FIRST RACE: THE ALASKAN EXCURSION 120

Day One of the Alaskan Excursion...Well, I took out an 8 dog team and in my sled was a big bag of rice for weight. It is easier to control a sled when it is weighted...however, it is more weight for your dogs to pull. This was my second time on this sled, as my training sled had broken runners. When I took this sled out on a training run, I loved it ! It was so much better driving ...it was like a fine high performance pair of skis.

Well, right off the bat, I had the chance to pass someone...and it was a miserable pass...kind of discouraging as I have never had the opportunity to pass someone in training. Last year on the Don Bowers race I had the some issue. I was bib number 10 and that was my starting number as well. This race was full of big names in mushing and many Iditarod mushers. One of the rules is when you are being passed, you stop your team. So, being in the top 10 starters, I had nearly 30 mushers starting after me. They start you in two minute intervals.

Very soon in the race, the fast mushers start passing...it seemed like I was forever having to stop and set my hook and then restart. Once the fast ones passed, then I was holding my own. Pretty soon I was wondering what was going on with my sled. It was no longer the driving sled that I experienced on my training run. I couldn't figure out what was going on...but I could hardly drive it. It was all I could do to control it down the step hills and around the sharp turns. (on one of the sharp corners, I actually cut a corner and nearly took out a bush, and it was amazing that I didn't turn the sled over.) I was wishing that I had my old sled...finally I noticed a strap that was broken that kept the sled from over flexing while you are driving it...that was why there was no control. I stopped my sled on the trail and pulled it off to the side. I thankfully had my leatherman's tool and I grabbed my stuff sack that was inside my sled bag. I cut off the draw string and then set about making a makeshift strap for the back of the sled. Three mushers passed me as I was repairing my sled. Bummer.

After the repair, my sled was much better. Then came a moment of confusion...My dogs started to take a turn. I thought that it was the wrong way and I stopped them and got them back on track...so I thought. As I was heading down another trail, a race musher was heading my direction...Oh My ! Now I wasn't sure what to do...I set my snow hooks and looked behind me on the trail. There were three mushers at the intersection and they were all pointing down one trail and then the other....It was like they were having a board meeting to decide which way they were all going...then they all went down the trail that my dogs originally took....then a 4th musher turned down that trail...We were two miles from the finish...that hurt ! If only... but that is mushing.

Well, I was second to the last...a discouraging place for me to deal with. I knew that I would have been 7 places up, if I hadn't had a broken sled and if I hadn't gone the wrong way. I also had one of the smaller teams on the race. And to top it off, I was running on training plastic, due to truck issues in the morning and having a time issue as a result. we didn't put on new plastic.

Well, I went home still very happy that I had successfully finished the day. (I was actually on a high...but nothing like the one I experienced on day two !) When we got back, Ted set about fixing my sled...he looked at me and said "This is the second sled you have broken... !" Then he smiled...I had also broken a stanchion...the bolt broke off. Well, he fixed the sled and also put on new plastic. I was set for day two.

DAY TWO OF THE ALASKAN EXCURSION...Well, I woke up at 3:45 and couldn't go back to sleep. Ted woke up sick and it was up to Paula and I to load up all the dogs and all the gear. We still had the sled to put on top of the truck. I was slightly panicked at the thought of just the two of us to do all of everything. We worked like clock work and we got everything done and dogs loaded and we left on time as planned.

I drove to Big Lake and when we arrived at the race start we got one of the best parking spaces there. It was a straight shot from the truck to the starting line. That was like a omen...we both said it was going to be a great day.

When I talked with Ted the night before, I was telling him of my difficulty of passing. I had Tok and Otter in lead...He said no wonder...Otter likes to check everything and every dog out as you pass. He wasn't ready to lead in that capacity. I decided to run Thornton and Tok in lead. I knew that I was was going to have to do a lot of passing. I knew that I ran faster that a number of the teams yesterday, but because of my coming in second to last, I would have to start second to last... not fun if you aren't good at passing.

Well, I had decided to remove a layer of polar fleece pants and also my under jacket of synthetic down. I was hoping that wasn't going to be a mistake...but I knew that I had a lot of hills to run and it wasn't quite as cold as it was on the first day. I also decided to run 10 dogs...and I took out the bag of rice.

We had two daughters of a mushing friend's to help up with the team on the start. It was wonderful with the extra help. I was able to stand on the sled as they hooked the dogs up to the gang line. The dogs were raring to go. We took off and at the first sharp turn, I dumped the sled and immediately got it upright and kept right on going. In no time, I saw Perry Solmonson ahead of me...we had already made up almost the two minutes that he had started before me...I called "TRAIL" (which is what you call when you want to pass...then they have to stop their team and let you by.) Tok and Thornton did a beautiful pass. I was elated... ! Not only because of the great pass, but because Perry is the Iditarod Veteran who trained me my first winter in Washington for my first race ! Soon I could no longer see him behind me.

It wasn't long until I came up upon another team...and another beautiful pass. And another...and another. I lost track of the passes. I was whistling almost the entire race. I would tell the dogs how awesome they were. Ted would die if he knew how I sweet talked his dogs...I did dump the sled at least two times...and I really think that it was 3 times. I would quickly brush off the snow...so I didn't look like a snow ball on the back of my sled... and who would want to advertise the fact that they have dumped their sled?

There were lots of very steep hills. You would have to be on your brake and then you would have sharp turns. It was quite challenging. When on the flats, I would grab my drag (piece of snowmachine track that drags between your runners) and hook it to my handlebars. When I would do that I couldn't use the drag or my brake. Made for some fun situations. I would try and force my heel down into the snow and keep my toes on the runners...a bit of a challenge. One time I came to a steep hill far too fast and I didn't have my drag down...I did a human drag ! I hung onto the handle bars and let my body drag down the hill...hoping that the sled would stay on the trail. It worked beautifully. I am sure that it looked rather hysterical.

Well, the dogs did great. I only snacked them once today and it was a quick one. I cleaned feet of the dogs who had lost a bootie...much quicker than re booting them. After I had passed every one I passed, I no longer saw any mushers behind me or in front of me. When I came to the turn that I missed the previous day, I went the right way. When I was about half a mile from the finish, my friend Kathy passed me. She had dogs in heat and I had at least one male that really wanted to check her out. She had some tangles and I ran to the front of my team to hold my leaders out so that she could pass me and away she went.

Well, we crossed the finish line and it was Awesome. I knew that I had done so much better than day one. I snacked the dogs and watered them and then loaded them back into their boxes. Packed up all the gear and loaded the sled on the top of the truck. We were ready to go home. I could hardly wait to get home and check the results out online. It seemed like it took forever. I decided that I would do my dog chores. I told Paula that I was going to give each dog that I ran a massage. She said to do it before Ted comes out to check the dogs. lol ...they all seemed to love being massaged and it gave me time with each dog. They all got watered and then back to their houses. I fed the dogs and gave them poultry skins. They loved that.

Well, when I came into the house I got the news !!!!

MY TIME FOR DAY TWO WAS BETTER THAN AN IDITAROD CHAMPION, AND TWO IDITAROD VETERANS.

WHAT A DAY ! WHAT AWESOME DOGS ! ! !




Ted was proud of me...and he took me to his sled shed and opened the door and pointed to a wooden sled in there and he told me to let him know if I wanted to run that sled and if I wanted him to have a sled bag made for it. How awesome !

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY BEFORE THE RACE

The dogs are down for two days to rest up for the race...but not so for the musher. There is lots to do in preparation, however, for this race much less than others.

Yesterday I got to play butcher...I had bought 100 pounds of beef for the dogs. It came in 10 - 10 pound packages..frozen solid. I ran them through the table saw and then used the chop saw to cut into snack size pieces for the dogs. I then decided to walk out to the dog lot and give them all a treat. They loved it and were eager for more ! I bagged the pieces into gallon zip lock bags and most bags had 24 pieces of the frozen meat in them. I also made a few 12 piece packs. They are now in the freezer in boxes. While I was doing the meat cutting and packing, Ted was repairing my sled. I drove to the post office to see if my Mukluks were in ... and sadly they haven't arrived. I an so hoping that they arrive so that I can wear them on the race...it will mean warmer feet.

Today I will clean out "Whitey"...the dog truck. I will make sure that the dog boxes have straw in them. Right now it has a trailer on it with additional dog boxes that we used when we were running Shirley Towne. We will unhook the trailer. I will need to get the snow off...and there is quite a bit ! Then the sled will get loaded on top and the equipment in the back. I have a check list of all the items that I need...some of which are: harnesses, gang line, additional 2 dog sections (Right now my gang line it set up for an 8 dog team), a pooper scooper and bucket, and bowls for the dogs. The water will be on the list for Saturday morning. If we loaded that up today, it would be frozen solid.

I am also planning on cutting up a 60 pound box of poultry skins for the dogs. After any meat cutting is done, "Bear"... one of the house dogs will make a bee line straight for the blue house to devour the saw dust...which is like powdered beef laying on the snow. Today he will feast on the poultry dust.

The race tomorrow is called "The Alaskan Excursion 120". But because of the snow conditions the race details have been constantly changed and updated. Up until Monday it was looking like it would be cancelled due to lack of snow. The big concern was for the safety of the teams and mushers and the inability to be able to set a snow hook.

I will be contemplating which dogs to race and how many...We are able to take a "pool" of 12 dogs and from what I can tell, you will be limited to a 10 dog team on Saturday and may run a 12 dog team on Sunday. On either day you are allowed to run a smaller team. The race was also shortened to 46 miles each day and the starting time was delayed until 10:00 so that the start would be in the daylight. The nice thing about this race is that I will be able to return home after day one and sleep in my own bed...so there will be no camping out !

My hopes for this evening will be a full night's sleep. Last year before the races I would lie awake most of the night...and that would drive me crazy ! On multi day races it is so important to get adequate rest beforehand as while on the race you will have very limited sleep...

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 15TH

Well, I got up early again and watered the dogs. It was still snowing and so beautiful out. Had a hearty breakfast and then got an earlier start on hooking up the team. We took off out of the dog lot and onto the road and out the end of the road...when we got onto the trail, we spooked a moose and thank goodness the moose was startled and ran! He went crashing through the brush and trees. Whew ! Well, when we crossed the road and came down onto Ruth Lake, again we spooked a moose and it went running into the trees. Further on the run I saw 3 moose way off in the distance. I think that the moose are out early in the morning.

We had a great run and went out onto Lake Stevens again. There were other mushers out on the lake and I am wondering who they are. When you pass it is hard to tell if you know the person...when all you can see are eyes peering out from under hats and faces covered from the cold. We went 31 miles. It was a great run and the dogs are working well for me.

Well, a quick lunch and then back out again. We took the same route out to the road crossing and then past the two small lakes and up onto the power line and then the cutoff to Steven's Lake. Around the lake we went...well, as we were heading back to the power line trail, I was experiencing a funny feeling with my right foot...like it didn't want to stay on the runner...I finally stopped the sled, set my hooks and turned the sled over to inspect the right runner...I had broken it off at the brace right under the sled bag. Oh my ! Hmmm...what to do. I decided that I would try and run the sled without being on the right runner. I experimented with all kinds of ways...both legs on the left runner, left foot on the left runner and right foot on the right base of the sled above where the runner was broken off. The runner has a groove in it and through that you slide a plastic runner. That was what was holding the piece of broken runner. I did call Ted to let him know that I was coming in on a broken runner. I was about 10 miles out. Well, after I got across the road and back into our swamp, I called Ted to let him know where I was and he told me that he was heading out with the snow machine. I saw his headlights when I was about 4 miles out. He followed me back to the dog lot. I was able to run the sled all the way back to the dog lot without ever losing the broken runner...it was just dragging all the back.

I put the dogs away and when we went into the house I found out that a set of runners cost $450.00. Ouch ! Well, we had to decide what we were going to do about the broken sled and the upcoming race....We would talk in the morning.

I went to bed a bit bummed out...

MONDAY, DECEMBER 14TH

Got up this morning and it was so great to see it snowing. The race this weekend has been in jeopardy of cancelling due to lack of snow, however this could change things...So this is a good thing. Well I got up early and watered the dogs. Took out team one and I was determined to get in more miles, and that would mean a bit more exploring. We took off on our regular route and crossed the road and headed towards the power line trail. I decided that we would head off on a trail that I had no idea where it went. When we came out into the open, we were at a really big lake and there was a sign that said "Steven's Lake" I finally found Steven's Lake...when we made it back to the dog lot, I checked the GPS and we went 32 miles.

Had a sandwich and had 2 pieces of delicious jerky and then headed for the dog lot. It was already getting dark when I was hooking up the team so I put on my head lamp. A night run...something that I need to do to get comfortable running again at night. Well, I had a fabulous night run. The team seemed to really love running at night. We headed for Steven's Lake and when on the lake, I would shut off my head lamp and just watch the contrast of the dogs against the smooth white lake in the dim light of the moon. It was magestic...it is amazing how the dogs can see at night. They had no problem following the trail in the dark.

Team two went 25 miles. Tonight I pushed my comfort zone and was alone out there with my dogs...the great thing is that we are starting to get in the longer runs. I have been running an 8 dog team now. I hope to start running a 10 dog team soon.

FURTHER EXPLORATION

Friday...Well, I was up at 6:15 to feed and water dogs. Then crawled back to bed under my down comforter. Tried to get another hours of sleep but instead just laid there thinking of what I would find further down the power line trail. Finally got up and had breakfast and put on my many layers. I have been wearing my new Cabelas Anorak the past couple of days and I like it but It is taking some getting used to putting stuff in new pockets. I found that I cannot easily access my bib front pocket. I missed a beautiful photo op of early morning Aspen glow. Gorgeous.

Well, I hooked up 6 dogs and put booties on them. We took off and headed through the swamp, across the road, around a lake, through the woods, around another lake, and finally to the power lines. (Over the river and through the woods...to grandmother's house we go...) Well, we travelled further on the power line trail than yesterday. Went as far as the trail was well groomed. Then I turned the team around and we headed back. We passed a large oncoming team and when our sleds passed, he was dragging a very long drag line with big knots tied into it. When we got back to the lake and were on overflow I passed one team and then the third pass was on sheer ice in a turn on the lake...the dogs passed fine, but our sleds collided in the turn...we were both ok and kept right on going. Well, we put in a 27 mile run. Got back to the house and put the dogs away. Went in and warmed up and had lunch. Changed my camera from my bib pocket to one in my jacket.

Hooked up team two and put on booties and away we went. This time I didn't go quite as far as it was getting dark. As we were in a wooded part I realized that my head lamp would have been good to have had on my head. Soon I saw headlights on the trail in front of me...the snowmachine pulled off the trail and as I passed about 12 pups ran into my team. They were all over my dogs and me. I finally was able to get going and I realized that my team had grown from 6 to about 16...with the pups running at full speed with my sled. I decided to stop (I didn't need more dogs to take home.) I waited for the snowmachine to come and gather up their pups. They were beautiful husky pups. Well headlight finally appeared and the dogs were called and away I went. All of a sudden I looked around my sled and there they all were again...I kept running a bit hoping that they would drop off... but they kept right on following. Well, I stopped again and they were all in my team and I had tangles. This was getting a bit old. We repeated it a third time and finally I was free of the energetic, adorable, but pain in the rear pups ! We continued down the trail. I made a stop and put on a head lamp...it was worthless for on the trail. Had to stop again and put on my other one...ahh...much better. We finally got back to the house. Dogs were snacked and put back to their houses. I went in to warm up and had a dinner of biscuits and gravy. Then went out and fed the dogs. Chad was excited that food was coming and decided to get on top of his house and announce my arrival. Another great day !

Exploration...and home safe !

Well, yesterday I took out a team of 6 dogs and I was determined to find out what was across the road...I followed the trail there the other day and that is where I turned my team around. So...away we ventured. As we crossed the road, the trail dropped just a bit and there was a beautiful lake that I saw...of course it was frozen over and snow covered. I followed a trail around it and then we went through a little wooded area and then back out into the open then began running down along side of the rail road tracks. The trail was nice and well groomed. After a while I decided that I would turn my team around and head back. My leader, Thornton did great, which was a delight. Last year she didn't work near as well for me...so I was thrilled. She is a good little leader. We headed back home and I took a break for lunch. We ran for 18 miles.

I hooked up another team, with the determination that we would go even further. I had Marty and T in the lead. We crossed the road and followed the same trail as earlier. Then I continued on and we came onto another lake and over frozen overflow...bumpy...then the trail merged with one on the power line. That was a fun a trail as there were hills to climb, sharper turns and lots of ups and downs. The dogs did great. We ran 22 miles with the second team.

Well, this morning I got up early and watered the dogs. I am waiting for daylight and I will be taking out team 3. My plan is to further explore down the power line trail. I was told that power line goes all the way to Fairbanks. It is my hope to find a trail that I can go out for 25 miles and return 25 miles...giving us a 50 mile training route.

When I got up this morning it was - 10 degrees. Yesterday I put booties on the dogs and will do the same today. I am enjoying my GPS unit and so glad that I have it. It is neat to be able to tell how fast the dogs are travelling and how far we are going. I also know what our average running speed is for each trip out.

SHIRLEY TOWNE

You know you are in Alaska when you look down at your socks and you have toe warmers stuck to them...you know you are in Alaska when you look at the thermometer and you are glad it is at zero...

Well I have learned not to leave anything in my sled bag over night that I don't want frozen...and for that matter in the vehicles either...sheds a whole new outlook for iced coffee...how about frozen solid mocha? Last evening while I was nice and toasty warm and had finished all my dog chores I realized that my over mitts were still in my sled bag...well it was a "no brainer"... as much as I didn't want to venture outside, the thought of very cold mitts in the morning was enough to get me out the door and onto the top of the trailer and digging in my sled bag.

Yesterday we did as we had planned. We loaded up 24 dogs and headed to Shirley Towne. We have ropes hooked to the front of the truck and then hooked to the back of each sled. The rope has a quick release on it. When you are ready to go (and the dogs are raring to go...) you kick the quick release and away you go. I learned earlier on our first double sledding run that it is very important to double check your quick release. I had the team of 8 dogs hooked up on the gang line and was up with my leaders unhooking the snow hook and as I was almost back to the sled (with the dogs going berserk to get going), the quick release released...The team bolts and as my sled is going by I dive for the handle bar and I experience my first drag of the winter. Needless to say this is not a good time for a drag as the dogs are so full of energy. As I am screaming Whoa (with as much authority as I can muster) I turn the sled over. The team stops. Ted gets on his sled behind me and while he is on the brake he tells me to upright my sled and away we go !

There are constant lessons to learn and now I always double check my quick release. Well when we were ready to go, I took off first and went up the road and into a parking lot with my team and told them Whoa. We would wait for Ted to take off and catch us before we entered the trail...

With Ted in my sights and a hand signal for me to take off, we are off. It was great to run Shirley Towne with my own team. (And I am sure that Ted was happy to be on his own sled.) Prior to this we had only been running an 8 dog team with two sleds...I had the driving sled and Ted had the tag sled, which was attached to my sled. I have never experienced being on a tag sled...but I guess Ted had quite a ride on our first team out. Kind of like "crack the whip".

My lead dogs were Tok and T. They were great. In swing I ran Puff and Red and in wheel I ran Walt and Spot. (Interesting names, huh?) This team was awesome. They challenged the hills and needed little encouragement...mostly I was just telling them how great they were doing. We went 18 miles and my toes were frozen...hmmm and I thought Lobbens were going to be the solution to my cold toes.

When we got back to the truck we watered and snacked the dogs and I added a hand warmer to my boots. While I was getting team 2 ready my toes thawed out and actually warmed up. I had Chad and Ned in lead, Amber and Tonka in swing and Roan and Rice in wheel. Chad and Ned are great leaders but lousy Gee Haw leaders. I had a heck of a time getting them into the parking lot and actually had to set my hooks and go to the front and grab them and walk them around to the parking lot. The problem was that there were 3 vehicles parked where we normally cross the parking lot onto our run. Well, we waited for Ted and then off we went. The team did good but not nearly as strong as my first team out. I was already thinking about other leader configurations as Chad and Ned together aren't too dependable.

With the second team I had to encourage them up the hills, which they did fine. But without encouragement I think that they would have stopped. That is one thing that you don't want to have them do...it is best for you to always tell them to stop. That is where it is important to watch your dogs and stop them for a breather when necessary.

When I am on a sled, my mind goes everywhere...from being totally focused on the dogs to being caught up in the peacefulness of the sled on the the trail and hearing the feet on the snow. Watching the beauty in the team when they synchronize their running. When we were almost back to the truck we had the most beautiful sunset through the trees. I wished that I had my camera with me. Yesterday my cell phone rang when we were heading back from the second run...I dug it out of my pocket and talked with my friend Bill...needless to say it was a very quick conversation as my hand was getting cold with the temperature around zero. I dropped my phone back into my pouch on the front of my bibs (so I thought) which is under my big parka and an under jacket. Something told me "oh no"...I stepped on the brake and called out Whoa. When we stopped my phone dropped to the snow at my feet. While talking with the team saying whoa I reached down and was able to pick it up. If we had passed it that would have been the end of my phone. You never go behind your sled. When you get off your sled you set your hooks and go up in front of it. If your snow hook pulls you catch your sled as it goes by. I will be making a leash for my phone.

Well, we made it back to the truck and again watered and snacked the dogs. A great day on the runners ! Oh...I left out a tangle, a pulled hook and a dive...but that is all in a day of a dog musher !

SUNDAY

Well, today I woke up to a beautiful sunset. The three of us had breakfast together and then Paula headed off to work. Ted and I hooked up the trailer and loaded the other dog box on it. We had to secure it to the trailer and then I loaded the individual boxes with straw. I eagerly took down Ted's sled from the top of the dog truck and put both of the sleds atop the dog boxes on the trailer. So much easier. You can imagine the effort it takes me to load the sleds on top of the truck...at least 8 feet tall. It is something that I do myself, but it takes some effort. The top of the dog boxes on the trailer is about 4 feet tall. I am looking forward to loading the sleds on that from now on. I changed out my gang line from a four dog section to a six dog. I also got all the harnesses ready and cleaned out the truck.

It was a work day today and no running. After all the equipment was ready, I went out into the dog lot and started hockey practice...you have to have an imagination ! With just the right action, when you hit a frozen log (poop), you can send it into the bucket. I am getting it down quite well, however there is an occasional one that goes flying into another dog's space and it brings quite a fascination from the other dog. Some dogs seem to beat me to it and eat them before I can scoop them up...quite a work out when they are frozen solid. Other dogs wait until I clean their area and then when I turn around and look, there is a fresh pile there waiting for me. I know...they just want me to come back and spend more time with them ! Others try and grab one out of the 5 foot plastic toboggan (which is my poop mobile)...as I haul it past them to the back of the yard and dump it. By the end of winter I will have quite a mountain !

Well, the other day when we were at Shirley Towne and I was harnessing dogs, Ted started laughing hysterically. I looked at him and he said with a smile..."you've been marked"! I looked down and Lee lifted his leg on my leg...thank goodness he missed...but he had every intention of peeing on me. Today when I was in the dog lot doing my chores, I just sent a "puck" flying into the bucket when I noticed the snow between my legs turning yellow. I looked around and Rice peed on my leg...he didn't miss. I am hoping that this isn't a new pass time for the dogs !

The plan for tomorrow is we will each run 2 6 dog teams, so we will be loading up 24 dogs and driving to Shirley Town. This will be my first time driving my own teams at Shirley Towne and I am anxious to see how they do. Up till now I had Ted behind me on a double sled. So now they will just have to listen to my voice. (which Ted says sounds like a teenager) We will most likely run them for 18 miles on the hills.

Well, this evening Paula and I baked cookies...'tis the season !