We’re entering the last full month of winter with hardly any snow on the ground and nothing significant in the forecast. Our local race, the Tug Hill Challenge, was canceled for the fourth year in a row (2021 was due to covid, 2022-2024 due to poor trail conditions). We’re back on wheels for training, and with the super soggy conditions, that means limiting our runs to avoid damaging neighbors’ land.
Our only other close-by option for training is the state forest, but that will be tricky. There isn’t enough snow to safely sled with the full team. The ATV is off limits when there’s even the thinnest bit of snow cover. I’m not sure there’s enough coverage on the motorized trails for the snowmobile—but that might be our best bet. I’ll have to figure it out soon.
We need to increase our mileage before the end of the month, since we’re attending the 12-mile Seguin Mail Run on the 24th. However, over the next week, our sights are set on the Kearney Dog Sled Races. After Tug Hill was canceled, I decided to enter Kearney on a whim. At the start of the season, I had wanted to run Kearney’s 20 mile race, but balked after realizing it was a two day (20 miles each day) event. As the season picked up speed, I assumed I’d be training for events in the 10-15 mile range, so Kearney’s other classes slipped my mind. Bad weather has us behind in miles and other race options canceled or postponed, so running Kearney’s 6-dog, six mile class should actually be just right for where we’re at.
I haven’t decided who the race team will be yet, and it will probably be a race-day decision. I do plan to have Hopper and Willow lead with Hubble and Blitz in wheel. Team dogs are a bit of a toss-up. Sagan will likely be one of them, as she can also lead if I need to swap anyone. I’m fairly certain Laika will sit this one out, as this looks to be a spectator-heavy event and she doesn’t do well with large crowds. Atlas would definitely provide more muscle than Faye, but I’m not sure I’ll need (or want) that if the trail is hard and fast. Faye may also handle warm temperatures better, so we’ll see how things shake out.
