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!

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