Another week of unlikely weather for this time of year.
Warm temperatures and rain from Monday night through to Wednesday night. Thursday colder temperatures returned, turning the ground into a sheet of ice.
We were able to get in one great run with both teams on Monday.
We all enjoyed it! 
With the warm temperatures Wednesday, it was a good day to clean all the old straw out of the dog houses and replace it with nice fresh bedding.
The dogs loved it!
The long range weather forecast is for more March like temperatures with a little snow.
Hopefully, we can get back out running.
​Until next week.......

So what is the Olympic Experience here?
Like the Bobsled, Luge and Skeleton Eventings: ICE!!!!
Another crazy week here with weather dictating our activities.
Warm temperatures early in the week, mid week some rain and then freezing temperatures making the trail a sheet of ice.
All this resulted in only one day of running on the 14th, Valentines Day!
For that day, the gave us some LOVE with great/fun runs by both teams.
So now, we wait for snow and the forecast is not overly encouraging.
C'est La Vie!
Mother Nature has the control of weather and we have to be patient as the trails are just too dangerous to run the dogs.
THINK SNOW!
​Until next week.......

What a great way to start the week with a crisp, sunny day with a fresh overnight snowfall.
It was a great week here running dogs getting in four days of running.
Starting with 10 mile runs on Monday, 7 mile runs on Tuesday and finishing the week with two days running two teams 4.5 miles on Thursday and Friday. 
The dogs enjoyed the runs and especially the two 4.5 mile attitude runs.
Short and fast!
After the 10 mile & 7 mile runs, I realized that we needed a couple of short runs that were just fun!
This was the first week since the long layoff the dogs ran a 10 mile run as well as four days in a week.
We are taking it slowly getting the dogs back to training at their pre-layoff form.
Slowly they are getting their speed back.
The Monday run run was fast and enthusiastic after a three day layoff.
Dogs need their down time, as well as their running time!
Lance had his first run at Lead running with Kira. He did great for his first time and will be running Point for the next several runs getting him comfortable running upfront.
Also looking at the potential of breeding him with Kira this Spring.
They seem to have the same gait when running and could be a good match.
Time will tell as I keep evaluating.
We had some more frigid nights with temperatures in the -20's and -30's.
Now two days off and then back to running Monday.
​It is a lifestyle that I love!
Until next week.......

It was a good week here getting back into the running routine getting in three days of working with the dogs.
After the long layoff, we are taking our time getting the dogs back in running mode with last week 4.5 miles/run and this week 7 miles/run.
We have also increased the speed to 28 kph with the dogs handling it with no problem.
Early this week, I noticed Venus was not running to her normal potential. After checking her feet, I noticed her nails were to long. After clipping them, she was back to her normal, high energy performance. 
The dogs always have a method of communicating to you. If you notice a difference in performance, check to find out the problem. As a musher, you have to be constantly observing your dogs on the run and in the kennel for abnormalities.
The above video gives a good view of 5 of the young dogs from the Indigo/Blue litter. Libby/Lilly at point, Lance at team left behind point and Louis/Lloyd at team in front of wheel. Their father Blue and his sister Fille at wheel.
The leaders are Venus/Kira.
We had to cancel the 4th day of running this week due to the return of frigid temperature.
The forecast for next week is more seasonable.
Alex,our new Handler/Trainee, from Paris, France is a real trooper handling the crazy weather and the routines of running the dogs and kennel work with a constant positive attitude.
Alex is a real asset here.
​Merci!!!
Until next week......