Curious about dog mushing? You’re in good company. Dog racing, known as mushing, is one of the many sports that draws tourists and lures enthusiasts to live in Alaska. But not everyone who mushes is a pro-racer tackling the Iditarod or keeping a huge yard of sled dogs. The north and Alaska are full of amateur racers who take on the sport because they both love dogs and the time in nature running a sled and dog teams brings.
In this episode Sarah Varland, an author, high school English teacher and amateur musher gives us the inside scoop on dog mushing, why she loves it and how it connects her to the world. Listen now.
[3:49] Sarah Varland’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:59] About Sarah’s writing and how going outside impacts it
[9:26] The basics of dog mushing and dog racing
[12:28] How Sarah got into dog racing
[14:36] What is mushing like?
[17:11] Is there “flow” when mushing?
[19:04] Top secret musher math
[23:05] What do sled dogs actually look like?
[24:41] What happens when a dog doesn’t want to work or pull?
[26:41] Is mushing and dog racing cruel to the dogs?
[29:22] What does dog racing cost?
[30:35] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about herself
[35:45] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about her faith?
[39:03] How to learn more about mushing if you’re interested or want to try it
[41:08] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
Curious about dog mushing? You’re in good company. Dog racing, known as mushing, is one of the many sports that draws tourists and lures enthusiasts to live in Alaska. But not everyone who mushes is a pro-racer tackling the Iditarod or keeping a huge yard of sled dogs. The north and Alaska are full of amateur racers who take on the sport because they both love dogs and the time in nature running a sled and dog teams brings.
In this episode Sarah Varland, an author, high school English teacher and amateur musher gives us the inside scoop on dog mushing, why she loves it and how it connects her to the world. Listen now.
[3:49] Sarah Varland’s favorite outdoor space
[4:53] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[6:59] About Sarah’s writing and how going outside impacts it
[9:26] The basics of dog mushing and dog racing
[12:28] How Sarah got into dog racing
[14:36] What is mushing like?
[17:11] Is there “flow” when mushing?
[19:04] Top secret musher math
[23:05] What do sled dogs actually look like?
[24:41] What happens when a dog doesn’t want to work or pull?
[26:41] Is mushing and dog racing cruel to the dogs?
[29:22] What does dog racing cost?
[30:35] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about herself
[35:45] What dog mushing teaches Sarah about her faith?
[39:03] How to learn more about mushing if you’re interested or want to try it
[41:08] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment