by Another UK Fan » Sat Dec 22, 2018 9:11 am
Thank you for the feedback - it's great to share! So sorry that the next bit has taken so long to get to the board.
Part 2 -
So far, so good.
The first stretch was straight and even, allowing time to adjust to a new world of balance, speed and direction. Then there was a big bend to the right. After lots of wobbling and heavy braking and 'being brave' we were through to the next straight stretch. Rohn sped away to check the trail ahead. In seconds I heard the team behind me barking. A quick look back caused a very big wobble, bringing my concentration right back to my team who amazingly held us steady and straight.
The team behind were stuck in the middle of the bend. Thoughts flashed through my mind - stop my team and walk back to help? Turn my team around and mush back to help? Almost simultaneously, Rohn returned, spun around to travel parallel and shouted across that he was going help the team behind. 'You're doing well!' he yelled, smiling and surprised. 'Get off the brake! Let them run!' he said, 'And take the next left'. With a perfectly executed 'u' turn he was gone.
The positive effect of a little encouragement is amazing: Rohn said to get off the brake. The lead dogs, looking back at me often, seemed to say the same. I lifted the brake and experienced a surge of power and speed. Liberated from the brake, the dogs leaned into their harnesses with exuberance. It was like a canine 'yipee!'.
We settled into a steady, pacey run on a perfect trail under a bright blue sky, the intense sunshine magnified by the snow. The wilderness was immense, wild and beautiful. For a few moments there was just the dogs and Alaska.
The instruction was to 'take the next left': soon enough, I saw the trail continued straight ahead AND had a trail peeling off to the left. The dogs were running straight ahead at full throttle. It's fine, I reassured myself - these dogs know the training route. They'll just peel off to the left. Well. . . . . . .nope. Almost at the point of no-more-choice, I called 'haw!' One of the lead dogs looked back at me, 'Are you sure?' Again I called 'Haw!', and what fabulous lead dogs they were . . . on that second command they turned their heads back to the trail and took us left. It felt like they were in charge - the communication chain so swift and crisp. Command received for 'left' - check for confirmation - yep it's a left - go left.
The left bend lead to more straight trail with clumps of evergreen trees and bushes trailside here and there. Rohn and the second team caught up and we all stopped for a rest - a doggie tea-break.
The dogs were on their backs wriggling in the snow, then shaking if off, darting around each other in play and I couldn't resist joining in. The four of them piled into me for fuss and fun and we played and laughed before enjoying a time of rest and quiet.
It was all going beautifully. No more surprises could possibly be in store . . . . oh yes, they could.
To be continued.. . . . .