Tripping On the Trail

Maddie is one of my retired performance dogs and a very high drive hard working Siberian.  I no longer ask her to jump and climb...but she is one of our running partners, for reasons of both her health, and our choice of active lifestyle.  Technically considered a senior at the age of 12, she's continues to be a dynamite running partner on either road or trail.  She has lost some endurance, but we take her a few times a week for a mile and a half jog/run/walk, and then on most weekends get in a good three mile escapade.

I've previously posted "Maddie isn't for whimps"; if you can't take a line being pulled  for over a mile at a time, you don't need to take this dog with you.  Pulling is what most people immediately attempt to curb once they acquire a Siberian, but I attribute a good pull to "good drive and a good working Siberian" - I know this seems like crazy philosphy coming from someone who is never going to hook dogs to a sled and take off through frozen tundra, but it was my way of working my dogs.  I don't complain about the pull, ever, it was my conscious decision to endure, and even pursue it, with my dogs.  However, when it comes to running with her, even I can be frightened by her speed on a downhill, or on a rocky/rooty trail.  I wouldn't turn her loose on someone who didn't have a good sense of their footing and an ability to stay tuned to their surroundings; well except for me that is.

This past Saturday Dave and I headed out with the dogs for our regular run at the river.  We began with casual conversation, and the usual admiration of our surruoundings.  I began the trail with Maddie, Dave had Mira.  I was running the shoulder, while Dave was in the middle of the trail.  Less than a quarter mile along the path Maddie lept off the path and bounded into the brush.  She didn't particularly pull me or jolt me, but it definitely got my attention; I had to stop to get her out of the brush as the "targeted" squirrel scampered to safety.  Every hair on her body was on alert, she was obviously delighted at the possibilities of her hunt as I pulled her back onto the path.  I was laughing out loud when an oncoming runner swerved into our path to note "she really wanted that squirrel!".  We both laughed as Maddie and I began to jog again to catch back up to Dave and Mira.

The dogs, the trail, and the river or mountain just give me so much pleasure that I cannot begin to express how much I really enjoy our times out there.  And when the girls do something "doggy" it just tickles me to death.  I remember these moments and can recall them vividly in my minds eye on a whim, they simply delight me.  It is no surprise that I was caught up in the moment, still laughing, when my right foot caught a root and I flew forward onto the ground.

I never let go of the leash (all Siberian owners can attest that you don't EVER let go of the lead...), I didn't see anything other than the pea gravel fastly approaching my head when I rolled onto my back and let my head somewhat softly "bang" onto the trail.  At some point I made the unconscious decision to close my eyes, I suppose it was a defensive move most contact lens wearers would automatically make.  When I opened them, I was looking into the amber eyes of my gal Maddie.  If you know me well, you know that I began to laugh immediately.  The sound of my laughter is all she needed, and she began to clean the dust from my face and wag her tail wildly.  Her demeanor seemed to say "why are you down there again, c'mon, we are behind...let's go!". 

Tonight I sit with road rash on both knees.  The left leg and ankle are swollen and I'm missing spin class.  I look across the living room and she's stretched across the sofa happily snoozing away.  Would I go back 12 years and change my attitude toward her pulling, nope not for a minute.  Would I go back 72 hours, or so, and look down at the path ahead of me, yep you betcha!

Nutritional Balance for Trail Runs

This "winter" season has proven to be a challenge to run with a Siberian for distances over a 5k.  The climate has been damp and warm for the most part.  On days we start by 7:30 am, we've been lucky if we finish before the temps climb into the mid to upper 40's; and often we've been out near 60 degrees.  Granted we're not fast, and she's not pulling a load as a sled dog would, but still she's definitely working for and with me on the trail.  Because of the increased temperature, coupled with my need to continue to add mileage, I've worked hard to come to a reasonable solution that gives both of us a nutritional boost on the trail at mile 3 or so, and lets the finish come with less fatigue.  It's no fun to go for a run and then come home exhausted and wiped out for the rest of the day.  The next few paragraphs outline the routine we've taken up that I think has serverd us very well during these days that feel more like early fall or spring than January and February.

Me:  Pre-run, I drink plenty of water and have either a half of a protein shake (I make myself) or a half of an Organics brand protein bar (very tasty and vegan/gluten free to boot).  I pack a small bag of trail mix (from Publix; peanuts, raisins, M&M's and almonds) with some dried apricots and extra almonds for an easy boost on the trail.  And of course there's water, lots of water.  I pack a bottle to have enroute, and leave a bottle in the truck for the ride home.  I also pack two bottles on my hiking/running belt for the trail. The trail mix is simple and not opposed to cold or warm weather, I can grab a few nibbles quickly plus I get the extra benefit of a little salt, since I can and do sweat at any climate.  Post-run I finish the protein bar or shake, the remainder of my trail mix and take in lots of water on the way home.

Mira: I have learned that getting up within 45 minutes of our regular Monday thru Friday alarm time and giving her the normal cereal breakfast meal with a little extra portion of cereal works well.  By the time she's eaten, I'm packed, we're loaded, and drive to the trail; she's had a good hour and a half to two hours to settle her morning meal, so I have little fear of digestive issues.  Once we stop for a water and nutrition break, she gets water, a small handful of kibble, some dried salmon (current favorite Wellness brand), and a Zuke's power bone.  We've tested this little goodie bag of nutrition in 90 degree weather while hiking in the Asheville area as well as the trails here at home in temps ranging from 20 degrees to 60+ degrees; the food survives well and doesn't get sticky or messy in the heat (of course nothing is ever left in direct sunlight, it's alaways on my person).  Breaks don't last long with her because she doesn't care to stop moving much more than I do, so before I have the water bowl and bottle packed back into my pack, she's usually leaning into the lead toward the trail. I have taken this desire to continue the trail to be a good sign that we're on the right track with the proper nutritional support her body demands.

Post-run and after we're cooled down a bit, it's back to the truck where I check her feet, legs, shoulders and spine to be sure I don't find any signs of soreness.  Once she passes inspection, so to speak, she's into her crate for a long drink and a heavier load of her mix from the trail. I stretch her and I back at home - I will do a little stretching of my quads and hamstrings there, but I prefer to spend some good time stretching after I've chilled out.  She is always receptive to a good stretch and rub once we're back at the house too.  At the truck she is more focused on getting to the food, so if I take the time to stretch her there it just causes irritation between us as she twists and bucks and tries to get into her crate.

There were a few challenges in finding the right nutritional mix of things for both of us.  I tried several food items for me and her that didn't hold up well to the humidity or heat; most trail bars were too cumbersome to handle on the trail and then there's the wrapper that has to be packed back and thrown away later.

We don't feed kibble here as the dogs have been on a raw diet for nearly a year now.  So the challenge of obtaining kibble for this purpose only became an odd prospect when I began the season this year.  Buying a bag of food that wasn't going to be used except on weekends seemed potentially wasteful, yet I wanted to be sure that what I was providing for her on the these runs was actually nutrition; I save "treats" and "cookies" for training behaviors.  One day while checking out of a boutique that we purchase supplements for the dogs from the cashier offered me a sample bag/serving of a natural kibble they carry.  Bingo, I happily took it and two more.  They are good, natural, nutritionally sound kibble products and they come in really small amounts!  So now we keep a couple of sample bags of kibble from good nutritious products on hand.  I am able to provide her with variety in both flavor and ingredients, while knowing I've just given her something that will serve us well on our travels and recovery.

Happy trails and wagging tails :)