Valley Funale 2006

The Valley Funale was again, a fun time with good food and lots of fun. Manny ran our team in the 10 dog class, finishing the 27 mile loop in 2:11, which was good for a 4th place finish. He said that the dogs were running strong at the start, but he quickly caught his first team within the first 2-3 miles. That team had a 2 minute start on Manny, so he knew that the team was running a tad fast for the beginning of a race; he started riding the drag after a nice pass. He said he held them back until they hit the river, which was soft, slow going...at this point, he just let the dogs run and set their own pace. He quickly caught more teams and attempted a pass, but when the dogs went off trail to go around, they soon floundered in deep, soft snow. Manny attempted to walk the dogs through, but he too fell in the snow. Later, he'd leap frog with another team, passed a few more teams, ended up with a tangle after a bad pass with another team (the driver had no snowhook to hook down that team, so couldn't get off the runners to help untangle that team from our team), etc. Our dogs usually pass alright, so Manny was a little frustrated with the tangles, but all in all, he said it wasn't a big deal. I guess Manny was out there helping a few other teams when they needed it. That's my hubby though...always one of the first to offer assistance if it's needed. :o)

Even with some of the bobbles, Manny said the team ran well and looked strong. It's nice to have a decent finish at the end of what has been a rough season for our kennel. Manny will be taking this team and racing them in his qualifiers next season. They are a nice group of dogs and we're looking forward to our first season of full bore training (thanks to a new job for Manny which allows him winters off...YEAH!!).

Devlyn raced in the 2 dog and had a rough run. His dogs were fresh and STRONG! He ran Herod and Munchkin, and they were almost too much for him. The soft trail did Devlyn in, as he tried to kick and ended up on his knees because his boot punched down in the trail and he lost his footing. He held on, until the dogs hit the turn which flipped the sled. But, Devlyn got up, and ran to catch his team. He finished the run on his knees yet again, as he tried to run and help his dogs up a small hill. Those same 2 dogs went on the run for 2 other juniors, giving one girl the 1st place ribbon and the other girl a 4th or 5th place ribbon. Devlyn ended up with the 7th place ribbon...still, not bad for his rough run.

I'll post pictures as we get them developed. Now, I'm just letting my back heal, and we'll be working with our yearlings and pups until the snow is all gone. Manny plans to take the team out for a 20 miler today, to enjoy the sunshine and this great team. It's a shame that I got hurt and they got sick on our last race, as they are a nice, strong running team. That's alright...we're now focusing on next season. We are very excited to take the things we learned this year and apply them to our training regimen next season. Stay tuned for updates throughout the spring/summer/fall. :o)

Rough time

Well, the CC 200 didn't go as well as we'd hoped. While the dogs ran great in the Quest 300, the Chatanika 200 turned out to be quite different. The first section of trail proved to be challenging with winds drifting the trail over, causing the dogs to slog through drifts both while climbing and dropping down hills. There was a VERY STEEP downhill that lasted for about 1/2 mile that started well. I kept the dogs down to an easy pace (I don't let them lope downhills, which keeps them from getting injured) until about halfway down, at which point the trail was really dug up and trenched. The sled tipped to the left, which caused me to put counter pressure on my right runner. This meant I had to take one foot off the brake. The dogs sped up, which had me stabbing for the brake more, resulting in the sled tipping. NOT COOL! I was drug for a bit, but the dogs responded to my Whoas! and stopped. Unfortunately, the dragging did some damage to my back, though it didn't hurt too much at the time. We did the first 41 miles slowly, coming across the road 5 1/2 hours after the start. The dogs then picked up once they realized we were on home trails and we started passing teams that were resting. I had planned on running straight through to Pleasant Valley, only taking short breaks to re booty and to snack. But several dogs had diarrhea, and then one of my key dogs started necklining. So, I stopped and rested for 3 hours on the Chena River, about 40 miles from PV store. Only 3 teams caught me, but we didn't get in to PV until 3:48am...putting us in next to last place. I ended up having 2 dogs stop on me, though a quick snack soon had them going ok. Unfortunately, I also had a couple of dogs throw up while stopped. They'd obviously picked up a bug, which resulted in their slowing down and not being able to run straight through.

I got them all taken care of then saw to my own needs. I slept for a bit, but when I got up, my back was hurting badly and I was having a hard time moving around. The more I tried to do, the worse my back was getting. It was obvious that I was going to have some severe difficulities with the next section of trail to Angel Creek, as there were advancing glaciers and several areas of overflow/slush/ice. The dogs were not doing so well, though most did eat and drink. However, after conferring with Manny and several race folks at PV store, along with a trail report from Rick Townsend, who scratched upon reaching Angel Creek in 1st place, I made the decision to call it done and wait to try another day. Manny ran the team home, since we live just a mile from PV store. He said there were 4 dogs off their tugs and once in the dog yard, most of the team had diarrhea. Also, I have a pinched nerve and a possible herniated disc in my mid back, though we won't know for sure until my MRI next month. Needless to say, my racing season is over. Manny will be taking a 10 dog team to the Valley Funale next weekend, while Devlyn will be running the 2 dog class. I'll be content to hang out with the baby and help get my 2 racers off on their races.

Next season, Manny will be working on his qualifiers for the 2008 Quest, which he hopes to participate in. In the meantime, we're going to keep working with our team and continue with some light training through the summer months, as temps allow. We did a breeding between Dutchess and Riley, our 2 main dogs in the yard. So, we'll be welcoming a litter in 2 months. Devlyn is excited, as he's our resident "puppy manager" and loves working with pups. Needless to say, this season has been rough all the way around and just didn't pan out the way we would have liked. Still, you live and learn. There's always another race, another time. ;o)

-Tam

Chatanika 200 Preps

We're into full race prep this week...Thank GOODNESS for Spring Break! Tee hee hee! It's not just for the kiddies, ladies and gents. ;o) Manny and I took teams out yesterday to run towards Angel Creek. Definitely going to be an "interesting" trail again this year (can you say, repeat of the Quest trail 2006?). Large areas of overflow in the regular areas are not fun...to say the least. Manny hit the first patch not long after the road crossing. This area almost always has it and it's looking a lot like it did in the 2004 race (TR 200). The sleds slide to the bottom (right side of the trail) of the overflow, so be prepared. There is some slushy stuff on the other side...of course this will probably get worse by race day due to the warm temps we're now getting. Colorado Creek was frozen over, but it's pretty slick. There's one spot that the dogs have to cross that could be tricky if you don't have good leaders. They have to cross a frozen "stream" that looks inviting for the dogs to just follow. Once you get across that, it's easier to follow the right side of the trail, as there is some powdery snow that offers purchase to the dogs/sled. So far, only the first half of Colorado creek is ice/overflow. (Keep your fingers crossed that it stays that way boys and girls...just 2 weekends ago, it was waist deep, open water there!)

The next nasty section of ice/overflow comes just before the rifle range. It is WIDE open and Manny started through it on foot (hooked the team to a tree to scout the overflow) and only went partially in. It was already halfway up his calf...so, we turned the teams, as we were only going to the rifle range anyway (was just up ahead). Anyway, that section looks real bad, with a ice ledge on the bottom that I can see will dump sleds. It looks a lot like the stuff we faced on the Quest 300...and yes, it's running water. It's only going to get worse, so make sure your bring your snorkels and wet suits, folks. ;o) Yeah! Extreme Mushing Ladies and Gents! You Gotta Love this stuff! (or not?!?)

There's a trail map up on the TRDMA website (www.trdma.org) and a list of the current mushers signed up for the race. Come on out and watch the start at Chatanika Lodge, or help out at the checkpoints at Pleasant Valley Store or Angel Creek. Should be an interesting race this year! I'm off to finish my drops and then take a team out when it cools (30 degrees F right now...Sheesh!). Have a good one and I'll see ya all on the trail.

-Tammi n the kidz

Chatanika 200 training

We finally decided on who would be racing in the 200 this year. Sitting down to dinner, Manny and I were discussing the trail and the fact that there was waist deep overflow at Colorado Creek just a week ago. I told him that there would definitely be overflow/glaciers around the back of Flat Top Mt. So, he said, "That's why you'll be running the race!" Thus, Boys n Girls, that's how I've found myself entered in the Chatanika 200 for yet a 3rd time. Not that I mind! After that crazy time on the Quest 300, I'm anxious to get back out with the dogs for a great run. They deserve it, after all that they gave me. So, now I'm wondering if I should invest in a wetsuit... ;o)

The trail is in for the race. There are some variations this year, a new section added on the Fire Line trail and a change in checkpoints/finish line. We'll be finishing at Pleasant Valley Store this year, instead of downtown Fairbanks. Fine by me! The dogs and I both detest the river. Ha ha ha! All joking aside, TRDMA is a Wonderful organization of volunteers who give immense amounts of their time and effort to provide quality events for the mushing community. I have great respect for these folks, as they sometimes have to make decisions that aren't always popular, but are made in fairness to all. As such, I applaud their efforts and send them a hearty THANK YOU for all that you do! And, with over 100 members, TRDMA has grown over the years to become a solid organization. Rock on, TRDMA!! :o)

Well, I'm off to rest some more. I came down with the crud, after suffering back pain (pinched nerve in my back...fun, fun!) and a severe infection in my foot, which the doc said probably came from all that water (spent 2 days with wet feet, even AFTER switching out boots, changing socks, etc.) and the pressure of the boot on my foot. They say these things come in 3s...if so, then I should be good for a while! Ha ha ha!

-Tammi

Craziness on the Quest 300

Hey all! Sorry for the long period between posts. I had meant to call in voice blogs along the race trail, but that was not to be. I will be working on my "story" of the 300 in a bit. For now, you can read about some of my race in the article below (click on the link). It was a total adventure, to say the least. And at the time, I do admit that it wasn't much fun! But, looking back and reflecting on it, it was still a good experience to have and I was able to learn from it and will put that knowledge to good use in future races (the next one is coming in just 2 weeks!). Thank you to all of you who were following (or trying to) my progress on the 300 and were thinking of us as we weathered the storm. In the meantime, Devlyn is racing in his 2nd Junior North American Championship Races this weekend. He is competing in the 2 dog class with Lovey and Herod, two really great dogs who are fantastic with kids. Come on out and watch these kids as they have fun and compete in this incredible sport.

Link to News-miner Article: http://www.news-miner.com/Stories/0,1413,113~7244~3238939,00.html

Take care all!
-Tammi n the Houndz