This week, for the first time ever I was scared when running
with huskies. Scared because I was not
in control and I was attached to 3 huskies with a pulling power of 1,200
pounds, approximately ten times my weight. (Huskies
are easily capable of pulling 6 times their own weight….) Scared because I was
running well in excess of 4 minute mile pace and my legs simply could not turn
over any quicker!
When I am running without huskies and around other people, I
am frequently scared. Fearful of being
rubbish, fearful of other runners cutting me up; fearful of my ever present
mind demons haunting me about my lack of ability; fearful of my ankle
collapsing; fearful of …… the list goes on….
However, when I am running with huskies I no longer fear those things. I no longer fear them as I am too busy
enjoying all that is around me, not thinking inwardly, but outwardly. Too busy watching the huskies and learning
about them, what motivates them or attracts their attention. I watch and learn and run. Simple as that, I don’t doubt or question,
just learn to understand….
There are some rules that one is best advised to adhere to
when running with huskies. I forgot
those rules and acted in very foolhardy manner.
I learned a very valuable lesson….
Fortunately I did not injure myself badly when the
inevitable happened and I hit the floor.
Having very caring and responsive dogs also helped as they stopped
immediately and turned towards me, therefore the damage was minimal.
However, what did happen was that the following morning when
I went running with the same three huskies I was still very, very scared. Yes it was dark, -7 and 5am in the morning,
but that is normal to me and nothing that normally gives me a moment of
concern.
My heart was racing, tension throughout my body, my voice
broken as I tentatively ran along the icy track trying to connect with the dogs. I could have returned home and dropped off
one, perhaps even two of the dogs and run relaxed and in control. I refused to quit, refused to turn around and
go home. Instead I went looking for
answers. I wanted to understand what
went wrong, after nearly twenty years of running with huskies why did I lose
control of the team and end up as a crumpled mess on the muddy footpath…..
1.
Kroi (AKA Superbrat) is only 18 months old, I
chose to put him at the front of the team, setting the pace, leading the way.
2.
Kroi and Kez have been trained to “floor it”
when we are running towards Ian and Krofti.
3.
I was trying out a new running belt.
4.
I chose to wear my purple Salomon Missions
instead of my Salomon Speedcross, purely because they would match my new
harness and line and Ian had a camera…
5.
Lara was running on the team – Lara and I have
only known each other for 7 weeks.
6.
Sometimes spontaneous actions are not the best way.
And so, back to that fateful moment and what happened. Ian offered to take some photographs of me
running with the huskies and I jumped at the chance. The sun was going down so time was limited…..
A short section of track just up the road from the house was a perfect
location. Practice with each dog, up and
down before the main event, giving Ian a chance to set up the camera. Run out and then back towards the other dogs
and Ian as fast as possible. Kroi, then
Kez, then Lara and finally Krofti.
Practice runs all fun and successful, it was time for the main event.
I tried to attach the 3-dog gang-line to my new belt, only
to notice that the new belt had brass trigger clips and the double connecting
loops of the polypropylene rope were designed for use with carabiners and
traditionally used on dog sleds and dry-land rigs. I improvised without thinking it through
properly….
Kez and Lara were “wheel” dogs, attached to the central
gang-line via necklines, with Kroi out front on his own.
Kez seemed strangely hesitant as I gave the “let’s go”
command, Kroi and Lara surged forward and he reluctantly ran with them. He soon picked up and as I felt the power
surge I asked them to slow down, to allow me to compose myself. The responded and we comfortably trotted up
the track for about ¼ of a mile. I asked
them to stop and turn around, which they did with frightening speed and started
to surge forwards. Normally I would come
to a complete standstill to ensure we were all composed and ready to run at
speed. I did not get this chance and I
was instantly being pulled forward by three very enthusiastic huskies. I yelled at them to stay, but we still edged
forward rather quickly. I tried to slow
down by digging in my shoes and using my quads as brakes. The tread on my Missions couldn’t cope with
the mud and offered no help at all. I
screamed at Kroi, but he appeared to ignore me and refused to slow down. Lara was pulling with all her strength and
Kez was frantically trying to listen to me and not be pulled along by Kroi and
Lara at the same time….
We were getting faster and faster, my “running” was a combination
of frantic back pedalling and trying to stay upright at the same time. I realised quickly that there was no way I
could get them to stop and made the decision to “go with them” and hope that I
could run at full speed all the way back to Ian and Krofti. The terrain was very muddy and bumpy and one
wrong foot placement would have me instantly hitting the ground.
The speed at my leg turnover was phenomenal, like nothing I
have ever known before. I have run sub 4
minute mile pace when attached to three huskies, this was much quicker than
that! But it was not going to last long….
The gang-line slipped from the clips and moved over to my
right side, throwing me off balance just as I hit a really rutted section of
track. Game over, I was down.
The dogs stopped very quickly and came towards me, probably wondering
why I was rolling around on the floor and no longer screaming! I tentatively picked myself up, reassured the
dogs and checked for damage. Nothing
broken, but I was going to hurt for a few days….
I tried to readjust the belt and headed back to Ian and
Krofti, managing a little jog without incident.
So, even with all those reasons listed as to why the “incident”
happened, I still had grave concerns about the fact that Kroi had appeared to completely
ignore me. He has never before done that,
so why when I needed him most, did he let me down….
This thought was my biggest worry as I ran the next day in
fear. What if the next time he chose to
ignore me was in a dangerous situation, putting me, the dogs and others in
danger. I have always trusted my huskies
- that is how we are able to achieve all that we have as a team. Relationships built on mutual trust and
respect. They have never let me down before.
What had I done wrong this time?
I managed to return home safely on this occasion, but it
felt like Kroi was completely disconnected with me, not responding when I asked
him to slow down. I decided that running
3 huskies together was not safe and was not fun. Time for a different morning regime…
On my evening run I took just Kez and Kroi, and on collar
and extending leads. We ran for many
miles without any problems at all. No
pulling and instant responses from both dogs when asked.
So why is it so different when Lara joins in….? The answer is very simple and it surprised
me. I tested my theory the following
morning with resounding success. I have
the solution and can now happily run as far as fast and as far as I like with
three huskies without any fear, well perhaps only a little… J
(
all photos courtesy of Ian J Berry)
