Here it is September 18th, Its been raining quite steady here the last couple of days, but we are not fair weather mushers, 
Ahh there is nothing like running dogs in the cold wet rain/sleet!
Commitment is what it is all about, 24/7/365. Folks that I talk to about running dogs always seem to look at it as a hobby, perhaps it is but It is looked at as a job for us here, I don't think joe blow really comprehends  fully what it takes to run and maintain a competitive kennel.

There is always a balance between family, work, and the dogs. Quite frankly those that put the dogs ahead of other priorities, are the ones competing at the highest levels.

You get out of it what you put into it, there are no short cuts.

There is one aspect that I have been thinking about of late, Going back to last season, discussing training with Doug Swingley in Montana, Doug  had retired from Distance racing in the spring of 2007,  and was focusing on running a couple of Stage stop teams in Wyoming.
It was interesting to listen how little the were training for the race, comparing to years past( focusing on Iditarod training on running the stage stop as a bonus race and in the process putting in excess of 3000 miles pre Iditarod)
Last season the mileage was minimum and distances were kept short. The dogs obvoiusly handled Jackson well, Melanie winning and Doug with a top five finish with the "B" team.
Two of the dogs that ran in the teams went onto finish Iditarod with me later that season, And they looked fine doing it.

What the dogs are capable of doing is amazing and really makes me wonder what you can "get away with" for training pre distance race..
 The most the did before the stage race was a couple of 50 mile runs, the rest being 20- 35 milers.
Now having said that , they had a group of dogs that were genetically, mentaly and phsically supirior to many dogs out there and that plays a huge role. 
But
There are many stories going back through the years of the "dog that sat on a chain"( had not been trained) for most of the seaon , gets hooked up and wins a big race in lead.
So with the trend in a past few years starting with Sorle, of marching the dogs for 14 hour runs, in training, perhaps the same can be done by controling the team cadence and being able to win with a so called  "undertrained team".
Terry  Streeper, has always told me that he never trains too much, they just get hurt burnt out  etc.. 
Being able and learning how to drive the Ferrari may be the key..
Theres some "fall" food for thought...

Happy trails, and I hope this rain slows down!

Warren