Had to stay home a few days to catch up on work but managed to get out yesterday for a wonderful trip with the team.I underestimated how much running at the lakes put them back when we hit the new unbroken trail. They came onto it looking amazing and running strong but about 1.5 miles in they needed my help. It was clear we weren't breaking trail through early snow as we had before. They were working extra HARD!
I also decide to keep all the weight in my sled when we started. I figured we might need it since they hadn't been out for a while and might be a little crazy. That wasn't entirely the case. Most of them were very laid back and setting a nice easy trot most of the way.
Ive started to focus on the team keeping a slower speed to accommodate Calypso's short legs, Hera's bulk and Salmon's aging body. All dogs are key members of the team but are having trouble with our faster speeds.
Hera used to be our main puller but since these new babies came on scene shes had a very welcome break. She put it in gear hard yesterday though and I think that affected her quite a bit on our return trail. She was clearly giving signs that she was worn out but since we were about a mile from the truck I encouraged her to keep at it and stick it through just a tiny bit more which she did wonderfully.
The other dogs came in looking great and Boreas leaped out of his box again when we got home despite still having a tiny bit of trouble with his cut paw. Its healing nicely and not affecting his performance until the very end but hes clearly got a long way to go before its 100%. Paws take a long time to heal especially when a dog has to use them all the time. The cut is healing itself nicely from the inside out which is a great sign.
Gaea had to stay home again today because of her limp. She reinjured herself out in the dog yard when the pups playfully ran into her. That was a bit of a set back but further manipulation of her leg showed clear that it is her shoulder that is giving her the problem.She recovered faster from the 'puppy bump' than from when she originally hurt so that's a good sign. It may be a while before her shoulder is completely healed so she can walk without a limp. That seems to be the one symptom that is difficult to clear up.
We are being very cautious with this and will keep her off the trail for some time. This is a crucial point in her young life and in her body's growth that we don't take lightly.
The team and I broke out new trail for 2.5 miles and back tracked down that trail for about a mile before turning onto a groomed path. The work I did to help them at the end forced me to strip down from warm coveralls to sweats and a t-shirt.
Its been a long time since Ive had to help my team on a rough trail. These pups changed our lives in so many ways and virtually eliminated any hard work required by their musher. Working down the harder path was most rewarding yesterday... as its always been in years past...
As I read about upcoming races and events I realize that we are so far out of the competition that it would be a waste of time and money to 'play' with others. Id really like the pups to get some race experience and may get to do that at the Two Rivers Funale (a fun end of the season race) but its clear that these guys are in top shape to break trail and haul heavy loads. This has been my goal since I started running dogs and its great to get to this point but also bitter sweet as we don't really fit the mold of the standard musher... story of my life! : )
Total Miles: 15.0
Max Speed: 16.2
Moving Average: 6.1
Time Moving: 2.24.34
Time Stop: 0.52.26
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