TRENT’S 4th IDITAROD SYNOPSIS
TRENT’S 4th IDITAROD SYNOPSIS
I ran, I rested a lot. Dogs ran faster. We rested more. Dogs ate more. We continued to run fast. I got a lot of sleep and got to Nome in 12 ½ days as planned. We really finished fast.
This is fun.
I was running a group of inexperienced youngsters from Ed Stielstra’s Natureskennel. This was my 4th Iditarod running young and inexperienced dogs. I like the yearling schedule for many reasons. Those at the front who are burning out, need to come and join the “puppy” team drivers in the back and actually enjoy the race. Heck, LET’S TRADE TEAMS FOR NEXT YEAR and let me become sleep deprived.
We are not making a lot of money at this. We all have 2nd hand gear, broken sleds, and a whole lot of duct tape between us. This year’s group of puppy teams (or younger inexperienced dogs out for a training run) included Sam Deltour running a team of Seavey youngsters. Sam is a blast to be around. Nicest guy you will ever meet. This is the second time I have had a chance to be around him in the race and I hope the Seavey’s get him to stick around for another run. Dave Decaro in his rookie run with Jeff King’s rookies. Another great guy to be on the trail with. Though his second hand gear was a lot better than the rest of us…..plus a lot more interesting. My memory of Dave will be cemented in Koyuk when he sliced his hand with his knife and we all grimaced in the village hall as a vet stitched him up. How Dave never flinched as the vet was sticking him with a needle is beyond me.
Thanks to everyone who helped get me there!
Trent
