January Update

Plans are progressing and evolving toward the end goal, the Iditarod.  Reto and I ran the Knik 200 over New Year's weekend.  It was the best trail for the Knik in a long time and the temperatures were nearly perfect.  I started the race 16th and passed ten teams before Flathorn, not really my intent but  the trail was very fast for the first 30 miles and it was difficult to keep their pace down.  Overall, the first run went very well with all 12 dogs, operating in 4 paw drive, and posting the 2nd fastest time.  Except for the moment Micah's team (eventual winner) stormed past me, I did feel like we were flying with the angels. And, in fact, we were since I carried Bruce's ashes with me to Skwentna where I transferred  him to his buddies there at the checkpoint. 

Then Driver Error kicked in for the second half.  I misunderstood my start time for the second leg thus timing my water/feeding poorly and exiting n a hurry.  Mobile stomach, Athena, exacerbated the problem by stealing food from her partner, Abbie,   Three miles down the trail, she would neck line as her stomach enlarged with gas. I quickly gave her an anti gas pill, turned the team around, and returned to the checkpoint to drop her.  I did head on passes with the three teams who had started out after me -Erin, Ken, and Hugh.  Oh well,  I really did not think I could have caught Micah unless he took a wrong turn so loosing places to the others was no big deal.  I had felt the dogs were undertrained anyway. so a more casual return run would be ok.  I did end up carrying Tina most of the return run which slowed the team too but not too badly.  We finished fifth overall so that was reasonable given the hour I gave up dropping Athena.  Lessons learned, I hope.

Reto had a good first run also but then experienced some Rookie run issues on the return.  Before the race he had said he would enjoy running the river to which I responded "Tell me that after the race."  After finishing, he confirmed that the river was not as much fun as expected and he was really ready to get off it.  A good learning experience overall.

Now we are trying to set up for the next race which will likely be the Don Bowers 200 for me and for Reto.  We plan a camping trip to the White  Mountains this next weekend, intending to use our newly acquired Arctic Oven tent.  Hopefully Devan can join us too. His leg and ankle are healing slowly but he hobbles around pretty effectively.  

All for now. judy