First Race of the Season

We have been training our small team pulling a toboggan sled with weight in it... weight being of the human form.
Anywhere from 300 pounds (ish) to 400 and running at a lope up to 6 miles at a time.  I was kind of hoping that we would be at 10 miles by now, but that is not the case.

Building muscle and strengthening ankles, wrists, and shoulders is much more important to me than building on anything to do with speed.
Yes it is true that we participate in sprint racing.... but for me [the racing] is all just a small part of attending these events.  It is all about meeting up with experienced mushers and learning from some of the best.

With the races less than a week away I would have liked to have dropped the weight from the sled before pulling out the sprint sled.
With the race so close that particular trail that we had been training on is now closed to public use for the obvious reason of keeping it in race condition for next weekend.
That's okay, I work with a lady who has offered up her land for me to use.  It is part of a larger trail system that a musher friend of mine uses and he has given it up for us to use and even ran over it for us with his snow machine.

It is pretty basic and we have plans to borrow his snow mobile to put in a couple more turns to work on our leaders but for now we are keeping it pretty simple with one exception and that is a sharp right turn away from his land.
It took five times out to practice keeping the dogs from wanting to turn onto his land which we had done in the past... Five times I needed to have someone in the sled with me to help direct these determined pups.
Five times for the light to go on in their heads, "oh, you WANT us to go Gee.. got it!"
We have lots of snow, but at the same do not have lots of snow... not enough for my snow hook to grab on to anything so I could get out on my own and lead the kids in the right direction.

Which meant my dogs didn't have the opportunity to run without any weight in the sled as of yet.

With the count down on now we have very little time to get ready.... and it doesn't help that my sled suffered during yesterdays afternoon run.
 With the dogs pumped and ready to go and AFTER Ray let go of the leaders and AFTER he was thrown off his feet and went flying into the sled and AFTER ramming into the snow hook which was attached to the side of the sled which then slammed into my left leg it was discovered that the sled suffered a broken stanchion.

So, the sprint sled will come out tonight... but this also means the line needs to be changed to a 4 dog and I need to get out with my sprint team...

For this particular race they have set a ruling that says we have to start the 6 dog open with 6 dogs rather than the 5 that the ISDRA allows and that we need to have 2 dogs for the skijour event.
With only 5 in our pack trying to adjust for this has forced us to come up with decisions on who misses out... who would care.... who wouldn't suffer the defeat of not being used.

IF we had more miles under our harnesses this wouldn't be a huge issue as I would use one of the Alaskans twice in one day.  Rigby is probably more than capable, but he has yet been in front of a pair of skis!   He is not a strong leader,,,, yet,,,, so I'm not sure how he would do.

Tonight I shall try him out... who knows... I may be able to enter that class after all.

For now our plan is as follows...


 Elly and Rocky will lead us in the 4 dog open with Rigby and Hubba in wheel.  We have not put those two up front together in a few weeks... but after our run yesterday it is most obvious that Hubba isn't confident without Penny beside him... and although Rocky shows strong leader skills he is a bit of a dork at races when passing happens.  (He hates to be passed)

Penny will not race as she is our diva who doesn't work very hard, but I will still take her out on the skis later on in the afternoon to stretch her legs.,.. however if her and Rigby show promise tonight, then maybe I will just take a chance and enter the 4 mile skijour event.

4 sleeps to registration.
4 sleeps to meeting up with good friends and catching up once again.

See you there!
http://www.rosebudrun.ca/default.shtml

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.

I. Can. Do. This!

I feel physical pain deep within my stomach.

Breathing becomes a chore as I gasp for breath.

My palms become damp with sweat and as I wipe them off on my thighs I find myself doubled over feeling weak at the knees.

Breathe.... focus..... one breath at a time.
I drop to the floor on my knees... dizzy.
Breathe.... focus.... one breath at a time.

I received an e-mail today discussing a get together with the ladies who will form our group that will  be entering the 100 mile skijour race in 2 years.

This is real.

Excitment courses through me at the thought of such an adventure.
Fear takes over as I think of all I need to do to get myself and my dogs ready.

I'm so scared.

I can hardly breathe.

Breathe.... focus.... one breath at a time.

So I stand up.... legs apart to hold my balance and face my fears.

I can do this.
I will do this.
It's okay to be scared, not okay to give in to the fear and let it stop me.

Full Speed Ahead

My horoscope today reads;

 

Today's New Moon falls in your sign, marking a turning point in your year. You are already preparing to make important changes, but have probably experienced a few false starts or setbacks in recent months. Although it might require another month or so to see significant progress, the intentions you set now confirm that the ball is rolling in the right direction. Be ready to start the next part of your journey because there's no going back.

 

I do not read my 'scopes regularly, nor do I take any advice from them.  It is more of a glance over and most of the time chuckle at what is foretold of my upcoming day. 

 

However I had to share today's astrological forecast.

 

My life is full of roads and pathways. 

Some are straight and paved with clear direction.

Most are cracked pavement, gravel or dirt ruts that seem to twist and turn with many sharp bends and forks with no signs telling me which way I should go.

 

I've recently taken a road that was void of travel. A path that not many have crossed, one that I will have to walk along with few who understand what obstacles I will encounter.

 

Scared?

A little.

 

I've started running and it isn't as easy as I thought it would be without dogs tied to my waist.

My diet has changed for the better and although I still cheat, it isn't big cheats and I don't feel bad when I've eaten that little piece of chocolate.

I have lost 15 pounds now.  So it is all worth it.

 

'Be ready to start the next part of your journey because there's no going back.'

 

This sounds ominous... yet excites me too.

 

I'm turning that corner ahead, and will do so with my head held high.... look out here I come!

 

Self Discovery

I had a bug put in my ear yesterday.

A bug that has wormed its way into my very soul.
It's all I can think about.

http://www.thepercy.com/race-info

100 mile Skijour race up in the Yukon.

100 miles... I've only ever run 4 miles at a time so far.... and here I am looking at 100.
Two other lady musher friends of mine are seriously looking at this making us a team of three crazies.
Being realistic and all (haha) we are thinking of doing the race in 2014 which gives us 2 years from now.

I will have to dig deep for this.

Plans include;

A complete dietary change for myself which I have been working on this last couple of months anyway, so it wont be a big deal.   It is also a way of eating/living that has been done in my life before so it should not be too hard to slip back.

A dietary over-haul for the dogs meaning tons of reading for me as I research what would be best for my fur babies.

Training regime to include weights. This totally excites me as I've seriously missed this in my life lately, and am looking forward to bringing it back.
Cardio big time. I would like to work toward running a 10 or 5K race in July, and who knows a 1/2 marathon next year?

Running dogs every chance I have.  The training will focus on the puppies as that is likely who will come with me on this adventure, but of course all the dogs will be included.
We will continue our daily morning walks.
Run on snow with the sled or skis for the rest of this winter (yeah, what winter?) as much as possible.
Dog park on the weekends for our socialization.
Scooter runs as soon as the ice leaves.
Carnicross the puppies every night, again, as soon as the ice leaves.
Then of course, fall training and WINTER!!

I've already started my research into either purchasing or building a Pulk, and working out a new boot system.  Something warmer than I have now.
New skis will most likely be in my future as will warm weather gear.. well that is obvious as I plan to lose a ton of weight over this next year so I have no choice but to be re-fitted.

Just re-read my above list and have to laugh. What else can I do but laugh? The only thing I am ready for at this point is that I have the sleeping gear.

So.

1. I must acquire money.   Lots of it.   Which means a super duper summer job better come my way.
2. Get my butt in gear and get moving.
3. Money, I need money.
4. Get the dogs butts in gear and get them moving.
5. Money.. oh, did I mention that already?  Yes, well I need lots of it.

Money for gear, food for dogs, gas money to get to the Yukon (and money for vehicle expenses).
Money for lost work time in order to get there, race, then get back home.
Money for incidentals... I said gear already... but, you know things like socks, booties, foot creams, treats for dogs.
Money for registration for that particular race, and all the other races we will and need to attend for experience.. including the road races I want to enter to get in shape.
Money for gym membership, running shoes etc. etc. etc. etc.

etc.
etc.
etc.

sigh.

I need to either win the lottery or have a very rich friend who will sponsor me.
Since I wont have either, I guess I better start looking for that perfect summer job.

The Day I Felt My Age

Or My Adventures in Skijouring

I would like you to think back on your past.... remember tobogganing as a child?
The thrill of speeding down that hill, the wind in your face, snow being whipped up stinging your cheeks.
Those moments of hitting bumps and the sled tipping you face first into the soft frosty snow.
Do you remember the heart in the mouth moments when you hit speeds that you were sure were Mac 1?

Now imagine if you will, cutting two thin strips from that toboggan and strapping them to your feet.
You have to go down that hill staying in an upright position balancing yourself with two poles that you cannot lose... so don't let go!
Oh... I've forgotten something in this moment.  That you have two wild dogs strapped to your waist tearing down that same hill. AND that you are about 30 years older than that child you used to be!

Yup.. that was me as we started off on our skijouring adventure yesterday.
We had to go down a hill to get to the lake..... I ended up sitting on my butt the entire way down.
Now you have to picture this..... with me laughing the whole time... what a hoot.

Those of you who do not know what skijouring is, let me explain the craziness of this sport.
There is a belt that you wear around your waist.... attached to this belt is a rope that is then clipped to a dogs harness.  Hopefully the said dog(s) will then pull you along at a nice even speed while you help them wearing cross country skis.

This picture is of a facebook friend of mine and a young lady whom I've met many times at various races...  will demonstrate what it looks like as you ski across the finish line.

There are no pictures of me this year skijouring as no one has been around with a camera when I've gone... and yesterday although I brought a camera no pictures were taken... and I will now explain why.

Our dog sledding friend took us to the most beautiful spot in the Kananaskis area... well close to it anyway... the scenery was breath taking.  I love going to the mountains and always wonder why we don't go more often every time I'm there.

So after he left with his team of 7 pups and sled on the trail we would be taking, we proceeded to put our on our belts, ski boots and harness the dogs....

(The pups waiting for us to get ready)

I walked to the top of the hill, which at the moment didn't look too bad to me.

Then proceeded to put the skis on my feet while holding back two frantic dogs wanting to take off down the obvious trail.  While holding them back they decided to get all tangled up in their line... so standing on my skis I now attempted to untangle the two crazy dogs.... Penny and Hubba... my two fastest pups.

So now untangled and pointed in the right direction off we go and I immediately lose balance and end up on my butt sitting on the back of the skis... flying down the hill at what I'm assuming could only be the closest thing to a land speed record.

What else is there to do but enjoy... and that I did... laughing the entire way down.  It was so much fun.

At the bottom of the hill it was time to get into an upright position which I did quite quickly to only fall down as soon as the dogs took off again.  The second time getting up wasn't as quick as the dogs were now tugging at the line wanting to get going.  As soon as I was standing again the dogs took off to only have me fall flat on my ass once again... this time both dogs looked back at me as if to say "seriously?? Is this what we're going to have to do the entire time??"

(not exactly as it happened.. but it feels that way the next day!)

However... the fourth time was a charm and I didn't fall again... I spent the first few moments concentrating very hard on staying in an upright position that I wasn't aware of how fast we were actually going.

Now when I say upright I mean it was more of a bent over position.... like in a squat that you would do at the gym.  Holding on to the line pulled tight in front of me, poles tucked under my arms...... I would love to know the speed we hit.

Ray had the GPS which said his speed was about 14k's at some point.. but we were most definately faster than they were... so  one can only guess.

I became aware of the wind with the speed and at times had to grab my hat.  The snow from the lake was pulled up in mini blizzards around us as we lost sight of the trail from time to time... it was an amazing feeling. Very cool.

I also realized that I had yet to actually ski.  If I moved my feet I'm sure I would have fallen anyway.... but these two crazy dogs were pulling me at top speed not needing any help from me at all.  It helped that we were on a flat surface with no hills of any kind.  A perfect run.

It was at the half way point that Ray and I met up on the trail.  Now remember, our two girls cannot get within touching distance of each other or we would have a fight on our hands.  So the only way to stop is to fall.

Somehow in all of this Ray, Molly and Rocky ended up being ahead of us.... a big mistake.

Due to Hubba we were a speed machine, much, much faster than the pretty pups ahead of us.  So I had to keep falling to keep us from running over top of them.

At one point Ray had to pick up a poop.. put a ski back on.. untangle dogs... find his gloves... etc. etc. etc. 

I was laying on the trail trying to keep the dogs from heading in their direction... they were crazy... pulling the line by jumping.  Then somehow they turned me in the snow and ended up pulling me backwards.

Backwards being pulled on the snow. Picture it. Think about it.

How does a snowplow work?

Where does snow go?

Anywhere it gets pulled into.

In this case... my shirt.   I looked pregnant with the amount of snow that was stuffed up under my fleece jacket and shirt.

And let me tell you... it was cold!

This was the point I started screaming into the wind at Ray to let me take trail and go ahead of him.

However the wind was blowing my words away and he had no idea what I was trying to communicate.

So off his slower team finally went.  I waited a moment to give them distance before getting up.  It only took a split second to catch up at which time I had to fall  yet again to stop my locomotive of a team.

This time my screaming which was intermingled with some not so nice words made it's way to Ray... I'm not sure if it was my arm movements of trying to convey "move over" or the not so nice words that finally had Ray move off the trail.

We were finally able to fly by at break neck speed.

So now do you understand why a camera wasn't used?... thought of very briefly... but not used.

 This morning my poor OLD body is telling me that I am not a 20 year old anymore and every muscle below the waist is screaming at me.

Oh.. and I've also hurt my knee.. probably from one of the falls that happened out there.

Will I do it again?...... oh yes ... you bet!!