if your heart is nowhere in it, i don't want it for a minute

KALKASKA IS THIS WEEKEND! Do you have ANY idea what that means? It's my favorite race of the season. Oh Lordy I can't wait.

It always seems so surreal to go from all of this crazy training and preparation to the dead calm of a race trail. It's honestly the time to take a deep breath and say, "well, we gave it hell, so let's see if it worked." It's a little like being on your deathbed, only way happier of course, because once you hit the trail, there are no excuses. Either you got the miles, or you didn't. Simple as that.

That being said, I'm running tonight. The last two weeks have been 4X's, and this week will be also. I'll run tonight (Tuesday) and either tomorrow or Thursday. I'd prefer to run tomorrow and avoid Thursday because I have class until 6pm. We shall see. I'd run those crazy assholes in the dark with Kalkaska looming!

I think I lied about Bristow. I do LOVE that name, but I keep calling her Rachel. I very much dislike the name Rachel, but it's so HER. You know?

Brennan gave me an exciting positive sign last week. Since day one she has been a driving fool, but sometimes her head isn't quite in it. WELL, she led for three miles last Thursday. I put her up with Tune and they led away from the truck, turned us around (manually....I purposely ran them into a dead-end), and drove home like professionals. I love to see progress like that. She's a solid-headed little dog, so I really think I can start leading her in training more often.

Speaking of training, we've been running like the crazy fools we are. Last year, I had "problems" on race trails because my dogs were gaited for the twisty bullshit at Fort Custer. They had the miles, but not the reach nor the right wind to power through a semi-straight trail. This year, I hope I've changed that.

There's a 1.5mile stretch that we've been running. We hit the end, turn around and run back to the truck. I switch leaders and we take off again. That's six solid miles of flat-out speed. At least I hope. At the very least, because they pick their heads up a little early in preparation for the turn-around, it's four solid miles. Twice a week I add a loop through the woods, which is mostly straight, making it five or so.

Tonight, to get them on a new trail and to test their stamina a little bit, I'm going to do six miles in the woods. It'll be a little choppy, but they need a refreshing run before their big debut weekend.

As I sit here now, I have 10 dogs who have worked their asses off, consistently given me their all and driven their hearts out. Let's see what the competition has to offer!