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I was running five, 1 year 8 month old dogs with one 7 year old lead dog to help make sure we got through.... she wasn't really pulling anything, just trying to keep up, but I needed an experienced dog with my new yearling leader. This was all the yearlings first race ever, and with all the 12 dog teams, there were literally several hundred dogs at the race. Basically this race was just to really to get the core of my team into a race and have a positive experience, so placing was just an added bonus.... this team (with a my other yearling leader, instead of the 7 yr. old) hopefully could win that race next year.... but next year I will run the 12 dog/20 mile race:)
Anyway, we passed about 9 teams from behind on the first day (the trail was exceptionally fast and hard because of a lack of snow)....and that was a pretty big deal.... my pups really hadn't had the opportunity to run with other teams, and, up to that point, had only begun to make it through head on passes with out a tangle.... chasing and catching is easy.... but slowly passing from behind is difficult when the dogs think the idea is to 'catch' the other team, not catch and *pass* the other team. Anyway, we caught a lot of teams and then pulled away from them strong.
The second day, I came in 2nd, but unfortunately I didn't do well enough to get second overall, missing overall 2nd place by 25 seconds over the 20 cumlative mile race. The second day was much cooler.... about 4 degrees F at the start. The second day the first three teams were so fast, we past the last 3 teams that we leaving the start, head on, which wasn’t supposed to happen, but pretty intense.
Anyway, next weekend we race 10 dog/15 miles in Leadville, Colorado... moving my other yearling leader up front and going with my fastest 10... 8 yearlings and two 5 year olds. We'll see what happens.
[edited by: dogboy at 3:56 am (utc) on Dec. 10, 2002]
I found this statement particularly amusing...
when the dogs think the idea is to 'catch' the other team, not catch and *pass* the other team.
I can imagine what else runs threw their little puppy minds in passing! ;)
Sounds like you've got a pack of winners there, if a 6 dog team can pull off a result like that!
....but this is the past, now.... got my eyes fixed on Leadville.... going to run with the big dogs this time:) I'll let you know what happens
Nick
How far is Leadville from Boulder? Maybe me and the woman will come see you?
Congrats on the run, sounds awesome! Call me, lets hook up brutha!
