Target Iditarod Teacher on the Trail^™ Ceremonial Start

by Jane Blaile

Iditarod XXXVI started in downtown Anchorage at 10 am on Saturday, March 1. It was clear with a temperature of 14°, and there was a brisk wind blowing between the buildings. My first task was to meet with Bullseye, the Target mascot. She came bedecked in red leg warmers, a sweater, and a studded red collar. She was quite popular - like a movie star walking down the street, everyone wanted pictures of her. Bullseye even met the governor, a senator, and the mayor of Anchorage!

I then got to spend some time walking around the trucks and dogs, enjoying the festive spirit of the sunny day. It's always a lot of fun to be down there in the heart of things.

At last it was time for my sled ride. I was the absolute last sled out of Anchorage, riding behind a team of champion Dean Osmar's dogs driven by a handler, Anna. I got down into the sled, which put me just inches above the street, and hunkered down for the ride. I'm not sure you can imagine what it's like to ride in the basket of the sled, but if you've ever been sledding, it's similar. Two big differences are you're behind amazing animal athletes that follow the very quiet voice of the musher and the ride lasts a long time. There are similarities such as, you hang on tighter when you go skidding around corners and you are moving pretty fast on a very slick surface. I don't remember all of the dog's names, but some were: Hornet, Arctic, Frog, Animal, and Loon.

It came to an end all too quickly. I could have sat there all day and ridden peacefully through the greenbelts of town and further! And like my previous ride with the Arizona Mountain Mushers, the experience gave me just a hint more of what mushing is all about - it is definitely something I want to try from the runners some day.

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