Of Vet Checks and Mushers

A busy kinda day.

After breakfast the trailer was dropped off to get repairs to make it all brand new like.  At least make it so we could drive it on upcoming so called crappy roads as we follow Randy on his adventure.
It took all day but Rob gave the company here in Prince Albert a two thumbs up (name inserted here when I find it out).

 Crippling into Prince Albert

McGrubers, or McGivers, or clever musher

Repairs are given a two thumbs up from Rob

Vet checks were next on the list and everyone was given great scores and were given the AOK to run tomorrow. Each dog is checked and then marked.

 Gums are checked for dehydration

 Joints, such as shoulders, hips and wrists are checked for stiffness or other issues

 Feet are checked for cracks and splits

 The afternoon was then spent running errands from looking for sleeping bags to getting snacks.  It also included a run around trying to find ski poles for Randy that he forgot back at home.  It's all about the little things.

Randy and I then were dropped off at the exhibition grounds for the Musher/Handler meeting where rules and an overview of the trail were discussed.

Then off to Meet the Musher.  A chance to meet those running and to do some visiting.  

It was fun to meet up with those that I met a few years back here in Prince Albert  and to chat face to face rather than Facebook with other friends.

 Team colours 

 Laquasha with Melissa and Sara

It was very nice to actually meet them in person and I felt tremendous relief to see they made it here.

Laquasha left before they had a chance to call the mushers up for a group picture

I don't blame them for getting out of there to get to a well deserved bed!!

That's okay, she will be in the finishers picture!

It was also time to pick the bib numbers.  Randy chose #5 meaning he will be fifth out of the chute at 12:08 tomorrow afternoon.

Back to the hotel to drop and feed the fur dudes and time to send the musher off to bed for a good long sleep (hopefully)  I now sit and wait to drop the kids one more time before us girls head to bed for our well deserved sleep.

I apologize for the thrown together blog.... I will do some writing in my paper journal starting tomorrow as I will be off line for a day or two before being able to put something up.  I promise something with a little more meat next time.

For those that are wanting to follow along head to the Canadian Challenge web page for more information or go to their Facebook page which will also give regular updates as well.

Vehicular Challenge

We are here.

And by that I mean that team Controlled Chaos has made it into Prince Albert.
Short a couple of wheels, and with a genius side of the road middle of nowhere moves, Rob and Randy managed to piece back together the crippled trailer.
(pictures to follow)

Bed time wasn't until 1 AM which could make for a very long day or one filled with hilarity.  Let's hope for the latter.

After travelling with Rick and Dena from Didsbury which took us about 9 hours I said goodbye to the team by giving each one a good scratch behind the ears and an added bonus butt rub... the fur team members that is... and sat back to wait for Randy.
Sitting in the lounge I met Gerry Walker and his wonderful wife Brenda and instantly took a liking to both of them.   I think anyone who loves their dogs as much as the mushers I have met so far have to be incredible people, and they are.

Randy arrived around 11pm with his entourage or his dog sled groupies and driver. Dena has dubbed him Rock Star Randy.
Melissa and Jessica are two young veterinarians from Fort Mac who wanted to come along and cheer the team on.  And what a bonus if anyone is dropped from the team for any medical issue, this made me feel so much more at ease with the care of the dogs.

They will not be allowed to help during the race but I can certainly ask any questions or voice my concerns if there happens to be any.

Rob the driver is a tall bush man (my first impression) but after breakfast today I'm convinced he is more of a gentle teddy bear.  I'll let you know as I get to know him better.

The human team has head to Canadian Tire to pick up last minute supplies and see if repairs can be made on the trailer before tomorrow.  I have hung back to write a quick word and maybe close my eyes for a short moment.

Vet checks are at 11:15  with a meeting at 4:00 and then meet the musher at 6:00
Tomorrow the race starts at 12 noon in down town Prince Albert.

I am still waiting on word from the young lady Laquasha Laviolette.  They have had the worst luck on their trip out here.   I do hope they make it with plenty of time to spare so that she may get a good sleep for the big day tomorrow.

I will get out with my camera today to get pictures of the team, human and fur dudes, and will get back on here with a report on how the vet check turned out.

In the meantime I'm going to close my eyes for a bit, I do believe sleep will be lacking after today.

Rick getting organized for supper while DeCar supervises

 Fry waits patiently for dinner.

Canadian Challenge, Lets Go!

I spoke to Randy last night confirming our meet up this Sunday in Prince Albert.

So it all begins.

I am a bit of a Facebook fan user addict and follow many mushers from those that are close friends, to those I have never met but love reading of their adventures, and it struck me as to how many I have actually met that will be at the Challenge this year.

Randy was in good spirits during our phone call, looking forward to the race.  There have been a few set backs from crappy weather/training conditions to a virus that spread through his team, however all is well now he confirmed.  In fact my call interrupted his packing and sorting of booties.

When we get together Sunday I will be meeting for the first, time his driver, Rob.  Also a couple of young ladies from Fort Mac. will be joining us as the cheering squad..... if anything it will be a week long party.  I have never had trouble getting along with others and am looking forward to making new friends.

Photo Credit: Tracy Holland 

I am also looking forward to seeing and hanging out with current friends, musher friends who I only get to see once a year and meeting friends I've only ever spoken to via social media.

Randy and his team, Controlled Chaos, will be my main focus and will of course be the team we cheer for the loudest.... however it will be hard to not cheer for everyone.

Rick Wannamaker is not only who I am traveling to Prince Albert with (and hanging out with his wonderful wife Dena) but I also had the privilege of helping run his dogs as they prepared for this race.  Many of these fur dudes and I are 'friends' (run Fry run!)

Photo Credit: Mike Forhan

A young lady by the name of Laquasha has entered the race as well.  She has amazing dreams that include the Yukon Quest and the Iditarod.  Her team of beautiful huskies are making their way across Canada from Quebec as I write this, however sad news came this morning from her dad, Steven, as he reported that due to vehicle issues he will not be running along side with his daughter this year as was planned.  A fathers love was very present as he helped re-pack and send her off with her mom so that she could carry out her dream.

Photo Credit: from Facebook Page of Steven Laviolette

Another young lady who I was honoured to have met in 2013 at the Yukon Quest is Christina Traverse.  I live vicariously through the youth wishing I could go back and carry out the same dreams they have.  Yes it is possible to have the same goals, but there are years missing with less time to follow through with them.  

Christina in Carmacks 2013

The other racers entered in the 12 dog are Stefaan De Marie,  Kyle Job, Jillian Lawton, Laura Neese and Gerry Walker. (I've heard so much about Gerry from Rick that I almost feel as though we have met)

There is an 8 dog category that runs at the same time as the 12 dog and there are two mushers running that I am looking forward to meeting up with again, and cheering them on.

Anna Bolvin a lovely musher who I would like to run with one day (just need my team of 8 dogs first!!)

Photo credit: Scott Knudsen

AND Greg Scrivener who was the most down to earth musher I have ever met.  He also was a good sport and let me revel in my third place win at the Rosebud Run.

Photo Credit: Mike Forhan

Looking back I have met many wonderful people through the love of dogs.  I count myself among the luckiest out there.  Money is a very low priority in my life, but to be surrounded by good people is very high and this mushing community is full of many which has made me feel very rich indeed.

Off to pack myself now...  I'll be back once we've arrived in Prince Albert this Sunday night.

NO SNOW

This weather sucks!

Everyone around me is loving the warm winter we are having and enjoy telling me how wonderful it has been, always adding a sorry to the end of their sentence.

I've been feeling just so darn depressed.
There would have been a time when the lack of snow (on the roads) and the warm spring jacket weather would have put a smile on my face, but now?
I almost want to cry.

My poor pups are lacking in miles this year and with the roads covered in ice we can't even use our dry land rig.  I tried walking the dudes but that is tough with ice since they don't walk on a leash very well, it's more of a pull.

This year would have been a great one for dog sledding.

I was invited two separate times to bring dog sledding to the kids at school with a co-worker bringing in her snow machine to put trails in.  NO SNOW.

I've been helping train a friends long distance dogs and although we have gone on some pretty interesting trails the last couple of weeks I don't think any of those are left due to warm temperatures and NO SNOW.

I was going to head to the Yukon with Randy again as a handler but the trail conditions made training harder so he decided to withdraw this year.  NO SNOW.

Instead he has chose to attend the Canadian Challenge and I was invited to come along as his handler.  I'm very excited for this adventure as I know a lot of the mushers attending.
This weekend I read this on the organizations Facebook page,...

Just a note: we;re keeping an eye on the trails after the warm weather -(plus 7 yesterday) - we have lost a lot of snow in the past few days and although it's cooking off a bit, not much snow in the forecast.  Glare ice to walk on!  Unless we get some good snow in the next 3 weeks, we may have to consider the unthinkable.  Don't panic yet, but stay tuned"

NO SNOW!

This morning I read this article from The Alaskan Dispatch which talks about lack of snow threatening the Yukon Quest this yea. Did you see that?  NO SNOW.

This above zero crap and lack of snow can stop anytime now.

Besides my yard is a big muddy mess and the dogs are no longer allowed in the house which means we all just hang outside.  No couch cuddles until it either dries up or it gets cold again.  IT SUCKS!

Okay I'm done whining now.
I'm just tired and not feeling myself these days.
Could have something to do with NO SNOW.

Where is one suppose to train dogs if the trails all look like this? (and this is a picture of one from the North too!!)

 

 

New Year Challenge

It's been awhile since I've been on here, but not because I haven't wanted to.

One computer is upstairs in the office, which may as well be in a different world with how much I want to be sitting in that room... another computer (lap top) I accidentally spilled water on the key board which left me alone with my phone which is good for playing around on cyber space in crackbook and other waste my time social media sites just not so good for blogging.

Now here I sit with a new lap top and no more excuses.

So much has happened and although there are some fun stories I could share I'm not going to make you sit through any of those.

Instead I want to look forward.

This was to be the year that Randy went back to finish that which was left undone in the Yukon at the Quest.  I was to be heading up with him to help support his journey.
However things have changed since I've been here in blog land.  Randy has made the wise decision to not attend this 1,000 mile race as his training wasn't at the mileage it should be which could put his dogs at risk.

Randy has decided instead to attend the Canadian Challenge.  This race is a 320 mile qualifying race for both the Quest and the Iditarod running from Prince Albert to La Ronge Saskatchewan.
I have been asked to be his handler here and am excited for this new adventure.

Not knowing what Internet coverage will be up there I will do my best to journal the adventure and if need be it will be posted once the event is complete.

Randy and team Controlled Chaos will of course be my main priority while up there but I will also be able to follow the race of not just one friend but a few, if they will allow it.

Rick Wannamaker a local musher I know and who has been a mentor for both my son and myself.
Steven Laviolette and his daughter Laquasha from Quebec have been someone I follow on social media and am quite excited to meet them both.
Another musher who I follow on social media and have had the honour of meeting is Anna Bolvin, who will be running in the 8 dog.


So in 53 days follow us here for a new adventure in handling for Controlled Chaos once again.

In the meantime I will work hard at keeping you entertained with the antics of Outback Huskies, and as is mentioned in my title, confessions from an empty nester wannabe musher.

Until then we want to wish everyone the very best that the New Year and 2015 can offer.

Hope it's perfect.

Wherever You Go There you Are

I stole this saying from Jon Kabat-Zinn.  An author who wrote a book with the same title.  A book I have not read, and actually have no idea what it is even about.
Perhaps Jon borrowed this quote from someone else. 
I don't know the origins exactly but I know it pertains to my life RIGHT NOW.

I have spent years, and by years I am talking about from the age of 19, trying to be, wanting to be, and dreaming of, being thinner.
For those who have known me all my life they will know that IF I was indeed thinner at 19, or 23 I would have looked sickly.
I doubt I weighed an ounce over 110 pounds and I am positive I was in a size 5 at that time of my life.

I have never been happy with me... not only did I want to be thinner, but I wanted things to not droop or sag... hair to be curlier... lashes to be thicker.... feet to be smaller.

Seriously did not like the package that I was born with.

So.
Sad.
(Dear 20 year old self:  ARE YOU KIDDING?)

Here I sit 30 years later and I do believe I have finally accepted me for who I am.

Sure I am a lot bigger than I was at 20.
Saggier in places I didn't know could ever sag and hair that is more grey than brown (although THAT I can control).

It is who I am and although I am still riding on my goal of eating healthier I will not be anyone but me.  
Me today.
It just isn't going to happen so I might as well like me.
Me today.

This thought process did not take years to happen, yet it DID take years, and if I was to be completely honest, felt as if it happened almost over night.

The past many years after having had children I worked at trying hard to get fit, and in the end, thinner.
I have never been more uncomfortable and miserable about what I looked like, always self conscious about what I wore.  No sleeveless shirts or dresses. A bathing suit?  Never!!

Until a couple of weeks ago.

Ray surprised me with a trip for our anniversary coming up (a big one of 30 years) as we head out a week today for Mexico.
Mexico in July is incredibly hot.
Mexico where we will most likely go snorkeling and lay on a beach with drinks in hand.
Mexico.
This all means I have to wear shorts and bathing suits if I want to be comfortable in the heat and fit in with all the other tourists in the resort.

As excited as I was there was also that part of me close to the surface that was cringing and wondering how I would ever get over my self loathing of fat me.

Then one morning while trying on various outfits that would be packed I took a good look at myself in the mirror.
A good long hard look.

You know what I discovered?

That I am probably pretty darn average.

Sure I am not lean and thin... I would love that, but in one weeks time for this trip, aint gonna happen.
Will it ever happen?

NO.
I like my food too much and I hate running.
There.  Said it.
I really hate it.
Haven't run in awhile now and I do believe I will be dragging my bike out of hiding because THAT I loved to do as well as hiking, and that is an easy peasy activity to do as well.

In the meantime as I looked at myself in the mirror I decided I liked what I saw.
My hubby is still hanging around, so he must kinda like it too.
So.
What the hell.
Yeah I will always be surrounded by thinner more fit people than me.
But they are not me.

Does this mean I will stop trying to eat healthier and give up any form of exercise?
No, of course not.
I would like to finish up my life healthy.
But I also need to be happy.

I am me.... it is who I am and will always be.
I have another half of my life to live and I might as well like who I have to travel this road with because wherever I go, there I am.

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.