Well It is the middle of November, and and yet another trip to the cutline. We did 96 miles total this time. Three runs of 32 miles, two teams a day. I am very impressed with them, There are more than a few dogs that really are starting to stand out , I had felt all fall that the upper eschalon  dogs will start to shine in the longer miles. 
I have to say that a couple of youngins are really nice, Katrina and Liberty were absolute maniacs when I returned after the last run barking and acting as if I were hooking up instead of just finishing then run. Calvin, Edenei was the same way .
I have to say a few words on Blackdog as well...   this is a hell of a dog   PERIOD!  
I am running them close to 12 mph- steady, the start a little quicker than that but I am able to keep them at a slower pace. Our runs are around 2.5 hours close to three with the stops, the intention is to build endurance at this point, and keep everyone happy. Last year training specifaclly for stage racing I would be expecting 15 mph average runs,  so 32 mile - just over 2 hours. I have been training with the Bravo snowmobile, dragging a hardwood pallet to help control the speed. ( bravo's are pretty light). We will start training on sleds when there is aenough snow to safly hook down. These guys are  a active bunch and I want to be able to stop if I need to. I am running short today around 5 miles to let them stretch out. I am also going to look at our local trails here to see if I can make an alternate route around a major creek bed, I think I can cut a new trail to bypass it. This will be needed to be done to get the trail back from the north arm park- CP 3 for the great slave 200.

Warren