by Rohn » Mon Nov 17, 2008 1:46 pm
Hi Everybody, great forum here.
Brian,
I don't really know how to describe being the son of an Iditarod champion because its all I know. Last winter my dad and I trained pretty much together, I am lucky because I learned everything I know about mushing from a champion.
TXbennett,
School does interfere with training somewhat, but what I did last year was take a light schedule (3 classes) and graduated in December, allowing me to have much more time to work with the dogs. Throughout training, my dad and I both worked with all of our racing dogs so that they all got to know us. My dad got first pick of the teams (he is the one paying for college for me), but my team had lots of amazing dogs that could potentially be in this year's team.
About the bond of confidence, I believe that my team trusted me, but not necessarily on the level that my dad's team trusted him. This is because he has been running dogs for longer than I have been alive, and I still don't know near the amount of things that my dad knows.
Right now I'm "getting educated" at RPI in Troy, NY, so mushing is kind of out of the question. It was not too difficult for me to get the time last year because I took an easy school schedule, but balancing a full time job and training is one of the most difficult things for many mushers out there.
sc-race-fan,
When people would ask us that question, we would respond with "Ownership has its privileges." He got first pick, I still had a great team.
BB Backer,
What did you learn from the Iditarod that has become valuable to you in everyday life?
I learned patience and resolve on the Iditarod for sure. I'm sure I've learned much more that I don't realize yet too.
Who are some of your favorite dogs and what makes them special?
I try not to have a favorite dog, and to focus on the team as a whole. All of my team was special to me, especially the finishers. I had some awesome young leaders Lance and Lionel, who were awesome. Marlin and Nemo were also some big guns in my team that were always ready to go. Electra and Hot Foot were great, Electra and Marlin made a great pair. Sam had such a good attitude, even though he got a little sick towards the end of the race his tail was always wagging.
What character traits have you inherited from your dad?
I feel like I have a similar attitude towards things as my dad, trying to stay positive as much as possible.
From what I understand, everyone has a time during the Iditarod that they feel like scratching. Where or when did it happen for you and can you elaborate on it?
I had a few "why am I doing this" or "this sucks" moments on the race, during a bad run or two, but I didn't pay that much thought because watching my dad finish every Iditarod he has entered kind of takes the thought of quitting out of my mind. In Kaltag I was feeling pretty low, I dropped 2 dogs there I think, making my team 8, which is pretty small for having 300 miles to go. I was worried I would not have a large enough team, but I had a few good runs to the coast, and everything worked out fine.
Did you feel extra pressure as a rookie being the son of a 4-time champ?
I went into the race knowing that I was doing it to see what my dad experiences every year, and to finish, so I don't believe I had any extra pressure.
Marcia,
Can you remember the first time you mushed solo, or were you too young? What was it like to run dogs as a kid? Was it more like play or like work?
I don't remember the first time I took out my own team, but I remember that it was always a great time training dogs. When we were little my dad, brother, and I would take 2 teams out, and my dad would switch which team he was riding on to give us both advice.
When you raced the Iditarod, what was your favorite spot on the trail?
Each spot had something unique. The beginning was nice because I was somewhat fimiliar with the area, the Alaska Range was exciting and an acomplishment, I had an amazing run on the Yukon, under the brightest Aurora I've ever seen. The coast was great, the terrain and the people.
My dad's philosophy, which I adopted is "If wherever you are at is your favorite place, you're always happy to be there"
Now that you are in college, far away from Alaska, do your friends ever ask you what your parents do for a living? How do you describe what your dad does, and how do your friends respond?
All of my friends know that my dad races dogs, everybody thinks it is pretty cool. Most actually know what the Iditarod is, so I just tell them my dad races sled dogs, has won the Iditarod, and has the record for fastest time.
S.K. Olsen
Does it happen often that you get really afraid, or at least pretty nervous, out on the trail? Are there certain excercises for the mind you use to control those emotions?
I never really get nervous or afraid on the trail because I know that if I take care of my dogs, they take care of me. They keep me company on the trail.
In your experience - is mushing a chick magnet?
Haha, if nothing else it is definitely a good conversation starter.
Thanks for all of the questions so far
-Rohn