This years Sled dog world championship happened in Daaquam, Quebec. Some way I made, sneaked, my way to the competition. I say sneaked as sijoring is fairly new to me, I wouldn't of expected to race at the world championships when I started, two years ago. The events happened over a week, Marley and I were there four days. Our first race was a 16 km skijor....ooch. The second was a relay in which we entered a 8 km pulka leg. We stayed in a nice house with 5 to 8 friends, it changed over the week. More of the Canadian skijoring team members were spread in other houses or hotels but a few times we all got together at our house for some enjoyable evenings. It was a particularly cold week, which made our days outside exhausting...a few degrees extra is all I could of wished better.
I don't quite know how I justified to myself participating to this event. I said it was to run my Bouvier threw a world class event, a bit of a joke. It was clear we had no chance to get anywhere near a podium, we are not world class caliber, but I was still on for the challenge of running the course and arriving with my head up. To do so I had to set myself a clear goal and I'm happy to say that we reached our objectives. What were they? It doesn't matter, because what I found out my gains threw this event were much else.
First there were the people; maybe should I even say: mostly there were the people.
So what was it about them? Something strange...we were all those competitive monsters, all of much divers strength, but set in this race environment where, at this point, non of us could expect to win. We were all there to do our best and all wished the best for each other. I felt a real team spirit with those people who I had just met or, up to then , known as acquaintances. Strange thing competing in a sport that is rather solitary. I felt a strong team spirit from the morning wake up until bed time, as much on the race site as at the house. Such a group of different people but all so fun and generous.
Next there was the challenge.
I discovered a different way to face competition. Up to now, for me, competition meant winning. I'm not saying I always win but not being the best has always caused me disappointment. I think we are all a bit like that, but doesn't this attitude cause us to level our challenges from the bottom? Lower the challenge, most likely we are to win. This time I felt like I threw myself in a competition so clearly above my level. I wasn't going to train to win but needed to train so I could make it. Failure wouldn't of been to not win but to say "I can't do it". Marley and I worked hard and we made it!
Showing posts with label Bikejoring. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bikejoring. Show all posts
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Everything that could have gone wrong has, amazingly we still had fun
It was a last minute decision to go to the Warren race. Marley had about 80km of running in her paws from the previous week so I couldn't expect too much. Luckily I didn't...the whole weekend has seemed to be a disaster trap.
Friday was a rush to pack up and get last minute chores done. I loaded the car in the morning with the intent to not forget anything. Believe it or not on the previous weekend during the skijor camp I managed to leave one morning forgetting my dog behind. Marley was not going to let that happen again. She had made her mind, where the skis were was where the dog was going to be. At 11 am the skis went in the car, the dog followed. Impossible to get her out before depart. We left in a rush at 2:15. The house was a mess, worst than a mess. To bad... Mark was away and not supposed to get back before Monday, I had plenty time to clean up at my return.
We traveled with Susie and Oden, an other friendly skijor team. We shared a hotel room and drove up together. I made it at Susie's home at about 3:30 and we left downtown at about 4pm, just in time for traffic. 20 minutes down the highway, Susie realized she had forgotten her dog food. Turn around and go for a bit of extra city driving, the best...
Lot of laughs and giggles along the way, all and all we had a nice drive until a police officer decided I was driving a little to fast....arrgg. Apparently I was going 104km/h in a 70 zone. Honestly we were quite busy chatting and I couldn't say I wasn't driving that fast but the speed sign must of been very well hidden because even on the return (in day light) I never found it. Oh well, pay the fine and let it go...
We got up fairly tired on Saturday morning. The dogs had barked a lot during the night, lot of movement and unusual sound outside. First step of the day, pick up our bibs. We got to Warren to late for the bib draw on Friday evening, but were expecting it and both had specified we were not going to be there for the draw but had received a confirmation that we were going to be included. Well, we hadn't....so we were placed at the end of the starts...I was a bit ticked but I not difficult so go for it....
The morning was very very cold, too cold.... Staying warm was the big challenge on Saturday morning, the whole pre-race time is a little confused in my mind. I think things were confused in general. I 'm not sure what happend, where or when was the misunderstanding but Susie and I showed up late at the starting line....confusion and more confusion, our start was given 7 minutes late, Susie first and me after. I cougth up on Susie pretty fast, Oden was dilly dallying and waiting for Marley in hope of some playing. Not seeing other dogs ahead is not as motivating for him. We ran half the race together with me ahead and Oden following. Sparing details, about 100m from the arrival, Oden ran into my legs and we all four went to the ground in a humiliating rumble...yes it was close enough to the crowed to be annouced by the announcer...great, at least we've put on a good show. There are things that are better being laughed at.
Crossing the finnish line was a bit of a releif. The run had been difficult, the cold made it hard. At -26C and the wind chill of speeds over 20 km/h, it's cold. Ritgh from the start, I felt my eyes ice up, my lungs close up and my ears freezing. The condensation threw my nose was quickly clogging my nostrels as it was forming ice. About two km in the race, I started getting better with the cold. I routiningly whipped my eyes and blew the plugs out of my nose, I was starting to catch my breath and my ears stopped bothering me.
After the race I hung out around the finnish line for a few minuts, awsering some peolpes questions and posing with Marley for pictures. The saturday race haden't been very successuful, started late, not very fast and ended by a crash. I did think anything could make it worst and wouldn't let it upset me. What else could go wrong now? A curious look from Susie, she staired at me and : Murielle! Your ear is iced up! My hands reachs to my ear. It's rock hard...so is the other one...I had just been telling Susie, before the run how I froze my ears when I was fifteen and would never let that happen again...arrrrggggg. I handed Marley to Susie and ran to the arena, run for warmth. Frozen ears are scary and painful. It's not any easier the second time around.
Back to the hotel there was a message from Mark, saying he was back home....oh no....the mess!!! I felt so little, the house was a disaster, as I left it, and he was there. Guilty, I plead guilty your honor...
This is starting to make it a long not so captivating story, I should try to make the rest of it a little shorter. To end Saturday, nothing else bad happened. We had a very enjoyable evening with all the skijorers getting together in our room for pizza and to complain about the cold. We had been a few to get frostbite.
I didn't get much rest Saturday nitgh, I tried to make a pellow out of my down jacket but even that wasen't soft enough to avoid my ears hurting. I hesitated about racing Sunday.
We showed up on time and were ready in advance for Sunday's race, no way I was going to be late again......the race got delayed....and delayed again. The run was rather uneventful. Marley ran very well for the first half and slowed down. I can't blame her, she had over 80 km over running in her paws for the past week and was ligit for her to run out of endurance. Susie coutgh up her minute on me but did manage to convince Oden to leave Marley behind. We ran again the rest of the race together.
We left Warren at about 2 o'clock and had a smooth non-eventful drive home. More giggles and more laughs, a long drive is much nicer in good company. Neverless, I was looking forward to get back to Mark and Mack. When I arrived home, the house was spotless and a nice meal was waiting for me. I got called Dumbo all evening but coming from Mark it can only make me smile.
To conclude with a couple mishaps, Susie found out on Monday that she had forgotten her phone charger at the motel. Not such a big deal, as the friendly motel owner offered to mail it back to her. The most upsetting part of the race, and I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does, are the posted results. The 7 minutes of our late start has been corrected on Suise's and an other runners time but not on mine. It does bother me as the posted times makes Marley appear as really slow on that first race, 7 minutes added to 22 minutes is a lot. I don't need to win, but I take pride in our results. These don't look so good, mostly a week before going to the world championship. I have been trying to get it changed but without succes.
The least I can say is that I will remember this weekend and that Susie and I will have stories for the upcoming week in Daaquam.
Full screen slideshow
Friday was a rush to pack up and get last minute chores done. I loaded the car in the morning with the intent to not forget anything. Believe it or not on the previous weekend during the skijor camp I managed to leave one morning forgetting my dog behind. Marley was not going to let that happen again. She had made her mind, where the skis were was where the dog was going to be. At 11 am the skis went in the car, the dog followed. Impossible to get her out before depart. We left in a rush at 2:15. The house was a mess, worst than a mess. To bad... Mark was away and not supposed to get back before Monday, I had plenty time to clean up at my return.
We traveled with Susie and Oden, an other friendly skijor team. We shared a hotel room and drove up together. I made it at Susie's home at about 3:30 and we left downtown at about 4pm, just in time for traffic. 20 minutes down the highway, Susie realized she had forgotten her dog food. Turn around and go for a bit of extra city driving, the best...
Lot of laughs and giggles along the way, all and all we had a nice drive until a police officer decided I was driving a little to fast....arrgg. Apparently I was going 104km/h in a 70 zone. Honestly we were quite busy chatting and I couldn't say I wasn't driving that fast but the speed sign must of been very well hidden because even on the return (in day light) I never found it. Oh well, pay the fine and let it go...
We got up fairly tired on Saturday morning. The dogs had barked a lot during the night, lot of movement and unusual sound outside. First step of the day, pick up our bibs. We got to Warren to late for the bib draw on Friday evening, but were expecting it and both had specified we were not going to be there for the draw but had received a confirmation that we were going to be included. Well, we hadn't....so we were placed at the end of the starts...I was a bit ticked but I not difficult so go for it....
The morning was very very cold, too cold.... Staying warm was the big challenge on Saturday morning, the whole pre-race time is a little confused in my mind. I think things were confused in general. I 'm not sure what happend, where or when was the misunderstanding but Susie and I showed up late at the starting line....confusion and more confusion, our start was given 7 minutes late, Susie first and me after. I cougth up on Susie pretty fast, Oden was dilly dallying and waiting for Marley in hope of some playing. Not seeing other dogs ahead is not as motivating for him. We ran half the race together with me ahead and Oden following. Sparing details, about 100m from the arrival, Oden ran into my legs and we all four went to the ground in a humiliating rumble...yes it was close enough to the crowed to be annouced by the announcer...great, at least we've put on a good show. There are things that are better being laughed at.
Crossing the finnish line was a bit of a releif. The run had been difficult, the cold made it hard. At -26C and the wind chill of speeds over 20 km/h, it's cold. Ritgh from the start, I felt my eyes ice up, my lungs close up and my ears freezing. The condensation threw my nose was quickly clogging my nostrels as it was forming ice. About two km in the race, I started getting better with the cold. I routiningly whipped my eyes and blew the plugs out of my nose, I was starting to catch my breath and my ears stopped bothering me.
After the race I hung out around the finnish line for a few minuts, awsering some peolpes questions and posing with Marley for pictures. The saturday race haden't been very successuful, started late, not very fast and ended by a crash. I did think anything could make it worst and wouldn't let it upset me. What else could go wrong now? A curious look from Susie, she staired at me and : Murielle! Your ear is iced up! My hands reachs to my ear. It's rock hard...so is the other one...I had just been telling Susie, before the run how I froze my ears when I was fifteen and would never let that happen again...arrrrggggg. I handed Marley to Susie and ran to the arena, run for warmth. Frozen ears are scary and painful. It's not any easier the second time around.
Back to the hotel there was a message from Mark, saying he was back home....oh no....the mess!!! I felt so little, the house was a disaster, as I left it, and he was there. Guilty, I plead guilty your honor...
This is starting to make it a long not so captivating story, I should try to make the rest of it a little shorter. To end Saturday, nothing else bad happened. We had a very enjoyable evening with all the skijorers getting together in our room for pizza and to complain about the cold. We had been a few to get frostbite.
I didn't get much rest Saturday nitgh, I tried to make a pellow out of my down jacket but even that wasen't soft enough to avoid my ears hurting. I hesitated about racing Sunday.
We showed up on time and were ready in advance for Sunday's race, no way I was going to be late again......the race got delayed....and delayed again. The run was rather uneventful. Marley ran very well for the first half and slowed down. I can't blame her, she had over 80 km over running in her paws for the past week and was ligit for her to run out of endurance. Susie coutgh up her minute on me but did manage to convince Oden to leave Marley behind. We ran again the rest of the race together.
We left Warren at about 2 o'clock and had a smooth non-eventful drive home. More giggles and more laughs, a long drive is much nicer in good company. Neverless, I was looking forward to get back to Mark and Mack. When I arrived home, the house was spotless and a nice meal was waiting for me. I got called Dumbo all evening but coming from Mark it can only make me smile.
To conclude with a couple mishaps, Susie found out on Monday that she had forgotten her phone charger at the motel. Not such a big deal, as the friendly motel owner offered to mail it back to her. The most upsetting part of the race, and I know I shouldn't let it bother me, but it does, are the posted results. The 7 minutes of our late start has been corrected on Suise's and an other runners time but not on mine. It does bother me as the posted times makes Marley appear as really slow on that first race, 7 minutes added to 22 minutes is a lot. I don't need to win, but I take pride in our results. These don't look so good, mostly a week before going to the world championship. I have been trying to get it changed but without succes.
The least I can say is that I will remember this weekend and that Susie and I will have stories for the upcoming week in Daaquam.
Full screen slideshow
Saturday, November 15, 2008
A mudo-swimo-bikejoring ride
On this very wet and sad looking day, taking Marley out didn't seem like a very appealing activity but it has been a few days since I have exercised properly my canine friend and she needed to burn some energy.
The end of our road ends as a public trail which leads to a 100 acres forest and trails owned by a horse farmer. We have access to those trails but use them very little in the summer as it is buggy and can be pretty muddy. Under poring rain I could expect to get back home wet and mucky either I ride on a gravel road or a muddy trail, so I picked the muddy trail....
500 meters of riding in the rain was enough to make me 8 years old again, 500 more meters turned me into an absurdly muddy 8 year old. Yep, that first mud glide sure turned around the casual trail ride into a "well-we-can't-get-much-dirtier-must-as-well-keep-going" ride. It happens fast. First you're screaming along on the bike with a happy dog enjoying every second of the soft ground; next you're laid out flat experiencing the effects of inertia on a body thrown in a mud bath. Quick shake, quick thinking...am I hurt? am I cold? no, lets keep going.
The beauty of being 30 is that you can still do things you loved when you were 8 without worrying about getting in trouble when you get home. Saying that I don't think I to often got in trouble for coming back home muddy when I was a kid. I think it became so normal that my mother wouldn't even bother.
I like throwing myself once in while into a small adventure, just enough to break the day to day routine. It can be the matter of an hour of unplanned fun to brighten up a grey weekend.
As for the less planned part of the adventure....the trail became rather wet. From ridding threw the odd puddle I soon found myself pedaling threw what would be best described as an ankle deep swamp. My options? Step down and turn around, or keep going and hope for the trail to get dryer. I kept going, but before the trail got dryer it sure did get wetter. While I kept pedaling in water close to my handle bars, Marley ended up swimming. How do we call this? Swimo-bikjoring? A complete sleddog training program? Doesn't really matter, we enjoyed the moment...when nothing really matters...just having fun, taking on the challenge....no matter how wrong the situation may seem.
A very wet and sad looking day turned into wet but happy adventure. If the weather is bad must as well enjoy the all good from it.
The end of our road ends as a public trail which leads to a 100 acres forest and trails owned by a horse farmer. We have access to those trails but use them very little in the summer as it is buggy and can be pretty muddy. Under poring rain I could expect to get back home wet and mucky either I ride on a gravel road or a muddy trail, so I picked the muddy trail....
500 meters of riding in the rain was enough to make me 8 years old again, 500 more meters turned me into an absurdly muddy 8 year old. Yep, that first mud glide sure turned around the casual trail ride into a "well-we-can't-get-much-dirtier-must-as-well-keep-going" ride. It happens fast. First you're screaming along on the bike with a happy dog enjoying every second of the soft ground; next you're laid out flat experiencing the effects of inertia on a body thrown in a mud bath. Quick shake, quick thinking...am I hurt? am I cold? no, lets keep going.
The beauty of being 30 is that you can still do things you loved when you were 8 without worrying about getting in trouble when you get home. Saying that I don't think I to often got in trouble for coming back home muddy when I was a kid. I think it became so normal that my mother wouldn't even bother.
I like throwing myself once in while into a small adventure, just enough to break the day to day routine. It can be the matter of an hour of unplanned fun to brighten up a grey weekend.
As for the less planned part of the adventure....the trail became rather wet. From ridding threw the odd puddle I soon found myself pedaling threw what would be best described as an ankle deep swamp. My options? Step down and turn around, or keep going and hope for the trail to get dryer. I kept going, but before the trail got dryer it sure did get wetter. While I kept pedaling in water close to my handle bars, Marley ended up swimming. How do we call this? Swimo-bikjoring? A complete sleddog training program? Doesn't really matter, we enjoyed the moment...when nothing really matters...just having fun, taking on the challenge....no matter how wrong the situation may seem.
A very wet and sad looking day turned into wet but happy adventure. If the weather is bad must as well enjoy the all good from it.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Run Marley Run
Marley doesn't run for me, we run together. I have done many sports, most for the adrenaline, some for the challenge, others simply because I like to move. Bikejoring and skijoring are different, my drive is hard to explain, I could simply say it's all about the team. For the time of a run Marley and I work as a team, a tight and synchronized team. An observer may only see a dog pulling someone on a bike or skis but there is more to it.
I started hitching Marley to my bike because she painfully liked to pull, she had an excess of energy that made her difficult to handle. I soon found out that she also liked to go fast and more so, loved racing. A car, an other dog, the school bus, anything passing by would prompted Marley to speed up. I found funny to find out a dog can competitive.
It became a game for us, go fast, go faster, go faster longer. Over outings a few rules naturally took place. Rule no 1: we both work hard, we achieve our goal from a combined effort. I work hard, she works harder. Some slacking from my part will get me the Marley dagger look. She wants to go fast and knows she will go faster if I help. Rule no 2: I trust Marley. She has figured out what represents obstacles for me. Marley does not like me falling and rather avoid jerkings on her line. She has surprised me by her ability to discriminate obstacles. I have seen her come to a complete halt for a low branch when skiing or detour for a big rock when biking. Rule no 3: Marley trusts me and follows my commands. She's great, as much as she'll take initiative to avoid accidents she also concentrates on my calls. If I say something the pup doesn't understand she'll slow down and give me the "what are you saying one ear up look". Rule no 4 and none the less: No chasing cats or other critters, they do not exist in running world.
Yes, it may just look like a dog running on front of a bike to pull some lazy bugger but there is so much more. There is the great feeling we can work together and can trust each other to achieve a common goal. I provided Marley with a job she really likes and for fifteen minutes of full collaboration on a run she thanks me with the same collaboration all day, day after day. For fifteen minutes of following our rules doing what Marley likes, she will happily follow the same rules doing what I do (maybe not rule no4 though).
Why the races? Because I like it, it adds a social aspect to a generally solitary activity.
Here's pictures of our latest, the Run Dawg Run. It takes place in Lake Placid in a gorgeous setting. Saturday was unfortunately miserably rainy and cold but luckily the site has a building were to keep warm and dry. Sunday turned out into a stunning sunny fall day. The trail is not necessarily one to kill yourself on, but offered nice challenge as sharp turns, hills, sandy and rocky portions...
The best of the race? Marley was awesome, she ran with all her heart and did great times.
Full screen slide show
Most of the pictures of Marley and I are from Sandy Payne Photography
I started hitching Marley to my bike because she painfully liked to pull, she had an excess of energy that made her difficult to handle. I soon found out that she also liked to go fast and more so, loved racing. A car, an other dog, the school bus, anything passing by would prompted Marley to speed up. I found funny to find out a dog can competitive.
It became a game for us, go fast, go faster, go faster longer. Over outings a few rules naturally took place. Rule no 1: we both work hard, we achieve our goal from a combined effort. I work hard, she works harder. Some slacking from my part will get me the Marley dagger look. She wants to go fast and knows she will go faster if I help. Rule no 2: I trust Marley. She has figured out what represents obstacles for me. Marley does not like me falling and rather avoid jerkings on her line. She has surprised me by her ability to discriminate obstacles. I have seen her come to a complete halt for a low branch when skiing or detour for a big rock when biking. Rule no 3: Marley trusts me and follows my commands. She's great, as much as she'll take initiative to avoid accidents she also concentrates on my calls. If I say something the pup doesn't understand she'll slow down and give me the "what are you saying one ear up look". Rule no 4 and none the less: No chasing cats or other critters, they do not exist in running world.
Yes, it may just look like a dog running on front of a bike to pull some lazy bugger but there is so much more. There is the great feeling we can work together and can trust each other to achieve a common goal. I provided Marley with a job she really likes and for fifteen minutes of full collaboration on a run she thanks me with the same collaboration all day, day after day. For fifteen minutes of following our rules doing what Marley likes, she will happily follow the same rules doing what I do (maybe not rule no4 though).
Why the races? Because I like it, it adds a social aspect to a generally solitary activity.
Here's pictures of our latest, the Run Dawg Run. It takes place in Lake Placid in a gorgeous setting. Saturday was unfortunately miserably rainy and cold but luckily the site has a building were to keep warm and dry. Sunday turned out into a stunning sunny fall day. The trail is not necessarily one to kill yourself on, but offered nice challenge as sharp turns, hills, sandy and rocky portions...
The best of the race? Marley was awesome, she ran with all her heart and did great times.
Full screen slide show
Most of the pictures of Marley and I are from Sandy Payne Photography
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Skijoring in Wakefield
We had an other good day with Marley. It will most likely be our last skijoring event of the season as I don't think there are any other races being organized close to home.
It was the last race but also the toughest and the most fun one we entered, a roller coaster skijor. If Marley is still keen to run next year, I will not miss this event.
It was organized in the Wakefield hills, a fantastic location where to enjoy a warm winter sunshine.
We waited a long time for our turn. I was surprised by the 5 minutes laps between teams and thought it was a little long...until I was on the course and understood how inconvenient it could be to pass someone while screaming down a steep hill, across a narrow bridge or a tight corner. We left tenth, so Marley had to hold her horses for fifty minutes, a challenge for an exited puppy.
Marley is becoming quite famous for her controlled starts. The routine is clear, she knows she's about to run and is happy to sit and concentrate on a final "stay". I think she figured out the countdown, she now gives me a brief look and slightly lifts her bum of the ground when it starts.
And off we went threw the gorgeous rolling hills of Wakefield for a 4 mile ski/run. Up, down and around...what a ride. The snow was fast and Marley happy to run. If only I could stay on my feet we could do great. I unfortunately passed a few gravity storms, most of them on fast down hills. For some reason, each time I realize we were picking up speed I ended up feet above head.
The down hills went on for ever. It seemed to me like we were going down, down a little bit up and down again...to much down. I little alarm triggered as some gain and loss rule is quiet clear about having to go back up as much as one went down to get back to the same point. Nasty hills...walls I'd say. It's not fair to have to go so much up when your legs are about to give up. They close to the end of the course, someone had some nasty fun setting up this trail, probably giggled making us go threw that...oh well, isn't challenge what it makes it fun?
I did have my giggles on the course too. On most intersections some Christmas trees had been layed down across the trail to be avoided . I would see the intersection soon enough to instruct Marley on which way to go. Close to the end of the course in a wooded area we came to a split which I didn't notice as the Christmas tree wasn't laying across but planted in the middle, hiding the trail and looking fine in a forest setting. I didn't give any instruction to Marley and she picked the wrong trail. All goes fast, but when she realized her mistake, Marley ran over to get back on front of me and our line, now tangled in the branches, threw the tree on the ground between Marley and I, and over our tie. I felt somewhat silly, tangled with my dog in a Christmas tree on a race.
I was asked why Marley picked that trail with a tree in the middle of it. Well, I believe this confirms what I have suspected in previous races. Marley follows her nose. She was slightly to the left of the trail, the side of the wrong trail and even though it wasn't physically wide open Marley saw a scent highway, just like we had been following, the tree was meaningless to her.
Typhaine and Sam were there again, they had there adventures too. Typhaine's harness broke and she had to finish holding on to the line. Nice style :)
Well, this is it for racing this winter but as long as Marley is happy to do it we keep skiing and biking together. She needs to burn her energy some way.
Back to the weekend hikes now.
More pics slideshow
It was the last race but also the toughest and the most fun one we entered, a roller coaster skijor. If Marley is still keen to run next year, I will not miss this event.
It was organized in the Wakefield hills, a fantastic location where to enjoy a warm winter sunshine.
We waited a long time for our turn. I was surprised by the 5 minutes laps between teams and thought it was a little long...until I was on the course and understood how inconvenient it could be to pass someone while screaming down a steep hill, across a narrow bridge or a tight corner. We left tenth, so Marley had to hold her horses for fifty minutes, a challenge for an exited puppy.
Marley is becoming quite famous for her controlled starts. The routine is clear, she knows she's about to run and is happy to sit and concentrate on a final "stay". I think she figured out the countdown, she now gives me a brief look and slightly lifts her bum of the ground when it starts.
And off we went threw the gorgeous rolling hills of Wakefield for a 4 mile ski/run. Up, down and around...what a ride. The snow was fast and Marley happy to run. If only I could stay on my feet we could do great. I unfortunately passed a few gravity storms, most of them on fast down hills. For some reason, each time I realize we were picking up speed I ended up feet above head.
The down hills went on for ever. It seemed to me like we were going down, down a little bit up and down again...to much down. I little alarm triggered as some gain and loss rule is quiet clear about having to go back up as much as one went down to get back to the same point. Nasty hills...walls I'd say. It's not fair to have to go so much up when your legs are about to give up. They close to the end of the course, someone had some nasty fun setting up this trail, probably giggled making us go threw that...oh well, isn't challenge what it makes it fun?
I did have my giggles on the course too. On most intersections some Christmas trees had been layed down across the trail to be avoided . I would see the intersection soon enough to instruct Marley on which way to go. Close to the end of the course in a wooded area we came to a split which I didn't notice as the Christmas tree wasn't laying across but planted in the middle, hiding the trail and looking fine in a forest setting. I didn't give any instruction to Marley and she picked the wrong trail. All goes fast, but when she realized her mistake, Marley ran over to get back on front of me and our line, now tangled in the branches, threw the tree on the ground between Marley and I, and over our tie. I felt somewhat silly, tangled with my dog in a Christmas tree on a race.
I was asked why Marley picked that trail with a tree in the middle of it. Well, I believe this confirms what I have suspected in previous races. Marley follows her nose. She was slightly to the left of the trail, the side of the wrong trail and even though it wasn't physically wide open Marley saw a scent highway, just like we had been following, the tree was meaningless to her.
Typhaine and Sam were there again, they had there adventures too. Typhaine's harness broke and she had to finish holding on to the line. Nice style :)
Well, this is it for racing this winter but as long as Marley is happy to do it we keep skiing and biking together. She needs to burn her energy some way.
Back to the weekend hikes now.
More pics slideshow
Monday, February 18, 2008
Two days of racing in Kemptville
I am feeling pretty soar this morning. Marley and I worked hard at going fast.
The Eastern Ontario dog sledding championship is held in Kemptville, 20 km away from home, so there was no way I wasn't going to enter. The race was two sprints of 4 miles run Saturday and Sunday with cumulated times. The 4 miles, were brought down to 3.8 mile and I'm not even sure it was that long. What ever, we run for fun and the trail is the same for all.
For a Bouvier, the shorter is better. Marley is very fast and powerful at the start but slows down (from very fast to fast) after about 12 minutes.
I slow down after 5 minutes, drag myself after 10 and dream of collapsing before 15. I really do this for the thrill and the intensity of that short time working hard with my dog and my dog working with me.
Marley seems to become more intense as we do more races. She now anticipates, her level of excitement increases throughout the steps leading to the race. As I get changed, suit her with her harness, clip in my skis... by the time we line up she's ready to go.
Both Saturday and Sunday she started like a bomb. I'm going to have to find a good starting position for myself as each start feels like my hips are ripping apart from the rest of my body. Seventy pounds lounging forward at full speed gives a good choc.
These first pictures are form the Sunday race. As we were waiting for the two minutes lapse between teams, people are asking me questions about Marley, someone asked what was her name. I answered that in these circumstances she likes to be referred at as the " Fluff Bullet".
The fluff bullet literally flies through the first stretch. The start goes so fast, it's pure fun.
Typhaine was at this event too. She came ahead of everybody on Saturday with a good advance that maintained her in first place for the overall results. Sam ran amazingly on the first race.
The tough thing about the end of the race is that you know everybody is looking at you, and they are all taking pictures. It's the last sprint and even though all you want is to double pole, let the dog do the work there is the ego pushing to concentrate on a nice skiing so you do your best.
It seems like most dogs do this, they're either scared of the flag, the line, the crowed...they all slow down or even stop before the line. A poor girl with a dog sledding team had all the dogs stop just at the line, it took her 45 seconds (over an 11 minute race) to get the dogs to cross. With the skijoring the nose of the dog has to cross before the tip of the skis to not be disqualified, so you can not pull the dog threw.
First move after the finish line, drop in the snow and cool off. We take a few minutes to get our legs back, reward our racing partners, comment on the trail, compare how many times we fell and head over for a coffee while we wait for results.
Typhaine arrived first at on Saturday and third on Sunday. I arrived fourth on Saturday and second on Sunday. For the overall, final results Typhaine came in first and I came in third. We have great dogs.
More pics slideshow
The Eastern Ontario dog sledding championship is held in Kemptville, 20 km away from home, so there was no way I wasn't going to enter. The race was two sprints of 4 miles run Saturday and Sunday with cumulated times. The 4 miles, were brought down to 3.8 mile and I'm not even sure it was that long. What ever, we run for fun and the trail is the same for all.
For a Bouvier, the shorter is better. Marley is very fast and powerful at the start but slows down (from very fast to fast) after about 12 minutes.
I slow down after 5 minutes, drag myself after 10 and dream of collapsing before 15. I really do this for the thrill and the intensity of that short time working hard with my dog and my dog working with me.
Marley seems to become more intense as we do more races. She now anticipates, her level of excitement increases throughout the steps leading to the race. As I get changed, suit her with her harness, clip in my skis... by the time we line up she's ready to go.
Both Saturday and Sunday she started like a bomb. I'm going to have to find a good starting position for myself as each start feels like my hips are ripping apart from the rest of my body. Seventy pounds lounging forward at full speed gives a good choc.
These first pictures are form the Sunday race. As we were waiting for the two minutes lapse between teams, people are asking me questions about Marley, someone asked what was her name. I answered that in these circumstances she likes to be referred at as the " Fluff Bullet".
The fluff bullet literally flies through the first stretch. The start goes so fast, it's pure fun.
Typhaine was at this event too. She came ahead of everybody on Saturday with a good advance that maintained her in first place for the overall results. Sam ran amazingly on the first race.
The tough thing about the end of the race is that you know everybody is looking at you, and they are all taking pictures. It's the last sprint and even though all you want is to double pole, let the dog do the work there is the ego pushing to concentrate on a nice skiing so you do your best.
It seems like most dogs do this, they're either scared of the flag, the line, the crowed...they all slow down or even stop before the line. A poor girl with a dog sledding team had all the dogs stop just at the line, it took her 45 seconds (over an 11 minute race) to get the dogs to cross. With the skijoring the nose of the dog has to cross before the tip of the skis to not be disqualified, so you can not pull the dog threw.
First move after the finish line, drop in the snow and cool off. We take a few minutes to get our legs back, reward our racing partners, comment on the trail, compare how many times we fell and head over for a coffee while we wait for results.
Typhaine arrived first at on Saturday and third on Sunday. I arrived fourth on Saturday and second on Sunday. For the overall, final results Typhaine came in first and I came in third. We have great dogs.
More pics slideshow
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Marley, the fluff bullet
Great is the best word to describe it. The weather was great, the trails were great, the race organization was great, I felt great, but above all Marley was the greatest.
I entered this race with a bit ambivalence, I was afraid I was going to have to do all the work, or even worst, have to drag the dog along.
Marley has been a little picky lately about what she will pull or not. She will put all her heart and soul into keeping the bike going fast but my stubborn puppy (I have called her that a few times now) rather trot along when it's time to pull me on skis or on a sled, sometimes she won't even budge at all.
All my hopes were on Marley's competitiveness and, once more, my black fluffy devil demonstrated that dogs can get in the racing spirit. It didn't matter anymore what I asked her to pull, she was there to go at it hard and fast.
Superbe est le mot qui convient pour decrire ce dimanche. La temperature etait super, le sentier etait super, l'organisation de la course etait super, je me sentais super mais surtout et par dessus tout Marley a ete super.
Je me suis presentee a la course avec une certaine d'ambivalence, je craignais d'avoir a forcer plus que ma part, ou au pire, je craignais d'avoir a trainer le chien pour les 5km de la course.
Marley a ete quelque peu difficile c'est dernier temps quand il s'agit de tirer les skis ou le traineau. Il est prete a mettre corps et ame pour faire avancer le velo a des vitesses affolantes mais mon chien tetu (je pense l'avoir qualifiee ainsi plusieurs fois maintenant) prefere trotter nonchallement quand je l'accroche au traineau ou suit en ski. Parfois, il lui prend l'idee de ne pas bouger du tout.
Mes espoirs misaient sur son instinct de competition, et une fois de plus mon demon poilu m'a prouve que les chien on tout un esprit de course. Ca n'avait plus d'importance ce que je lui demandait de tirer, elle etait la pour aller vite et fort.
The Ottawa fun race is, like the name says it, a race for fun. It was a good one to start. All three, Typhaine, Mark and I, entered. Typhaine and I both went in for the 5km skijor with each our own dog, Sam and Marley. Mark entered the 2 dog sledding race with them.
La "Ottawa fun race" est , comme le nom l'indique, pour le plaisir. C'etait une bonne course pour commencer. Tout les trois, Typhaine,Mark et moi y avons participe. Typhaine et moi avons courru le 5km de skijoring avec nos chien respectifs, Sam et Marley. Mark c'est inscrit a la course en traineau a deux chiens de 2 km.
First race, the 5 km skijor.
La premiere course, le 5km de skijoring.
Premiere etape: preparer mon cheval. Je ne voulais pas mettre de bottines a Marley mais avec la temperature chaude et la neige collante j'etais certaine qu'elle aurait des problemes de boules de neige dans le pattes. Apres avoir farte mes skis je me suis donc affaire a graisser mon chien. Comme d'habitude de la vaseline entre les orteils et de l'huile pour bebe sur le reste du poil de ces pieds (en prime ca la fait sentir bon).
Once more I was allocated a lucky number, 56. I won't elaborate on the reasons that make it lucky, I'm certain it is.
The races start in waves with a minute between each competitor, dogs don't always run in good sports and it's wise to avoid contact during a run. With about twenty competitors it makes a fair lineup at the starting gate. We started 4th, I think, Typhaine and Sam ran just after us.
Encore une fois je course avec un numero chanceux, le 56. Je n'elaborerais pas sur les raison qui en font un numero chanceux, mais je suis cerine que 56 l'est.
Les departs sont donnes par vagues separant de une minute chaque equipe, les chiens ne cours pas toujours avec un bon esprit sportif et il est sage d'eviter le contacts durant la course. Avec une vingtaine de competiteurs, ca faisait une longue ligne d'attente au depart. Nous sommes partis 4eme, je crois, Typhaine et Sam sont partis juste apres.
Maybe I should explain the shorts I'm wearing, it's not about style. I've had issues about skijoring harnesses. They tend to slide too high over my hips and I find it affects my balance to much. I tried the climbing harness but it's tight and obstructive. What I really wanted was a harness that would wrap around my butt, just below the iliac bones and pull from there. Unfortunately a harness won't hold there on its own or without any annoying strapping....the ideal would be if the harness just floated on it's own....what if I sewed it into shorts!!! This worked really well for me, the dogs pulling force doesn't affect my balance anymore. For whoever is interested into the harness heres a non sexy butt pic that shows it well. Harness
Peut-etre que je devrais expliquer les shorts que je porte, ce n'est pas pour le style. J'ai des problemes avec les harnais de skijoring. Ils ont tendances a monter trop haut au dessus de mes hanches et je trouve que ca affect trop mon equilibre. J'ai essayeun harnais d'escalade mais c'est trop serre et derangeant. Ce que je voulais vraiment c'estait un harnais qui m'enroberais au niveau des fesse, juste dessous les iliac et me tirereais de la. Malheureusement un harnais ne tiendrai pas bien la sans des sangles au-dessus des hanches...l'ideal serait si le harnais flottait la...et si je le cousait dans un short!!! Ca a tres bien marche, la force du chien n'a plus affecte mon equilibre. Pour ceux qui sont interresse par le harnais voila une photo pas tres exy de mon posterieur. Harnais
Back to the racing. Marley started getting very exited in the line up. Now, that's all relative, Marley doesn't get exited like true sledding dogs, her excitement would be considered really calm beside a husky. Never less, I nice gentleman helped holding her back because when she saw the starting stretch, Marley was ready to go. No need to say my apprehensions all went away, I knew she was going to do her half of the job.
When our turn came, she did a perfect Marley start. She sat at the starting line, with subtle tremors and great expectation to go. Actually, when the timing lady gave me the twenty seconds heads up Marley's bottom came up and she almost went ahead. She gave me a mad look when I told her to hold.
And finally...3..2..1.. Run Marley....Gallop...I just can't ski at the start. The acceleration is just too much and I would trip over my skis, the best I can do is to double poll until Marley reaches her pace. Then we're on for a really nice ride. It's really neat how motivating it is seeing the dog working hard ahead, it pushes me to ski harder. I don't think there any other activity that makes me feel that team bond with Marley better than racing. All along I talk to her, instruct her were to go, ask her to slow down or pull harder and she responds as if her life depended on my commands. On her behalf Marley does take some initiatives, which are usually good. I tripped over some branches on a slightly narrower part of the trail, Marley slowed down right away (without stopping) avoiding me to fall, gave me the "everything ok back there?" look and as soon as I was balanced again she went back to her gallop rhythm. She also seems to know before they are in sight when we are catching up on some other concurrent because she would considerably speed up just before someone would appear ahead. I think Marley is a little competitive.
De retour a la course. Marley commencait a etre exitee en dans la ligne. En fait c'est plutot relatif, Marley ne s'exite pas comme les chien de traineaux, sont etat enerve serait considere calm a cote d'un husky. Neanmoins, un gentil monsieur m'a aide a tenir Marley parce quand elle a vu le droit de depart elle etait prete a partir. Inutile de dire que mes apprehensions sont vite disparues, il etait clair que mon chien allait faire sa pert du travail. Quand notre tour est arrive Marley nous a fait un depart, a sa maniere, parfait. Elle s'est assise a la ligne de depart, avec de legers tremblant et la hate de partir. Quand la dame du chrono m'a donner le "20 secondes avant le depart", le derriere de Marley s'est leve du sol et elle est presque partie. Elle m'a envoyer un regard mauvais quand je lui ai demander d'attendre.
Finalement, 3..2..1..Cours Marley...gallop...Il m'est impossible de skier au depart, Marley va trop vite. L'acceleration est trop vite pour moi et je trebuche dans mes skis, le mieux c'est de garder mes pieds parralleles et de pousser avec mes batons jusqu'a ce qu'elle atteigne sa vitesse de croisiere. Puis on est partis pour une bonne ballade.
Behind us the great Typhaine and Sam team was following, probably at a consistent 1 minute behind considering our arrival times.
This 5 km turned out to not be as painful as I was afraid it could of been considering I haven't skied any more than a grand total of about 4 km this winter. What could of made it a little....slightly (said with irony)....easier is if I hadn't lost half my pole at the first km. What a pain to skate with a single pole. I was going along very well, when just after I give a good push, I bring my hand back up and there's only a handle in left, the pole stayed behind. Quick debate on what to do and I decided to not stop, keep going and rely on my legs. Now, skiing with one pole is just too easy for me (again said with irony), so a little before the last kilometer my right boot came undone. I like to make those precisions as on the pictures of my arrival I look like I may be a little tipsy. I challenge anybody to try skating with one pole, one boot undone and tied up to a dog that's starting to back off as she see's the crowed. Marley still has that issue about running towards an unknown crowed. I can't really blame her, she ran amazingly the whole way, I won't hold against my pup her weariness of groups of noisy cheering people. We ran for fun and had lots of it.
The sister debriefing, talking of our adventures and starting to think of the next race.
Marks race came after lunch. The plan was for Mark to run the 2km 2 dog sled race with two dogs working on different commands (German for one, French for the other) with a newly built and barely tried out sled... An other little detail, and my sister did warn us of it, Sams loyalty is above his love of running and pulling. It wasn't a given that he was going to work well, but Typhaine was curious to see how it was going to work out and Mark was keen to try the two pups.
The start looked awesome, until my sister was out of sight of Sam. Then, he decided to turn around and got tangled with Marley which wasn't about to slow down. Mark didn't give up he got them untangled and kept going. Apparently Sam never really pulled but eventually went with the flow. They had a few other scrambles and Mark had to run in snow for most of the race as Marley alone was working to hard to pull the load.
The last stretch, on the packed snow was the best as Sam started pulling when the arrival and Typhaine came in sight. Mark had to work really hard but he did his loop, we got great picture of his funny team and he got the third place ribbon.
I entered this race with a bit ambivalence, I was afraid I was going to have to do all the work, or even worst, have to drag the dog along.
Marley has been a little picky lately about what she will pull or not. She will put all her heart and soul into keeping the bike going fast but my stubborn puppy (I have called her that a few times now) rather trot along when it's time to pull me on skis or on a sled, sometimes she won't even budge at all.
All my hopes were on Marley's competitiveness and, once more, my black fluffy devil demonstrated that dogs can get in the racing spirit. It didn't matter anymore what I asked her to pull, she was there to go at it hard and fast.
Superbe est le mot qui convient pour decrire ce dimanche. La temperature etait super, le sentier etait super, l'organisation de la course etait super, je me sentais super mais surtout et par dessus tout Marley a ete super.
Je me suis presentee a la course avec une certaine d'ambivalence, je craignais d'avoir a forcer plus que ma part, ou au pire, je craignais d'avoir a trainer le chien pour les 5km de la course.
Marley a ete quelque peu difficile c'est dernier temps quand il s'agit de tirer les skis ou le traineau. Il est prete a mettre corps et ame pour faire avancer le velo a des vitesses affolantes mais mon chien tetu (je pense l'avoir qualifiee ainsi plusieurs fois maintenant) prefere trotter nonchallement quand je l'accroche au traineau ou suit en ski. Parfois, il lui prend l'idee de ne pas bouger du tout.
Mes espoirs misaient sur son instinct de competition, et une fois de plus mon demon poilu m'a prouve que les chien on tout un esprit de course. Ca n'avait plus d'importance ce que je lui demandait de tirer, elle etait la pour aller vite et fort.
The Ottawa fun race is, like the name says it, a race for fun. It was a good one to start. All three, Typhaine, Mark and I, entered. Typhaine and I both went in for the 5km skijor with each our own dog, Sam and Marley. Mark entered the 2 dog sledding race with them.
La "Ottawa fun race" est , comme le nom l'indique, pour le plaisir. C'etait une bonne course pour commencer. Tout les trois, Typhaine,Mark et moi y avons participe. Typhaine et moi avons courru le 5km de skijoring avec nos chien respectifs, Sam et Marley. Mark c'est inscrit a la course en traineau a deux chiens de 2 km.
First race, the 5 km skijor.
La premiere course, le 5km de skijoring.
Step 1: prep my horse. I didn't want any booties on Marley but with the warm temperature an sticky snow I was almost guarantied snowball problems, so after I waxed my skies I greased my dog. The usual vaseline between the toes and baby oil on the rest of her feet hair (as a bonus it makes her smell pretty).
Premiere etape: preparer mon cheval. Je ne voulais pas mettre de bottines a Marley mais avec la temperature chaude et la neige collante j'etais certaine qu'elle aurait des problemes de boules de neige dans le pattes. Apres avoir farte mes skis je me suis donc affaire a graisser mon chien. Comme d'habitude de la vaseline entre les orteils et de l'huile pour bebe sur le reste du poil de ces pieds (en prime ca la fait sentir bon).
Once more I was allocated a lucky number, 56. I won't elaborate on the reasons that make it lucky, I'm certain it is.
The races start in waves with a minute between each competitor, dogs don't always run in good sports and it's wise to avoid contact during a run. With about twenty competitors it makes a fair lineup at the starting gate. We started 4th, I think, Typhaine and Sam ran just after us.
Encore une fois je course avec un numero chanceux, le 56. Je n'elaborerais pas sur les raison qui en font un numero chanceux, mais je suis cerine que 56 l'est.
Les departs sont donnes par vagues separant de une minute chaque equipe, les chiens ne cours pas toujours avec un bon esprit sportif et il est sage d'eviter le contacts durant la course. Avec une vingtaine de competiteurs, ca faisait une longue ligne d'attente au depart. Nous sommes partis 4eme, je crois, Typhaine et Sam sont partis juste apres.
Maybe I should explain the shorts I'm wearing, it's not about style. I've had issues about skijoring harnesses. They tend to slide too high over my hips and I find it affects my balance to much. I tried the climbing harness but it's tight and obstructive. What I really wanted was a harness that would wrap around my butt, just below the iliac bones and pull from there. Unfortunately a harness won't hold there on its own or without any annoying strapping....the ideal would be if the harness just floated on it's own....what if I sewed it into shorts!!! This worked really well for me, the dogs pulling force doesn't affect my balance anymore. For whoever is interested into the harness heres a non sexy butt pic that shows it well. Harness
Peut-etre que je devrais expliquer les shorts que je porte, ce n'est pas pour le style. J'ai des problemes avec les harnais de skijoring. Ils ont tendances a monter trop haut au dessus de mes hanches et je trouve que ca affect trop mon equilibre. J'ai essayeun harnais d'escalade mais c'est trop serre et derangeant. Ce que je voulais vraiment c'estait un harnais qui m'enroberais au niveau des fesse, juste dessous les iliac et me tirereais de la. Malheureusement un harnais ne tiendrai pas bien la sans des sangles au-dessus des hanches...l'ideal serait si le harnais flottait la...et si je le cousait dans un short!!! Ca a tres bien marche, la force du chien n'a plus affecte mon equilibre. Pour ceux qui sont interresse par le harnais voila une photo pas tres exy de mon posterieur. Harnais
Back to the racing. Marley started getting very exited in the line up. Now, that's all relative, Marley doesn't get exited like true sledding dogs, her excitement would be considered really calm beside a husky. Never less, I nice gentleman helped holding her back because when she saw the starting stretch, Marley was ready to go. No need to say my apprehensions all went away, I knew she was going to do her half of the job.
When our turn came, she did a perfect Marley start. She sat at the starting line, with subtle tremors and great expectation to go. Actually, when the timing lady gave me the twenty seconds heads up Marley's bottom came up and she almost went ahead. She gave me a mad look when I told her to hold.
And finally...3..2..1.. Run Marley....Gallop...I just can't ski at the start. The acceleration is just too much and I would trip over my skis, the best I can do is to double poll until Marley reaches her pace. Then we're on for a really nice ride. It's really neat how motivating it is seeing the dog working hard ahead, it pushes me to ski harder. I don't think there any other activity that makes me feel that team bond with Marley better than racing. All along I talk to her, instruct her were to go, ask her to slow down or pull harder and she responds as if her life depended on my commands. On her behalf Marley does take some initiatives, which are usually good. I tripped over some branches on a slightly narrower part of the trail, Marley slowed down right away (without stopping) avoiding me to fall, gave me the "everything ok back there?" look and as soon as I was balanced again she went back to her gallop rhythm. She also seems to know before they are in sight when we are catching up on some other concurrent because she would considerably speed up just before someone would appear ahead. I think Marley is a little competitive.
De retour a la course. Marley commencait a etre exitee en dans la ligne. En fait c'est plutot relatif, Marley ne s'exite pas comme les chien de traineaux, sont etat enerve serait considere calm a cote d'un husky. Neanmoins, un gentil monsieur m'a aide a tenir Marley parce quand elle a vu le droit de depart elle etait prete a partir. Inutile de dire que mes apprehensions sont vite disparues, il etait clair que mon chien allait faire sa pert du travail. Quand notre tour est arrive Marley nous a fait un depart, a sa maniere, parfait. Elle s'est assise a la ligne de depart, avec de legers tremblant et la hate de partir. Quand la dame du chrono m'a donner le "20 secondes avant le depart", le derriere de Marley s'est leve du sol et elle est presque partie. Elle m'a envoyer un regard mauvais quand je lui ai demander d'attendre.
Finalement, 3..2..1..Cours Marley...gallop...Il m'est impossible de skier au depart, Marley va trop vite. L'acceleration est trop vite pour moi et je trebuche dans mes skis, le mieux c'est de garder mes pieds parralleles et de pousser avec mes batons jusqu'a ce qu'elle atteigne sa vitesse de croisiere. Puis on est partis pour une bonne ballade.
Behind us the great Typhaine and Sam team was following, probably at a consistent 1 minute behind considering our arrival times.
This 5 km turned out to not be as painful as I was afraid it could of been considering I haven't skied any more than a grand total of about 4 km this winter. What could of made it a little....slightly (said with irony)....easier is if I hadn't lost half my pole at the first km. What a pain to skate with a single pole. I was going along very well, when just after I give a good push, I bring my hand back up and there's only a handle in left, the pole stayed behind. Quick debate on what to do and I decided to not stop, keep going and rely on my legs. Now, skiing with one pole is just too easy for me (again said with irony), so a little before the last kilometer my right boot came undone. I like to make those precisions as on the pictures of my arrival I look like I may be a little tipsy. I challenge anybody to try skating with one pole, one boot undone and tied up to a dog that's starting to back off as she see's the crowed. Marley still has that issue about running towards an unknown crowed. I can't really blame her, she ran amazingly the whole way, I won't hold against my pup her weariness of groups of noisy cheering people. We ran for fun and had lots of it.
Typhaine arrived a minute and 13 seconds after me. So our times were 13 seconds apart, I was really hopping we would do similar times and we did over a 20 minutes race. We arrived forth (20:06) and fifth (20:19) over 23 runners, I'm really satisfied considering my goal was to do under 25 minutes.
The sister debriefing, talking of our adventures and starting to think of the next race.
Marks race came after lunch. The plan was for Mark to run the 2km 2 dog sled race with two dogs working on different commands (German for one, French for the other) with a newly built and barely tried out sled... An other little detail, and my sister did warn us of it, Sams loyalty is above his love of running and pulling. It wasn't a given that he was going to work well, but Typhaine was curious to see how it was going to work out and Mark was keen to try the two pups.
The start looked awesome, until my sister was out of sight of Sam. Then, he decided to turn around and got tangled with Marley which wasn't about to slow down. Mark didn't give up he got them untangled and kept going. Apparently Sam never really pulled but eventually went with the flow. They had a few other scrambles and Mark had to run in snow for most of the race as Marley alone was working to hard to pull the load.
The last stretch, on the packed snow was the best as Sam started pulling when the arrival and Typhaine came in sight. Mark had to work really hard but he did his loop, we got great picture of his funny team and he got the third place ribbon.
Just I final picture of the site. Not many bouviers running, actually, only one. The Super Nobleair Calypso Marley, the no 1, best of all racing bouviers des flandres.
More photos
More photos
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Bikejoring race
Full size slide show
Our first race. It was a wet one. The conditions were terrible for pictures but great to play in mud. Marley ran like a champ. More about the race with the picture captions.
Notre premiere course. C'etait mouille...Les conditions meteo etaient terribles pour prendre des photos et parfaite pour jouer dans la boue. Marley a courru comme une championne. Plus sur notre course avec les photos.
Photos
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