March 29th, 2011: Sometimes You Need a Little Luck, and Sometimes You Need a LOT!

This week we kicked off the trialling season...the season of getting up early in the mornings! This was a new trial for us as we missed the season opener last year. We completely forgot about daylight saving coming to an end, so while we thought we were early, we were actually on the field quite late. No mattter, it was a pre-entry trial. Obviously no-one wanted run # 13, as that was one of the few morning slots open so, not being overly superstitious, I eagerly volunteered. It was to be a lucky #13 as Meg ran well, finishing 7 points down and in first place. Our first win together in Wales. I was so proud of Meg!!! Hopefully that isn't the death knell for the rest of the year. In the afternoon, the good luck of the morning continued and Sioux eeked out a 3rd placing, one point behind the leader. Although Sioux had a goodish run, I did not feel she ran well. She's been struggling with a shoulder injury over the last couple of weeks and I wasn't going to run her. I walked her around a bit and last minute, I decided to give her a go. We had a little bit of luck with the sheep this day!

Kelvin ran Bee and Tina. This was his first run with Bee and they timed up in the shed. They need more practice together! Tina had a nice outrun to get her sheep but when Kelvin gave her a left hand whistle, Tina thought she was to go back for more sheep and Kelvin could not change her mind...and that, unfortunately, was the end of Kelvin's day of trialling. Remind me to get a stock of happy pills to stash in the car...for the drive home. At least I was not on cooking duties, which was just as well given what happened next.

Kelvin and I left the trial early so I could get home and get out for a run. I am determined to get some fitness back, and while I was going to do a run from the trial field, we got finished so early that I decided to run in the forest. Off I trotted with Meg, Jamie and the three young ones - Penny, Keeper and Kobe. I wanted to do a slightly longer run than normal! Time to explore a new trail, I thought, so off I went. Up we went over this new trail and into a part of the forest I have never been in before. We seemed to have been going for a long time when all of a sudden, I was standing beneath a wind turbine. Oh-oh! Anyone who has been to our place and been up on our top hayfield will have seen the wind turbines - way over there in the distance! I knew I was in trouble...I was further from home than I thought, not where I thought, and no idea how to get back. I decided there was nothing to do but double back. We started back in the direction from whence we had come and after a while, nothing looked familiar. I missed a turn somewhere. I was lost! Gulp! Now in the forest, there are no markers and you can't get your bearings as there is nothing to see but trees. I was running along thinking about Kelvin having to call search and rescue and me spending the night in the forest. Talk about scared! While I had 5 dogs to keep me warm, I knew I did not have the clothing for a cold night in the forest.

We plugged on. I figured at that time of day, I needed to keep the sun at my back. We came across a place where logging was in progress. Since I had been walking the dogs regularly in the forest, I roughly knew they were logging a couple of valleys over from us. I decided to try to follow the logging road down the hill and see if I could get out to a road...then all of a sudden we came around a corner and things looked vaguely familiar. Then Jamie came to the front of the pack so I started to get a bit optimistic. About another half a mile down the road, I knew where I was and the stress of being totally lost evaporated. All I could think was how lucky I was! On a trial field, we often need a little luck with the sheep, but when you're lost in the forest, you need a heck of a lot of luck to get out of there under your own steam. I wanted to do a slightly longer run than normal...but over 2 hours! Holy mackeral! I never knew I could run for that long, especially in my state of unfitness. It seems I have been under-achieving with my running so now I am going to have to go a bit further than normal! Later on Sunday night I got several phone calls to ask how we had gotten on at the trials. One friend said to me I must be on cloud 9. After relaying my forest run experience, I can tell you all...my feet are firmly placed on the ground.

There was an anonymous voice message on the phone as well..."she's coming to get you" said this somewhat familar male voice. I roared with laughter when I heard the message....and then jokingly sent a text back "GAME ON!" It's a wee joke I have going with a trialling friend....a bit of friendly rivalry with someone I admire as a handler! Perhaps at the end of the year I will reveal my friend's identity.

Next time I go running in the forest and decide to try a new trail, I'm going to tie bright pink ribbons on trees so I can find my way home. Oh, and when I got home, I sat on the couch and could not move an inch! Serves me right. Kelvin cooked a lovely meal which was devoured eagerly!

What will this week bring? I wonder.