and we'll do anything when the time's right

Well then, can I just ask one question? WHERE DID FALL GO?! What is happening? Last I checked, the semester had just started and we were on our way into October. But now? Thanksgiving is out the window (the second story window) and December 1st is three days away.


So, that was my question….and this is my fact: race reason is one month away. ONE MONTH, people! Are YOU ready? Am I ready? No comment.

I have a confession to make, and it’ll probably bite me in the ass before I can even turn around, but a 4dog team seems much less stressful. For 6dog last year, I was a mess. A complete mess. If we missed a day of training, I’d go off the wall. Unless miles were going my way, I was pretty damn near impossible to be around. This year, I’ve made an effort to change that.


Taking my pro team down to 4dog has helped a lot. Right now, we SHOULD be nearing a comfortable four miles…..but we don’t have it. We’re at a solid, solid, solid, three. It bothers me a little, and I care a lot, but I’ve resisted the urge to flip out. It’s life. It’s training. It’s Michigan weather. It’s what happens when you’re a full time student and the good trails are off limits for the last two weeks in November.


There comes a point where I have to step back, shut the hell up, and realize there are worse things in life. I’d so much rather be where I am right now, calm and relaxed and enjoying every minute of it, than where I was last year……right on the dot and wound so tight I’d literally panic if I had to take a third day off. And by panic, I actually mean it. I would go hysterical if the weather didn’t work out. Honestly now, what can I do about the weather?

Getting miles for the wrong reasons can be miserable. It’s nothing short of torture if you’re comparing your schedule to everyone else.

We should be running 4X/week. We’ve comfortably managed two and three days all season. I don’t think it’s killing anyone. I’ve got happy dogs and I’m done worrying about things I can’t control. I’m trying this game called optimism. The season will turn out just fine. See? I’m not half bad.


The setback with Keytone is a real bummer, but she got hurt working her ass off for me, so I’ll let her dig into her retirement savings a few years early.
Oh, and did I mention….to fill out my 4dog, I think I hit the jackpot. The female on her way to me (in place of the white pony of wonder….aka Keytone) may or may not have previously raced Rondy and ONAC…..four times. Excited? You’re not the one who has to act interested in normal life while you wait for a day off to go pick her up…..