Paw Print = Anchorage ~ 50th Anniversary Iditarod Ceremonial Start

Exploration Feeling ~ Day Seven = Challenged

As I sit here looking out my window after a magical day being part of the 50th Anniversary Ceremonial Start for the Iditarod Dog Sled Race of 2022, several ideas danced in my mind.  What is one thing that I can say I have in common with all of these amazing mushers, volunteers, workers, spectators and of course the incredible athletes themselves – the sled dogs?  I realized that we all were here today to celebrate a wonderful tradition which began with Joe Redington Sr.  He overcame so many challenges in order to make this race happen.  Yeah!  I now can say I have a connection with The Father of the Iditarod.  Actually, we all do.  Which is pretty cool.   Everyone that was out there today cheering the mushers with dog sled teams,  found a common arena – to make a challenging dream come true.  I can only speak about my challenge today.  The doubt of my task as a dog handler during the race was exciting, yet nerve wracking early this morning.  As I waited for my assigned team, I enjoyed the many other faces of the Iditarod. 

I was honored to meet the Jr. Iditarod Champion of 2022, Emily Robinson.  Her kindness, grace and smile mind-boggled me.  She was asking me questions, where the focus should have been on her.  Thank you Emily.

Ms. Wheelchair Alaska, USA of 2022 was Kristie Lent.

I honestly cried as I talked to Kristie about her challenges and love for being here at the race.  Kristie’s  story will be shared with my students as long as I am teaching. I have no other words for the connection I made with Kristie because I am speechless with emotions.

Let’s not forget our security team handling the crowds at the Iditarod.  These three security members seemed to be feeling a bit frustrated when I talked to them, so I asked them to “strike a pose of Charlie’s Angels” with me.  They were very good sports about that and I hope it helped them feel better about their job for the day.

Dallas Seavey taking care of his dogs.

Sean Williams team.

Karin Hendrickson unloading her team of dogs.

The time came for my assignment.  I got to dog handle for Joe Taylor, musher #22.  Joe is a Rookie musher but you would never know it.  He was very caring toward his family, the handlers and of course the athletes – his dogs.  I got to hold the last set of dogs as we mushed around a corner and toward the beginning starting line.  I kept saying, “drop and roll, drop and roll.”  That is what you have to do when the dogs outrun you.  At one point I heard Joe say – yes – drop and roll but try it again.  He must have been listening to me say this over and over again.  OMG!  That is all I can say about this amazing musher and his kindness.  I overcame my fear because of the dogs, volunteers and of course Joe.  I saw Joe’s mom after the team took off out of Anchorage and introduced myself.  She was just as amazing to talk to.  Joe’s entire team, including his mom, brother and sister seemed so happy with a little hint of concern.  I stopped to think about the challenges Joe will need to overcome as a Rookie but also thought about his family and how they are feeling while he is on the trail.

As educators, we deal with challenges every day.  We just do not know it right away, but we anticipate something not in our written plan will knock us off course a bit.  My favorite part about this trip has been those conversations with the other two TOTT Finalists.  Their insight of how they both deal with the unexpected has just been added to my toolkit of ideas.

My day was miraculous.  My background knowledge about the ceremonial start was enhanced today.  I saw a lot of people overcome challenges, including myself.  I once read, “the ability to overcome challenges also brings forth a greater confidence not found anywhere else.”    I could not have overcome my challenges and gained the confidence needed to be a dog sled handler today if it weren’t for the community that surrounded me.  The commonality of excitement, security for an incredible tradition and a little bit of anxiety, was shared by all.

CAN DO:

1.Read, reflect and analyze Susan Butcher’s 1991 statement:

“I was born with the pioneering spirit.”

What does this statement mean to you and how does it relate to overcoming challenges?

2.  Mitch Seavey talks about challenges he deals with while getting his dog sled team ready for the race.  Watch the attached video to gain a better understanding of how he dealt with some challenges and the lessons he learned.  Have a discussion with your class about Mitch’s bravery when dealing with challenges.  Discuss:  How do your students deal with challenges?  How can you learn from each other?

(This can be reached if you have an Insider account)

Mitch talks about keeping his team ready for challenges beyond Koyukuk.