Monday, April 11, 2011

Mush Without Slush

Last weekend our sled dog club hosted a (now first annual) "Mush Without Slush" race. This race was conceived of less than three weeks ago. We had 22 mushers and a couple hundred dogs racing through the sagebrush. For most of us, it was our first time dry land racing.

"Oh Yea"
All mushers, except one young girl with her pet pitbull, ran between 2 and 12 dogs.
yes, that is a pitbull and they were fast on the 1 mile

these guys flew by us on the 3.5 mile course

hooking up dogs for the 10.3 mile race


6.5 mile race starting line, line-up


Team Nookies patiently waiting for the start of their race

Friday we did a one mile practice run. The 3.5 mile race on Saturday turned out to be a bit much for Team Nookies pulling the combined weight and friction of me on a 3 wheel steel cart over damp, soft trails. We did finish the race but our pace overall averaged only about 5 mph. There is a reason the other cart teams had at least 4 dogs. Sunday we did a fun one mile run with a respectable 10.5 mile pace. I am hoping someone got a picture of us in action.