Ultimate Iditarod Update

At 8000 feet, Crescent Peak has a snowy covering after yesterday's snows. The forested ridges in front of the peak are crisscrossed with old logging roads that become snowmobile and sled dog trails in the winter.

The weather has been getting colder, and the long-awaited rains have finally started to fall. Yesterday evening saw the first flurries of snow fall at the kennel, and that snow brings with it the ominous message that winter will soon be here. Of course for us crazy dog mushers, this message is a celebrated one, and we are already counting the days until we can start training on snowy, slick trails with real dog sleds.

The dogs are doing 8 mile runs on a two days on, one day off, two days on, two days off schedule. Although it sounds confusing, we like that schedule because it allows us to run four days a week on a consistent basis. Running on an every-other day schedule would accomplish nearly the same goal, but my family feels that running two days in a row is important at this stage in training. And by not solely running on a two on, one off schedule, we also allow the dogs what amounts to an extra day of rest every week. This is important because we definitely want to build up strength and endurance, but we don't want to over-train at a point in the training season when the goal is to get the dogs in better shape to allow them to do longer, more intense runs once winter sets in.

Prior to the recent rains and cooler weather, the conditions in the Montana Rocky Mountains have been very dry for the past several months. The back and collar of Jim's coat are covered with dust after a training run a few days ago.

As I am writing this, I have my music on my computer set to 'random,' and that Who Let the Dogs Out? song just came on. I guess it's a fitting song, and it reminds me of a story from the 2001 Iditarod. When Linwood Fiedler crossed the finish line in second place this year, his excitement, enthusiasm, and happiness was very evident to everyone. After completing the formalities at the finish line (having his sled checked for his mandatory gear, delivering his ceremonial mail cache, and signing in to the finish line clipboard) Linwood spent considerable time taking care of his dogs, and then proceeded into the Nome Mini-Convention Center, which serves as Nome Iditarod Race Headquarters. Once inside, Linwood took a seat at a table facing the gathering crowd, and, although obviously tired from ten days on the trail, began to amiably chat with everyone. As this began, Linwood asked everyone if they wanted to sing the 'Fiedler Victory Song.' The crowd applauded in response, and Linwood led the group in a Nome-style rendition of the hit song I am listening to as I write this update. I think that everyone assembled in the convention center at the time really appreciated Linwood's excitement and cheerfulness and joy, and I think of everyone in the "Mini" shouting, "Who let the dogs out!?" whenever I hear the song.


Butcher	Smooch

And now back to reality...and the thoughts I am having about what joy and pleasure I felt while on a training run over the weekend. My mom was once quoted in the local paper as saying something to the effect of there being times when you are on the trail with the dogs, and the snow is just right, the weather cold and clear, and the dogs moving in perfect grace and unison down the trail. She said those are the most cherished moments by us dog drivers, and I think she is totally correct. However, on Saturday morning, despite the absence of snow and crisp winter air, I experienced one of those moments when the dogs were just amazing, and I could do nothing but laugh out loud, look to the sky, and take a deep breath; for we were enjoying a perfect moment. This type of moment is hard to describe, but the feelings one has during such a moment--the closeness to the dogs, the disappearance of all the imperfections in today's world, and the feeling of life and vitality--bring amazing clarity and consciousness to my mind. I think that this begins to answer the question of why we would want to dedicate our lives to sled dogs.