Sept. 25, 2016 Run

The temperatures have dipped quite a bit since the heat wave on Thursday.  High today is expected to be 57.  Perfect morning to run the dogs - and on the Forest Roads!

I got a later start than I had initially planned for.  What can I say?  The house was cold but with Rohan and Turin on either side of me - I was nice and toasty in my bed and I didn't want to get out.  But finally get out, I did.

I baited the dogs and then began assembling all the necessary equipment into the Jeep or onto the Jeep trailer.  That took a while, mainly because I am STILL trying to figure out the best way to strap the cart down to the trailer.  The dogs were going bonkers after I hauled the cart out of the garage, so I decided to try something different and I put all the dogs in the Jeep, windows downs, while I finished packing.  Everyone had calmed down pretty well, except Rogue, but the time I was all packed and ready to go.

We got to one of my pre-planned pull offs on the Forest Road about 8:30 and were on the road by 8:52 - little slow set up, but not bad.  We went about a mile, past a camper washing out his morning breakfast pans (Rogue did an awesome On By) and then stopped for a water break.  The Jeep had said the temperature was only in the mid-40s, but the dogs seemed to think it was still warm out and everyone drank well.

Headed up the hill past the camper.

Water break.

We kept going for about 1.75 miles, when the dogs came to a stop near a big pull-off, we were maybe 0.25 miles from where I wanted to turn around, but I decided to water the dogs at the pull-off.  The dogs were stopped and a truck went past us, so it seemed like a good place.  Everyone again, drank well, even Rohan and Turin - but they had to spill the first bowl of water I gave them.  I got Rogue and Doolin to do a Come Haw and back we headed for the Jeep.

Headed towards the turnaround.

Headed away from the turnaround.

We went past the truck that had passed us earlier - it's bear season in VT, so we had passed a few hunters' trucks.  Rogue was a dedicated little leader and pulled the team, especially Doolin, past the hunter who had just gotten out of his truck and was heading into the woods.  Quin did a dash for the woods at one point, but that is a feat much harder for her to pull off in wheel position.

Almost to the Jeep.

We made it back to the Jeep and everyone again got water, but no one seemed interested in it at that point.  We ended our run about 9:36, so around 3.5 miles in 44 minutes with an average speed of 4.7 mph with a top speed of 13 mph.  Not bad, a little slower might have been better for training.  We got home and everyone got unloaded, some more water with some dog food and then a group howl.  Then quiet...tired doggies.