Comments on: Yukon Quest 2019 – Day 3

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:07:33 +0000

That’s why you have to check on every member of the team at stops to check for injuries they are hiding. Some of these teams are primarily two litters with a few veterans, and sibling rivalry isn’t limited to humans.

By: JuanitaM

JuanitaM — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 18:00:25 +0000

Apparently, the dogs know when they’ve had enough, or at least when the leaders have had enough. I expect if there is a single dog in trouble further back from the front, the human in the group needs to stay aware of that possibility.

Dogs don’t like to show if they have a disability and will continue to try to stay with the pack leader even when in pain. Even with my two dogs (both of which are about 1/2 couch potato) will try to continuously one-up each other on a walk. Of course, the big dog Blue always wins out, but that doesn’t stop Whisper from going all out to try to stay up with him. Even on those days that it’s obvious she has a touch of arthritis, she’s out there proving for all she’s worth that she’s still a good member of the pack.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 23:38:43 +0000

When you’re a rookie there are all kinds of situations that crop up in a long distant race that you didn’t deal with in the 300 mile races you have been running. Stupid stuff like a dog food bag bursting when you throw it on the sled, or injuring yourself picking it up the wrong way.

Of course, even veterans like Brent Sass encounter the unexpected. In 2016 his team refused to leave White Mountain on the Iditarod and it cost him about $40K in prize money.

There’s a lot to be said for retiring while you’re still able to do things.

By: JuanitaM

JuanitaM — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 14:40:36 +0000

Definitely, getting old is not for the weak. I have a couple more years before I retire, but I’m really beginning to see why people retire early!

I see what you mean about Lisbet. As of a few minutes ago, she is next to last ahead of someone named Remy Leduc. His name is unfamiliar to me. All I know about him is that he’s a Canadian. I think he must have had some problem because it looks like he had a substantial period where he wasn’t going anywhere.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 22:31:12 +0000

For the Quest this is a decent size. The Iditarod may be three times larger.

Jim is running the Quest as a “bucket list” item and I seriously doubt he’ll run the Iditarod. Lisbet Norris is another Iditarod veteran running their first Quest. She runs pedigreed Siberians, like Rob Cooke, and finishing both races is good for business. She will run at the back because finishing with all her puppies is her goal.

A number of the rookies are from Europe as it is easier to get Canadian visas than US, so they come over in the odd years when the race starts in Canada.

Getting old is not for the weak. 😉

By: JuanitaM

JuanitaM — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 21:59:39 +0000

Hey Bryan! I’m a little late to the party this year, but circumstances at home have intervened as they so often do these days.

I’m just amazed to see Jim Lanier at all! He’s something else, isn’t he? Every year I wonder if he’s going to be back or if he’s decided to give his body a break and let the younger crowd have at it. He must really love doing this since he’s now added the Yukon. Do you know if he’s scheduled for the Iditarod as well?

I have enough trouble walking four miles with the dogs! lol. I cannot imagine putting this much stress on myself and I’m not as old as he is.

I hope that I will be able to follow along again this year, but things have progressed in the dementia department, and I never know when I will be able to drop in…or not. I’m really beginning to wonder if I will ever have a life again. Damn, that sounds so melodramatic! Feeling sorry for myself is not good form.

Lots and lots of rookies this time it seems to me. I’ve never counted before, but it seems like a boatload of “R’s”. Isn’t there usually more people running than 30, or am I just thinking about the Iditarod?