March 13, 1998

Associated Press race report
Anchorage Daily News Story
Be sure to check previous days' reports for additional race info!

Yesterday, I got a few more bits of information direct from the trail. >From all accounts, the race will be tight one. One report had the race being completed in 8 days 22 hours but I think it's way too early to speculate on the finish. Remember, we are only just over Half-way.

All indications are that the team is looking strong along with many others. Doug and Martin left Cripple at the exact time yesterday so I don't know if they've cooked up a plan. Rick Swenson is a master strategist and knows exactly what he has to do to get there. Martin isn't saying much, even when people tell him they're sending a message to me. Guess he's holding his cards close and knows I'd probably broadcast his message on the internet!! His concentration is most likely TOTAL and focused on the dogs.

Over the Christmas holidays Martin read the book, The Man Who Listens to Horses. It's a book about a "horse whisperer", one of those folks who is totally intuned to animals. I'd think he is totally intuned about now and doesn't want any distractions. He recommends the book to anyone who loves and trains animals.

If you haven't yet checked them out, you should visit the Lands End Web site and read Joe Runyan's Reports from the Trail. Joe's a former Iditarod champ and knows the cast of characters pretty well. The address is www.beyond.landsend.com/iditarod . He has some interesting insights, particularly from Takotna and Cripple.

I keep reminding people to send out good vibes and someone wrote back and asked what I meant. It's hard to explain but a little story Martin told after one of the races might help illustrate the idea. One year, Martin was traveling between Golovin and White Mountain in the early hours of the morning which is always the hardest time for him to stay awake. He was so tired he was having a hard time hanging on to the sled. He said he kept wondering if he would make it to White Mountain. At a point, he felt a sea of faces surround him, no one in particular, just an energy that enveloped him and carried him to the next stop. The term in general is vibes or a collective feeling, but it can certainly take on whatever force each individual feels is powerful and positive.

Happy trails,
Kathy

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