It’s still Thursday where I’m at physically, at least for the next few minutes. But mentally? I’m going on 3am and only 2 1/2 hours shy of having been up for a full 24 hours.
So when I say “easy math”, I really mean it. That’s about all I can muster at the moment.
Here’s your easy math problem (although it’s admittedly a memory test as well): What is the difference between Kristy and Anna’s 2023 bib numbers? The answer is Anna’s 2024 bib!!
Need a hint?
So when I say “easy math”, I really mean it. That’s about all I can muster at the moment.
Here’s your easy math problem (although it’s admittedly a memory test as well): What is the difference between Kristy and Anna’s 2023 bib numbers? The answer is Anna’s 2024 bib!!
Need a hint?
That’s right. Anna is the first competitive musher hitting the Iditarod trail this year. If the fact that eight minus six equals two but Anna is still the first competitive musher off the line confuses you, let me explain. (That whole sentence confused me.)
Each year, the Iditarod nominates an honorary musher that dons bib #1 and mushes with the Jr. Iditarod winner for the Ceremonial Start portion of the Iditarod. This year, that is Wilson Hughes, a longtime Iditarod advocate. From what I’ve read, Wilson has been actively involved in both sponsorship and behind-the-scenes logistics for many years. Emily Robinson won this year’s junior, so they’ll be a noteworthy pair in #1.
Which gets us back to Anna in bib #2. It will be exciting to have her launching the main event, and probably just as hectic and stressful as any other spot. One of the pros for going out second, especially for the c-start, is that the trail won’t be all chewed up. And us handlers don’t have the chaos of racing from one twin back to the truck to get the other going.
When it comes to the restart, those pros translate nicely. One con from Anna’s perspective is that she may well get passed a lot early on, which is fine but a little disruptive to getting her early rhythm going. Don’t get me wrong - she has a fast dog team. But she’s hoping to keep their enthusiasm in check for the first few miles (this is, after all, an ultra-marathon!). Others may not be so lucky. Or will be overwhelmed by starting-line enthusiasm themselves!
It’s going to be a busy coupla days! Hopefully my suitcase catches up to me tomorrow afternoon. But at least I have a coat, hat, and pajamas on loan in the meantime. (Darn you, Delta Airlines… darn you!!).
Back with more here and on Insta. After a good long nap!
Seeing Double Iditarod 2024 Playlist…
Song 2: Add It Up by the Violent Femmes.
