It's still 2010-barely. Kortright's a month away

Well it is only days a way from 2011. That's the first time I actually wrote it(2011 that is). A month away from the race. I could use some of the snow that the USA is getting (you all). I am planning on going to the Kortright Centre tommorrow.
I can't believe they have much snow but my good friends Kathy and Bob are there doing a week long dogsleddn camp for kids. It will be nice to see them.
Might even take a boot around the trail myself. I will let everybody know how it is tommorrow. I will add an update to this post when I return. I hope everyones training is going well and their dogs are all happy to see winter moving in.
Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!!!!!!
SHCC Southern/Central Ontario 3-4 dog Championships Jan.29/30,2011.
Please drop me an email if you are planning on attending to help with my drivers area preparation.
dogsleddn@hotmail.com
(picture of Matthew running 2010).

Two months to go!!!

The Race is only two months away.
The race marshall is confirmed,the spectator dogsled rides are set
(windrift kennels), the bibs are cleaned and everything is ready to go.
The weather is suppose to co-operate this year but we will still have to wait and see. I am still looking for prizes and always looking to increase our purse.
If anyone has any sugestions please send them my way at dogsleddn@hotmail.com
Please keep my blog set on your "favorites" as the race gets closer so I can update you on the conditions. If there are any questions along the way please email me and I will post the answers on my blog so everyone can get the info.
Hope to see you all soon. Hope your training is going well.
I can sure use some new photos. Anyone with some dirty training shots-muddy dogs or other interesting photos email them to me and I will get put them on my blog.
I will judge them for the best photo and they will win a free entry to the race.
(Paid by dogsleddn.blogspot.com)

sled for sale

SLED FOR SALE

I have raced this sled for 5 years. I bought it from another racer who bought it new.
It has been stored in my garage and I hate to sell it but it should be out on the trail. It is a beautiful sled. Half floating basket. Quick change runners. Rounded handle with leather grip. It is a collectors sled and has a interesting history-I only know of one other like it in Ontario.
I am looking for $550.00
Click on picture for a better look.
Please email me at dogsleddn@hotmail.com if you are interested.

2010 Blog Award

Well thank you so much!!! I try my best to get the info out there and always add some interesting pictures. I do this for fun and the Southern/Central Ontario Siberian Husky racing community.

2011 SHCC 3-4 dog championship

Well, the race at the Kortright Centre is set. This year the SHCC 3-4 dog Southern/Central Ontario Championship will be held on January 29/30, 2011.
I will post it on sleddogcentral when I have more than a few minutes.
I will be meeting with the Kortright Centre staff to prepare the trail before the snow falls. I will talk to them about the small bridge, the only reason we didn't run four miles last year with the poor snow conditions and warm weather. Even though we had enough snow to race the weather was so warm that the creek didn't freeze and kept us from getting to the other side of the trail.
I will speak with Nutro Products and the Kortright Centre in October about the Purse and Prizes. I will try and make this the best purse and race of all time...darn weather permitting.
More info to follow soon.

Washagamikennel's puppies for sale!!!

My good friend Michelle from Washagami Kennels has CKC Reg.Siberian Husky puppies for sale. Her puppies come with their first shots,de-wormed and Registered. Both the parents have calm well mannered temperments.They are ready to go at $700 each.Only 4 males left.Please contact Michelle directly if you and further question regarding the pups at 1 705-967-1432.
You can see more of Michelle's dogs and her kennel at
washagami.webs.com
you can also email her at
washagamikennels@hotmail.com
She a very Good friend of mine and a supporter of the Kortright SHCC 3&4 dog Ontario Championship. Please checkout her web page and speak to her to see more pictures of the puppies. Good luck Michelle and I hope to see you at Kortright this year.
Jan.29-30,2010.

Two weeks since my last Bowen treatment

Well, it's been two weeks since my last Bowen Treatment.
I have been pain free but I still have to strengthen my knee and gain confidence in it before running wild. I may not be able to run wild again but pain free is worth my time and money and no need for hacking it open.
Since my last treatment I have spent a weekend with my family at Niagra Fallls. Before my Bowen treatment I would have never been able to make it up and down that hill. Well I went up and down that hill at least 4 times. We went down to the Maid of the Mist, up to the Ferris wheel, in and out of all the shops two day straight.
I did manage to sit down a few times to have a couple of Drinks!!!
Thanks Amber and I hope I don't have to see you again at least at your office. Maybe at QB's for New Years Eve again.
If my posts have inspired you please go to "let it Heal" and check them out.

Bowen Therapy 3rd session

I have my therapy on Tuesday's and by Monday the next week I'm feeling much better.
On my third session Amber did some regular moves that were familiar to me and then she worked on my groin. She started on the right side and I thought that hurts a bit.
She did the same move on my left side like she has before keeping things in balance. The move only last for about ten seconds maybe less but I wanted to scream but I managed to keep my cool. It hurt from my eye lids to my toes and then it went away.
After that she continued to work on my knee. I had been using some Adam Dream healer techniques up until then to help out but I lost focus.
I am very pleased with my knee at this time and I am not going to see Amber again for 3 weeks. I will let you know how things are on Monday.
I have lots of movement and a small amount of pain...nothing to complain about and a week to recover still.I am very confident that things are working. I might have to go in for another groin move just to see if it really hurt that much and/or if things are better. Crazy but that's how my mind works.

Bowen Therapy continues second session

Here's me hawling dogs to the startline- Can't be good for my old knee!!??
Well, a week after my first treatment and the swelling has gone down and the fluid has almost disappeared. I still have some work to do but I am feeling really good about things.My knee is still in some pain but if the pain was at 10 last week it's at 5 now.
Today Amber worked on my knee again but before that she spent some time on my kidneys. The kidneys control the fluids in the body so it made sense to me and I don't really have a clue.With the swelling down she could really focus on the painful areas of my knee. She worked on both sides of my body so that the treatment was in balance...made sense to me again. Anyways, my knee is hurting a little where she worked on it but it feels so much better. I will know for sure in a few days as it takes some time to re cover from the work. I have expectations of golfing this year pain free and trying a lot harder at the Kortright Centre race 2011 so lookout.
I am scheduled for another treatment in a week. She likes to have your body settle after the treatment before continuing. This way I can see how I am feeling as well.
GO AMBER GO!!!

Bowen Therapy on my knee before the knife

Well, I finally am looking at some serious therapy for my knee. I am not willing to go under the knife just yet without trying some Bowen Therapy. Over six years ago I had some serious sciatica problems. I was driving to Toronto from Oakville and back each day for 5 years. The pain got to be so bad that I was driving with my shoe off because it helped to relief the pain that was running down from my hip into my foot and cramping it up. Maureen told me about Bowen Therapy. She told me it has been known to cure sciatica. As a man I said "yeah right". I had to do something so I tried it.I went to "Let it Heal" in Burlington. I met Amber and she worked on my back, my neck and my hips using the Bowen technique. I got home and said this will never work in fact I felt worse. I was told by Maureen to continue as I was scheduled for another session next week anyways. By the next week I was feeling better. I did my session again and went home. I did the third session the next week and I felt 100% better. Two years later I was having a little sciatica problem. I went back to "Let it Heal" and Amber's sister Tiffany worked on my problem. Two sessions and it was gone. I have not been back for a sciatica problem for 3 years now(maybe more).
Over the years of off road training on the mountain bike with the dogs,a couple of spills on the sled,the Kim Leblanc kicking style that I stole, The Tom Iliffe catchers stance(See pictures in this post) and the carring of my kids to bed up 14 stairs for 5 years has taken it's tole on my knees.
A few weeks ago I had another crash on my bike and managed to hurt my right knee.I didn't hurt the left knee(the knee I am having trouble with)but after returning from Jamaica the left knee began to hurt and retain some fluid. The pain reminds me of a tooth ache, constant pain here and there but just in my knee of course. I have decided to Go to Bowen Therapy and I called for an appointment. I was surprised to hear Amber could take me that day. I had my first session and I am feeling very positive about it but the knee is still quite stiff, retaining fluid and sore. During my session Amber told me she had worked on her Husband's knee. He was a soccer player and she just finished her Bowen Therapy Training and was eager to get at it. She was quite successful with his knee and he didn't have to have surgery. I am hoping she will be able to do the same me.
I will see Amber again next Tuesday and I will let you know how it goes.
www.letitheal.com

Back from Jamaica

It must be spring, going on summer as I have neglected my blog again.
I just got back from Jamaica with my family. Maureen and I finally managed to get married after many years of dates just not working out. We almost got married one year on vacation in Bancroft, Ontario but it didn't work out. Good thing the minister apparently wasn't certified to actually marry people and had been marring couples in Bancroft for 25 years.
Jamaica was beautiful. We got married facing the ocean with our two kids right beside each of us for support. We had a nice reception and then jumped into the pool(swim up bar rules).
I was hoping to see Lance Mackey down there but we missed him by a week.
There wasn't enough time to track down Newton Marshall but we had other things to do(He seems to be more popular in dogsleddn areas than in Jamaica for now).
Here is a picture of Mo and I hours before our wedding. I was having a "Jamaican 8th wonder of the world" and Mo was having an "Endless summer".
Our kids want to go to Disney next but I can hardly wait to get back to Jamaica.
Hope all my dogsleddn pals are doing well and they are keeping their dogs cool mon.

2010 Iditarod in the home stretch

With a few checkpoints from the finish it looks like it is turning into a sprint race. Lance Mackey has the lead by 1 hour and 14 minutes over King. Hans Gatt the winner of the 2010 Yukon Quest is chasing King. All three are into Koyuk and as far as I know they are taking a rest as no one has left yet. With five check points to go, it is anyones race depending on how long someone naps for. A good time to make up some miles if you want to for go the nap. With every team running just under 7 miles an hour, the time to the finish is made up of completing chores,resting and getting back on the trail before your competitor. Skipping an hour nap gets King 14 minutes from the lead.
Some of my other mushers that I follow are still at it as well.
Karen with them pretty sibes had to pull out with a sore hand that she hurt before the race even started. Martin Buser is coming along in 17th place. Kristy Berington is into Kaltag. Newton Marshall from Jamaica is in Nulato and moving along fine mon.
And our good friend from Haliburton Ontario- Hank Debruin is into Ruby. Keep going Hank your doing great-the SHCC Southern/Central Ontario Area our cheering for you.

A picture says a 1000 words at Kortright

www.sleddogcentral.com

Kortright Centre results.

Kortright Centre and Nutro Products 2010 Results.

2-dog Feb.27--------------2-dog Feb.28
1)Igor-14.31--------------1)Igor-14.25
2)Bailey-15.44------------2)Bailey-14.53
3)Daryl-17.23-------------3)Maria-17.34
4)Maria-20.02-------------4)Pat-22.40
---------------------------------5)Sue...

4-dog Feb.27--------------4-dog Feb.28
1)Marlyn-8.56 ------------1)Marlyn-9.21**Gold Marlyn*
2)Barry-9.13--------------2)Kathy-9.32**Silver Barry*
3)Colleen-10.12-----------3)Joel-10.04 **Bronze Kathy*
4)Daryl-10.57 ------------4)Walter-10.19*Reserve Joel
5)Renata-11.58 -----------5)Bailey-10.59
---------------------------------6)Daryl-11.11

3-dog Feb.27--------------3 dog Feb.28
1)Colleen-10.00-----------1)Kathy-10.42**Gold Colleen*
2)Barry-10.57 ------------2)Marlyn-10.58**Silver Kathy*
3)Colleen-11.17 ----------3)Dave-13.29**Bronze Barry*
4)Dave-11:20 -------------4)Vickie-16.39*reserve Marlyn
5)Walter-11.52 -----------5)Frazer-18.26
6)Marlyn-12.10------------6)Steve-20.46
7)Bailey-14.59-----------------
8)Vicky-17.37------------------
9)Steve-20.30------------------

KORTRIGHT RACE Feb.27/28 2010 WAS A GO!!!

Well with one of the crappiest winters in my dogsleddn history we managed to put on a dog race this weekend. After postponing the January date because of lack of snow, it looked like we were going to have to cancel the February date. The Wednesday before the race we received enough snow to put down a base trail on a 2.3 mile track.
Then we waited. On Thursday night some more snow fell and Dave and I packed what we had but it wasn't much. By Saturday Morning 8 inches of packing snow fell and I packed that snow down before the racers showed up and we had a race on our hands.
Our well estiblished sponsors in Nutro Products, The Kortright Centre and Sue Moss from Ravens Watch, we had enough prize money, dog food products and prizes for two days of racing(separate times and race each day).
Saturday we had 4 two dog teams,9 three dog teams and 5 four dog teams. Everyone had a great time and left with some money- some prizes.
Sunday in the morning the trail was quite firm. We had 5 two dog teams,6 three dog teams and 5-4 dog teams. By the last race it was quite mushie everywhere. We managed to get through the day and even my 6 yr old daughter and 8 yr old son got to go around the first loop(thanks to Kathy and Bob and their dogs). They were thrilled but not as thrilled as I was proud.
There was a total of over 600 spectators watched the races over the two days. Global News was there but no one managed to see the shoot because of some hockey game.
Thanks to Dave, Linda and Tom for your help all weekend.
Thanks to Kelly,Dave,Pat and Daryl for timing on the weekend.
A big thanks to all the racers for coming and running this 2.3 miles trail(I hope we can get the whole 4 miles in next year)*Yes I will try again next year!!

A big thanks to The Kortright Centre and Staff and purse for this year.
A another big thanks to Justin Howard and Nutro Foods for all the stuff
(great startline/food/shirts/$$$)
Thanks to Sue Moss for the bootiest and collars(www.working-dogequipment.com)
See you next year and keep em between trees.

Short track at Kortright is a go.

Well, a few hard days work and we have a 2.3 mile short track ready for Saturday and Sunday,Feb.27/28,2010. We will set this up as two separate races one on Sat. and one on Sun. The trail is in the three flat fields of Kortright. There is NO head on passing. No means no it's a piece of cake. Embarassing actually, the Kortright race does have a reputation apparently.
Drivers meeting around 10-10:30am -we will not be in a rush so don't panic.
Same for Sunday. When we figure out what we are going to run we will do a bib draw with some creative picking for racers who can run different teams (we will have heats).
This is a fun race so enjoy yourselves and the company..the nicest racers you'll ever meet will be here.

Kortright update for Thursday Night

I spoke with the Kortright Centre this evening and like Burlington, the snow has not really started to fall. We have already called off the four mile trail but we are still hoping for the short track event. For the Siberian husky teams that can wait we are hoping to make the call in the morning and see what mother nature has to offer.
I will post on my blog after 8:30am what we are planning to do.I will also email the racers on my contact list.
I am still very positive and hope to race short track after some snow falls and I pack the trail on Friday. Talk to you tommorrow.
dogsleddn

At Kortright today

I made my way to The Kortright Centre today. I was thinking positive all the way there. I headed into the main building and noticed a picture of our friend and racer (Michelle) in the cafeteria that was donated by a photographer, poster size and well framed. Wow this is positive!!The snow looked good as I got on the snowmobile.
I made my way around the first three fields and I said "not bad". As I drove around the back I could see there was not enough snow through the treed part of the trail and I was on the ground. By the time I got to the small bridge I knew there was no way we could race on the back side of this Kortright trail. I made my way around the whole trail and decided to just work on the first 2 miles. By 1 pm I thought I had done as much as I could for the day without causing any damage.
I will wait until Thursday to make the call to shut the whole thing down.
I need that snow that the area news has been speaking of.#@*&%4!
Anyways the 4 mile race is cancelled and I will let you know tommorrow about the 2 mile loop. Please email me if you are interested in attending..dogsleddn@hotmail.com
I will have $1200 for the fun run that we can split up between the racers that show up.(no entry fee). I'll update another post tommorrow.

"WOW!!!" Some Late February Snow

Here is Maureen, Natalie and Matthew at PineVista Resort. The only picture I had with snow in it this year.We love it there and try and go when we can to re-group, re-energize and re-motivate.
Well, we finally go some snow here in Southern Ontario. The first real bit in 2010.
"what's going on with that?". 7 pm and it's still coming down. I hope I don't get too much-just kiddn. I will not be able to get to Kortright until Wednesday this week. There is some snow but I will have to go check things out. The one problem that the warm weather may have caused some difficulty is the small creek at the bottom of Kortright was running the last time I was there. I need to get around that bridge so we can get to the other side of Kortright and finish the race.
I will let you know Wednesday what I can do.
If there is going to be a race I may need some help Thursday or Friday with straw bails. If you can help email me. I will be there Wednesday Thursday and Friday if I think I can pull it off. Foresure, I can do the three fields and back down the end part of the first field like we did a few years ago. I'll give you more info wednesday night.

Hans Gatt wins the Quest.

In record time Hans Gatt pulls into the finish of the Yukon Quest.
Lance Mackey is expected to arrive anytime in second place. What an exciting race and the first time Lance has been beaten in over 7000 miles.
Congrads to Hans Gatt!!!
Get some rest guys it's off to the iditarod next.
I have not heard from the horses mouth but I hear they are looking for some snow still so we can race in Canningtion this weekend. Checkout sleddogcentral.com to see if the race is a go. I will let you know if I hear anything as well.

Lance in the lead by 1 minute.

WOW! Lance is in the lead at Pelly Crossing check point. He has the lead over Hugh Neff by 1 minute. Both teams rested for 5 hours and 28 minutes. Lance left one minute before Hugh and the were off. They came into Macabe Creek dog drop within the same minute and both drove straight threw. Hans Gatt was only 13 minutes behind them. This is the most interesting race I have followed and is any one's championship.
Lance tells yukonquest.com that "Hugh and I have run over 4000 miles together during races". Hers is a picture from yukonquest.com of the three leaders all looking pretty good and getting a meal. Lance looks as relaxed as he did there as he did in the picture of us at the Jamaican fundraiser in Toronto.

Haliburton Race this weekend.

The Haliburton Race will happen this weekend. Lots of snow and a good trail I hear.
I had some great memories at this race. I finished fourth just a few beers short of third (siberian Class). My favorite memory of this race was all the teams pulling in with their trucks and I drove into the park with my new Red PT Cruizer. I had my Sled on the roof with my new Canadian flag strapped to it. My three dogs in crates in the hatch. Lynn Hiley told me she was speaking with Leigh Gilcrest and she said here comes Joel..."he sure can make an enterance". That same weekend during the race I had some head on trouble with an open French speaking team from Quebec. We were heading down the trail and my Tyler wasn't moving to the side and the French team wasn't going to budge either(head on Race). They ran right into each other and there was a big tangle. The french man was swearing at me in French something to the tone of #@4*+#2#$%^ cursing the church aparently. Refusing to even get off his sled, I walked up, picked up my sled lifting it in the air and my lines magically(fluke) came out clean. I called Tyler ahead and we were on our way. Still yelling at me, I said your welcome. When I checked the times when I got in I had beaten the open French team. It was my goal for the second day to beat him over all. I did and I think that motivation actually help me keep me in my fourth position. I don't have any pictures of that race but here I am with my PT.Cruizer and Sasha at Wasaga beach.
I hope everyone has fun at the race and I hope to see you all at Cannington next weekend and at Kortright if the weather co-operates (I'll be the team arriving in the park in the Vanilla Pt Cruizer with the sled strapped to the roof with the Canadian flag on it and three dogs in the hatch).

Yukon Quest update

Well, few days into the race now. Some team's into Slaven's Roadhouse Dog Drop.
Zack Steer in front,Hugh Neff in second and Lance Mackey in third. There is still a long way to go but Eagle Checkpoint next stop. The mushers are having a fun time so far according to the news from yukonquest.com
One quarter of the way to to finish. Still more fun to come until they start getting serious.

If you are looking for any info on The SHCC S/C Ontario 3-4 dog Champioships at Kortright, look at my Dec 3,2009 Post.
The date has changed to Feb.27/28,2010.

Weather is just not co-operating this year

We haven't had anymore snow since the last post. Still a few more weeks until the new date of the Kortright Race but what a crappy winter.
The Quest started this weekend. I hope everyone has a great race and dogs/racers stay safe. I tried to get some results from the website but it is still to early and hard to fiqure out. Looks like Hans Gatt has the early lead. I check back in a few more days.I had a few people calling me for some used sleds but I told them to buy a bike instead (just kidding I'm working on it). I'll keep you up to date with our Southern Ontario weather but it might be a early golf season at this rate.

SHCC S/C Ontario 3-4 dog championships

Well, the bad news is the race on Jan.30/31,2010 will not happen. The good news is that I just spoke with the Events co-ordinator from Kortright and a new date for this year's race is set for February 27/28,2010.
I emailed everyone and received 15 emails infavour of the new date and one undecided.
I spoke with Nutro Products and they said "lets get it on".
I wanted to feel comfortable myself with the date with Apsley being on the same date but Apsley is an open event. This would be the first year that the Kortright/Nutro Products/SHCC had the titles to present which is very good for the club and siberian husky racing. The Marshall is good for that weekend.I have to check with the timers and I'll see if Sam is available.
The SHCC 3-4 dog Championships for S/C Ontario are up for grabs.
I may have lost my chicken wing people but I have a month to work on them.
I also have a month to get some snow on this wet muddy trail.

Rides for spectators by windrift kennel also confirmed.

Thanks for all the support. It makes me proud to run Siberian's.

Hackers- Vultures

I have had a few comments on my blog from people trying to sell things that were really not related to me or my blog. I am sorry for that but I am even more sorry that while trying to erase these comments I deleted my last post. It had to do with the crappy weather and the fact that I might have to cancel the Kortright race for this year. I am still hanging on to the date and I will make the call on Wednesday this week. I am planning on having the event on another weekend this year but as you know I am waiting for racer committment before approaching the Kortright Centre and Nutro Products. I will let you know how that goes soon- most likely on Wednesday.

For you people who feel they have to leave comments on other peoples blogs, why don't you throw some money towards my race and I will put posts up about your product, if not get lost.

SOME SNOW IN THIS PROVINCE WOULD BE NICE ANYTIME SOON.

Last good run at the luge

Well we managed to have a good time even if our hill was melting after each run.

If we don't get anymore snow it might be the best run we have all winter.

At least Matthew and Natalie enjoyed the worst winter in history. If I keep bugging mother nature she just might dump on us before Jan.30/31,2010.

I have had a request to be a third or a fourth in a major curling tournement Jan.30 so if mother nature can't provide a proper winter outside I will have to move indoors to enjoy this winter.

A Few Hot Days for January

Well, the next 3 or 4 days are looking really bad weather wise. It's going up above zero degrees and maybe some rain in there. The sun is out right now and that isn't helping things at all.
We can only hope that after this heat wave is over some real cold stuff comes flying in for the next couple of weeks and dumps some serious snow. I'll keep you up to date as we get closer to the Kortright race. For now here is a couple shots of my kid's luge hill slowly melting to the ground. I'll add some pictures of them in action when they get home but it was to dark last night for any.
Good luck to our Southern/Central Ontario racers going to Kalkaska, Michigan at the Kalkaska Winterfest and our friends that are racing in Daaquam,Quebec at the Canada International Championships. You will do us proud as usual.

Irvinevalley Red'g Siberians

Irvinevalley Red'g Siberians have 4 puppies that will be ready for sale. Ready to go home at the end of Jan.2010. Sally tells me she has 3 males (two grey and one red) and one red female.

If you are interested please call Sally directly and visit her website for more information on her dogs. There are more pictures of them on the website as well. Please mention you heard about her kennel from dogsleddn.blogspot.com

http://www.irvinevalleysiberians.weebly.com/

Kortright Race Jan.30/31, 2010.

A couple of Walter Grohman's Copper Bullets waiting to go or waiting for their kennel mates to return. (These shots are from last years race 2009).

2010 and we're just sitting around waiting for more snow. A little bit since New Years day but still could use a lot more. Happy New Years Everyone (2010 starts for me on Feb.01,2010).

*10cm of snow packed down turns into 1 cm of packed trail. It would be nice to have 10 cm of packed trail so you do the math. Not looking good right now.............

I'll keep you informed as we get closer. I still have time but I'd rather have it sooner than later.