Cross Breeds

What is it like to sled dog race?

I have to write an essay on sled dog racing for school, and I don't know very much about it. I've written about the positions of the dogs, etc. but I was wondering, what is it like to sled dog race? like what do you feel while you're racing? How do the dogs feel/react? also, if there's anything else important you think I should add in my essay about sled dog racing please write that too. Thank you, help would be much appreciated :)

Public Comments

1. Well from personal exsperience its awsome, when i was a kid i lived in alaska for 10 yrs and raced dogs you get an edrenilin rush like none other i actualy felt free yes the weather was cold but its worth it, the nature surounding you is relaxing and at the same time you get the sence of being in danger not knowing whats to come. as for the dogs they love it they couldnt be happierthey are trained to do one thing and one thing only and that is to run they dont realy react to noises or other animals except if one tries in anyway to cause harm or danger. and by there faces they feel the freedom to. from the dogs i had we never raced them past the age of 9 only ever once did we run one when he was 10. if you have anymore questions or would like some pics of my dogs and some of our races please do not hesitate to email me at rachelpowell71@yahoo.com
2. Google the Iditarod. You should include the history, how it started, how it evolved into a sport, the dogs they use, etc.
3. I have never sprint raced. But I have been racing distance sled dogs for over a decade in Alaska, and it is a feeling that is hard to describe. And no two runs / races are ever the same. I have gone through blinding snowstorms, and seen clear sunny days end in brilliant sunsets. Over mountains, along rivers, cross sea ice. It is always different, and that is part of what makes it such a great challenge. And when you are racing there is the element of sleep deprivation. You might get 2-3 hours sleep every 10-15 hour, for days. It is a deep down tired most people never feel. I run marathons in the summer, and its nothing compared to a distance dog race. Never underestimate how important food and hydration are, for the dogs first and then you. There is an art and science to feeding a team for a distance race. And then there is the amazing love and connection between a musher and the dogs. There are some excellent videos with first person footage of racing sled dogs in the Iditarod. Discovery channel did a series called Iditarod, Toughest Race on Earth. It was done with sled cams and interviews and is one of the best ways to get a feel for what it is like to be out there. You might even be able to get it form your library. http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/iditarod/iditarod.html In these videos you will hear the mushers own comments as you see the sled cams on different sections of trail, see how changing conditions effect the race, see peoples game plans unfolding, and get a glimpse into the behind the scenes workings of a world class distance event.
4. Here is one person's thoughts on the Iditarod (the largest sled dog race). http://www.oppapers.com/search_results.php?action=search&query=sled+dog+race