KEMMERER — Standing on the sidelines whereas her dogs race is just not the place Alix Crittenden thought she could be this winter throughout the Pedigree Stage Stop Sled Dog Race, which runs by Wyoming and Idaho.
After successful the Kemmerer leg of the premier race final yr and taking second general, she had her sights set on being this year’s Stage Stop Champion.
But that title was not within the playing cards for Crittenden this yr. Just earlier than the primary race, a seizure despatched her to the hospital, the place an MRI revealed a tumor on her mind. It was partially eliminated after a 10-hour surgical procedure.
Taking this recent setback in stride, Crittenden admitted there have been ups and downs. Initially, she mentioned, she was offended.
“I used to be pissed,†she mentioned with amusing in her slight North Carolina accent.
She was additionally unhappy and scared. She handled waves of feelings after the information of her mind tumor.
“I burst into tears,†she mentioned, “after which I used to be offended — everywhere in the place for certain. It was quite a bit to search out out. It’s been a battle already and I’m anxious to know what else is in there that we should take care of.â€
Waiting to listen to from the medical doctors whether or not the eliminated tissue is malignant or benign, she is out for the racing season however touring together with her crew, taking over a supportive function. Wearing a hand-crafted wool inexperienced parka, a braid pulled to the aspect of her fur-lined hood reveals her half-shaved head exposing a five-inch incision. She has a Viking shield-maiden look about her as she stoops all the way down to pose together with her canine, Paul.
While displaying her warrior-like spirit and braveness, she acknowledged that she tends to overdo it. Her husband, Sam, took day without work work to help Crittenden. Dog mushing is just not one thing he loves, she mentioned.
“But he loves me. For him to stretch himself out and produce me to the levels is actually particular, and I’m grateful for him to try this,†she mentioned.
Sam additionally reminds her to decelerate.
“I received in hassle on Saturday as a result of I overdid all the pieces,†she advised the Gazette.
Crittenden is surrounded by members of the family who’re keen to pitch in. At the trailer, she is accompanied by her crew: her sister, Jessie Pearson, who’s the team’s bodily therapist; Sam; and her mom, who traveled to go to together with her and watch the race.
“My household and crew have all the time been good at retaining me degree when I’m not that nice at it,†she mentioned.
Crittenden mentioned she will get nervous earlier than a race and tries to rein in her feelings as a result of the dogs can choose up on her power. As she was being interviewed, she periodically glanced at her watch throughout the race, anticipating Moore to be getting nearer to the end line.
This yr, Crittenden’s understudy, Jess Moore, a Jackson resident, was lead musher. Moore labored as handler for Crittenden, serving to elevate the racing dogs from pups. Although Crittenden initially served as mentor to Moore, the 2 ladies turned working companions and associates over the years.
“She is a superb canine driver, canine person and laborious employee,†Crittenden mentioned.
After pausing the interview to assist Pearson, who was making a model of Gatorade for the dogs after the race, Crittenden wanted to sit down down for a relaxation contained in the dwelling quarters of the trailer.
She was joined by her mom, Andrea Pearson, who mentioned of her daughter, “She is robust. I feed off of her. When it’s your child, you must watch and see how they’re dealing with it.â€
Crittenden hopes and plans to race sooner or later. She additionally plans to attack her present well being setback like she does different challenges.
“You attempt to be taught and take what you may,†she mentioned. “You attempt to do higher sooner or later after which let it go.â€
She has realized this mindset, partly, from dogs.
“It’s not just like the dogs get again from a run and assume, ‘That was dangerous.’ They don’t understand it’s a few race or perfection — they only do it as a result of they find it irresistible,†she mentioned.
Learning resilience from dogs has helped Crittenden remind herself to bounce again from the inevitable pitfalls on the course.
“You have to begin once more and take a look at to not make the identical errors,†she mentioned.
Forming a detailed bond with the dogs is a vital factor, however the principle factor, she says, is to realize their belief.
Having a optimistic angle appears to be second nature for Crittenden. Giving a great deal of credit score to her crew, she mentioned they knew what to do and didn’t want her there, although it was apparent her presence was appreciated by all. Her management persona is probably what landed her in canine mushing within the first place.
Having no earlier sled canine background, she began operating dogs in 2009, when she moved out west looking for a winter job. Originally from North Carolina, Crittenden now calls Bondurant her home and canine mushing a lifestyle.
On a whim and looking for snow, she reached out to canine mushing legend and eight-time Iditarod veteran, Frank Teasley, who owns and operates Jackson Iditarod. She was employed on as tour information for his firm, taking vacationers for sled rides, and finally turned a handler for the racing crew.
She ran the stage cease race for the primary time in 2014 for a kennel out of Alaska after which two years later ran it representing Teasley’s crew.
Crittenden’s knack for working with groups will now play a task differently.
Describing the medical crew guiding her by the method together with her mind tumor, she mentioned, “The medical doctors, surgeons and nurses have been nice. It was neat to see all of them work together.â€
She can be in contact with the medical crew within the subsequent few weeks and give you a plan of motion. After surgical procedure, she was within the hospital for just a few days however was able to get again home to her dogs.
The subsequent section for Crittenden is unknown. She mentioned she struggles to just accept a few of her present limitations.
“I wish to be part of my dogs’ lives,†she mentioned. “They are my infants. We have labored laborious collectively all season, and I’m unhappy I didn’t get to run this race with them.â€
She mentioned she had an incredible coaching season together with her dogs this yr and is pleased with them.
“It’s laborious to walk away from,†she mentioned.