By Robert McLachlan

The nights growing colder
A full howling moon
The dogs sense the season
Our training starts soon

Check all the ganglines
And waken the team
The sled sits there waiting
There's no time to dream

Hook up both my leaders
Then "Line Out" I call
First run of the season
I hope I don't fall

"Hike Hike" then I beckon
And we make for the trails
As I ride the runners
Looking out o'er their tails

Both speed and endurance
They've still yet to come
Commands seem forgotten
They love to play dumb

But on we must travel
And mile after mile
We put it together
And broaden my smile

A little fine tuning
Then we're set to go
Show everyone out there
We're great in the snow

The team, sled, and musher
We all work as one
We give all we're able
To get the race run

And then the time comes
To put to the test
All the miles we've put in
And prove we're the best

The trail stands before us
All training is done
And all that we hope for
Is one perfect run