... Absorbed..... Haunted...... Engrossed?

Daily in my home the Internet is opened to articles relating to dietary nutrition for racing dogs
Articles on what is best for my fur kids.... many I have to weed out that are written by people who they themselves eat a daily meal of seaweed that is infused with salmon and flax seed oils to ward off evil spirits.

For myself and running I know how I feel with what I've been eating.  What works at creating or even losing energy... and what to NOT eat if I want to continue to lose weight.

Yet for my kids, they cannot tell me what is or is not working.
Instead I keep my eye on what comes out of their body.
Their poop.

Every morning and night as I'm doing the daily chore of picking up after them I spend time examining this most disgusting particle.
Is it firm?
What colour is it?
Was there any food that didn't digest?
If it's the hubby who was out with the kids I question him.... AND he doesn't find it odd I do so, which is why we are married I suppose.

Going out in public I have to make it a point to NOT talk about this most disgusting topic.  Seriously who but another 'musher' is all that interested in what comes out of their dogs?  Most normal people spend their days working hard at not stepping on it, or if they own a dog, bribing their kids to pick up after Fido once a week.  Which sets off the gag reflex and possible temper tantrums.

Just as I'm making sure that my body receives the correct nutrition I have to make sure my furry athletes also have the same care put into what is given to them....

Obsessed? Maybe EnGROSSed is more like it.

However this doesn't change the meaning of this decal that we own... referring only to the 'white' stuff and not the brown!

I LOVE MY LIFE

I've been planning my upcoming racing season so that I can sort out the training side of things.
I know, I know it is only June.  Summer has yet to begin.  What am I doing thinking snow??!!??

Hey... I didn't say I wasn't crazy.
Although in my eyes I seem perfectly normal.

I'm so excited about the upcoming training season.  It is all about getting ready for the Percy now.
Race dates without the training are exciting themselves..
Dec. 8th..
Jan. 18th..
Feb. 2nd..
Feb. 15th ....
*claps hands!!!*

This past weekend I met with some of the team members... Brenda, Becky and Raija whom I spent the most time with.
I came away feeling so incredibly excited about our upcoming adventure.

Nothing is going to stop us now!

Nothing.

Hanging with the ladies, talking about the race, and our gear, and the training for us and dogs I felt as if I could bounce in my seat.
Not only were we starting the whole adventure, I also had others who wouldn't get bored talking about dogs.. what they eat, how they poop, training tips,  puppy talk.

Speaking of puppy talk.

We also had 7, 5 week old pups to occupy our time.. it was wonderful... surprised I didn't come home with one... oh, right, they are too young yet.. wonder if I should be visiting in 3 weeks time???

It was great to meet with the others.  I feel so confident now.  We can do this... all of us! 

The only downside to my weekend was coming home with the flu.  So sick, no energy for even standing and eating anything is a challenge, it actually hurts to put food in my stomach.  A major pain to me as I missed my run with the running club tonight, and it was the harder one. 
Harder is all relative I suppose, so not harder... just longer... but I missed it, and I'm so bummed.

That's okay, in a couple days I will be right as rain and ready to carry on... because I have a goal now... a GOAL.. and no longer a DREAM.

I really do have an awesome life... a supportive hubby.. the best kids ever.. my entire family is actually a great inspiration to me... the best job... the greatest hobby with pups that love me unconditionally.  AND adventure. 

*Smile*

I need to share one of my favorite songs now

Edwin, Alive

I Can and I Will, Just Watch Me!

What our minds do to us it amazing.

I have advanced in how far I can run and am just about ready for the 5K run in 3 weeks.  I cannot believe how far I've come in such a short time.

On my run last night it started off easy and there wasn't even a thought of what I was doing, I just did.  At about the half way mark my mind started playing games with me.... "hey, feel those legs? Yeah they are getting tired, you should walk a bit"... Then, after berating 'mind' for it's negative thought, it was as if it went into a trance, almost like it was pouting and went to the corner to sulk.  Thoughts were empty and my body a machine that was turned on and forgotten.

If I had not been with the running group I think I could have gone on in that same pace for a lot longer.  However if  I had not been with the group it would have been too easy to listen to the whining of the mind when it wanted me to stop.

I love that I'm getting my body into shape.  I feel fit and healthy in my body... but I also feel fit and healthy in my mind, it has become stronger.
The depression that I struggle with has been easy to walk to the door and told to leave. 
I've been much happier.

AND tomorrow I head to BC for the weekend with part of the group that is working toward the same goal as me, the Percy DeWolfe Memorial Race. 
This dream will become a little more real in this crazy mind of mine and that excites and terrifies me all at the same time.

 Dreams come a size too big so we can grow into them.

My motivation for the day



My Job, yes, You Should be Jealous

Lately I've been obsessed with my running and training for the Percy... it's all I think about (or so it seems).
And why not?  What an adventure!  I tingle deep down with excitement just thinking about it.  After all the dogs and I will be running a small section of the Yukon Quest trail... *squeal!!*

As for my running, that also has me excited.   I never thought I could be a runner... and here I am in less than a month almost ready to run a 5K without stopping.

Who woulda figured at this point in my life at 48 years old I would be heading for an incredible adventure and in the best shape ever.

However that is not all that is happening in my life.
It is as if everything is falling into place.   The jigsaw puzzle of who I am is filling in nicely, the picture is clear now, and it makes me smile.
The section that is finally crystal is my job.
I LOVE my job.   It is one that I am re-hired for yearly and I cross my fingers that I will return for many more to come.

The staff, my co-workers, are an amazing group of people that take their work seriously.  It makes me feel so incredibly overwhelmed to think that my kids were educated in this atmosphere, but also opened my eyes to how and why they ended up where they have today.... I've got to say that we are incredibly lucky in this small town to have a fabulous group of dedicated teachers from K to 12.

My job. 
I go to work daily knowing that I will smile often.  I enjoy the children I work with, they are able to baffle me and some will challenge me, yet they all amaze me. 
I get to be a mentor yet at the same time am able to act silly and be goofy if the situation allows for it.  It's like being paid to be a Girl Guide leader and I LOVE it!!

Speaking of which... I'm off to get ready for a super, wonderful incredible day now... and it begins with a run which means it will be a perfect one.

Doubt

Doubt starts creeping in.

The door has been kept closed for the longest time, keeping this unwelcome guest out.
It's been a laid back kinda time as the belief in myself has been rockin' high on adrenaline.

Someone left the door open after the last party.
I'm pretty sure it was when self loathing tried to make an appearance and was kicked out for bad behaviour.
With the door open even the tiniest crack it wouldn't take much for doubt to slither it's way inside.

It hasn't helped that my ankle has been giving me grief for reasons I cannot explain.  Did I sleep on it wrong?  Perhaps it was the way I stood up out of bed? 
Whatever happened.... for whatever reason... I've pulled a ligament or muscle or who knows what.   Just when I think it's feeling better that sharp little stabbing pain hits to remind me that, not just yet should I be running on it.

Then in walks, no, what did I say? Slither.  Yes that sounds more true to it's nature.  In slithered doubt.

I've tried my best to ignore the negative things it has to say... turning my back on it, spending quality time with sloth (well I can't run so I may as well take advantage) this slow lazy weekend.
But darn it all, that doubt is sneaky.

So here I am again... working hard to cheer myself on.

100 miles is still almost 2 years away.
5K isn't really all that bad... you are up to15 minutes ... and it does work out to only another 15 minutes... you are almost there... sore ankle or not... you can do this.

Then there is doubt once again... "what if it takes longer than a few days to start running again"  "Maybe you're not running because you're using this as an excuse"  "what if you get hurt closer to the event"  "who are you kidding?  you're an old lady you know" "what were you thinking?"

I'm still working hard at doing my best to ignore this enemy of mine.... and it's hard.... I just need to try and keep my head up and remember it wont always be easy.... I guess I just thought it would be further into my training before this would happen.
IF it had to happen at all.