4PM Wed, A trip around the dog yard, Seavey looks back on the Race, Jim Lanier Seizes the moment by Joe Runyan
Mitch Seavey’s statement 98 mile run from Takotna to Cripple placed he and team in control of this year’s Iditarod at the critical halfway point.
I talked to him in the dog yard about his run while he fed his dogs, resting on straw in a narrow packed slot. Agreeing that he now had a hard fought advantage looking back on the trail, he said, “If they make a move on me now (referring to the lead pack behind), I have more rest. I can beat them on rest.”
Let me help translate that advantage a little more. Everything clicked for Mitch by arriving at 2PM in Cripple, when all of us at the checkpoint began to don sunglasses and notice that the afternoon sun, seemingly warm 25F temperatures, seemed oppressive.
In the mushing world, the natural time clock is the turn of light. In many ways the dogs share our inclinations and sense of rhythm. Rising early in the morning and working until about noon just about suits everyone. After some leisure basking in the sun, gluttonous, heavy with food, the canine athlete is optimistic as the sun sets low in the west, anticipating that very exciting time when molecules of snowshoe hare, moose, marten, the occasional spruce hen, covey busting ptarmigan, excite the sense of smell and a primitive imagination. This is a glorious time for dogs in the early evening. By midnight, it seems the day has exhausted itself, and so have the dogs. They are ready for a rest.
Mitch has found himself in perfect synchrony. He and dogs are now resting in the afternoon sun. After six hours, we all imaginge, he will depart at 8pm to take advantage of the turn of light.
Meanwhile, his competitors are in a fix, stuck in a time warp they do not like. Stuck on the trail at 2PM, one can be sure that King, Baker, and Zirkle are considering options. “Should I camp the dogs and wait for evening.”
Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero – “Seize the Day, putting as little trust as possible in the future”
