Snow, sleds, sun and DOGS!

Snow has arrived in our little part of the world. Since then it's been all sledding all the time. 

When the snow first started to fall, Darrin and I had originally planned on running the kennel with the truck, again, out the Nabesna Road. When we woke in the morning, there was a foot of snow and more was coming down! To the sleds! 

Instead of taking two teams out, we decided to tag sled with 12 dogs. This would eliminate the "chase team" craziness and would allow us to have total control of the team when we needed to stop. 

We loaded up the freight sled with the Arctic Oven and straw. My sled had the wood stove. dog food and drop chains. Why would we need all of this stuff? It was time to set up our tent camp. The tent camp is a place we use to teach the dogs how to rest, sleep and for the youngsters, a place for them to learn straw respect. The tent camp is a lovely spot that is well off the main trail.

Yuki and Glacier in lead on the way home.

The team.

The dogs love straw and the youngsters learn quickly it's a good thing.

Once we arrived at the tent camp spot, we made quick work of getting the drop chains set up and dogs moved over. We always take the harnesses off the yearlings. We want to set them up for success. The means making sure that they never form bad habits, like chewing. If they don't know they can do it, they won't. The purpose of the drop chains is to set up a place where dogs can rest and yearlings can learn how to rest, but there is no stress on us, the musher, that they might chew the lines or some other yearling silliness. Yearlings were placed between olders. The olders serve as role models to the yearlings and also they keep those young guys in line. A little growl here and a snap here lets the yearlings know what's ok and what is not.

Drop chains in place, dogs moved over, time to give them a snack. After the snack we gave them all some straw. Dogs love straw. They love straw almost as much as they love food. After a short time. it was time to eat a nice, big, gooey, fatty meal. 

Hopper (seasoned vet) takes a moment to watch the bonfire get going.

Saturday we set up camp. Sunday we remembered to bring the stove pipe so we could have a fire in the tent, instead of out. It was fun to bring the yearlings out and camp with them. We had done lots of camping with Norbert last winter, but this was the first time the Giants (Jumbo, Herc, Mega, Mammoth and Titan) had been camping.

They played with sticks some, and played with their neighbors some as well. But quickly they figured out what it was they were supposed to do. They weren't tired, but it is important that they learn to eat and sleep no matter what. We give them all an A+. They did great.

Mega (yearling), not tired at all, makes a nice nest on her straw while resting next to Red (seasoned vet).

Not only were the yearlings good campers, they were also quite the hams as witnessed in the pictures I snapped.

Titan (yearling) strikes a pose while resting next to Hopper.

Herc (yearling), Titan's brother, was quite a ham when the camera come out.

Herc (left), Norway (seasoned vet in the middle) and Jumbo (yearling) rest after getting a "gut bomb" meal.

We set up the drop chains very close to the Arctic Oven. We can be warm and can still see the dogs, keeping a close eye on them. A nice warn fire in the little wood stove, clothes drying out, a cot to sleep on. Heavenly!

Jumbo is rooting around for more food. Norway (to the right) wants Jumbo to lay back down so he can sleep. As you can see from this picture, Jumbo is indeed "JUMBO."

After getting fed, often dogs will root around. The yearlings would root then want to play with their neighbors. We would hear some growling and yips going on. Nothing mean, just the olders telling the yealings, "enough already!"

Zane and Trek kick it on their bed of straw, soaking up the rest of the sunlight.

Norway (left) gives Jumbo some kisses. His way of letting this young gun know that he is being a good boy.

A shot of the tent camp.

The biggest problem with the tent camp is we love it so much it's hard to leave! It becomes our home away from home in the winter. We are able to do various lengths of runs in and out of the tent camp. We also have a spike camp, close to Excelsior Creek Valley, that we will break out here soon enough.

From inside the Arctic Oven we have a nice view of the dogs and can talk to them with ease from the warmth of the tent.

There is nothing more enjoyable than traveling with a dog team through this amazing country. Sights...smells...sounds...there are no words or photograph that can capture it. We love to travel with dogs. Dogs love to travel too. 

To quote Runyan, "I hate circle, and I think dogs hate it more. After burning off a little adrenaline, the old run around in a circle back to home training run is about as much fun as working out on a treadmill. Everybody in nature asks the same question, "Hey, boss, are we going anywhere today, or just running in circles?"

Mile 25 on the Chisto Trail. AKA Posty's. Yes, there is a mailbox and a newspaper box up here.

When we got snow, we ran 50 miles. The dogs were animals and loved every step they took. The next trip was to do a 70. Dogs were jazzed. No circles for them! Traveling, camping, bonding with their team...what more does a person need?

Mt Sanford is the distance as we charge home with the team.

The same weekend we received our first big snow, was also the first weekend of a local caribou hunt. We encountered many hunters on various types of "rigs." There were side-by-sides, 4-wheelers, 6-wheelers, snowmachines and more. The dogs did great passing vehicles, hunters, families and children. Oh, and caribou carcasses. Yup, carcasses. On our way back we came across about 5 caribou bodies scattered along the trail. We are always looking for training opportunities. Many times we have to create them, but this is not something we could ever make up. It is good training. Dead critters is not uncommon on the trail. We live amongst the wolves here. Wolf kills are common.

Caribou parts litter the trail from hunters who caught in this location.

Later in the week, Darrin took a team up to do a long run. It was a lovely sunrise and the team was looking good. As he entered the south end of the field where the caribou carcasses were a bunch of ravens flew up into the air. Looking ahead he saw a large brown critter chasing the ravens off the caribou scraps. A bear. Darrin stopped the team, watched for a second and then gave Sicsu the command, very quietly, "haw" and turned the team around and headed back home.

A couple days later, Darrin was cruising down the trail when a pack of wolves popped up in front of the team. Well, if that isn't exciting! The team took off like a shot. Dogs and their cousin the wolf, charging down the trail.

A sunshiny day!

Running dogs is not a hobby. It is a way of life. A lifestyle that is not suited for everyone. It is one that our family thrives on. I cannot imagine doing anything else. 

Here are a bunch of pictures from a run we did up to Sinona Lake and back. Of course, there was a pit stop at the tent camp. Who could pass that up!? 

As you look through these pictures of the team, keep in mind that you can be part of the team too. We would love to have you on board. Check out our website at www.kmakennel.com. You can also make a donation through a booster page that is set up for a limited time.

You can also "like" and follow us on our Facebook page.

Enjoy the pics!

Yearlings Mammoth and Titan all smiles on our 70 mile run up to Sinona Lake.

Norbert, the yearling goon, is jazzed about running up to Sinona.

Fozzie, a seasoned vet, is super patient with Norbert as he throws himself on the grow and rolls around and yips.

Red, another seasoned vet, loves to run. His smile is infectious.

18 dogs up at Sinona Lake on a beautiful sunny day.

The view was extreme and the weather wouldn't have been better.

Mt Sanford off in the distance as we make our way home from Sinona. Later on in the winter, all of the willows will be deep under snow as will some of the spruce trees.

It's good to know where you have been, to guide you to where you are going. 

A Peek into Peaking

A Peek into Peaking

"If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there."  Lewis Carroll

Here are the numbers from August as we taper off of our monthly peak. 6 AM temperatures through the first 26 days averaged 38 degrees with two days starting at 49 degrees and a low of 30 degrees occurring this morning.  There were eleven days in the thirties with five of these days that aligned nicely with our scheduled peak from the twentieth through the twenty-fourth. We also took advantage of cooler temperatures on the seventh and eighth with a mini peak. Our long/slow runs are 15 percent further than scheduled and we are over 50 percent of our total goal miles for dry land season. “Hay is in the barn,” as some like to say.  For now we get to play and are in a cycle of resting and recuperation.  We will continue to maintain training intensity but will minimize fatigue.

Norbert, our 16 month old yearling, just ran five days in a row for a total of 80 miles.  This morning he ran up front with Fozzie who finished the 2013 Quest in lead.  They did a 2 x 22 minute interval run with a 3 minute rest in between intervals. The team ran back through the yard resting five minutes here, and then left the yard with the same intensity as they had the first time. They repeated the same two intervals in slightly longer run times. Total mileage on today’s run was 16 miles.  Norbert is ready for race training now. 

An old cyclist once said that the art of “peaking” is the timely combination of fitness and freshness. We have been able to maintain our fitness during the summer.  In the past I have found that running longer than a couple of hours on the four wheeler had a negative effect on the dogs freshness as well as causing general discomfort to my body, so after we taper we will start our progressions over.  Now the way to increase our fitness is to up our frequency and our intensity.  Our skinny-a$$ jockey, Heidi,  has returned from her summer job to start her eleventh year of teaching, and with her help on weekends and in the evening, all dogs will start to run 4-5 days in a row.  Twice this summer, during her days off, we increased our frequency; both times doing four days straight around 8 miles each run.  Otherwise we ran day on/day off.  Emily, our daughter, has returned from Italy and has returned in aiding in the poop department.  Heidi has taken over the evening feeding of the dogs.  I still water the dogs at 5 AM, now in the dark.  We are now fully staffed here at KMA.  With all of this extra time I now have the time to map out our “peaks” for our race season. It is a difficult job but someone has to do it.  I will be guided by the past.  “Peaking” is an art form. One must be flexible as well as creative.  A huge part of training dogs is the “freshness” element. 

At this time of year temperatures play a huge role in “freshness”. Dogs overheat easily with temperatures in the fifties and their freshness is quickly zapped.  It is very difficult to work them at their maximum thresholds of endurance. Remember the previous blog post's “stimulate vs. annihilate” concept. Temperatures below forty and around thirty are good temperatures for them to work hard and increase endurance.  One must be really aware at temperatures of above 40.  Cold water always helps during the fall.  It is essential in the summer.   Fall is 40 degrees.  Summer is 50 degrees.  Dogs have no concept of seasons or time.  They are either hot or not.  In a couple of months I will be focused on forecasted cold snaps. I prefer to “peak” the dogs right before a cold snap and then they can recover inside.  I will not run them hard at temperatures lower than -30.  Because there is so much “hay in the barn” we can afford to give the dogs a week off at any time.

Our first run on the sled is always to a location 16.5 miles away that is several hundred yards off of the CB 300 trail.  It is right below tree line at 3000 feet.  All it takes is a couple of inches of snow and off I’ll go with the arctic oven, a chainsaw, a bale of straw, a picket line, dog food and eight dogs attached to my 19 year old freight sled.  We will establish the trail through the swamps until about 6 miles out of Chistochina when we connect into the main CAT trail. The training we do throughout the summer on the braided Chistochina River provides our leaders with the ability to be clock-led through the swamps.  A little gee means a slight right turn and a long drawn out gee means a sharp 90 degree turn. It usually takes a little over 2 hours to get to the camp. Normally, due to orographic precipitation patterns, there is quite a bit of more snow up there.  

This is always my favorite day of the year. This is why I mush. The feeling of being alone with dogs and traveling together without the drone of a motor is the essence of what we do. 

The picket line is set up. Harnesses are removed and dogs are attached to the picket. Straw is spread out. Dogs are fed. As they relax, I set up the tent, find dry wood and establish the camp. This usually happens around Halloween, sometimes earlier, hopefully not later.  None of the dogs are tired.  Keep in mind as I write this at the end of August all twenty of our dogs have just run this distance a number of days in a row. Dogs should lie down and sleep on straw as a habit, not because they are tired.  Around five hours later, I will fill up the basket of the freight sled with ballast in the form of dry wood for the return trip.  This run will not be a peak. The dogs will have done this same schedule a couple of weeks before in one of our fall camping trips on the Denali Highway or on the Nabesna Road. I like to break up fall training into two hour or less chunks of running with race–like breaks of four to six hour in between.

We will travel back and forth between home and the tent camp on a daily basis for the first couple of weeks of November, decreasing our rest time as the days shorten. I try to pull hook when the sun sets. Our next peak sometime in the middle of November will be three two hour runs with a two hour break twice in between them.  Here is how it works: run to the tent camp 16.5 miles, light meal rest 2 hours, run 9 miles out of tent camp, short 5 minute break, back 9 miles to tent camp, very light meal rest hours and run 16.5 miles home. As much as I love the first day at the tent camp is as much as I loathe the three two hour run days. Yes, days, because there is always a second and sometimes third team to do it with.  I believe this is the most essential “peak” of the year though, and the one that the weaker dogs will show there lack of freshness or fitness in. I will do it once with each dog to test their ability to travel. We will follow this three run fifty by going up to the camp and returning home directly with a ten minute break half way through the 33 mile run.  We conclude this November peak period by running through the tent camp to the 9 mile turnaround beyond it (this is Posty’s  for those familiar with the CB 300 trail out of Chisto) and coming back through the tent camp.  We always stop at the tent camp for a snack and if we have a dog that looks tired we are always prepared to stop for a while. This ten day period right before Thanksgiving looks something like this in mileage: 32, two days off, 50, two days off, 32, two days off, 50.  The week after this “peak” we usually give the dogs several days off.  Quite often we have a cold snap at this time that I am being flexible around.  Heidi and Emily have a block of time to play as well with their break from school. They spend Thanksgiving running to the tent camp while I prepare dinner at home.

Around the first of December I will take the Bravo up to Excelsior Creek and establish a high camp that is 35 miles out of Chistochina. Now we run to the tent camp, stop for a feeding and then head north another two hours and camp again. In the past, when I have had young dogs, I have trained between the tent camp and this spike camp for several days before coming home.  A couple of weeks before Christmas, usually on the weekend, Heidi will head up to this camp and back with three 15 minute breaks between the four 2 hours runs. This is the longest run we will do before we start racing.

Last year we used each race to build upon the one before as peaks.  Heidi ran the Solstice 100 and 30 hours later she mushed into the White Mountains with a friend.  In a 72 hour period the dogs did 220 miles.  This prepared them for the CB 300.  In the three weeks in between these two races she ran up to the spike camp and back two days in a row.  This mini peak was 140 miles in 36 hours.  The Copper Basin was 300 miles in 58 hours; finishing the race with an 85 mile run. The Yukon Quest 300 was done in 55 hours; finishing the race with two 72 mile runs.  Three weeks after the Quest I did an 80 mile run here, boxed the dogs drove them to Fairbanks and then did a 100 mile run in the White Mountains both runs completed within 24 hours.  Three weeks after this maintenance peak, Heidi ran the Tolsona 50/50 and then I followed it up immediately with a 70, 60, and 50.  280 miles was done in a 96 hour period.  A couple of weeks later, eleven of our dogs ran 425 miles in 70 hours and were unfazed at the finish of the Kobuk 440.

In summary, every month of the year we pick a block of time to run the dogs hard and then the following week we either run them lightly or give them several days off until we progress towards the next peak. The past three months we have progressed slowly towards being able to run two hours at a time. The next three months we will link together two hour runs until we can run 8 hours at a time.  The following three months we will string these 6-8 hour runs together to run 100-300 miles in a block of time. Finally, in March the dogs and Heidi will run 300 miles in around 60 hours;  rest a day, hoping to come off the rest with full fitness and freshness. If the dogs peak at this time they should be able to run to Nome in fine form in a week.

Finally, the dogs would like to thank Lee and John down the road and the Copper River for the fish.  They would also like to thanks the Biddles for their contributions to the pot.  Protein and fat is the most generous sponsorship anybody can give to a dog team! The dogs enjoy seeing their musher busy cooking. More time on cooking and less on scheming is the mantra coming from the yard.

Thank you for peeking into our peaking!

WHAT!? Iditarod?!

As we head into the 2014-15 racing season, there is a lot going on this year. Entering the Iditarod was a surprise for many, including myself! Initially, the thought of running Iditarod was completely overwhelming. Talk about sticker shock! $3000 just to enter is enough to make anyone's jaw drop to the floor. Within 24 hours of Darrin saying, "I think you should run Iditarod," it all just seem to come together. Fate was letting me know, that yes, you really should tackle this 1000 mile beast this year.
 

There's no way that I would be able to do this without the amazing support of the most amazing husband in the world! Darrin is always there. ALWAYS. I know that I can count on him for anything and everything. His dedication to the dogs and to our family is an inspiration. I am proud to have him by my side. 

Then there's the Kid. She spent this past year in Italy. This year she is a senior in high school, a very important year indeed. I was extremely hesitant about signing up for Iditarod without talking with her first. When a member of the family runs a 1000 mile race, everyone in the family runs the 1000 mile race. I sent the Kid a message, "Hey, what are your thoughts on me running Irod this year?"  She sent back, "I call tag sled!" I guess she was on board. 

It's a family thing, this running dogs. It's our way of life. It's what we do. 

I want to introduce some new KMA Kennel family members for the 2014-15 racing season.

Meet the Family:

About a week after Iditarod sign-ups, Darrin and I were talking on the phone about who all had signed up. Conversation wove between racing we had done in the past, training that was currently going on and what we should do this up coming racing season. Communicating from Skagway was challenging at times. Often we would be cut off and wouldn't be able to call or text again until the next night, or even later. This was one of those nights. I had said on numerous occasions that I thought the team needed to race harder than last year. We had talked about different races and what races I could race while teaching. The plan was, well still is, to run the Yukon Quest in 2016. As we talked about what the team should do, Darrin said, "I think you should run Iditarod." Then ((BEEP))...we were cut off. I hit redial no less than a thousand times. Nothing. I tried texting and got the same results...nothing would send. Ugh! I was thinking to myself, "Did Darrin just say I should run Iditarod!?"

The next morning I tried calling and texting with no luck. My mind was just a flurry of activity. "Run Iditarod? That has never been the plan."  After trying to get through to Darrin with no luck, it was time for work. I hopped on my bike and wove through the streets of Skagway as the sun was shining down on me.

Me, "Dawson Dolly" and Billie getting ready to head out on a Float. Skagway float Tours is our sister company.

This summer I was given the most amazing opportunity to share about Alaska with hundreds of people from all around the globe. In many instances, sharing went both ways. Working for Frontier Excursions & Adventures out of Skagway has been a dream.

On this day, instead of going out for a long tour, I had an "office" day. The streets of Skagway were hustling with throngs of people off the ships docked just a stones throw away.  I parked my bike in the bike rack and made my way through the crowds of people and walked into the office located in the historic Golden North Hotel on 3rd and Broadway. Cris, my amazing boss, was in the office chatting with some guests getting ready to go out on tour. After they left, we walked outside to enjoy the sunshine. I must have looked somewhat distracted as Cris asked me if I was alright and if everything was ok. 

I looked at him and said, "I think I am going to run Iditarod." 

Next thing I know I was wrapped up in a HUGE bear hug, feet dangling off the ground. 

And thus the journey of a thousand miles began. 

Working for Cris and Katie this summer was like working for family. They are such amazing peole with hearts of gold. (And they have the cutest kiddo too!) When Cris said that they'd like to sponsor my entry fee for Iditarod, I about tipped over. I had all I could do to put two words together to answer. 

Frontier Excursions offers a variety of high quality tours.

I cannot possibly say enough about my "Frontier Family". I have worked for lots of different tour companies in Alaska, and have done lots of different kinds of tours. Working for Frontier has been unlike any other company. 

Cris and a guest getting ready to go on tour on a sunny Skagway day.

The guests that come on tour with us are second to none. They become like family after the tour. We share lots of laughs, stories about our families, and even pictures. I have received emails from many of the folks that came on tour with me this summer. Each one sharing pics of us together from the tour, stories of the rest of their holiday and thanking us for being fun. 

It is always such a privilege to share a day with folks from all around the world. These folks take a day out of their holiday to Alaska and spend it with us traveling up to the Yukon. 

If you're going to be in Skagway, or know someone who is, be sure to look us up. http://www.frontierexcursions.com/

A super fun family from Massachusetts that I had the privilege of taking to the top of Mt Jubilee, just outside of Tagish, Yukon Territory. It was a day to remember, for all of us. Tears were shed, hearts were warmed, and friendships were made. 

Funny things happen when you're in Nome. One minute your talking with a friend about tours that he does in the summer, the next minute you're saying, "Heck yeah! It would be a BLAST to visit and share stories with a caravan of RVers when you come through Skagway."

I have known Spike for a few years. Our meetings always happen around Iditarod time. Spike loves mushing and loves supporting mushers. We spent quite a bit of time together in Nome this past March, waiting for mushers to blow in off the ice.

It was in the course of these conversations that Spike tossed out the idea about me chatting and sharing about life as a rural teacher with his guests that he has during his RV tours. His group makes a nice long stop in Skagway. This allows time for folks to see Skagway, take a ferry to Juneau for the day if they desire, and take a tour or two offered in town. It was so much fun doing a Q&A with this merry band of RVers.

Spike (in the yellow coat next to me) and I during his final visit in Skagway for the summer.

Spike is the Wagon Master at Alaskan Discovery RV Tours. He has three tours a summer, each about a month long. These tours go through some amazing country and folks get to experience things that only a guy like Spike can show them.

Sharing stories at the Pullen Creek RV Park in Skagway with Spike and his merry RVers

KMA Kennel is excited to have Alaska Discovery RV Tours on board as sponsors for the 2014-15 racing season! Looking forward to being greeted by Spike in Nome!

We have been using Howling Dog Alaska products for years. When Ivana said that HDA would like to join forces with KMA Kennel, we were through the "WOOF" excited! Howling Dog Alaska has always been easy to work with when ordering gear. Ivana is also extremely receptive and open to ideas on harness designs and changes. Gear made for mushers by a musher.

The Tough Skin harness is a nice light weight harness that fits like a glove on a couple of dogs that have. It had been difficult to find a harness that would fit them properly due to their gates.

Scooter, the side-winder, loves her Tough Skin Harness. Here she is modeling it while out on training run.

This past racing season we used the Light Weight Harness They received a good test as we raced in the Solstice 100, Copper Basin 300, Yukon Quest 300, Tolsona 50/50 and the Kobuk 440. The closed cell padding extends along the harness's entire length. This, combined with the great breast plate design, proved to be a great combo as we had hardly any harness rubbing or chaffing along the dogs sides. There are as many harness designs as there are dogs it seems. We are fortunate to have "found" Howling Dog Alaska. Their harnesses are durable and comfortable for our dogs. Customer service and receiving our goods have never been an issue. Living up here in the willy-whacks of Alaska, that really matters.

We are honored to be representing Howling Dog Alaska as we go into this racing season.

Leaders, Mystic & Siscu (grey dog),  sporting their HDA Light Weight Harnesses at the start of the Copper Basin 300

KMA Kennel would like to thank everyone for believing in the dogs, and in us. We are excited to be entered in the 2015 Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

If you'd like to join our little family, or want more info on who we are and what we are about, check out our website and Facebook page. You can also email me at kmakennel42@gmail.com.

Small Kennel Training Part 2: Exercise to Stimulate, Not Annihilate

Exercise to stimulate, not to annihilate.  Set small goals and build upon them.

Lee Haney

If you recall our June peak was 1 hour ten minutes.  We did this four times from the 23^rd thru the 26^th with two runs each in long and short harnesses.  Twenty-two days later we peaked again.  

July peak week has come and gone.  Our weather continues to be cool and conducive to effective dog training. The morning of the 14^th the thermometer read 32 degrees and it was accurate as the four wheeler seat was frosted.  A few days later I had four days scheduled to “peak” the dogs at 1 hour 20 minutes.  The first day of this period we had 35 degrees so we went for it.  Instead of the normal ten dogs, I hooked up twelve and we marched in second gear for 45 minutes, third gear for 30 minutes and finished the last 8 minutes in fourth gear. My intention was not to stop but my bladder had other ideas.  The following morning it was 37 degrees and I took twelve dogs and once again my bladder prevented us from running non-stop again.  This run’s length was 1:25.  Norbert and Trek, the two young dogs, went twice. Red, a dog we just got from Sonny, and Kermit were doubled up on. My plan was to take twelve again on the third day, but 47 degrees did not seem a wise temperature to march dogs again at, so I switched over to short harnesses and let ten dogs roll for a little over an hour in neutral. No need to annihilate the dogs, only stimulate.

These long/slow runs are done at less than 8 mph. The dogs are practically walking; it is more like a power trot. This is the pace they will run the majority of the Iditarod. This is a low impact, energy conserving pace that should keep the team intact. We march away from the kennel slowly as if we are leaving White Mountain after our mandatory 8 hour break and return 45 minutes later within 200 yards of the kennel and then march away again. It is a good test for their heads.  In January the dogs will use this same trail after leaving the Chistochina checkpoint 50 miles into the Copper Basin 300. Trek was the only dog to raise her head after the turnaround near the kennel. This was on her second day in a row.  I kept my mouth shut. She looked over at Red who was grinding away and she reengaged.

Red has been with us three weeks.  Sonny dropped him at White Mountain this year with a broken toe.  He finished in 2013. Red is a special dog.  He is especially big, weighing in over seventy pounds. I remember him well from my time in Two Rivers last fall. I doubt he was run much this spring with his injury, but he has been able to step right in here due to his muscle memory from putting on big miles in his life.  He is a well trained dog; no bad habits.  Dogs that have finished a 1000 miles can get back into shape quickly.  Red stepped in after our last peak and went through our progression and had no problem with our peak runs. Red gives us ten 1000 mile finishers in our kennel.

Red LOVES to play with bowls. It provides endless hours of entertainment for both dogs an humans alike.

Red is 75 pounds of pure love....and goofiness.

Trek, on the other hand, is a work in progress. Her three sisters have finished races: Glacier finished the Quest as a two year old and has multiple mid distance finishes; Boo finished the Kobuk 440 this year and is becoming the go to leader, and Jackie finished the CB 300 this year. All three finished the Top of the World 350 as two year olds and all three run lead. Trek made it back to Chicken at 270 miles into the Top of The World but she needed to be dropped. Last year she was with some friends and took the year off from “race” training. She has come back looking much stronger. It is her head that needs to be worked on. Trek needs to be stimulated, not annihilated.

Trek is telling stories from her awesome run she just did.

I have been able to maintain fidelity to the training program.  After each “peak” I sit down with the calendar and plan out the next three weeks progressions. During July I was only one day off.   For August I am going to tinker a little bit with both the multi-variable and interval runs.  The first six weeks of the summer I was doing the short harness multi-variable runs with two minutes in second gear and then calling them up into a lope for two minutes.  Now I will let them run at their pace in fifth gear for two minutes (before I was giving throttle) and then call them down if you will. Give them an “easy” and then repeat the command “walk” several times.  Same run, just a different emphasis on the slow part.  As it cools down and as our days shorten the dogs will want to run faster. Our intended skill is now reversed to slowing the team down from their natural pace. The other multiple-variable run will have the same format 3 minutes fast trotting with a quick call up.  I also call the team up when the sand pipers on the river distract us from their nests. 

The interval runs in short harnesses will be changed to a longer period of running with the same 3 minute rest.  We will lope away from the kennel 1.75 miles, rest then lope back to the kennel.  I will throw the dogs snacks let them rest at 5 minutes and then head out again 1.75 miles, rest then come back to the kennel. It remains to be seen if they will lope on the second out and back. This is checkpoint training. The Copper Basin’s new format of having Tolsona as a double checkpoint is a reason to practice running though the kennel this early.  The dogs and Heidi were one of five teams that ran through this checkpoint twice without stopping last year and they were able to do the last 85 miles in 10:30 hours. I was left with tears of joy when Heidi verbally directed Siscu over straw to run out of Tolsona the second time. Siscu was the runt of her litter, but is an incredible go to gee/haw leader.  Not much speed but plenty of heart. She led me out of Whitehorse, broke trail on the Yukon when the wind blew it in, and took me over Eagle Summit.  Her mom, Pilot, led the second place Quest team over Eagle Summit and to the finish in 2001. I love Siscu like I loved Pilot.

Kermit (left) and Siscu (right) in lead on a wet morning run.

The final ingredient to add to the training recipe is diet. The dogs get watered in the morning with 5 pounds of PUP mix, and cooked salmon with some rice.  Upon returning from the run the runners get 2 cups of Redpaw 38k followed by water.  At the evening feeding the 20 dogs get 10 pounds of PUP mix, at 10 pounds of cooked salmon/rice, 4 gallons of Redpaw 32k, 1 gallon of dried eggs, ½ gallon of poultry meal, 2 cups energy pack, and 2 cups of fish oil.  This combined with exercise is making for muscled up lively dogs with round bottoms and shiny coats. In September we will switch over to 100% 38k for kibble and double the meat ration.  A variety of fats will be added as the temperatures drop throughout the fall.

Finally a Norbert report: He is running in every position in the team, has gee and haw figured out but is still learning how to line out as a leader.  His biggest issue right now is he is a punk.   That is right, a teen age dog know-it-all punk.  When I informed him that five of his cousins are coming in September to compete with him to make the race team, he looked at me and said, “Bring it!”  That will make six yearlings that will be training here this winter.   As I look at Facebook pages of other kennels I see the ubiquitous puppy pictures.  Sure puppies are cute, adorable and fun. Plus they up the “like” count on the page and we all strive for that, right? But to me the real joy of training dogs happens when they are yearlings. That is when they transition from the cute puppy into the well-trained adult race dog ready to run a hundred miles at a time while efficiently consuming and digesting thousands of calories and when given straw, sleep immediately. Presented with broth, they stand to drink it, beg for more and wait patiently for their musher to boot, hook up and head down the trail. Norbert knows the basics, has a great conditioning base but this is the year that he and other yearlings will become race dogs.  If he only knew what his future holds maybe he would be more humble. For now he is a punk who prances around his circle acting like he knows-it -all.  

Norbert likes to get up in your face...such a punk.

Norbert striking his "I'm tough!" pose after his morning run.