Early Season Run With Kim and Kelly

Taking A Run With Kim and Kelly Earlier In The Season

Just enjoying browsing through some photos at long last from this past winter season. Though looking outside right now, it still looks and feels like winter.  We had a crazy run together, dogs were so excited to run with Kim and Kelly's dogs. We did lots of passes and took it in turn to lead.  The girls used their GPS to track our distance and speed, I was almost too scared to ask how fast we were traveling at as I could feel it!  The trail was fast, but the conditions were good, no ice and it wasn't rock hard. It was a really enjoyable run together.

Heading Up The Trail

Stopping on the trail boot camp style.  3 teams side by side.

Taking A Break

Lovely girlies!  Nellie and Hana.  Both have worked so hard this season and will move into lead next season.  Nellie is a workhorse, she is so driven.  Hana matches Nellie's drive and pulling power and has been in lead a number of times.  I love these two girls.  Both have matured well and work anywhere on the team.  Soulful and attentive, very affectionate and devoted. They also happen to be gorgeous!

Kim and Kelly's Wired.... The Snow Queen

Stopping for a Snack and a Chat

Can-Am 60,Fort Kent 2011

We were as ready as we could be. Despite a long bout of bronchitis and missing some training, we got back on track and gave it our all. Here's Rosie and Cookqiz, ready to lead the team down main street and into the mountains. I love my dogs so very much. I gave thought for a short while to Biffa who had just passed away in February and of course, to my other furry family members. We wouldn't be where we are if it were not for each and every one of my dogs who have been a part of this crazy hobby.

Dogs were snacked and watered, loved and rubbed down and adorned with their usual red bandannas. They were pretty calm despite the chaos around us. It's just such a wonderful experience to be among some pretty awesome people, many we know and many just come to offer you their support.

Bag check was done, the vet check was excellent and so, we were ready to go. Peg had been a great help with the dogs and the gear and also dealing with the snow and parking area. I knew she would have a good time during my absence and it would be a fun experience for her too.

As we ventured to the start with many hands on the gangline, we were asked if we would carry one of the vets, Cindy, down Main Street with us. "Sure" I said. She wanted the experience and I guess figured my big guys would not object to the extra load. I love being counted down and having the officials stand on my bar break as I get chance to nip down the line and hug the dogs and connect with my leaders. Before you know it, you are off! The crowds seem like a blurr, the noise fills your head and your heart. For that moment, all eyes are on the dogs and they are the best team ever. After dropping down below the bridge we then get a chance to stretch out on the railbed but given the upcoming conditions, I certainly didn't want to burn them out so early in the race so we took a good pace until we reached the turn that takes you into the heart of the 60.

If conditions had been a little different I had hoped for a finish in under 8 hrs, I knew we were capable, but as is typical with Can-am, you never know what you are going to get until you get it and so, the best of plans need to be adaptable. We snacked a couple of times along the way, a quick hug, snacks for me and we just kept making our way through the mixed conditions we encountered. We passed 4 teams, passed by 2, passed a team again and so it would go on for a few miles. Sometimes teams can be just a short distance infront or behind but often, you just can't see them so you can feel quite alone for a very long time.

We went through heavy snowfall, low visibility and rain and back to snow again. A good mix of everything, plus high humidity. But I was in heaven.... I don't use an Ipod or anything, I enjoy the silence. The ability to put everything to one side and to let go of thoughts and just be in the moment with my dogs. It's priceless.

As the last few miles come upon us, I was behind two teams I had passed earlier. We crossed the potato fields and I caught up with the team infront of me and so we passed. I'd had some great conversations and chatter along the way with a couple of mushers and here we were, now just a few miles from the finish. Sandwiched between two teams, we flew into the last three miles of bottomless snowpits, twists and turns, steepish chutes and then the ski area trail which brings us to the finish line. The dogs had picked up the pace and were having a great run back.

It was lovely to see familiar faces and hear the cheering. 8hrs 40 mins. I had wanted to break into the top 20 in the 60 mile race and we came in 19th place, so I couldn't have been prouder.

The dogs finished strong, no injuries, no problems. They looked great at the finish.

The team was -

Cookqiz and Rosie

Yahboo and Tumac

Hana and Nellie

Lilly and Bobby

My Rigel Bag

My wonderful bag which was the envy of a few mushers. Great, custom bag made for me by Andy Bartleet and Caroline Blair-Smith. As it was gifted to me following their adoption of Rigel, I now so name my bag, my 'Rigel' bag. Love my bag as did others !!!!

At the bag check, as always, my bag is filled to the brim. Train like you race, race like you train. Take with you all that you need so that you have it, so that's what I always do and with the weather being the way it was and not knowing what was ahead of us, I had enough food and water to feed an army!

We're Ready!

Bring it on !!!!

Peg and Mr Hollywood

Okay, so Peg has a favorite, but it turned out that Bobby was quite a 'favorite' anyway as it would seem that he has quite a following at the Can-am. I don't know how many people came up to us and asked if Bobby was with us! What awesome people to take so much interest in my dogs and in Bobby in particular. He had his photo taken numerous times, was hugged and cuddled and then suitably re-named by his fan club members..... "Mr Hollywood"

All Hands On The Gangline Please!

Trying to keep the team from smashing into the parked car which wasn't there earlier. Helpers did a great job... Hugh, Judy, Louise, Peg, Ruth.... thanks so much for getting us to the start safely.

At the Start!

I always love how Bobby Stands ready to fire down the trail. Such an awesome wheel dog.

I had decided to run Cookqiz with Rosie in lead. It was hard for me to not have Yahboo up there, but as you can see from the picture, she is slightly leaning out behind Cookqiz and leading from behind. She does a great job in guiding Cookqiz. Anyway, Cookqiz was ready and I wanted to proof the work we had done all season long. She's still got a ways to go, but goodness... she's been fabulous. She did an epic job given the conditions. Never a bad moment, never a slack tugline... she kept good pace through some tough stuff alongside Rosie. Love my leadpair.

Tumac has been leading a lot too, but I wanted this year to be all about Cookqiz. I've spent a lot of time nurturing this little star so the day was hers!

Cindy The Vet At the Start... On My Sled Bag!

We were asked if we would take Cindy down main street from the start so she could experience being behind a team of dogs. Geez, with all the fine work these vets do for us, how could I say no! It was an honor and my big guys didn't mind the extra load. My sled bag was loaded on the inside and outside!

Passing Teams

You get used to riding alone over much of the 60 miles and with being the last team out of the start shute and a 4 minute gap between me and the team before me, I wasn't expecting to catch anyone for some time. But we soon came upon a team but enjoyed the woodsy trail for a while before finding a suitable place to make a safe pass. We actually passed 4 teams along the way.

Heading Nicely Down The Trail

Dogs were doing just great. I was thankful for the many times we had trained in inclement weather and for dragging Richard around as an added 220lb weight. Dogs were very strong and healthy.