Date

Location

Trail Condition

Distance

Notes

19/01/05

Feshiebridge

Fresh covering of snow on trail

2.8 miles

Training Run

Dogs keen after their journey, plenty of power coming in from wheel dogs.  Dudley coped well in lead on a new trail.  The run was very swift at just over 9 mins. That bodes well for Saturday. I have worked extremely hard on preparation this year, more so than the last 2 years at this event. Trialling Vince’s prototype rig, very light and responsive, yet perfectly stable, the new configuration of the frame enabled me to comfortably get right down.  There was quite a bit of interest in the rig amongst the other mushers training.

20/01/05

Rest Day

21/01/05

Loch Morlich

More snow on Trails

 Course Inspection

Not enough snow for sleds as yet, a little icy, underlying condition of trail better than previous years, and the goat trail has been resurfaced and widened, making the start smoother.  Worked out my strategy for race day, looking at the trail, particularly the first gee turn off the top of the hill, I decided that I needed to wear body armour.  Chatted to the Forester who doesn’t think we will get enough snow to run on sleds.

22/01/05

Loch Morlich

Quite Icy, no more snow

4.05 miles

RACE DAY (1)

Second off in B class, start time 9.57.

Didn’t know whether to boot or not, talked to a few people and in the end booted Bandit and Buddy, front feet only.

The dogs were quite wound up at the start but quietened down in the last few seconds, as if they too could feel the tension.  They exploded off the start nearly wrenching the grips out of my hands.  Half way up the goat trail and still accelerating. Christ, their up for this!!  First gee turn onto the hill no problem, still accelerating, wondered whether to put a foot down …. No!  Too Fast!   They powered right up the hill and I only scooted three times, I didn’t need to!  Second gee turn was fairly hairy, as the dogs kept the power on and kept very tight in the turn, the rig slid broadside as I fought to keep the gangline down the centre of the team, but levelled out and headed on down the trail. Chalkie is flat eared, smooth and making it look effortless… 10 years old. Beautiful. Approached the next sweeping right hand turn fast and tight in on the turn again broadsiding around the bend; they pulled strongly away up the incline and off towards the water butt turn. Jack …my hero and greatest all rounder and young Buddy in wheel. A decisive combination. Swept past the water butt turn, no sign of any A class teams on the final leg. Powered down the hill, Bandit (right swing) was much more comfortable having been booted his short coupled body making his legs almost a blur. Mr indestructible.…it seems a long way to the bottom, though young Dudley in lead with Chalkie was in his element and positively striding down the hill. Spirit in left swing is equally impressive as he eats up the ground. Soft as muck in the run... but put him in harness and what a joy to watch him run. The team are really in unison and no slack tug lines. Finally off the hill round the right hander and caught sight of the 1^st team off. Called ‘trail’ and passed by with no problem. Quickly came upon two, maybe three more A class (8 Dogs) teams making their run for home, passed by with no problems. Out on my own now. For some reason I never like this final stretch as it seems to go on forever!!. The team feel really on song and keeping up the initial pace. Wow!, though I have no idea how fast we are going or what time we are doing as I haven’t taken my eyes off the dogs or the lines since we started, scenery, what scenery?  Finally the last incline, the team have given their all.  Before I know it we are sweeping down to the finish and I crouch into the rig. They have picked up now having heard Sue’s voice amongst all the other shouts. At this point things seemed to go into slow motion and somehow give me time to reflect and feel tremendously proud of the boys. I was grinning from ear to ear….but a little emotional having had such (what I considered) a flawless run. I heard Sue say 13.50 ‘ish’ for the run, although it didn’t register. We’ll wait and see?. Back to the Van. Dogs rehydrated immediately and lots of hugs all round. Official time is 13.52 mins. Superb.

23/01/05

Loch Morlich

Ground Still icy

4.05 miles

RACE DAY (2) Seeded

First Off, 9.55a.m. Dogs all fine. Good feed last night (B.A.R.F.). No change of tactics. Just keep things the same. I do know with three young dogs under 2 years their lack of experience may tell in the latter stages. Stay calm and Focused. Don’t panic and don’t do anything rash on the trail.  Up to the start line… a little early, but no problem as things are quiet. Countdown. 30 seconds. Hug and a kiss to each dog.  10 seconds … quick glance at everything. All Ok. 5...Focus. 4. Stay calm. 3. Focus. 2 Here we go …1 Another fast accelerating start off the line. Can we do this again? On to the hill and the signs are looking good. The team run the hill hard, but I scoot a few more times than yesterday… am I overreacting…no . John will be gunning it behind me. A 30 second lead is a good buffer, but still no room for error on my part!

Give them help on the hills, but don’t break their rhythm. A clean run through the next two haw turns. The boys are really running great as a team. 4 months training to get positions right is now paying off.  Down through and past the water butt turn and on down the hill. How they run this will probably decide the outcome. Here we go… Take care of them and let them run at their pace. Half way down and things are looking good. The last downhill section seems to take an age. Don’t push them. At last. Off the hill, and every dog appears OK. Half a mile on and I detect the first hint of tiredness in the team, and as expected the young ones are feeling it. Good boys. Come on you can do it. Hike On.! Chalkie, superb as ever raises his game, looks sideways and slightly over his shoulder as if to say come on you lot. He can be a bit of a Victor Meldrew at times! They respond well. I scoot. Every bit helps now. Another eternity along the final section.  Right. Up the last rise. Scoot, scoot scoot. Over the top and down through the line. Its over!! Have I done it? Well see. First priority. Dogs back and rehydrated. Hugs all-round. Whatever, the outcome I could not have wished for a finer team of dogs. They gave it all. Heart and soul. Jim Bryde comes running down… you’ve done it!!. 11 seconds margin!. Relief, Elation. More hugs and kisses (The dogs, not Jim!!)He rushes off to get ready for his race. Well that’s it. I don’t remember much more. I am mentally exhausted.

A big big thank you to everyone who helped me get to the line, particularly Sue without who I could not have done it.

Graham