March 2010 Archives

Guess I should blog since most of you know I am laid up and have no reason not to!

Art and that awesome team finished Iditarod in just over 12 days. He did such a great job with that bunch of rowdy hooligans. I know it wasn't easy most of the time out there. Although he has said that this is the fastest team he's ever run!! They are one super bunch of dogs and although I am, of course, totally jealous that I didn't get that magic carpet ride with them, I am so very thankful that Art was willing to take on that challenge. The only thing that would have totally "ruined" the year for me would have been if those dogs had to sit this one out. Was actually more sweet than bitter getting to see them come down front street. Don't think I've ever been more proud!!!

Had my surgery last Thursday and all went well. Came home Friday evening and Rich has been taking great care of me; although I have to say both he and I are struggling with this "shoe being on the other foot" thing. Not the roles each of us are used to. Haven't taken a pain pill in two days and am doing OK. Want to get back to school on Monday. Getting around school is going to take some ingenuity, but I need to get back to the kids and their "harassment". We have some great friends here that have pitched in to keep us well stocked with some awesome dinners, visits, getting our mail, groceries, house cleaning....

I'll be in this brace for 6 weeks, then looking at 6 months of rehab to get back to being active again. It seems like it's almost insurmountable at this point. However, a couple of Iditarods have certainly taught me to take one "checkpoint" at a time and not look at the big picture. I'm ready to put the same effort into my rehab as I did into training dogs this winter, so it'll all be good!!! Just another bump in the road designed to build character!

Thank you all so much for your support and encouragement. I hope you are as proud of that dog team as I am! You should all be watching Martin Buser closely the next couple years!!!!!!

To all of you who have supported our journey to Iditarod 2010, unfortunately, I am unable to participate in the race. A training injury last week left me with a badly pulled hamstring muscle that just isn't healing fast enough. My leg is still painful and weak and I feel I would be taking a huge risk to attempt the race at this point. The dogs will, however, be going to Nome. While our first choice was Martin's handler, Magnus, who has raised and help train these dogs for two years and is qualified for Iditarod 2011, the Iditarod Trail committee, would not allow Magnus to substitute for me. Another friend, Art Church, who is an Iditarod veteran, is, at Martin's request, going to fill in. This certainly isn't ideal. He has only a few days to get to know these dogs. He is, however, a good dog driver and will get to know the dogs quickly. I'm thrilled that the dogs are getting to experience the trail. That's been the goal all along. However, it sure is a bitter pill to swallow to watch someone else take off with this amazing group of dogs. Not quite the way I envisioned my iditarod career ending, but....so be it. I guess this 50 year old body is trying to tell me something.