Back on Track

I've been pretty bad about updating this blog, but I've been even worse about getting the dogs out for runs. To pick up where we left off -- the dogs and I attended our first race of the season. We didn't make it out for Jersey Sand's first race, but we did get down there for the Pine Barrens Dryland Run.

I wasn't expecting too much from this race. I was treating it like a normal run down in the pines, since this was only our second time at Mt. Misery this season. Also, it was around 50 degrees when we ran, and I didn't want to push the dogs too hard.

Despite the conditions and lack of training, we came away with second place -- only a few seconds behind the first place team. We had some opportunities to overtake the other team, but I held the brakes. I knew my guys would lose steam as soon as we passed, so I tried to stay on their tail for the majority of the run. Given the minute starts, we could still grab first if we came in close enough after the first team out. That plan almost worked, except everybody slowed down during the final leg of the race.

But that's alright. They still did great. I'm especially proud of Knox. His line was tight the entire time. Denali got a little distracted, which is entirely unlike her. Dexter did well, but I could tell it was tough on him.

Speaking of Dexter, we had a little scare with him just over a week ago. I had all the dogs in for their wellness exams, and his blood work came back a little off. It seemed as though he was fighting an infection, though he had antibodies pretty much finishing it off. The vet was worried about Lyme, so I had to bring in a urine sample to make sure his kidneys were working properly.

Luckily, everything came back fine. I need to keep an eye on him for any stiffness and get his urine tested at least once a year. I feel pretty guilty for making him run the last race, seeing as he likely didn't feel great at the time. But he sure didn't show it.

Now, as I mentioned, our runs have been infrequent. We had a freakish warm spell for a few days, followed by what seemed like a week of rain. Followed by me getting sick and the holidays. Hopefully, now that I'm feeling better and the chaos of Christmas has passed, we can get back into the swing of things.

2012-2013 Mileage to Date: 43.87

Nature's Fury

This season has been a crazy one so far, and it has nothing to do with the dogs. A few weeks ago we were blasted by Hurricane Sandy. We were left without power for several days. The streets and local trails were littered with downed trees and power lines. And with gas rationing and an empty tank, I couldn't drive elsewhere to train.

A week later, we were hit by a Nor'easter. As much as we love snow, it wasn't quite enough to do anything. It was a sloppy, slushy snow that began melting almost immediately -- so there was no time to take the sled out. Plus, the power went out again. Luckily, it was only for a few hours this time.

Right after the winter storm, a warm spell struck and I was out walking the dogs in shorts and short sleeves. Go figure.

Finally, it seems Mother Nature has calmed down for a bit. The temperatures are right where they should be for this time of year. I've managed to sneak in a few rig runs (between disasters), with the help of my mom or sister (whoever I could drag out with me).

The dogs are doing well, despite the gaps between runs. Denali's prey drive has noticeably toned down. At the end of today's run, my dad met us and ran alongside the team for the home stretch. Denali was digging down so hard and pulling with all her might -- it was awesome to see.

We will finally be going down to the Pine Barrens this weekend, for the first time this season. Expect lots of photos and hopefully some video of our run next week!

2012-2013 Mileage to Date: 30.48

Trouble on the Trails

Denali is an incredible dog. She's so awesome in harness, that on bad days (like today), I have to remind myself -- she's only a year and a half. This is only her second season in harness. She's way ahead of the curve, so little slip-ups are to be expected.

We've only done a few runs thus far, but I've noticed her prey drive is way more intense than it was last year. She used to get excited by squirrels or ground hogs, and even try to chase after them -- but I could always call her off. It took 15-30 seconds for her to regain her composure, and we were moving again.

This year, she's way more focused on capturing whatever it is that darted into her line of vision. In fact, she seems to be going after imaginary animals, too. Or she'll stop at places where we saw an animal during a previous run and try to find it.

This behavior throws Knox off and he joins in on the hunt. Dexter either joins in, or stands there pitifully while she yanks at his neckline. Today was pretty frustrating, in particular. I had to get off the bike several times to pull Denali out of the bushes and point her in the right direction.

I don't like screaming my head off at the dogs (especially when I'm around the neighborhood, with the occasional bystander looking on in awe), but they go deaf to my commands when they're chasing something. Sometimes, a stern enough shout breaks them out of it. Most of the time, though, I need to physically pull them away. And that's not good.

Hopefully, with more runs, Denali will settle down and be the leader I know she is. And as the temperatures drop, all the little critters will hopefully be sleeping away in their dens.

2012-2013 Mileage to Date: 18.2

Mushing Season is Here!

Hey everybody! Mushing season is back again, so I think it's time I get back to posting on here. I'm taking a slightly different approach with our runs this season.

When Knox was little, I could manage bikejoring with all three. Not anymore! At least, not around my neighborhood. There are far too many distractions and I cannot stop all three dogs with my brakes. I actually have a pretty hard time stopping with just two. So yea, we bike carefully. Oh, I don't think I mentioned it here yet, but I finally got a new bike! It's a Trek 3700 mountain bike with disc brakes -- a heck of a lot tougher than my previous bikes!

Into mid-October, I'm aiming to run the dogs every other day. There are still some random warm or overly humid days (like today) that I'll skip. I don't want to over-exert anybody after a long, low-key summer. For the most part, I run Denali and Knox first, then Denali and Dexter second. On some occasions, I'll switch it up and run each dog separately.

Denali really is an amazing girl. She's only a year and a half, but she's teaching the boys more than I could ever do alone. Without her, Knox runs in sporadic bursts and doesn't have a clean grasp of commands. Hook him up next to Denali, and she keeps him running steady and muscles him into turns.

Dexter runs well -- in the Pine Barrens. At home, he still wants to sniff and mark. Denali doesn't let him.

As it gets colder, I hope to be biking every day. I'll also be heading down to the Pine Barrens with my new 90-pound rig as soon as the trails are cleared. I plan to eventually use one of my rigs for neighborhood runs, but I want to get the team used to it (safely on the trails) first. They're a lot more difficult to maneuver than my bike, so I need to be very confident with the dogs' abilities.

Oh, one last thing! I'm converting a spare bedroom in my house into a dog room. I'll have photos of the renovation process posted once it's completed.

2012-2013 Mileage to Date: 12.6

No News is Good News

It's been just over a month since my last update, and unfortunately, our runs seem to have come to an end. An unusually dry March and April have given way to a humid and soggy May.

On sunny days, the dogs are content to lounge around the yard. Denali could sunbathe from dawn until dusk. Dexter doesn't care where he is, as long as he's near me. Knox can only stand the heat for so long. He takes frequent dips in his little wading pool and enjoys lying on the cold patio table. On some of the more humid days, he rather stay inside.

On rainy days, like today, only the huskies venture out. Dexter loathes the rain. He won't walk on wet grass. Denali and Knox will chase each other if it's cool enough, but they don't settle down. After they get bored, they usually come back inside and nap. Dex is the most annoying on rainy days -- he begs for walks, as if it's only raining in the backyard.

Our loose-leash walking has not been as consistent as I would like, but it's getting there. Everyone gets walked a couple times a week -- just enough to keep them progressing.

As for our grand training plans (agility and CGC), they have been put on the back burner. Lately, I've been serving myself a hefty dose of reality. Dexter is not ready for a CGC course. He is very well-trained in my house, with only familiar distractions. I need to remind myself how he behaves when he's somewhere unfamiliar and exciting. In pet stores, he'll piss on any interesting scent. Outdoors, he'll yank me about, attempting to suck up an odor or greet another dog. If I were to bring him into a Petco for CGC classes, which are reserved for dogs who have a grasp of basic obedience, it would probably be embarrassing. He is a good dog. I know he could eventually master it. He just needs a lot more work and experience out in the world. So that's our summer plan for him.

Denali needs some work when it comes to being around other dogs. At her rabies clinic, she lurched and pulled to meet the other dogs. However, when she's working in harness, no other dogs seem to exist. I think I could get her motivated enough to transfer this skill into agility. However, I don't think agility classes are in her near future. Something very important that I had overlooked -- her first heat cycle. She is due to come into heat within the next month or so. I can't start a class and have her come into heat -- most clubs would not allow her to train, especially as a complete newbie. Once her heat has completely passed, she will be spayed, so she'll be on the 'disabled list' until fall training.

So, there you have it. I may still get Knox in some sort of class. Basic obedience probably wouldn't hurt. I'll be saving some money and just working with them myself, and hopefully by next summer, I'll be able to get them some off-season hobbies.

Dog Food and Other Things

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
3.96 miles	0:25.52	9.18 mph	19.31 mph

It seems like every time I speculate a run will be our last of the season, we're able to sneak another in. I went out to the Pine Barrens last Saturday with the gang and had my favorite run so far. Knox has been handling our short one to two mile runs without any problem, so I decided to try the longer trail. After all, if this was going to be our last run of the season, I wanted to make the most of it.

I was the first to arrive and set up on Saturday. Luckily, I had my new quick release (thanks to Roy of Adirondack Kennel), so I didn't need anyone to hold the dogs while I hooked them up. Denali has an impeccable line-out for a yearling, so that helped too.

It was about 38 degrees with very low humidity, so the dogs ran very well. I stopped them twice for water breaks and to let Knox rest, since this was his longest run yet. Overall it was a very smooth run. The sand was loose in some spots, so they had to work a bit to pull through. We saw some deer right as the trail split in one area, which made Denali want to haw instead of gee. I stopped and waited for her to cool off, and surprisingly, she didn't take long to regain her composure and gee over. Glad I was on the rig and not my bike, though, or it may have been a different story.

Other than our run on Saturday, we haven't been doing too much. I've been slacking on the daily walks, but the dogs don't seem to mind as long as they get to hang outside. Denali and Knox chase each other around the yard in the morning and evening. They are a good match for tiring each other out.

It doesn't look like we'll be getting a Pine Barrens trip in this weekend, as temperatures aren't falling below 50. I will be more vigilant about getting some loose leash walks in, though, before they forget all the progress we've made so far.

In other-dog related news, I've started transitioning my pack away from Canidae and on to Annamaet. I've stuck with Canidae for a long time because it's affordable, available locally, and most importantly, decent quality. However, I always felt like the dogs could be doing a little better.

I've been interested in Annamaet for awhile, but couldn't get it anywhere close by. Shipping it wasn't really worthwhile because it added on almost $15 to the price. However, I recently realized that with my auto-ship discount from PetFoodDirect, I can get almost $8 off a 40-pound bag, which basically cuts the shipping in half. I did the math, and I'll be paying about $0.20 more per pound for the 40-pound adult formula Annamaet versus the 35-pound all-life-stages formula Canidae. It's a small price jump, so I'm willing to give it a shot.

I started the dogs off by mixing an 8-pound bag of Annamaet in with their old kibble, and they really liked it. They even began picking out the Annamaet and leaving the Canidae behind. I plan to stick to the Adult 23% formula for the time being, and then blend in the Ultra 32% when mushing season picks up again.

Annamaet supports a lot of the mushing and husky rescue events I participate in, so it's nice to return the favor and feed their food. I'm planning a blog post about my experiences with different dog foods (dry, canned, and raw)... this is just the tip of the iceberg. Stay tuned!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 133.66

Summer Activities

I've been looking into various training classes for the dogs this summer. I want to do something to keep them stimulated, mentally and physically. Plus, I'd like for my team to be well-rounded pets, not just sled dogs.

I want all of my dogs to earn their Canine Good Citizenship certificate. This summer, I'm going to start with Dexter. I found a CGC training course, which he'll definitely need if he has any hope of passing the test. In order to pass the examination, he'll be judged on the following:

Accepting a friendly stranger. Sitting politely for petting.  Allowing basic grooming procedures. Walking on a loose lead.  Walking through a crowd.

Sitting and lying down on command and staying in place. Coming when called.  Reacting appropriately to another dog. Reacting appropriately to distractions. Calmly enduring supervised separation from the owner.

He should be able to do all of the above, but it really depends on the distractions around him. When there are lots of other dogs around, he can get overexcited and not listen. However, weekly training classes should help with that. I hope.

Denali isn't ready for CGC, but I think she'd benefit from some beginner agility. It's something I've always wanted to do with a dog and I think she might be the perfect candidate. She listens surprisingly well for a Siberian and her recall isn't too bad. 

Yesterday, I was walking her around the park and she was being extra pull-y. It was cooler out and she wanted to run. In order to divert her attention from yanking me, I decided to teach her some spur-of-the-moment agility. The park has benches every 100 feet or so. First, I taught her to hop up on the bench and climb over the other side. Once she had that down, I had her jumping over the back of the bench. She's extremely athletic and agile, so these commands were a piece of cake.

The park also has three bridges. At the sides of each bridge are cement walls, about 3 and 1/2 to 4 feet tall, with a broad, flat top. When Dexter was little, I taught him to walk on the top of the wall like a ramp, which he still does. I taught Denali to do the same yesterday, and she seemed to enjoy it. These are very simple little activities, but I think she could handle more complicated stuff with some practice. I found an agility training facility, I just need to wait for a beginners course to open up.

I'm not quite sure what I want to do with Knox. He'll benefit from a summer of just basic training with me, but I would like to do something "extra" with him. I think he might do well with some kind of weight-pull training. He's really strong and, well, beefy. A different kind of strength and build than Denali, but equally acceptable in my mind. I think he'll make a really great wheel dog next season. I wouldn't mind honing that ability with some weight-pulling. I wouldn't do too much with him since he's still growing, but I'd like to learn more about the beginner stuff.

Those are my tentative plans for the next few months. It will be nice to have some one-on-one goals with each dog, instead of working with all three as a team.  

Different Kinds of Training

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
1.76 miles	0:11.16	9.35 mph	16.78 mph

It's been almost two weeks since my last entry. Didn't mean to leave anyone hanging -- things have just been pretty boring around here. We've had above normal temperatures for awhile (almost 80 degrees last week), so no runs. Loose leash walk training is still happening, though. It's been going pretty well. Denali is already easing up with her pulling and trots very nicely during the last 10 - 15 minutes of each walk. Knox is a bit of a spazz, but he's also showing improvement. Dexter is back into his groove, nothing really to report.

This week, temperatures are returning to where they should be for the end of March, which means we should get more runs in. I managed to squeeze a quick run in yesterday with Denali and Knox. It makes me happy to see my puppies working so well together, but it's a little disappointing that Dexter doesn't just "click" like they do. He's been training the longest (although not by much), yet he doesn't take to it like the huskies do.

I can't blame Dexter. He wasn't bred to run and pull. Based on his day to day activities, it seems he was bred to be clingy and pee on stuff. He has the ability to run very well -- I've seen it. It's just a matter of motivating him to do so. He loves running in the Pine Barrens, or anywhere less familiar, for that matter. Part of me wants to "bench" him once I have more dogs, but I don't know if I could leave him behind. He's shown improvement with the addition of Knox to the team, so he may be just fine once I have four or six dogs. Time will tell.

Oh! I almost forgot. I signed up for Mushing Boot Camp this September! We'll be traveling to South Colton, NY for a few days in the woods. We'll be at the Call of the Wild facility, being instructed by some very knowledgeable folks. We're going to be working on Dexter's passing issues, as well as honing everyone's overall ability in harness. I've heard good things about this organization, so I hope to learn some techniques that I can use for years to come. I'll definitely have several blog entries devoted to my experience.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 125.22

Keeping Up

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
2.47 miles	0:13.43	10.78 mph	17.66 mph

Sunday may have been our last trip to the Pine Barrens for the 2011-2012 season. I hope not, but if it was, we ended on a very good note. We did a short run at Mt. Misery -- just 1.2 miles out and back, like we had done the week before. This time, I had the rig instead of the bike. And this time, the dogs absolutely flew. 

My phone app clocked the team at 17.66 miles per hour -- definitely their fastest maximum speed yet. They held steady, averaging 10 miles per hour after their initial burst at take off. Knox is the added kick of strength and power we really needed. I can't wait to do longer runs with him, but I'm taking it slow.

Sunday morning was the last bit of cold we'll be getting for at least a week. Temperatures will be in the upper 60's and lower 70's for the next couple of days. Since it's too warm to run, I'm focusing on the dogs' loose-leash walking skills (or lack there of).

Denali needs the most work with walking manners. Her walks aren't walks -- they're still runs, in her mind. It's not easy to teach a dog, who was bred and trained to pull, to walk nicely. Knox and Dexter each need their own individual training as well.

My plan is to walk each dog separately every day this spring and summer. The huskies will be walked in the morning or evening, Knox getting the cooler time slot (since he's got the heaviest coat). Dexter isn't bothered by heat, so unless it's blistering, he'll get walked in the late afternoon. As they improve, I'll walk in pairs. The ultimate goal is to loose-leash walk all three together without issue.

I will be walking each with a leash attached to a limited slip O-ring collar. I need for them to differentiate between the collar/lead and pulling with their x-back harness. After all, I still want them to pull when the cool temperatures return.

I'll also be walking the dogs on a different path, at least for the beginning of their loose-leash training. Right now, they associate our usual route with running and pulling. If I go a different direction, I'm hoping they'll be thinking more, instead of just acting on their RUN RUN RUN instincts.

To further work their manners, I'll be taking them around the local park, where lots of distractions will come into play: other dogs, kids, people, etc.

Today was Denali's first real test. She did better than she usually does, since she was by herself and not focusing on leading the other two. She pulled, as expected, but also had a few stretches of loose-leash walking. I also got her to check out her surroundings a bit -- sniff the ground, look at the lake, watch joggers pass. Usually, she's all business and doesn't look anywhere but forward. 

Knox is still getting used to walks by himself, so I don't think it will be quite as hard to train him to walk nicely. Dexter can walk well, but he has a different problem entirely -- he marks and sniffs every few feet, which can get annoying.

I'll continue to update on our runs, assuming we get a few more before the temperatures stay consistently above 50 degrees. Once that happens, I'll be using the blog to document the dogs' non-mushing related activities and training. I'll also use the off-season to write up some articles about mushing in general -- not just my little team. So don't go anywhere!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 121.94

And Then There Were Three

I've been meaning to write about Knox's first run with the big dogs in my usual trail entry format, but I got delayed -- and now we're already three runs into his "career". I decided I should write a little recap of each, before any more time passes and I forget the details.

Our first three dog run was on Friday, March 2nd. Since Knox is right around 6-months-old and seemed more than ready to join the team, I decided it was time. My rig is still in need of a new bearing, so I had to resort to a 3-dog bikejor. Not the best idea and certainly not something I will do once the rig is fixed, but I wanted to give him a practice run before the Pine Barrens.

Our first run went pretty well. Denali ran in single lead with Dexter and Knox behind her in wheel. Knox did fantastic... he pulled hard and slammed into his harness like he was bred to do it (which I'm fairly certain he wasn't). Dexter also did well -- he was more focused and went into "chase" mode with Denali in front of him. Denali -- my sweet, oh-so-perfect Denali -- was less than perfect in single lead. I didn't realize how much Dexter grounded her. It wasn't a catastrophe or anything. She ran like a yearling (which she is), and not the incredibly focused girlie she usually is. Her commands were a little fuzzy and she turned around to mess with Knox halfway through the run.

Towards the end of Knox's first run, we came upon a fleeing cat. Because we can't have a single run without some sort of animal darting away from us. My bike brakes were working, but didn't do any good. The wheels slid, until I managed to swing up against a tree and hold the team back.

The second run was flawless. We went to the Pine Barrens, where there are rarely any animals near the trail. The freshly laid scent of other teams also helps my guys stay focused. All three did great, although Denali couldn't understand why we had to turn back after just over a mile -- she wanted to run our usual four mile trail. I didn't want to push Knox too hard, so we only did 2.4 miles with the team. I took Denali out again later and repeated the same trail, so she could get her fix.

This morning was Knox's third run and probably the worst thus far. As soon as we took off, I realized something wasn't right. The duct tape job I constructed on the front brake had ripped apart. I thought about turning back, seeing as three dogs + only a rear brake might = suicide... but I had my helmet on, so god damn it, we kept going!

First test was a squirrel that darted by Denali. In double lead with Dexter, she gets excited for squirrels, but I can usually call her off. She then channels her 'need-to-chase' urge into pulling extra hard. In single lead, she loses her focus and tries to chase. I had to swing against a tree and wait for her to cool off.

Dexter and Knox did very well. Denali obeyed most of my commands, but she wasn't as quick and sharp with them as usual. Towards the end of the woods loop, something caught her eye and she hopped off the path and into the high, dead brush. While she was goofing off, Dexter took the opportunity to roll around. Knox just whined and slammed into his harness, trying to get the team to keep going -- nice try, little one! I had to dismount and pull Denali into the right direction. The remainder of the run home was mostly uneventful. She was a little better with the commands, but still a bit unruly.

All in all, they're doing fine. This minor setback is just a dose of reality. For the most part, Denali has been unusually great in harness. Asking her to lead without Dexter by her side is a big step for a puppy still a few days shy of a year old. AJ plans to take her running every day and I'll be doing more single lead practice with her. I'm sure we'll work out the kinks as time goes on.

Someday in the distant, but hopefully not too distant future, a fourth dog will even out the team and solidify their flow. Dexter and Knox can be the powerhouses in wheel and maybe another Sibersong lady will balance Denali out in lead. Someday!

Broken Down

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
3.8 miles	Unrecorded	Unrecorded	Unrecorded

The past few days have been fun, but destructive. On Friday, my bike's brakes gave out entirely. The duct tape job on the front brake lost its effect and all the brake pads have worn down.

I realized I had no brakes about halfway through our run, right before the dogs spotted a cat -- in the middle of the trail. The cat took off running and the dogs followed behind. She eventually went off the trail and the dogs lost sight of her, giving me just enough time to fully stop the bike after a scary few seconds. They must have saw her again, because they did a 180 on the trail and tried to pull off into the woods. I had to dismount and drag them away... they were far too excited for "leave it" to work.

The brake-less bike foiled my plans for joring at the D&R Canal, so I ended up taking the dogs to Sandy Hook with my parents. I left the harnesses at home and attempted to make it just a "walk", but all three were pretty amped up and looking to run. Everybody got to dip their paws in the ocean and nose around in the sand, so it was a nice change of pace. It was windy and we were pelted with sand the whole time, but three tired dogs on the way home was well worth it.

Sunday, I went to the Pine Barrens with AJ and the pack. I brought the chambers rig, since the bike is still out of commission. About halfway through our 3.8 mile run, I noticed the front wheel seemed to be rubbing on something and making a weird noise. I stopped the dogs and tried to figure out what was causing the issue. As it turns out, the wheel was wobbling because one of the bearings had fallen into the center of the wheel. The inner part of the wheel was rubbing on the axle on one side, while the other side still had a bearing holding it in place.

We finished the remainder of the run, but it was a real workout for me and the dogs. I'm hoping I can replace the bearing without too much trouble. However, it seems anything involving these unusual sized wheels can be a hassle to find. If I can, I'll just replace all three wheels completely. Bike brake pads should be easier to come by, but I'm leaning towards buying the new bike sooner rather than later. It'll be a financial hit I was hoping to put off or offset, but it may be necessary.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 111.76

100 Miles

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
1.9 miles	0:14.12	8.06 mph	12.86 mph

Our 100 mile mark came and went, and I confess, I did not shoot a video to commemorate it. Last week was bad for biking, between the rain and my head cold. I was lucky to get a few walks in. We didn't get a single run in until the weekend, and it was nearly dark out when we finally hit the trail. A video wouldn't have shown too much.

100 miles seemed like a lot to me at the beginning of  the season, but it really isn't. It's humbling to think that many teams run more than that in a single race. Those races are unfathomable to me. I can't even wrap my head around the 1,049 mile Iditarod.

I'll cut myself some slack. I only have two dogs. I can't have an large team just yet. I don't have easy access to 30+ miles of trail for training. Also, I'm not counting all the miles I walk and jog with the dogs. Our total mileage could easily be doubled, since I walk them more than I run them.

I am running a "sprint team", based on my current circumstances. There's nothing wrong with that.

I do look forward to the day that I get into distance running. Mostly because I love being out with the dogs so much. I want to spend hours out in the woods, just me and the mutts. I think I'd even like distance races. The races I've participated in are fun, don't get me wrong, but they are fast and chaotic. Not a whole lot of time to stop and take in the scenery, that's for sure.

Distance races aren't without their challenges, of course. The strength and endurance needed to stand on runners for hours at a time is something I have yet to experience and appreciate. But I am determined to make it happen -- even if it's a goal set 10-15 years in the future.

In the meantime, I'll keep on trucking along with my two goobers. I'm trying to take advantage of the remaining cool mornings with runs nearly every day. The upcoming forecast has eliminated all possible hope for more snow. At this point, we'll be lucky if March has cool enough temperatures to do anything at all. Knox will hit the six month mark in less than two weeks, and I'd really like to try a three dog team before the season ends.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 106.53

Sled Dogs on the Shore

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
3.63 miles	0:23.48	9.14 mph	14.54 mph

We had some pretty solid runs this weekend, both at home and away. I've added a new loop of trail for our local rides. Instead of running through the municipal building parking lot, we're now running around the tennis courts (light blue below). We actually used to do this all the time, but I stopped due to frequent encounters with wildlife. Oh, and a tree fell against the back fence of the courts, so it was literally impossible to pass through.

The downed tree is still there, by the way. It's breaking apart and somewhat passable at this point. Could I do it on a sled? No way. Rig? Doubt it. Bike? Just barely. The first time I had the dogs slowly pull me through, to avoid destroying my face on the horizontal branches. The second time, my brakes didn't really feel like cooperating, so we tore right on through. Luckily, there was minimal damage, aside from my hat getting caught up in a branch (I stopped and went back for it).

The new loop reduces the amount of time spent running on pavement, which is really what I'm aiming for. Dexter runs noticeably better on grass and dirt.

I planned to go to the Pine Barrens on Sunday, but I slept in and decided to check out Sandy Hook instead. I've been meaning to run the dogs there, since it's a lot closer than the Pines. Overall, it's a really nice bike trail, but it is mostly paved. I coaxed the dogs to run along the grass next to the path whenever I could, though.

It was icy cold down the shore, which was a welcome change compared to our recent warm temperatures. The wind was really brutal along the edges of the peninsula, and the ocean was pretty wild. In one spot, we were pelted by the wind and some freezing cold ocean spray. Denali ran like a maniac -- she really thrives in the coldest temperatures. Dexter ran his best at that point, too. Even though I couldn't feel my face, I'm pretty sure I was smiling the whole time.

Knox went out on the beach after the big dogs got their run. He didn't really know what to make of it. The combination of rough winds and crashing waves didn't sit well with him, so he peed on some seashells and we ran back to the truck.

Our next run will break the 100 mile mark! I'll bring the GoPro along to commemorate it!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 98.47

The New Bike Fund

I recently added a fundraising widget to the homepage of this site. I don't really expect anything much to come out of it, but I'm not above begging for donations! I really need a new bike to run the dogs with. The bike I currently use is falling apart. The brakes only work thanks to some extensive duct taping. The gears don't switch right. The chains are falling off. Honestly, it was never a great bike to begin with. It served me well for what it was worth, but now I need to move on to better things.

I did buy a new bike. Right before the Fair Hill Challenge, I bought a brand new and better version of my old bike. Big mistake. For those who don't recall, the bike fell apart during the race. The chain fell off and the brakes came loose -- all problems my current bike suffers from. All problems that I thought were due to lack of tune-ups and general maintenance. Nope, apparently they are just crappy bikes.

Thankfully, I was able to get my money back on the crap bike. But that left me with my old, equally crappy bike to work with. So I duct taped it up and have been using it ever since. Does it have the control and stability I really want and need? No. Can the dogs pull me on it? Yes.

I've come to terms with the fact that I'll need to spend more than $200 or $300 to get a decent bike. I've heard great things about Trek bikes. Of course, the model I narrowed my search down to costs over $450 (Trek 3500 Disc Bike). It's hard for me to justify spending that much money, especially when I do have a rig I could use. I don't necessarily need a bike at all.

The thing is... I truly love biking in general, even without the dogs. It's always been one of my favorite activities. I'm not especially good at it. It's not something I've ever been competitive in. Hell, I've never even been on a "street" bike. My love is partly for nostalgic reasons. Rolling along on a bike on a warm summer evening brings me to a happy place.

You can only imagine my excitement after discovering bikejor -- a sport that combined my love of biking with my love of dogs. Rolling quickly through the Pine Barrens, behind two crazy dogs, doesn't stir up the same feeling as my nostalgic summer rides, but it brings me to another equally happy place.

If anyone decides to throw some bucks towards my bike fund, I'll be eternally grateful. This year, I'm trying to cut back on spending. After all the mushing-related expenses last year (well over $1000, not counting the truck I bought to make everything possible), I will have to wait on the new bike. I'm going to sell some stuff, as well as take on some freelance work, in hopes of making some extra bucks. My goal is to set aside $500, not from my paychecks, by this fall. If I can buy a new bike without using my normal pay, I will have succeeded!

Too Hot for Cold Weather Dogs

We had a very low-key weekend here. I had big plans of scoping out the D&R Canal and possibly running five or six miles of it, but with temperatures in the fifties, I decided it wouldn't be worth dragging all the gear out. So while our friends competed in upstate NY at the Massena Dash, we were back in NJ, sweating our butts off at the Watchung Reservation. 

February is very early for our first hike of the year. The Watchung Reservation is only about 20 minutes from us and provides a very nice area to hike. This time of year, there's not a whole lot of color. And with the recent weather, the trail was pretty muddy. 

Thank goodness AJ came along, as I'm fairly sure I couldn't have hiked with all three dogs. I started out with Dexter and Denali on a two-dog y-line and AJ had Knox. Since Dex was more than a little distracted, we decided to switch him with Knox. The pup needs some experience being attached to another dog via neckline, so I figured this would be a good opportunity. 

Holy crap, did he do well. The two of them took off with me stumbling behind them, trying to keep up. They made the uphill portions of the hike very easy... but downhill, forget it. Halfway through I ended up switching off with AJ. He weighs a bit more than me, so he could easily manage their pulling through the unstable terrain.
Dexter trotted around and did his usual marking and sniffing, but whenever AJ and the huskies got too far ahead, he got anxious and wanted to catch up. I'm hoping this will carry over to his in-harness runs, once Knox can join.
Other than our hike, we didn't do a whole lot. I made a make-shift flirt pole out of a branch and an old rope toy, so that provided the dogs with some entertainment. Knox is also working on his frisbee skills. He's the only dog I have that will play fetch without getting bored, so I'm thinking I might be able to train him to actually catch a frisbee. We need something to do in the summer, after all.
I included this weekend's hike in our training mileage because the dogs worked their butts off. We've hit the 90 mile mark, so there's no doubt we'll hit a 100 before it gets too warm. I'm still hoping for a late season blizzard... I really want to get back on the sled. Even cold temperatures would be nice -- Spring-like weather is pleasant and all, but not in February!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 90.45

Supplements for Sled Dogs

Someone has a fire pit going and it smells wonderful through my open window. Not exactly what I'd expect for February 1st, but there's nothing we can do about it. Snow dances and inside-out pajamas have proved futile.

It was 50 degrees when I woke up this morning and the thermometer hit 60 by mid-afternoon. I decided it would be a good day to rest the dogs. They've had four consecutive days of running and fast-paced walks, so a day off can't hurt. We spent a good portion of it outside in the yard, where Denali and Knox decided to run laps anyway.

Since I don't have a run to document, I figured I'd talk about the supplements I add to the dogs' diet. I'm still mostly experimenting with what works and what doesn't, so keep that in mind. What works for some dogs won't work for others, and you should always consult your vet before adding something to your dog's diet.

Fish Oil Tablets - Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids. I give each dog a tablet in their morning food mixture. Fish oil is said to help promote skin and coat quality, a healthy immune system, cardiovascular health and healthy brain development. Right now, I just give them drug store brand tablets, but I will be trying Alaska Naturals Wild Alaska Salmon Oil once they run out.

Probiotics - I began adding probiotics to the dogs' morning food in response to Knox's frequent dewormings. When dogs are dewormed, they lose a lot of good bacteria from their stomach contents. All three are prone to upset tummies as well. I used to give yogurt on a regular basis, but the dogs lost their taste for it. The capsule method seems to be doing the trick for now. I ordered a special variety of Alaska Naturals Salmon Oil that includes a probiotic blend -- so after the capsules run out, I'll rely on the oil.

Cranberry - Another supplement that started based on Knox's needs. A suspected UTI lead to daily cranberry capsules being added to the morning food. All three seem to really like the cranberry, and no UTIs to report since!

Garlic  - I began adding Bug-off Garlic to the dogs' dinner food mixture to ward off fleas and ticks. Despite the bad breath, the powder offers a lot of good things for the dogs' bodies. It's an antioxidant and stimulates immunity, among other things. Plus, it keeps away vampires.

Raw - At one time, Dexter was on a 100% raw diet. Unfortunately, I'm not confident enough in my ability to properly balance his food intake to meet all his needs. However, the benefits of some raw foods are too good to completely avoid. I often give liver, tripe, heart, ground beef, turkey necks, and egg as treats.

NUPRO Silver - I just ordered a five pound tub of NUPRO Silver, which contains a Glucosamine complex, MSM, and Ester-C. This supplement is recommended for active dogs and helps promote healthy joints.

All of the above is given in combination with Canidae dry kibble and Wellness canned dog food (I'd like to get them on a higher protein or no-grain kibble soon, but for now, this works). I closely monitor the dogs whenever I add something new to their diet and stop after any ill effects. For the most part, I've only had success or no obvious change. If I find a supplement isn't hurting, but isn't helping, I tend to discontinue or limit its intake. No need to bog them down with powders and pills if they're not doing anything. And no use spending the money on something that isn't working.

Rickety Rigs

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
3.99 miles	0:27.44	8.62 mph	14.16 mph

We got some nice training opportunities in this weekend. On Saturday I biked with Dexter and Denali around our usually trail. It was still VERY muddy but we managed. Afterwards, I walked Knox on his own -- man, that little puffball can pull!

This morning we were all packed up and ready to go to the Pine Barrens, but I couldn't find my damn keys. I finally found them -- in the first place I had checked, I just didn't look hard enough. We hit the road about 40 minutes later than I would have liked, but we made it down there.

Today was our first run with the dry land rig this season. They pulled hard and fast while they were chasing another team, but really pooped out towards the end. Overall not a bad run -- I just need for them to pace themselves a little better. It's definitely harder to pull the rig, since I'm not pedaling along the whole time. I do kick off the ground to help them out, but for the most part, they're on their own. They were eager to get back in the truck after their run, so I suppose they were satisfied!

Back at home, I took Knox out for some basic puppy training. Denali's x-back harness finally arrived, so I was able to pass on the adjustable puppy x-back to Knox. I hooked him up to the rig with one leader line and I held the other. At first he was determined to run back and sit on the driver's spot on the rig -- silly pup. I let him get acclimated with the big, metal contraption, so he wouldn't be nervous when it was barreling behind him.

Eventually, I got Knox out in front of the cart, pulling it slowly and following alongside me. The cart is super light, so it was barely any work for him. He didn't seem at all afraid of it as he toddled along. Good pup!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 83.34

Soggy Week

I don't have much to blog about lately. I haven't been on a run since Sunday, when we still had snow on the ground. Monday, temperatures were in the 50s, so everything melted. Combine all that snow melt with the rain we've been getting, and you'll get some pretty soggy woods. All that standing water has been freezing overnight, making for some pretty treacherous biking conditions.

Since the trails around my house are such a mess, I have been canicrossing with all three dogs to keep them active. I also sprinkled in a little regular leash walking, since they're all pretty atrocious at that. If anyone wants to lend a hand and walk some dogs with me, just give a holler. I can't regular leash walk them by myself, since they're all over the place without their ganglines. And sure, I can (and do) walk them one at a time -- but I like getting them all out at the same time, too.

This weekend is somewhat up in the air. I have the opportunity to bring the dogs to Delaware State Forest in Northeast PA for something -- either a hike or bikejoring, depending on the trail conditions. However, a few things are deterring me. I've been warned about bears, large coyotes, and hunter's traps along trails. All things I wouldn't want to run into alone in the middle of unfamiliar woods. I've also been looking forward to trying out my rig in the Pine Barrens, so I may just go down there instead.

I wish there was snow somewhere within two hours of me, because that's definitely where I'd be. I'm not sure what to do about Tug Hill. I want to enter the limbo class. At the very least, I want to go up and watch the races and practice on an unused trail. But it's so hard to tell if there will be suitable snow. I'd hate to enter and have the race get canceled. Not to mention booking a motel room and getting stuck with a cancellation fee. I'll have to make some phone calls and see how much notice I can give.

It doesn't look like we'll be making it to the Massena Dash. My handler (haha) will be busy with the Super Bowl, and I'm not sure it's in my budget to make the trip. Maybe next year!

Anyway, that's enough disappointing news for now. Hopefully next season will be snowier, and we'll have a bit more in the budget in terms of traveling.

In the mean time, I set up a Facebook page for Blue Eyes & Spitfire. Go ahead and give us a "Like" -- I'll be on there quite a bit, instead of flooding my personal Facebook with dog sledding stuff.

Snow Days

What an awesome weekend! We finally got some snow on Friday night into Saturday morning. It was only a few inches, but enough to get the sled out.

I put the dogs out on the picket line and got the sled ready for its first voyage. The plan was to just take it up and down our dead-end street, since the snow was nicely packed on it. Of course, as I was hooking everything up, the plow came through and scraped the street. I swear, I've never seen a plow do its job so well.

After the plow finished, the street wasn't in the best shape for sledding. There was a bit of exposed pavement, ice, and some areas of compacted snow. But we had come too far to give up now! I had originally planned on walking the sled up and down the street, so that the dogs could get used to pulling something lower than the bike. I had also planned to hook Knox up, since it was only going to be at a walking pace (I just got my new 4-dog gangline and I'm eager to try it out). That plan went out the window, once the street became ultra slick.

I dropped Knox and had him walking on a leash (held by a friend), kept Denali in lead, and left Dexter behind her in wheel. Not the set-up they're used to, but the run wasn't too bad. We went down my street and down some side roads... nothing crazy, probably less than a quarter mile total.

On Saturday evening, we decided to give it another go. It began to flurry some more, so the road was looking a little more accommodating. I hooked Dex and Nali up with their usual 2-dog leader section and they managed a lot better. We ran as far as we could, unhooked the dogs, and carried the sled over the areas without snow cover (parking lots, mostly). Luckily, I had plenty of "handlers" there to help.

We made it to my little wooded area and really got to test the sled out. It was getting dark and pretty cold, so the dogs were on fire. I took them around our usual loop and they looked amazing. Well, as far as I could tell -- towards the end of the loop, we were going so fast, I could barely keep my eyes open against the flurries. Definitely gotta bring my goggles! After my run, I let my friends try it out and I'm pretty sure they all loved it.

Sunday morning, AJ and I went out again with Dex and Nali. With temperatures expected the reach the upper forties/lower fifties this week, I figured it may be my last opportunity to mush on snow. It was already a bit warmer, so the dogs weren't as amped as they were the night before. Still, we got in some good runs and had quiet, sleepy dogs for the rest of the day.

I'm estimating we ran a little over five miles between all our runs this weekend. I didn't bother tracking with my phone, since my friends were taking turns on the runners, and this wasn't serious training. I needed the practice more than the dogs!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 75.18

70 Miles

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
1.83 miles	0:13.20	8.22 mph	12.75 mph

Our run today broke the 70 mile mark for training this season! Well, technically we were already over 70 -- there's been a run or two I forgot to record mileage for. But we'll pretend my numbers are totally accurate. Either way, pretty damn awesome! It should be fairly easy to make it to 100 miles before it gets too warm. Not bad for my team of newbies.

The weather has been pretty decent the past few days. Nice and cold without the biting winds. The muddy spots in the woods have been frozen for a few days now, which is nice. Parts of the Northeast will be seeing some snow tonight, but I'm pretty sure New Jersey will only get a few flurries. There's some hope for this weekend, although it could change over to mostly rain. Either way, I hope I can make it down to the Pine Barrens for a run.

Back to today's run: it when pretty well! I found that if I become Dexter's personal cheerleader, he runs a bit better. I yelled, "Dexter! Hike! Hike!" and waited for him to show any increase in speed/motivation. And I mean ANY. When he lifted his head and focused forward, instead of sniffing, praise. When he moved with Denali, instead of pulling away from her, praise. When his trot became a full run, praise. Repeated this non-stop for the entire run, and he seems to be doing a bit better. Or it might just be the colder temperatures that motivate him. Well, whatever it is, I'm not complaining.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 70.43

Dogs at Sunset

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
1.42 miles	0:10.06	8.43 mph	12.3 mph

Our run today was short and sweet. Thanks to the recent cold snap, both dogs are looking better in harness. I took all three out for a canicross walk last night, right at sunset. It was about 20 degrees Fahrenheit and Denali pulled harder than I've ever felt on a walk. All three did well, and I admit, I had trouble stopping them! It won't be long before I cannot take all three out at the same time -- at least, not in their x-backs.

I decided another sunset outing might be a good idea, only this time on the bike. It was a little warmer this evening at around 32 degrees, but the run still went quite well. Dexter was a little bit distracted, but he did break into his old run along the way, which I was happy to see. And as usual, our woods loop went well. There's some ice at the very end of the loop I have to be careful of, as both nearly lost their footing.

So it seems temperature effects Dexter's runs more than I had anticipated. He's got a short coat -- I used to bike with him in the late summer and early fall without issue. I guess he's just gotten picky.

We're supposed to see some rain this week, which is disappointing. I'm so eager to try out my new sled, but temperatures are not cooperating whenever precipitation is on its way.

I ordered a new four-dog gangline to use when Knox is ready to join the team. I could have easily purchased a two-dog team section and added it to my leader y-section, but I wanted something new and with a little bit of color. My new lines will be black and green, so they'll be a bit easier to untangle amid all my black lines.

I'm also awaiting Denali's custom made x-back harness, so that we can pass the adjustable puppy x-back on to Knox. I won't have him run until he's 6-months-old (March), but I'd still like to get him into the x-back for canicross walks.

As you can imagine, I've got a lot I'm looking forward to. I cannot wait to be behind a three dog team out on the snow. It may not happen this year, but it'll happen, for sure. Hell, I can't wait to be behind a four or six dog team, but that will have to wait awhile.

This weekend I'm going to the Pine Barrens to train, probably Saturday morning. I'm going to bring my rig, if all goes as planned, and run the big dogs with it. Denali has never pulled a rig before and I want to see how she does. Fingers crossed for really cold temperatures, as I'd like to do a real long run!

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 68.6

Blue Eyes and Spitfire

Friday is my short work day, which means I don't get a chance to run the dogs during my lunch break. My only opportunity would have been early this morning, but we were being pelted with freezing rain, hail, and a little tiny bit of snow (no, it did not stick at all). Not to mention some monster winds. I decided it was in our best interest to sleep in and avoid that mess.

Since I don't have a run to write about, I figured now would be a good time to explain our kennel/team name. "Blue Eyes and Spitfire" is the second line in the Gaslight Anthem song, "Bring It On". The song has nothing to do with dog racing. Whenever I heard anything referring to "Blue Eyes", I automatically would think of Dexter.

When I started running Denali, nothing could really describe her better than my little Spitfire. OK, by definition she's not a spitfire -- she doesn't have a "fiery temper" and she's not "prone to outbursts".  I'll use a more positive reinterpretation of the word. She has a fiery spirit and outbursts of pure energy. She's ferociously motivated. Maybe she's more like the British fighter plane.

There really isn't anything else to it. Once I got to know Denali's temperament, especially in harness, I knew the name "Blue Eyes and Spitfire" was meant to be. 

Yesterday's Run

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
2.4 miles	0:23.07	6.24 mph	11.8 mph

I didn't get a chance to write about yesterday's run, but seeing as it's raining, I can use today to catch up. I started the dogs off with our typical trail. I put on the brakes up until we hit the woods, where I let them cut loose. Dexter did alright -- still not as "into it" as I would've liked, but getting there.

On our way back to the house, I decided to test out another portion of the woods. There's a small stream to get across and it's only worth going if there's been a period of drought -- otherwise, the whole area is a swampy mess.

I knew it would be relatively dry, due to the lack of rain (up until today). Still, I managed to get my foot stuck  in about 6 inches of pure muck while crossing the stream. Once on the other side, it's a toss up. During the spring and summer, it's nearly impossible to navigate due to all the plant life. There's a fairly large field between streams, with tall, Savannah-like grass. After a few good frosts, the grasses die and keel over, making the field a bit more accommodating.

I'm jumping ahead. Before any of the field business, I ran the dogs along the major stream system that cuts the woods in half (the stream we cross over is a trickle compared to this other stream). It's not a very far run, but it's relatively challenging. It's by no means a groomed pathway -- technically, no one is supposed to be back there. It really tests the dogs' gee and haw ability as we try to find suitable pathways through the trees. There is a pretty solid path about three quarters of a mile into the woods. Then it's gone.

After going as far as we could, I turned the dogs away from the stream towards the field. There isn't much of a trail at this point, so the dogs worked out the most navigable route. The dead grass got really thick in a few spots, so I had to get off the bike and walk it through. Although it's not really a smart trail to take (or a trail at all, for that matter), the dogs really enjoyed bouncing through the grass and figuring out which way to go. And it's nice to see them working together.

We eventually made our way back to the stream trail and followed it back out of the woods. On the way in, both dogs managed to hop the stream without getting muddy. Not so for our exit. Both Dexter and Denali decided to stand in the stream to cool off their feet, resulting in black-footed dogs.

All in all, yesterday's run made for one of our longest at-home runs. I think the longer we go, the better Dexter gets at focusing -- as long as I change up the routes. I shouldn't forget that he's always been a bit distracted at the beginning of walks, so runs aren't much different. After he gets his initial sniffs/pees/poops out, he's usually a lot more willing to get moving.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 67.18

Neighborhood Bikejor

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
2.08 miles	0:16.17	7.67 mph	13.01 mph

First time posting in my trail blog! I'm hoping to write a bit every day that we train. We're about half way through the season, so keep that in mind.

Today, I kept the dogs moving slow on the red trail until we hit the woods loop. Dexter tends to run better on softer ground with fewer distractions. I like to have them work hard for a portion of the run to help build up muscle. Plus, I don't like having them run full-speed on pavement, especially with cars and people around.

I had them run the woods loop twice, which threw them off a little, but they figured it out quick. It's by far my favorite part of our run, and they usually run their fastest. Then we took the yellow trail to add on some distance and give them more command training. The street leading back to the red trail usually has a few stray cats on it, and today was no exception. The dogs spotted a kitty in someone's yard, but I managed to keep them moving.

Denali was flawless today, as she usually is. Dexter has been off lately and I can't figure out why. He isn't running smoothly with Nali. Instead, he's been pulling against her and trying to go in the opposing direction. Denali will be running straight forward and he'll be awkwardly pulling off to the side. I checked him for injuries and haven't found any sensitivity. At home, he wrestles and plays without any issue. He even runs relatively well once we're in the woods loop.

My only guess is that he's become increasingly distracted by stuff on our way to the woods. He's always been an avid sniffer/marker, but he was pretty good about ditching the habit while on runs. Lately, it seems like he's trying to slow down Denali so that he can pick up the habit again.

Dexter tends to run just fine in the Pine Barrens. He'll also run especially well if there are other dogs on the trail. The area we run at home seems to bore him and he much rather sniff than run. It's hard to motivate a dog. The warm weather hasn't been helping, either.

Knox will be joining the team at the tail-end of this season, weather-permitting. The plan is to have the boys in wheel with Denali in lead. I'm hoping that having Denali in front will inspire some chase instincts in Dex. He also will have two dogs pulling him forward, so becoming distracted won't be much of an option.

I'm not looking to have a super-speedy team. I mush for fun, after all. I just want my dogs to work well together and keeps a reasonable pace. We'll see how it goes.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 64.78