As of today Rob has announced that his first official race will be:
The Exxon Mobil Open
(click to read details about the race)
1/27/2012: His first run on Tozier Track (To view video of the trail: http://www.asdra.org/trailreport.html) was a success! He is running two 12 dog teams. We decided last night to call them "A Team" and "B Team". Although, right now 6 of his MAIN dogs on "B Team" are bouncing back from small injuries and are soon to be on "A Team".
(In the order that they run)
A Team: B Team:
Jewel Rose Barney Austin
Daisy April Odin Jed
Cooter Ballsy Murdock Dino
Elenor Mrs. Brave Holland
Name Javelin Herby General Lee
Luke Kit Bumblebee Shelby
Subs: Dallas, Beau, Kaia, Cloud
GREEN: 6 MAIN dogs bouncing back to Team A
The first run at Tozier Track was the first time the dogs had been hooked up in a month because of conflicting weather. "A Team" ran about 8.4 miles and "B Team" about 6.4 miles. "A Team" was more than ecstatic to get out on the trail, Rob said that he had to stand on the drag mat with both feet, the whole time to try to slow them down. Rob also said that for most of the trail you cannot see your first 4-6 dogs because the trial is very "twisty, turny like a son of a gun"! Ahhh, the sweet taste of Tozier Track!
The Tozier Track is known for tunnels, car passes and a man bridge that the dogs cross. Rob happily reported that all but 2 dogs went over the obstacles with no problem. The two dogs are also brothers, we noted with curious intent. Austin, on "B Team" balked at the car pass the first time through and on the way back he was just was not having the tunnel. So to show him the tunnel was nothing to be afraid of Rob stopped the team and gave it some time. Barney, the faithful tank pulled him through the rest of the way to head for the truck!
Despite some with minor injuries and not having many hook ups on snow; both teams came back from the fast, hard trail wagging their tails and happy. One spectator commented, "It looks like they could go another 6 no problem." Rob agreed with her; optimistic about his dogs performance and potential!
After the 2nd run at Tozier Track Rob has determined that he has 9-10 leaders and 6-7 of them are gee/haw! That is impressive! He is now in the Willow Area, letting the bustle of the passed couple of day settle in. He has met great mushers so far, noting how nice and helpful they were to help in anyway they could!