March 13, 2010
I am not sure what to write to you all to be able to explain how difficult a decision it is to scratch from the Iditarod. It is a decision that Warren made earlier this evening. He had called me a little after six tonight to discuss it. It is definitely not a decision that he made lightly. To be totally honest, I am not sure when he called if he was looking for a pep talk or for support, maybe just a friend to talk to. I tried to offer him all of those. Because I know him, he is not a quitter at anything he sets his mind to, I wanted to be sure that this is not a decision that will come to haunt him. I don’t feel that this will be the case. He has made the decision in the best interest of the future of our dog team.
In talking with him he was really weighing all the options and all the scenarios that could play out for the rest of the race. Warren has completed this epic race three times and running it now is not just about completing it, it is about having a competitive dog team. The team this year was quite a young one. Many of those young ones are still out there with him. But he would have been leaving Galena with only 9 dogs. Not ideal, doable yes, but with such young dogs, would it really be worth it? He has decided not and I fully support his decision. He was concerned with disappointing all of you wonderful folks who support him and our kennel. I reminded him that many of you support us so much because you know that for us the dogs come first and that no one will fault him for making his decision in the best interest of the team, this years and the future teams that they will be a part of.
When he had called me from his 24 in McGrath, he was a bit bummed with how the race had changed for him in just one run. Loading three of our biggest dogs on the run to Nikolai, such an already challenging trail, was not an easy task and it slowed him considerably. Then to end up 24ing in McGrath where most mushers there were struggling with their own issues with their teams was not a great place to be. But he regrouped and did some good runs into Ophir. He already knew he had fallen behind the top of the pack but had decided to get back in the game with a lot of miles to go. I applaud him for that.
I also am so proud of that young team of dogs. They are all superstars to me and will be treated accordingly when they return to our dog truck as will Warren.
I don’t know any specifics yet as to when he will be returning with the team but will keep you all posted.
Thank you for all your support.
K