Becketts Farm

Wow, what a weekend for the Ballistics - we finished the weekend winning Div 1 with Ballistics, winning Div 2 with Rockets, coming 2nd in Div 2 with Extraset and all 3 teams getting new best ever times - Ballistics 16.85, Rockets 18.16, Extraset 19.62!!!!

It was a very hectic day having Rockets & Extraset in the same division and I didn't feel I gave both my dogs as much as I should have. This was for three reasons, one because we were rushed having to keep swapping dogs, two because I was knackered running them both so close together (I would like to say this is because I need to work on my fitness post my ankle break but its not, I needed to work on my fitness before then too-I best get on to it!!), the third reason was that the ground was quite uneven and there was a big dip in the run back area I was very conscious of falling down!!

We made a conscious effort this weekend to write down times for dogs so we can start getting a proper idea of whether or not they are in the right teams. I was highly disappointed with Elliot's times - he was running 4.7-4.8 in the morning, with some over 5s times (partly due to late changes, but not completely!), he did redeem himself slightly in the afternoon by getting a couple of 4.52s when my changeovers were bang on. I do think that because I have not been giving him balls on walks to try and dampen down his obsession I have consequently not been working him as hard and so his fitness has really dropped - this has now changed!!! Also, because I don't have to worry about him not staying in our lane I didn't call him all the way back as I was saving my energy for shouting Jem up and back!! His tugging was loads better this weekend, I had to do a front cross on him and run off to the side, but by doing this he tugged every time (bar once I think), so just need to work on him doing it as he comes in - another job for the next few weeks :)

Jem was running consistently 4.6s which is about right for her, although she can do 4.5 (4.4 if she looks where she is going) but she had had the week before off because of her foot and again I have not been working her as hard lately. Luckily though she ran fine despite her mishap last weekend which was good :)

So a good weekend in all but definitely an eye opener for me - both the dogs' and my fitness (with in my ankle's limitations) will be seriously worked on over the next two weeks till our next competition (and afterwards hopefully!!!)