Crazy runs

Took the dogs and did another 50 mile run yesterday. While loading the dogs, Manny said that I should take the same team that I ran the other day, as it would be good for them. So, off we went. I switched the line-up a bit: Feather & Dusk (lead), Just & China (swing), Booger & Tricky (team), Jake & Taurus (team), and Rocket & Inu (wheel). Jodi took off first, with me following close behind. The run was going well, Jodi led until the hay fields, then I called my team up and we did a running pass by Jodi on Baseline. We led down Pleasant Valley Road, but then Feather refused to take the turn into the field to go to PV store. I told Jodi to go ahead and then had to hook down to pull Feather and Dusk over. They popped the hooks, but I grabbed the sled, then got going again. Jodi led until we crossed the road, then I called the team up and we went on by. A bit later, I stopped to check feet and found that a few dogs had ice balls in their feet; so, I bootied up a few dogs (including Just) and we went off. However, Just didn't like the booties and when he tried to dip with them on, he slipped and fell. I stopped the team and he got up, shook off the snow and I asked him, "What was that, Just??" He looked at me, then lined out with his tug tight. I called, "Alright" and off we went again. We went about 100 yards, then Just did another face plant. I couldn't believe it! I thought, ok, he doesn't like the booties. I took them off and we tried again. At this point, Just started to limp...oh no! It was his left wrist. I loaded him in the sled (he didn't like that!) and took off again. I told Jodi to go ahead of me and followed behind her, trying to keep Just in the sled. But, that dog was determined and while I was navigating through Colorado Creek, he made a break for it and dove out of the sled. I had a neckline on him, so when he jumped out, it tipped the sled. I almost lost the team; but, managed to hang on to the sled and Just. I got the team hooked down and looked at Just. He was straining towards the team, trying to get up to them. He was putting weight on his wrist, so I said, "Ok Just, I'll let you run...but we'll have to take it slow." I put him farther back in the team, pulled Booger up into swing and we went again; but, slower. He was doing fine; but, there was no way I was going to take him up to Stiles Cabin because the downhill would do more damage. I told Jodi to go ahead up to the cabin, and I continued up to the rifle range, which was only another 2-3 miles.

I kept going and it was getting dark; so, I turned on my headlight. Only a few minutes later, my light went off...the bulb blew. I stopped and looked for the spare bulb, but it wasn't there! That's when I remembered where my spare headlamp was...sitting on the shelf in the shop, where I had put it when I was cleaning out the sled. It figured. The one time I didn't have a backup light, I needed it. Micah came up behind me at that point, but he didn't have a spare bulb either. He told me to go ahead in front of him, as the range was just ahead and he'd pass me there. I snacked the dogs at the rifle range and was going to rest them a bit. I massaged Just's wrist, but the team was barking and pulling to go. We took off and ran about 10 miles in the dark...I planned to get a new bulb at PV store. I knew the trail well and could see the dogs in the dark. Just seemed to be doing better and the team was moving well. Two mushers did a head on pass with me, but since I didn't have a light, they didn't see me right away. I told the second musher sorry, and that my light had blown. It turned out to be Kelly. She tossed me a spare light and took off. Boy, was I thankful for that, as it was still snowing and getting harder to see. We ran a few miles more, when I noticed Just was starting to have a hard time. I stopped and told him, "Buddy, you have to ride in the sled." I put him in and zipped up the bag. Just crawled to the front of the sled, then laid down and rode quietly. How about that?

We finished the 50 mile run strong. The other 9 dogs ran well until we passed PV store, then they slowed down. I stopped on the trail, cleaned feet (this was the 4th time), and we took off, running well again. We got past Jenny M creek, and they slowed again! Phew, I knew it was a bit rough slogging through fresh snow with an extra 50 lbs in the sled (Just is heavy!) and one less dog pulling; but this was crazy! I checked feet again, then decided to give them another snack. That did the trick! After a few minutes, the dogs picked up and we loped the rest of the way to Jodi's (about 5 miles). As soon as I got home and unloaded the dogs, Just got an Algyval rubdown and a Rimadyl. I fed and watered, then just watched the dogs move. Inu was limping...same wrist as Just. I flexed the wrist, the leg, the shoulder...nothing...but sure enough, he'd limp. I massaged his wrist (no swelling...that's good) with Algyval and gave him a Rimadyl as well. I've decided to give the dogs a few days off, then we'll do some short runs to keep them limber. Just is off until race time. At that point, I'll have to re-evaluate him; but, I think he'll be staying home. Stubborn guy that he is, I hope he'll prove me wrong. But, I'd rather leave him home to ensure that his wrist is 100% than risk injurying him for the season.

Well, I'm off to toss the dogs their meat for the day. Have a good one!

-Tammi