The Yukon Quest sled dog race, which happened a couple weeks back, was a huge distraction from life as usual. I followed the race, I posted about the race, I spun up some yarn for a special project and daydreamed about knitting that special project while following the race – and in the middle of the race, musicians showed up at my house and a Live Recording took place, and I got distracted from my distraction.
Now, believe it or not, every bit of that is happening all over again. The Iditarod, which is taking place right now, is another 1,000 mile sled dog race which is held in Alaska over the course of 8-15 days. In the midst of that race, musicians are once again about to descend upon my (very uncleaned, somewhat cluttered, very old kinda-falling-apart) house – this time, for a concert. I would be extremely alarmed about the latter, if I wasn’t so distracted by the former!
I know – sled dog racing is a very, very small niche in the world; but, this is the end of it’s prime season, so bear with me for a moment! This year’s Iditarod race is being covered in more ways than ever before, and in more ways than any other sled dog race. In part, this extensive coverage has to do with the invention and acquisition of amazing technology; mainly, video cameras that are able to shoot HD images in minus-zero degree temperatures, then broadcast those images to the world from the middle of an un-networked wilderness, via satellite uplink. I find these technological advances fascinating – but that’s a story for another time. The fact is, that when you take place as vast as Alaska, and zero in on a very small part of it, most of the time: nothing happens. But when you’re watching that small part of it and something does happen, it’s really, really exciting!!
Whatever the reason you’re drawn to the Iditarod, the fact is that more and more of the fan base lives outside of the race’s home state of Alaska. What the extensive media coverage really means is a whole lot of screen time for race fans. The official race site offers videos, fan forums, and frequent race updates; there are also many forums on unofficial fan sites, multiple pages on Facebook to follow, as well as regional and international news coverage of the event. I also treat myself to the “Iditarod Insider” package deal (my birthday gift to me, and also a way to help support the race). As an “Insider”, I get access to Live GPS race tracking, special video interviews, and Insider race coverage. Also this year, for the first time ever, there is Live coverage at all the checkpoints along the race course. Again, keep in mind the sub-zero temperatures and remote locations. The official GPS tracker for the race automatically updates every 4 minutes. This gizmo basically gives you an at-the-moment rundown of the race standings, and shows you when something exciting might be about to happen at a checkpoint. Combine that with the Live coverage at a checkpoint, which shows you the exciting things that are happening right now!, and add in all the other updates out there on the www (all open simultaneously in separate tabs, of course), and you’ve got a sure-fire way to keep yourself glued to a chair in front of your computer for a very, very long time!
Here’s where having a really good reason to tear your eyes away from the computer screen, is essential. For my Iknitarod project during this year’s race, I spun up a pile of yarn, enough for two colorwork hats. If I finish these during the race, they’ll be my first ever colorwork items. I’m well on my way on hat #1, but as fast as the teams are traveling down the trail this year, it looks like I’m going to have to up the ante to get these done before the last team crosses the finish line. That is another unknown; since any team can scratch from the race, or be officially withdrawn at any time, the deadline for my projects (the end of the race) is an undefined and ever-moving target. The truly ambitious and fleet-fingered members of my Iknitarod group are knitting sweaters, afghans, and skirts. I am trying just to get through a hat or two! Combined with the hosting of house guests, assisting with late-night concerts, and – oh yes – St. Patrick’s Day is next week: I’m hoping for the best, but I know I’m not going to have a whole lot of extra time for fiber play. But, in case you couldn’t tell: I’m having a ton of fun with it, anyway!
Remember the dog fur from the freezer? Here it is, in all its newly blended glory:
