Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 86, November 26, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
John Stetson and I hooked up 2 8-dog teams and took off down the snowy ungroomed Fox Farm trail for a 15 mile loop run. He was on the racing sled and I was driving the slower "tank". The dogs were pulling as hard as I have seen them pull all year so I helped by kicking and running when I could. After a bit, I was concerned about one of my dogs needing water so I put in the snow hook (first time ever) and went up to pour some water in my hand for the dog to drink. As I was heading back to the sled, the dogs began to bark and pull. I was not too concerned because I had the snow hook in....right? They couldn't possibly pull the snow hook out, right? The snow hook is what makes them stay in one place, right? . Well, the hook popped out of the frozen ground and through the fluffy snow and off they went. I still was not deathly concerned because I still had the snub line dragging behind the slow moving "tank" and I dove for the rope, something I wanted to practice anyway. The frozen rope slid through my gloves like the slippery icecicle that it was. I yelled "Woah" several times to no avail and then ran as hard as I could, almost catching up to the rope again befor they were gone. Gone! My worst fear about mushing came true on my first real run. Dogs running down the trail with me running after them. All at once, feelings of helplessness, despair, worry, inability and stupidity rushed over me. All of the stories of the horror of losing your team were coming true right before my eyes. This is when dogs can get hurt because they will run for 30 miles without stopping. I was extremely lucky that Stetson was 3 blocks ahead of me and grabbed my team and waited for me to catch up. I think he planned for something like this. What a great learning day for me. In the truck on the way home, he told me some simple rules to follow like: never get behind your sled when you are stopped and if the team starts to take off, run ahead with the team instead of running to get behind the sled to grab on. I promised that it would not happen again, and I honestly believe that it won't....... Dear God, please never again!
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Friday, November 26, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Every Musher is on their own Journey
Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 81, November 21, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Lance Mackey, 4 time Iditarod champion, came to Duluth this weekend to promote his book "The Lance Mackey Story". He was sponsored by Redpaw dog food and Dog Booties. This allowed me the opportunity to attend a couple events where I mingled with some mushers. What I learned was that each musher is on a journey, their own private journey with goals and aspirations to achieve something....but all different from each other. One musher's goal is to live in Alaska and run the Iditarod. Another was to run the Stage Stop in Wyoming. Another was to finish higher than she did last year in the Beargrease. One was currently out of dogs but was trying to find a way back in. One is in dogs and trying to get out. Another was happy to just be a musher. Mackey's lofty goal is to win the Iditarod for the 5th time, while my simple goal is to just be competitive in my first experience of running the half Beargrease. We're all in the same sport yet entirely different goals and journey's. I spoke with an old friend yesterday and found out that he ran dogs for 7 years! He talked with burning passion about the sport. You could tell that he had a great experience when he had the dogs but somehow, for some reason, got out. But even he had a journey in the world of mushing that left him with great memories. In my opinion, mushers are passionate about something that most people will never fully understand or have the opportunity to experience. It is hard to explain but somehow you get pulled into this sport, not from your hand, but from your heart and from the love of these incredible animals. If you let them, they will take you on a journey, your very own journey and one that will be different from every one else.
Day 81, November 21, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Lance Mackey, 4 time Iditarod champion, came to Duluth this weekend to promote his book "The Lance Mackey Story". He was sponsored by Redpaw dog food and Dog Booties. This allowed me the opportunity to attend a couple events where I mingled with some mushers. What I learned was that each musher is on a journey, their own private journey with goals and aspirations to achieve something....but all different from each other. One musher's goal is to live in Alaska and run the Iditarod. Another was to run the Stage Stop in Wyoming. Another was to finish higher than she did last year in the Beargrease. One was currently out of dogs but was trying to find a way back in. One is in dogs and trying to get out. Another was happy to just be a musher. Mackey's lofty goal is to win the Iditarod for the 5th time, while my simple goal is to just be competitive in my first experience of running the half Beargrease. We're all in the same sport yet entirely different goals and journey's. I spoke with an old friend yesterday and found out that he ran dogs for 7 years! He talked with burning passion about the sport. You could tell that he had a great experience when he had the dogs but somehow, for some reason, got out. But even he had a journey in the world of mushing that left him with great memories. In my opinion, mushers are passionate about something that most people will never fully understand or have the opportunity to experience. It is hard to explain but somehow you get pulled into this sport, not from your hand, but from your heart and from the love of these incredible animals. If you let them, they will take you on a journey, your very own journey and one that will be different from every one else.
Monday, November 15, 2010
Getting in Shape at 50!
Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 75, November 15, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
These are my 3 sons, Brody 17, Parker 19 and Ben 15. Hunting season is a great time for us to do something together. Our shack "Wolfpiss Lodge" is in Finland, MN on 40 acres. We are surrounded by miles of untouched beauty of the Nature Conservancy and Government land. It usually ends up being a good workout every time up there because of the nature of the place. No water or electricity and everything needs to be hauled in. As I walked for over 30 hours this deer hunting season, again getting skunked, I thought a lot about how the sport of mushing has transformed me. Physically, mentally and spiritually.....yes I said spiritually. I know it sounds wack (sorry, I have teenagers) but it has been an awakening of sorts, stirring my soul by trying something different, something new, something that has breathed life back into a 50 year old body. One main reason I am doing this is for the kids. I want them to see the old man be an athlete and for them to learn to push yourself even when it isn't pretty. This race is challenging and my goal is to be in the best shape that I can to run those hills on that trail. For training, I am running lots of hills, but lately I have been taking a pilates class. Pilates is the best overall workout there is, period. No matter how old or young you are, you deserve it to yourself to check out a class or two. There are different levels of pilates classes, but they are as easy or as hard as you want them to be. I have taken an "easy" class but found myself pushing my limits.....which made it hard. I have had "hard" classes and found myself laying off when it got too difficult, making it easier. Just read your body, you will know what you can and can't do. It just takes the effort to make it to class for a few sessions, then it all comes together. First your core becomes stronger, then everything else gets stronger and easier after that. Got tight hammies? This is a great stretching and strengthening exercise for them. The Edge Pilates Studio in Duluth is a great example of a first rate operation with professional teachers. Most Pilates classes are a bit spendier than a generic gym membership, but the benefits are multiplied. With a pilates class,you get what you pay for. Between The Edge Pilates Studio, Anytime Fitness, John Stetson, Linda Nervick and the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon, I am getting in shape again at 50 years old.............my hammies and my spirit thank you!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
First To Lope
Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 70, November 10, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Running the dogs has taken on a new meaning to me. I am at the stage where you want to find out what speed is best for the dogs to train at. Loping is when a dog starts to run. As a musher, you don't want them running, you need them to trot at their best speed to run 35 miles. If they lope too early or too much, they will get tired and not finish strong. My "first to lope" dog is
Electron
She is young and strong, but she wants to lope all the time. It is my job to find the tempo at which she trots at a comfortable speed. In September, she loped the whole time, pulling and grinding as hard as she could for the entire run, 5 miles. You want that in a dog, determination and strength. Now that we are running 15 miles at a crack, she has finally learned to trot and sustain her pulling power throughout the entire run. She is the first to finish her food when we're done running and could eat twice as much as anyone. I think she is going to be one of the best pullers we got!
Day 70, November 10, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Running the dogs has taken on a new meaning to me. I am at the stage where you want to find out what speed is best for the dogs to train at. Loping is when a dog starts to run. As a musher, you don't want them running, you need them to trot at their best speed to run 35 miles. If they lope too early or too much, they will get tired and not finish strong. My "first to lope" dog is
Electron
She is young and strong, but she wants to lope all the time. It is my job to find the tempo at which she trots at a comfortable speed. In September, she loped the whole time, pulling and grinding as hard as she could for the entire run, 5 miles. You want that in a dog, determination and strength. Now that we are running 15 miles at a crack, she has finally learned to trot and sustain her pulling power throughout the entire run. She is the first to finish her food when we're done running and could eat twice as much as anyone. I think she is going to be one of the best pullers we got!
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Winter, Please Get Here!
Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 64, November 4, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
I have heard that the Fall Season is the hardest time to be a musher. You are on a wheeler for 3 months on wet, muddy trails. At first, I enjoyed every day and looked forward to the run. It has now become a chore...... I still enjoy it, but is demanding more time than I have to give. I need to be at this every day. We are at the stage where we have to pack 12 dogs into the truck, drive 30 minutes, run the dogs 15 miles, feed and water the dogs, pack them back up and drive back home....day after day. Plus, the trails can chew up the dogs paws so you have to watch for any signs of sore feet. Dog booties are sometimes used this time of year to protect them from rocks and hard surfaces. Ointment is applied for any cuts and the paws heal quickly because of the soft tissue. Feet are the #1 concern whether it is Fall or Winter, you have to watch for any funny looking "gate" a dog may have. All of this work lasts about 4 hours but is necessary to condition the dogs. Who has that kind of time? Real mushers find the time! It is a committment that I admire in all mushers that want to train their dogs to the best of their ability. These dogs are considered the world's best athletes, by the way they process their oxygen. They actually get stronger as they go. If you don't train them correctly, you are wasting their tremendous ability to go fairly fast for extended periods of time. We have had enough of the trails....... Winter, please get here soon!
Day 64, November 4, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
I have heard that the Fall Season is the hardest time to be a musher. You are on a wheeler for 3 months on wet, muddy trails. At first, I enjoyed every day and looked forward to the run. It has now become a chore...... I still enjoy it, but is demanding more time than I have to give. I need to be at this every day. We are at the stage where we have to pack 12 dogs into the truck, drive 30 minutes, run the dogs 15 miles, feed and water the dogs, pack them back up and drive back home....day after day. Plus, the trails can chew up the dogs paws so you have to watch for any signs of sore feet. Dog booties are sometimes used this time of year to protect them from rocks and hard surfaces. Ointment is applied for any cuts and the paws heal quickly because of the soft tissue. Feet are the #1 concern whether it is Fall or Winter, you have to watch for any funny looking "gate" a dog may have. All of this work lasts about 4 hours but is necessary to condition the dogs. Who has that kind of time? Real mushers find the time! It is a committment that I admire in all mushers that want to train their dogs to the best of their ability. These dogs are considered the world's best athletes, by the way they process their oxygen. They actually get stronger as they go. If you don't train them correctly, you are wasting their tremendous ability to go fairly fast for extended periods of time. We have had enough of the trails....... Winter, please get here soon!
Monday, November 1, 2010
First Snow
Running the Mid Distance Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon
Day 61, November 1, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Last week we got our first snowfall of the season. There wasn't much snow down by Lake Superior, but over the hill they got 5 inches. It was enough to stop us from running on our trail and enough to prohibit us from geting the dog truck on the road. The only way we were going to run the dogs was to hook up a sled and take them on the 1 mile road connected to the Stetson homestead. We only took 8 dogs for control reasons and it was perfect. We ran 4 miles in the snow and it was a great way to introduce me to the sled. Not too fast and I found myself becomming attached to the brake, which seems to be the answer to any potential problems. The road was not plowed yet so we were able to have it to ourselves for the most part. We ran accross 2 cars that were moving very slowly and we stayed way right after giving the "Gee over" command and "On by". It was good for me to see the dogs and how they reacted to other objects on "their" trail. Lead dogs Cirrus and Whisper controlled a "Gee, Haw" turn around without any problems and completed my perfect first day run on a sled. Can't wait for packed trails!
Day 61, November 1, 2010
Team Buzzsaw / Stewart Taylor Printing
Last week we got our first snowfall of the season. There wasn't much snow down by Lake Superior, but over the hill they got 5 inches. It was enough to stop us from running on our trail and enough to prohibit us from geting the dog truck on the road. The only way we were going to run the dogs was to hook up a sled and take them on the 1 mile road connected to the Stetson homestead. We only took 8 dogs for control reasons and it was perfect. We ran 4 miles in the snow and it was a great way to introduce me to the sled. Not too fast and I found myself becomming attached to the brake, which seems to be the answer to any potential problems. The road was not plowed yet so we were able to have it to ourselves for the most part. We ran accross 2 cars that were moving very slowly and we stayed way right after giving the "Gee over" command and "On by". It was good for me to see the dogs and how they reacted to other objects on "their" trail. Lead dogs Cirrus and Whisper controlled a "Gee, Haw" turn around without any problems and completed my perfect first day run on a sled. Can't wait for packed trails!
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