Blue Eyes and Spitfire

Friday is my short work day, which means I don’t get a chance to run the dogs during my lunch break. My only opportunity would have been early this morning, but we were being pelted with freezing rain, hail, and a little tiny bit of snow (no, it did not stick at all). Not to mention some monster winds. I decided it was in our best interest to sleep in and avoid that mess.

Since I don’t have a run to write about, I figured now would be a good time to explain our kennel/team name. “Blue Eyes and Spitfire” is the second line in the Gaslight Anthem song, “Bring It On”. The song has nothing to do with dog racing. Whenever I heard anything referring to “Blue Eyes”, I automatically would think of Dexter.

When I started running Denali, nothing could really describe her better than my little Spitfire. OK, by definition she’s not a spitfire – she doesn’t have a “fiery temper” and she’s not “prone to outbursts”.  I’ll use a more positive reinterpretation of the word. She has a fiery spirit and outbursts of pure energy. She’s ferociously motivated. Maybe she’s more like the British fighter plane.

There really isn’t anything else to it. Once I got to know Denali’s temperament, especially in harness, I knew the name “Blue Eyes and Spitfire” was meant to be. 

Yesterday's Run

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
2.4 miles	0:23.07	6.24 mph	11.8 mph

I didn’t get a chance to write about yesterday’s run, but seeing as it’s raining, I can use today to catch up. I started the dogs off with our typical trail. I put on the brakes up until we hit the woods, where I let them cut loose. Dexter did alright – still not as “into it” as I would’ve liked, but getting there.

On our way back to the house, I decided to test out another portion of the woods. There’s a small stream to get across and it’s only worth going if there’s been a period of drought – otherwise, the whole area is a swampy mess.

I knew it would be relatively dry, due to the lack of rain (up until today). Still, I managed to get my foot stuck  in about 6 inches of pure muck while crossing the stream. Once on the other side, it’s a toss up. During the spring and summer, it’s nearly impossible to navigate due to all the plant life. There’s a fairly large field between streams, with tall, Savannah-like grass. After a few good frosts, the grasses die and keel over, making the field a bit more accommodating.

I’m jumping ahead. Before any of the field business, I ran the dogs along the major stream system that cuts the woods in half (the stream we cross over is a trickle compared to this other stream). It’s not a very far run, but it’s relatively challenging. It’s by no means a groomed pathway – technically, no one is supposed to be back there. It really tests the dogs’ gee and haw ability as we try to find suitable pathways through the trees. There is a pretty solid path about three quarters of a mile into the woods. Then it’s gone.

After going as far as we could, I turned the dogs away from the stream towards the field. There isn’t much of a trail at this point, so the dogs worked out the most navigable route. The dead grass got really thick in a few spots, so I had to get off the bike and walk it through. Although it’s not really a smart trail to take (or a trail at all, for that matter), the dogs really enjoyed bouncing through the grass and figuring out which way to go. And it’s nice to see them working together.

We eventually made our way back to the stream trail and followed it back out of the woods. On the way in, both dogs managed to hop the stream without getting muddy. Not so for our exit. Both Dexter and Denali decided to stand in the stream to cool off their feet, resulting in black-footed dogs.

All in all, yesterday’s run made for one of our longest at-home runs. I think the longer we go, the better Dexter gets at focusing – as long as I change up the routes. I shouldn’t forget that he’s always been a bit distracted at the beginning of walks, so runs aren’t much different. After he gets his initial sniffs/pees/poops out, he’s usually a lot more willing to get moving.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 67.18

Neighborhood Bikejor

Distance	Moving Time	Average Speed	Maximum Speed
2.08 miles	0:16.17	7.67 mph	13.01 mph

First time posting in my trail blog! I’m hoping to write a bit every day that we train. We’re about half way through the season, so keep that in mind.

Today, I kept the dogs moving slow on the red trail until we hit the woods loop. Dexter tends to run better on softer ground with fewer distractions. I like to have them work hard for a portion of the run to help build up muscle. Plus, I don’t like having them run full-speed on pavement, especially with cars and people around.

I had them run the woods loop twice, which threw them off a little, but they figured it out quick. It’s by far my favorite part of our run, and they usually run their fastest. Then we took the yellow trail to add on some distance and give them more command training. The street leading back to the red trail usually has a few stray cats on it, and today was no exception. The dogs spotted a kitty in someone’s yard, but I managed to keep them moving.

Denali was flawless today, as she usually is. Dexter has been off lately and I can’t figure out why. He isn’t running smoothly with Nali. Instead, he’s been pulling against her and trying to go in the opposing direction. Denali will be running straight forward and he’ll be awkwardly pulling off to the side. I checked him for injuries and haven’t found any sensitivity. At home, he wrestles and plays without any issue. He even runs relatively well once we’re in the woods loop.

My only guess is that he’s become increasingly distracted by stuff on our way to the woods. He’s always been an avid sniffer/marker, but he was pretty good about ditching the habit while on runs. Lately, it seems like he’s trying to slow down Denali so that he can pick up the habit again.

Dexter tends to run just fine in the Pine Barrens. He’ll also run especially well if there are other dogs on the trail. The area we run at home seems to bore him and he much rather sniff than run. It’s hard to motivate a dog. The warm weather hasn’t been helping, either.

Knox will be joining the team at the tail-end of this season, weather-permitting. The plan is to have the boys in wheel with Denali in lead. I’m hoping that having Denali in front will inspire some chase instincts in Dex. He also will have two dogs pulling him forward, so becoming distracted won’t be much of an option.

I’m not looking to have a super-speedy team. I mush for fun, after all. I just want my dogs to work well together and keeps a reasonable pace. We’ll see how it goes.

2011-2012 Mileage to Date: 64.78