June 2009 Archives

It is done! We're committed to run the 2010 Iditarod. Here's Rich with his CC. Thanks Rich! 60 mushers signed up today either by mail or in person. After all had signed up, the drawing was done to see what order we will do the drawings at the Mushers' banquet in March. I was drawn #12. The good news is, we'll get out of the mushers' banquet fairly early and get some sleep. The bad news is, we didn't get drawn for the free entry.

Now it's time to start planning and getting everything set here for training to begin as soon as the pups come back from the glacier in September. I'll post periodic updates on how things are moving towards that end. Once the pups are here and we start training, I'll post a nightly training blog so you can all join me for this quest to iditarod 2010!

By the way, those bottles of wine you see....beginning at the mushers' banquet in March you will be able to buy a 2010 Iditarod bottle of wine with my picture on it. How cool is that?

Hard to believe that in one week we'll be signing up and committing to run Iditarod 2010. All the paperwork is filled out, now it's a matter of writing out that check for $4,000. Anyone wishing to sponsor our 2010 run to Nome can do so by sending a check to Sue Allen, 7362 W. Parks Hw #252 Wasilla, AK 99654. Any and all sponsorships will be greatly appreciated and acknowledged on our web site, the Iditarod website and the Iditarod Runner publication.

Time to start planning for fall training, packing any "dry" gear that can be packed early, and getting the dog yard ready for 20 dogs in the fall. That means painting all the houses, setting new posts, and getting some gravel delivered to the dog yard to help prevent some of the usual fall muddy mess.

My dad is coming up in a week to help us get some chores done around here. One plan is to insulate, sheet rock and heat our detached garage. Some of our retired sled dogs are getting a bit older and have trouble dealing with the really cold temps. We need a place for them to spend those really cold winter nights. Will also be nice to have a warm place to pull my sled in to thaw out and to work on (besides the living room).

Kind of exciting to think about training and racing again. I do have to say though, that knowing what lies in store for the winter can be a bit overwhelming too!