BB Backer wrote:Hugh, we're so happy you made it to Nome and that you have come back to share your race with us. I know it wasn't the race you had hoped for, but you must feel an intense feeling of accomplishment for finishing.
With that said, "How do/did you handle the pain?"
Were there any sections of the race that you & the dogs were in real peril...where if you made the wrong decision it could be life threatening ?
You also mentioned that you didn't plan to go back to the Quest until improvements were made with race officials/organizers. After this tough Iditarod, have you changed your mind about doing the Quest? And what are your thoughts about racing in the Iditarod next year?
Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions. Your Iditabuddies were pulling for you all the way.
Good luck in the future! And give the pooches a big hug for us...job well done!
Hey there,
Pain reminds one that you are ALIVE. Ugliest word in the world to me is-security. After seeing my ma and pa go thru cancer as well as hanging with Lance, one realizes that a bit of burn on the face helps to keep the heart racing. Sickness is what I deplore- coughing and sneezing all the time is so annoying. Peril, everyday the unknown awaits. I guess each individual takes risks depending on how much they want to get out of this life. The only thing that I ever find threatening is being bored. As far as the Quest we have already been contacted by race organizers who are seeking to rectify the situation. We as mushers need to help the Quest make improvements. That is why we are planning on putting reflectors on Eagle Summits tripods ourselves. The # of reflectors on the coast was amazing. What happened during the Quest was an embarassment to the mushing community as a whole not just myself. One that I hope we all learn from.. Quest is easy compared to Iditarod, well, at least this year. Being Hugh Neff I am like a migratory animal following its yearly path home-Quest and ID are in my DNA. Though I have heard rumors of a rather long race from Norway to Russia that sounds quite interesting, Amundsen being a hero of mine. HHN