Dee Dee in Rainy Pass:
Rainy Pass wasn't where I thought I'd hit that wall. But I knew I was struggling this year, which is why I made the decision.
Its timing is sooner rather than later. I feel really relieved. I struggled with it when I woke up and there was a snow storm, and I'd have to break trail, ...and break trail for quite a while... and even if I don't break trail, the trail isn't going to be easy to navigate....
You know, I got to tell you, it's me, and what's wrong with me. "Me" doesn't feel like she can do a good job for them. And that makes my decision easy. Because they are the most precious thing. They're the only thing I've had longer than two years except my husband. They're just precious. And if I think that somewhere along the line I'm asking something from them that I don't want to ask - perhaps they can even do, but I don't want to ask - that's not going to make me feel good about it. *This* makes me feel good about [my decision].
And the other thing - I've been out here long enough to know that "pushing the button" and needing a rescue - how many people put their own safety on hold, and how much equipment is put at risk... It's one thing when you can't predict that that could happen. But when you know - like I know - that I'm compromised, and I go out there ....it seems a little narcissistic to me, and I'm just not willing to take a chance that I [might] get in trouble on these big runs.
That's a "dog care" - but also a "respect for people on the trail" - decision.
It's retirement a few check points too soon. <said with a smile>.
Edited to add, (thanks for the link, Eggs) KTVA posted the same video on their blog:
http://www.ktva.com/story/37596792/idit ... -race-blog
xx