I left it up to Smoke, the youngest dog at Just Guts to determine the difference between an idol and hero. It was a tough job because often the two words are used interchangeably. But Smoke, who is  very bright, came up with a good answer. An idol is a shining example, a superstar, a celebrity or a favorite. Here’s a little information about our idols.

At the age of 51, four-time Iditarod champion, Jeff King, was the oldest guy to ever win the race. That tells us that experience can provide the winning edge. King is recognized as the winningest musher in the world. But there’s something else you should know about Jeff. Every year, the Iditarider in his sled for the ceremonial start is a terminally ill child selected through the Make-a-Wish Foundation. One of those children gave Jeff a good luck penny at the start of the race in 1996. Jeff and team ran a very fast time that year and won. Cancer eventually took the child’s life but Jeff and the family still correspond and he always carries the penny on the trail. Learn more about Jeff at www.huskyhomestead.com.

While there are mushers with four Iditarod victories (Jeff King, Martin Buser, Doug Swingley and Susan Butcher), Rick Swenson stands alone at the top of the list with five. He’s an excellent musher with a good line of dogs but perhaps it’s his attitude that’s allowed him to achieve what others still dream of. Here’s some wisdom from Rick that comes from a story in Iditarod Classics by Lew Friedman. Rick says that weather is a part of Iditarod. If you’re prepared and have the attitude of having a good time in storms, the situation isn’t negative. If you don’t make the best of traveling in nasty adverse conditions, you’re never going to be an Iditarod champion. Swenson is an advocate of P.M.A. (Positive Mental Attitude).

When it comes to winning Sled Dogs Races, Lance Mackey has accomplished what no other musher has done and what has been considered an impossible achievement. He’s won the 1,000 mile Yukon Quest and the 1,049 mile Iditarod with many of the same dogs in the same year. He’s done this not once, but twice! He’s won Yukon Quest back to back four times. He’s won Iditarod back to back 3 times, a feat shared only with Susan Butcher and Doug Swingley. Mushing is a way of life for Lance but his career nearly came to an end because of throat cancer. It was tough to comeback from the extensive surgery and radiation treatments. Appropriately he’s named his kennel “Comeback Kennel.” Lance is a superstitious fellow. His father won his 6th attempt at Iditarod wearing bib #13. His brother won his 6th attempt at Iditarod wearing bib #13. The year of Lance’s 6th attempt, he camped at Iditarod Headquarters for a whole week before signup so that he could have first choice of stating positions. Of course, he chose bib #13 and was the first to reach Nome. Lance’s dogs are more than his life, they are family. The Mackeys bring their dogs into the house. One night when it was time to go to bed, Lance found Larry, his celebrated lead dog, sprawled out on his side of the bed. Lance slept on the floor that night saying that Larry deserved the comfort of a soft bed as much if not more than he did.

This story completes the series about Heroes, Heroines and Idols. These dogs and people are all genuinely worthy of our respect and admiration. We can learn a lot from them. On the flip side, people learn a lot about us and our personal values through the heroes we choose.

Stay tuned for more of Sanka’s stories and in the mean time ponder what Lance Mackey says, “Can’t is a word that I don’t want to understand. I always try to do my very best, I many not always finish number one, but it will always be the best I can do.” How do Lance’s words from his biography at www.mackeyscomebackkennel.com apply to you?

Born to Run,
Sanka