Sponsor a dog on a blog??? What's that you say??

It's really a simple concept for the most part that lets you get involved in the 2007 Quest 300 dog sled race and have something to show for it.

Given that I believe "it's all about the dogs", and that I am trying to keep the "spotlight" on the dogs themselves, I am inviting you to get involved with the Fast Dogs and the 2007 Quest 300 by sponsoring an individual dog.

Regardless of whether you sponsor a lead dog, a team dog or a wheel dog, your sponsorship will contribute to the care and well being of the dogs and give the team the best chance possible to complete the race with happy healthy dogs.

If you are interested in participating by sponsoring a dog (or two), please check "my complete profile (upper right) and click on "Sponsorship info fastdogsquest300"

We are still doing ten mile runs at night, last night it was -30c, lots of stars and the dogs are getting pretty comforable with ten mile runs. My other coach and mentor Darren Kinvig has helped me to put a training routine together which should help us get the required training in the time frame left. Sooooo...starting this weekend we do twenty mile runs for a while and then throw in a few thirty mile runs and see how we do.

As this whole adventure starts to take shape, more and more pieces of the puzzle are starting to fall into place as people come forward with ideas and advice seemingly out of nowhere. That kind of support and frienship is an amazing boost to the confidence level i feel about me and the dogs and our ability to make the Quest 300 a reality which ultimately is a stepping stone to the Yukon Quest itself.

Keep watching.

November Training

Just a short note on training to date this month. We've been out much more regularly this month than previously, first on the ATV with 18 dogs and now with 10 dogs on the sled. Snow conditions aren't great, and within a week we had blown out one set of runner plastic and part of the aluminum rail that attaches it to the sled. Being a sport where adaptation to changing conditions is the norm, I had a friend cut a piece of 3/16 steel into two even lengths that I screwed to the runner bottoms. Rocks and gravel are no longer an issue!!! We are still only running ten miles at a time, which will likely move to 20 on the weekend. The dogs did well at the Copper Haul Twister Race in Whitehorse on the weekend, placing 4th and 9th and averaging 2-3 miles per hour faster than we are training right now, again, with no injuries or major sore muscles. Nonetheless, even though I am anxious to move the mileage up, I want to make sure they are ready, mentally and physically. My friend, coach and mentor (one of them), Bill Stewart looked at the dogs when I was in Whitehorse and said he thought they looked in good shape for this time of year, except of course, Fred, who is always a bit on the thin side because of his Hypothyroid condition. We will work on that one with Fred.

Next week, I will likely start running them to work and back. This means getting up at 4:30 am to water the dogs who are staying home, harness, booty and hook up the ten I am taking, run them the 6.5 miles to work and then reverse the procedure. I leave the dog trailer at work for them to stay in during the day. In the evenings I usually run them a longer route coming home. It makes for a long day, but I am awake when I get to work!!!

Nov 2006 Training.

We are moving along with training, short runs of 6 miles still with 18 dogs pulling my old quad. Although I am really anxious to move the mileage up a bit, we are not ready for that just yet. The dogs are coming back from these short runs in good spirits and so far no injuries to speak of. They are motivated more now by the -20c temperatures and seem to want to just lope whenever they get the chance. It is really hard to hold them back as it is such an amazing feeling to be pulled along on this heavy machine at such a rapid pace. However, the idea here is not to go fast, but to get their muscles in shape and keep a happy attitude with no injuries.

Maui (One of the kinvig canines and mother to 6 of my main team at present) is still leading well at 11 years old, whether she will make the Quest 300 or not is still to be seen. If I do have to pull out of the yard without her for this race, it will be one of the hardest things I will have to do as she is such a trusted dog and gifted leader. Her daughter Sarah, is moving right up there with her as a good solid command leader as is her Sister Bria. I will keep switching leaders as the season progresses to give as many of them as possible exposure to leading and also a break from the responsibility.

I will probably move them up to a 10 mile run this weekend in preperation for the Copper Haul Twister race the following weekend.