Season Plans

Summer is beginning to wind down and now things will get hectic around our place. The fair is here, and I'm volunteering at the Quest booth a few times. It was pretty exciting on Saturday, the 1st day of signups! Twelve mushers signed up and today, there were at least 8 or so more. I'll be back at the booth, so I'll have a chance to look at the list of names. I was so excited after my first shift, that I rushed home to watch "6 On, 6 Off" and it just got me revved up and ready to start training. We're waiting until the temps start to cool a bit more before we begin training; but, we plan to start within the next 2 weeks. The dogs are more than ready, as are we. However, we really don't like to run when it's warm as we don't want to chance overheating the pooches. With the work schedule until Freezeup, we have to train in the evenings. This means that we have to wait until the temps get down around 50 degrees F to run. Last year, we weren't able to start until September...but we're keeping our fingers crossed this year.

Manny & I are discussing race plans for the season. We've been discussing the Quest 300; though now we're leaning towards the Copper Basin 300, as it's here in Alaska and only half the distance from home. This combined with it being during Winter Break for me at school really makes the CB more logical for us logistically and financially. The plan is to field 2 teams in it this year, which I'm all kinds of happy with that. :o) I originally thought the only race I'd get in would be the Gin Gin 120; so, I'm voting for 2 teams in the CB. Of course, I'd really LOVE another crack at the Quest 300...I truly want to do it from this side in order to overcome my shortcomings from the past attempt. Not saying that the other end isn't tough and challenging; but, after being out there and knowing that Eagle summit was still ahead, this end seems to be the more challenging of the two legs. Anyway, enough blabbering. For now, here's the line-up for the 06-07 season:
- Two Rivers Tune-up........November....Manny & Tammi racing
- Gin Gin 120.......................December......Tammi racing
- Solstice 100.......................December.....Manny racing
- Copper Basin 300.............January........Manny & Tammi racing (qualifier)
- Chatanika 200..................March............Manny racing (qualifier)

*Possibly the Percy for Manny, if time/finances/weather permit

We'll also do some smaller races in between, if we can. I love this time of year, the excitement, the exhilaration!! It gets even more exciting when you start seeing ice rinds in water bowls, mud puddles, frost on the ground. Tee hee hee! I'm like a little kid at times. Keep checking back. School starts for me in a week, and for the kids in 2 weeks; so, life is going to get very busy. However, I'll try to put updates up here from time to time. Thanks for taking the time to check in with us here at RSK. See ya soon!

-Tammi