Race Day

Finish of our first race of more then 5 miles. Team #43 Apostle Islands in Bayfield Wisconsin. ~21 miles X 2 ~42 miles, Dogs did great, no injuries, and as far as trail/race etiquette... passing, being passed, the crowds, the chute etc all good.  We had relatively clean runs both days, no major hold ups or tangles,  we finished 13 out of 15,  winning team time 3:32:07 our time 4:45:50.
 Dogs handled the distance and were tired but not spent by any means at the finish, suspect we could have done a bit better if I had pulled Albert from lead day two, he was just holding back a bit against the faster pace Avery was trying to set. but we ran clean with those two running lead and in this race the 8 dog teams are coming in to the finish at the same time and I decided to go with the control.
 The ice storms that nailed us lost 2 weeks leading up to the race, lost all ability to train during the week after work with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of ice on EVERYTHING. we traveled to snow one weekend. All part of what I felt was not our best effort, Next race 30 miles one day Mid Minnesota 150 in Emily MN Feb 9th. We got a few inches of snow here, with another 1-3 in the forecast. just enough to run on the river I hope. (NO TRAVEL TO TRAIN ON THE RIVER) Today was a rest day and then 3 days to condition and work with Sharky in lead, one off and then.......Race day.
 Really need to add some vacation Mondays into the race weekend program when attending these two day events to be able to visit a bit and attend the banquet etc. the 6 hour trip home and Monday morning work routine sucks, have to pack up and leave as soon as possible. Great group of people, racers and volunteers, had a lot of fun and will be going back again next year.