Debi had a challenge on her hands. She was running with Jody and this week's foster Welshie Elmo, who chose this morning to take a dislike for one another and start fighting. Fortunately, they seem to have gotten it out of their system pre-race, and Debi managed to get through the race in fine form. Racing with two dogs was nothing new for Debi - at last year's Los Gatos run she ran with Jody (our dog) and Monty, another temporary foster Welshie now living the laid-back life in Santa Cruz. If anyone out there is looking for a sled-terrier capable of pulling them through their runs at 5:00 mpm or so, let us know - Elmo needs a home and folks, he's a runner. Debi wasn't quite able to keep up.
Poor Tony. He hadn't done this race before and didn't realize you needed to bring a compass as well as a dog. The course route was something like over the river and through the woods, but a lot more complicated, and I could tell by the look on his face after the race director explained the course that he was more confused than before. No problem for me, but Tony was going to be in the lead of this race, and with a confusing not so well marked course, that spells trouble.
We lined up for the start, Nicky and I in our usual place in the front row with Nicky spinning furious circles to warm up and leave the competition distracted ("hey, lookit that crazy dog over there!"). The race started and so did the mad dash, with me holding Nicky back into a sensible 6th or 7th place and Tony breaking in 2nd. Up the hill, around the main building, start back down hill, arms pumping, legs, feet, and leashes flying everywhere. Great stuff!
After crossing the parking lot and starting around the ballfield (which was being watered last year!), I saw Tony had gained the lead, with the competition literally nipping at his heels. Nick and I were running strong in the second pack. Got past one guy whose partner stopped to do his business. "Not here, Scout" he shouted. "Where else?" I thought. "Better you than me. :-)" Finish the ballfield, past the track, down the road to the soccer field, and uh-oh - no Tony! Did the poor guy take a wrong turn somewhere? A little further and there he is, further ahead than I expected, at a place where the course bulged to the right and out of sight. Still in the lead with #2 at his heels! (which is a lot better than #2 on the bottom of your shoes, but that's another story :-) ).
Finish the soccer field, around the softball field and damn! Now it's Nicky's turn to do his business! Practically the same place it happened last year, well at least this year he didn't slip out of his harness when he stopped suddenly; last year he did and it took me *forever* to get it back on. A quick dump and we're off, apologies to everyone behind us! Back around the ballfield, weave through the school, up the final hill with Nicky and I both going strong, and then the short downhill sprint to the finish. Two runners finished within 100 feet, and the first of those ended up 2nd in our division - damn, if only Nicky hadn't had business to attend to! I knew he had gone once earlier in the morning, but I forgot that on race mornings, once is not enough (just like his dad!). Nicky and I settle for 3rd, 7th overall, with a good strong race we can be proud of.
Tony and Bouche, as expected, finished first in our division, but got pipped near the end for first overall. Since the first place dog was a large (20"+) division dog, Tony told me he didn't feel like fighting harder for the lead. Still a fine race. The race itself is declining, from 47 the first year (1993) to 34 last year to 23 this year - miniscule by local dog run standards. Sooner or later they are going to learn that you have to publicize a race in order for participants to show up!
After the race we walked around, Elmo wearing a sign saying "Welsh Terrier Rescue looking for an outstanding home." We ran into our friend Max the smooth fox terrier, who didn't run this year but showed up with his parents who were riding a tandem bike, wearing matching fox terrier bike shirts, and had a crate for Max on the back of their bike. Too cool! We also met a handsome Irish terrier and a few assorted non-terriers as well. Jody and Nicky especially took an interest in the pigs at the petting zoo. :-)
The funniest sight was at the end. First place in each division won a large (50 lb?) bad of dog food (we got 5 for 3rd). Heading toward the parking lot I see the first place woman and her family, her husband carrying their small child, and she pushing the baby carriage containing the bag of dog food! :-)
Steve "Neither #1 nor #2" Patt and Nicky the Flying Welshman
Proprietor, Running Dog Kennels
slp@alumni.caltech.edu