The last few teams have made their way to the burl arch at the finish line of the 2010 Iditarod. For many this is often a time of mixed emotions. Some mushers are just glad to be in Nome and glad that it’s over. Some arrive here knowing this was a once in a lifetime experience and they will never be here again. There are disappointments for some in how their race went and there are those who are overwhelmed with joy. Others are already planning next years race. For most that work with this race there is always a little feeling of sadness as the race draws to an end. The total focus is gone and the places and people that cross paths during this race go their own way. In 1974 Mary Shields, who was the first women to cross the finish line of the Iditarod, missed being on the trail so much that after a short rest in Nome she turned her dogs around and mushed back down the trail to the Yukon River villages before finally flying home.
Like many things in life it’s not about the destination but the journey getting there that counts.
Not every team that enters the Iditarod makes it to Nome and that has always been the case. In the new history documentary about the Iditarod titled “Purely Alaskan”, you can see that in that very first race in 1973 with Joe Redington on board, one team was withdrawn from the race at the starting line. Others scratched along the way. Just like climbing a major mountain not every climber makes it to the summit. If there wasn’t a chance of not making it, then reaching the top (or finish line in this case) wouldn’t be so rewarding. It’s not easy to run the Iditarod. But we shouldn’t feel disappointed or sad for those who had to scratch in this year’s race. At least they had the courage to try, to plan, to dream. How many people go though life without that courage. Even though they may not have made it to Nome they did get to spend a year training their dogs on winter trails. They got to plan their race and got to at least see part of Alaska on the Iditarod trail. No one can ever take that from them. Again, it’s about the journey not the destination and they were a part of this years race.
If you try to run the Iditarod and give it your best there is no failure in going home early. In fact to scratch in the Iditarod is to join a list of the “who’s who” of this race. To name a few Dee Dee Jonrowe, Joe Garnie, Dick Mackey, Susan Butcher, Lance Mackey, Rick Swenson, Sonny Lindner and Joe Redington have all had to pull out of the Iditarod early at one time or another. Pretty good company I’d say.
The only people we should feel sorry for are those not brave enough to reach for a difficult dream. Those that are afraid to try. Mushers can always give it a try another year. There are endless stories that unfold in every Iditarod. Sometimes what seems like a difficult moment becomes a valued memory in the future. Congratulations should go out to everyone that was brave enough to play a part in this year’s race.