Iditarod

When I was younger, I had a dream to try and complete the Iditarod Sled Race. Its a race like no other on this earth with each team (of 12-16 dogs) and their musher trying to complete the arduous 1150 miles from Anchorage to Nome in Alaska in 10 to 17 days. Its heaven and hell on earth all rolled into one, with towering mountains, windswept tundra, temperatures way, way below zero, long nights and short days and the dangers which go with trying to do anything in that environment. This years event starts in 5 days time.

So, during my early teenage years I made my own sled and tried desperately to teach our Dalmatians (I know, I know...but they were my parents dog of choice) to pull. It was never going to happen. The fact all our dogs had personality disorders didn't help, certainly not when two of them thought they were cows. So I pulled my sled alone in winter, through the massive Sillyearn forest that ran behind our family home for hours upon hours upon hours. My parents never knew I don't think, at least they never let on or maybe they hoped it was a phase and I'd return to sanity at some point if no one mentioned it - I was, admittedly, a difficult child :) It continued until puberty hit big time and I discovered all the things that teenagers discover around that age. And so, my plans were shelved and before I knew it I had kids, was on my second marriage and was working. I was also winter climbing, snowboarding, running, hillwalking and rock climbing but hadn't gone near a sled in years. Still I dreamed..however living in a part of the world that, really, doesn't see that much snow (she says after having 3 months of the sodding stuff this year!)  - and all the other accoutrements of modern life, jobs, kids etc -  has left me softer, more scared and older and now, I am further from the start line than I have ever been. Whether I can, or if I'm brutally honest with myself want to change my life enough to commit enough of it to training for the Iditarod now is another story.

What age, kids, jobs etc doesn't hamper is my admiration for the men and women who still do it and so, whether I line up or not, I follow it as best I can. Nowadays I can follow online so its much, much easier of course!

This year, I'm also following the Iditarod Invitational which is the human powered version of the classic race. Competitors walk, run, ski or cycle either 350 miles to McGrath for the 'short' race or go the full 1100 miles to Nome. I got interested in this part after following Jill Homers blog - she completed it in 2008 on her bike and tried again in 2009 but had to pull out due to frostbite - and I have to say, its captured my imagination. It starts tonight at 11pm BST (2pm Anchorage time) and so I'll be following it as well via podcasts. If you want an idea of what its like, read her book Ghost Trails - though that's rather like saying if you want to know what it feels like to drop an axe off a grade V scottish winter route, then go buy a book.... but you get my drift.

I wish everyone competing this year in the Jnr, main or Invitational races, a safe race and the very best of luck. I'll follow you from the comfort of my own warm kitchen and use the inspiration I get from you guys to try to keep pushing at the bars with my own paltry-by-comparison challenges.