Day 18: Mush!
ITI encountering Iditarod (Photo Credit: Faye Norby, 2024)
Alaskan Huskies are bred to love pulling and thrive in the snow. They are happiest working hard in the cold. Does this sound like anyone we know? I can think of six ITI 1,000-mile athletes, and they have the privilege of literally sharing the trail with these dog teams and mushers for the next few days. This is a special experience for the 1,000-mile ITI racers on the trail between McGrath and Nome. I hope they find the sloppy-tongue, toothy dog smiles an inspiration to find JOY in the mundane work as they enjoy the Alaskan playground. Because the truth is, we can learn much from the dogs: eat lots, sleep hard, and play harder (and huskies do it best!).
Today is finally the day when the Iditarod sled dog racers might start catching our ITI human-powered racers. There is something unique about sharing the trail with these four-legged, furry athletes. The bond between a human and their working dogs is such a special experience, and seeing it in action is deeply touching. Listening to mushers speak to their dogs, watching the dogs work in tandem under their humans' leadership, and witnessing the power of teamwork and trust. Maybe a team passes our racers, and they see them in action. Maybe our racers come upon a checkpoint where the dogs are bedded down for rest or getting their meal and vet care before the musher goes inside to care for their own needs. Witnessing the Iditarod up close and personal like this is a rare opportunity and a highlight for the ITI 1,000-mile racers.
Gavan Hennigan, our only human sled dog left, pulled his sled through the night and made it to the North Fork Innoko shelter cabin (mile 416) at 5:47 am Alaska time. Ryan Wanless was not far behind him, biking through the night also, arriving at the cabin around 9:45 am Alaska time. Gavan left the cabin at 2:30 pm after a 9-hour break. He made a quick stop at the Cripple checkpoint (mile 422) to locate the drop bags. These drop bags are literal drop bags: dropped from a plane, and racers are given the coordinates. We hope they are visible from the trail and easy to locate!
After staying the night at the Carlson Crossings safety cabin (mile 374), Troy Szczurkowski, Erick Basset, Mayella Krause, and Kendall Park all got on the trail between 9:00 and 10:00 am Alaska time. Erick lost his tracker yesterday and will be picking up a new one in Cripple. He has been with Maya, Kendall, and Troy and is feeling good. Kendall had to stop to fix her rack, but she was rolling again by 1:00 pm Alaska time. The bikers seem to be moving a little faster than yesterday’s pace and making good time. We are hoping that means the trail is improving!
As temps hover between cold and colder, there will continue to be moments of pacing to keep warm and regretting life’s choices. It’s now that our racers practice using their skills to pull them out of that spiral. They tap into the part of the brain that speaks truth and helps us remember that every journey has highs and lows, and that we have a choice about where to spend the most time. This aspect of thought control is crucial to success. Continuing defies all logic. Putting yourself through pain and misery does not make sense. The “I no longer care” monkeys are hard to shake once they land on your back. Don’t let them get close! Don’t let them sink in their talons! It is in these moments that we see a level of grit, determination, and perseverance that transcends all physical feats.
If there is speculation on the ability to make a Nome-in-30-days cutoff, just know that every racer is doing trail math constantly. They’re setting their goals and accepting their limitations. Everything falls under the reality that the trail will decide. Alaska will decide. I think we can all agree that we hold the determination, constant forward motion, and deliberate progress in deep respect as these athletes embrace an experience and an adventure that will not be defined by days on a calendar. These athletes have embarked on this journey with the knowledge that they are at the mercy of Alaska and the desire to take advantage of every minute spent in this great wilderness. So much to be grateful for on the journey; wherever it leads and however long it takes.
Stay tuned for more updates and stories from the trail. Progress may be slow and hard-earned, but we are tracking every detail and enjoy sharing what we can with you.
Written by Rashelle Hintz
Thanks to Wild Winter Women - Allison Carolan, Amanda Harvey, Faye Norby, Jan Redmond Walker, Jessica Roschlan, Kari Anne Gibbons, Laura Wiesmann Hrubes, Leah Gruhn, Lynn K Hall, Madeline Harms, Rebecca McVay-Brodersen, and Sarah Bergstrom