Brent's Blog

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2010-03-15T08:44:00.001-08:00

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Crunch Time

2010-02-02T17:13:00.002-09:00

Its been a crazy week of running dogs, fixing trucks, preparing for march tours and MAKING DECISIONS!! Overall things are going well but I am still waiting for the word GO!! Did an 80 miler in the whites on Sunday had a great run dogs were awesome. I did come back with a couple stiff front ends. Both Madonna and Rocky were a little slow getting out of their house on Monday. Madonna loosened up pretty quickly and after really thinking about it, I might just be paranoid at this point I am watching the dogs every move and sometimes they just do funny stuff. Kyla thinks that madonna was just trying to get let inside!! and she is probably right. Rocky I am not sure about if he keeps looking like he does he will probably have to stay, this is a big bummer but part of the game! everyone is dealing with stuff like this I will go with my best 14 and be nothing but positive! Anyways that is what is running through my head, nothing out of the ordinary, DOGS!! Kyla has been holding the fort down here at the place, getting adjusted to being back to town. This is her first time back in 3 months!! Its going well but with the exception of one dinner at Ivory Jacks and a Shower at the Goldstream Store she hasn't left, but that is just the way she wants it, she will have to talk to plenty of people out on the trail!! But thats easy because all those people want to do is talk dogs and Kyla is a pro at that!! Where just hanging out with this dogs tonight, pretty chill dogs are loving it. Here a pic of our party (notice Raptors smile he is getting a rub down from Kyla, and loving it) and some videos from my last run in the whites. This will be the last post on "Brents Blog" I will be switching over to the Quest 10 Blog from here on out. Only 4 days until the Start!!

Brent

LooKing Good

2010-01-28T20:56:00.002-09:00

Well here we are tomorrow we are heading in for vet checks on Sat and then Quest week begins!! the last 5 days in Eureka have been AWESOME!! The trails are in great shape and the weather has been nice and warm a little windy at times but that just good training. At this point I have 16 really strong dogs that I am choosing from. The sore muscles that Skunk had after the Gin Gin and Ling Ling and Bust had after the Copper Basin have given them no problems since there time off and I am excited about that. Ling Ling is an extremely tough dog and is the only 3 time finisher of the Quest. Ive got one more run planned fro tomorrow morning and we are packing up and headed out. My Dad has been in town getting the truck prepared for the race and will be out tomorrow to pick us up. Matt and Mandy arrived today to take over operations out here in Eureka while we are gone and have had there orientation and are set to keep the 65 dogs happy and healthy. SO it seems like everything is coming together nicely, I am still waiting for GO!! stay tuned the 2010 Quest is just around the corner and WIld and Free is locked and loaded!

Living Wild and Free Eureka Style

Brent and the Gang

Headed to Rampart 16 STRONG!!

2010-01-28T12:25:00.004-09:00

Hunger Dogs at the Hoot

2010-01-26T13:51:00.003-09:00

Eureka!!!!

2010-01-26T04:34:00.002-09:00

Back in paradise!!

Go Vikings!!

2010-01-24T13:08:00.003-09:00

Silver is a huge Brett Favre fan!! Taking a short break from my doggy world to watch the game with the Gundersons. Headed to Eureka tonight!! Ill be posting alot about the team and who is going to make the top 14 all next week.

thanks for checking in

Food Drops are DONE

2010-01-22T23:27:00.003-09:00

Food Drops

2010-01-22T14:04:00.002-09:00

UPDATE!!

2010-01-22T11:16:00.003-09:00

Food Drop packing is in full swing, and progress is being made! Which is good since they are due tomorrow!! Sorry for the lack of posts but this food drop thing is using all my brain power these days. The dogs are looking great they have had a pretty easy week just short runs so they are raring to go. Once the drops are turned in tomorrow I am going to go do a run out of a friends place in Two Rivers, then to the Whites for an early morning run on Sun. gotta get a 50 miler in before the MN Vikings play! then After the game I am headed back to Eureka for 5 days of total focus on the dogs so that we can prepare both Physically and Mentally for the Quest, which starts in 14 days! Cant wait!! Everything gets allot easier once they say GO! This week I was also given the Opportunity to visit the 4th grade class at The Watershed school in Fairbanks. I brought some of the race dogs and Puppies and we had a great time. The kids asked lots of great Questions (as you can see from the photo) and had a great time visiting with the dogs and I know the dogs had a great time with the Kids. I also owe a huge thanks to the class for turning and bundling up 1000 booties for me. This was a huge help and I cant thank them enough. Also a big thanks to my Neighbors and Friends, Mandy, Metta, James, Cindy and my Dad for their help with the food drops. Ok gotta get back to Packing. Ill leave ya with the 16 dogs in the running for the Quest team. Thanks for checking in

Packing Wild and Free!!

Wild and Frees Yukon Quest Race Team

Silver

Ling Ling

Madonna

Rosie

Jerry

The Dude

Walter

Taco

Thunder

Raptor

Thunder 2

Busta

Rocky

Hark

Skunk

Willy

Training Champions!!

2010-01-19T08:22:00.002-09:00

Keeping it rolling

2010-01-17T10:45:00.003-09:00

Hello all

Sorry its been awhile since I last updated. Its been a bit crazy after a pretty rough CB300 I had to put my head down work through some road bumps and press forward. A combination of a the wrong schedule, some slightly injured dogs and some handler issues made for a rough race but, I have worked through those problems and am moving full speed ahead with food drops. Luckly I have the best support crew I could possible have! Because Flo has headed home to Germany, I brought my Buddy Matt out to Eureka to help Kyla on friday, I grabbed all of the meat that Kyla and Flo had cut and prepared and I am now in town for the next week packing up food drops. I owe a big thanks to Flo he came to Wild and Free with a great attitude and work ethic and was a vital part of the team this season. As for me.. I would rather be out in Eureka but logistically it is just to tough to pack the drops and get everything that I need in them out there. Town is good for somethings!! In the end the the CB300 race will be a positive for the team, I ma going into the Quest extremely focused and determined to correct the issues that slowed me down. Thanks for all of your support. I ll be posting some videos and pics of training and food drop packing from Fairbanks.

Brent

Copper Basin Race

2010-01-10T19:33:00.002-09:00

Update from Paxson. Brent rested up after coming in this morning and headed out at 5:38 pm.
Ling Ling has a sore shoulder so he gets to rest with me on the rest of the trip. So on the trail with 11 dogs. They all are looking good and Brent was ready to go after eating a couple of meals.
It was dark so didn't get any pictures. Wind was picking up a little but otherwise should be good mushing. Lot of mushers are coming and going so will see what happens from Christo and then last run to finish.
Mark

2010-01-10T10:32:00.000-09:00

Sunrise from Paxson Lodge to south about 10am
View to West from Paxson. Another beautiful morning.

2010-01-10T10:25:00.000-09:00

At check in. Pretty frosty

CB300

2010-01-10T10:20:00.000-09:00

Brent thanking Madonna and Silver for a great run

Just pulled into Paxson after 2hour and 2 minute run from Meier's Lake. Team looking good.

Brent checking in at 7:32 am at Paxson. First musher in. Still dark.

2010-01-09T20:58:00.000-09:00

Wolverine Lodge

Across from Wolverine Lodge with sun setting

Brent feeding the dogs.

2010-01-09T20:54:00.000-09:00

Brent into Wolverine. Dogs all looking good

Silver cooling off in snow

2010-01-09T20:47:00.000-09:00

On way to Tolosona

Tolosona from on hill. Great views

Brent coming into Tolosona and out.

On road to Wolverine frost and snow

2010-01-09T20:41:00.000-09:00

On way to Tolsona. Sun shining

CB300

2010-01-09T20:38:00.002-09:00

Sorry about being out of order with writing and pictures. Missed a posting.
In recapping Brent left the start 10th out with Bib #10 at 10:18 arrived at Tolsona 12:18 23 miles in 2 hours
3rd musher in to Tolsona . He went on through to Wolverine without stopping.
Arrived at Wolverine 15:10 26 miles in 2 hrs and 52 minutes
He rested 4 hours and left at 19:10 (7:10 PM)
Headed for Sourdough 50 miles away.
He and dogs are all looking good and having fun.
May not have phone or internet signal so will report when can.
Mark

CB300 Woverine Lodge

2010-01-09T20:22:00.002-09:00

Brent left at 15:10 exactly 4 hours rest. Dogs all set and ready to go. Clear night about -20
Wolverine was a busy place with mushers coming and going. On to the next stop Sourdough.
Mark

Copper Basin 300

2010-01-09T18:20:00.000-09:00

Getting ready to go. Nice morning 43 mushers. Mark

Copper Basin 300

2010-01-09T18:07:00.000-09:00

Getting ready to go. Silver and Ling Ling waiting. Nice morning about 0 degrees. Sun coming up 43 mushers!
Mark

Copper Basin 300

2010-01-09T17:17:00.002-09:00

Brent was into and out of Tolsona at 12:18. He is into Wolverine at 15:10
Came in 3rd and looking good. He is resting and headed out in a while. Weather is good and about -20 now. Dogs are all smiling and looking good. Mark