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This is where you can check for updates and status reports from our adventures. Frequent updates are made so make sure to check back often! | Hardcore Huskies Newsletters
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Hardcore Huskies Newsletter 08 Race Edition.pdf [ Archive ] |
| | Mon, Apr. 25th, 2011 | |
Hello again, just a few more thank you I would like to make. I recently received a letter from St. Joseph 4th graders, I wanted to thank them for their support. Also, Ron Torkelson, from Bismarck N.D. along with Katherine Leggett from Bismarck N.D. send donations. It is so nice to see the supoort we get every year for the Iditarod. Thank you all.
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| Thank you all for the support! | Fri, Apr. 8th, 2011 | |
Hello Everyone,
We are home now, safe and sound. The dogs are well rested and ready for more! We just got over 12 inches of new snow yesterday, so I guess our training season isn`t quite over yet. The dogs and I really appreciate all of the support we received for the 2011 Iditarod.
We, like always, had hoped for a better placement in the race, but due to many, many unforseen obstacles, our training was halted over the season. Although at times it dampened my spirits, it still wasn`t enough to dampen my determination to finish what we had started. I kept this thought with me throughout the race. There were numerous times that I didn`t know how much further we could make it due to my lack of strong leaders this year. My boy Earp had a back leg injury that never quite fully healed, along with my other boy Gavin, I left them home with regret, but knowing it was the right thing to do for them. I finished this race with my mother in my heart, knowing she would be there with me, as I felt she was. So although we had complications, again it was reassuring to know we had our best time and placing in four Iditarod’s.
Our future is to keep on keeping on. We will be doing mid distance racing next season, so please keep in touch with us, as it helps having your support. We couldn`t have done this without you.
Thank you.
Heather and the dogs
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| Siirtola going to wait until she gets it right | Tue, Mar. 29th, 2011 | |
Bismarck Tribune
By BRIAN GEHRING Bismarck Tribune | Posted: Tuesday, March 29, 2011 5:00 pm
Siirtola going to wait until she gets it right
Heather Siirtola, orginally from Bismarck, says she will take a year, possibly more off, from competing in the Iditarod.
One of the first things Heather Siirtola said after crossing the finish line in the 39th Iditarod dog sled race was she was glad it was over.
Siirtola, a Bismarck native, finished the 1,131-mile race in 13 days and 19 hours, her best time in the four Iditarods in which she has competed.
But she was second from last of the 46 teams that finished the race in a field of 62.
In a Monday phone interview from her home near Talkeetna, Alaska, Siirtola said she will not compete in the race next year, or possibly longer.
Siirtola said the past year has been a trying one on many fronts, one that left her somewhat disillusioned.
“The training season was just off for numerous reasons,” she said.
The death of her mother, and finances were just a couple reasons, but the end result was the Hardcore Husky team went into the race not as well-prepared as Siirtola would have liked.
She was unable to run any races leading up to the Iditarod and that came back to haunt her team.
Siirtola went into the race with 16 dogs she had trained since pups but the team never jelled.
She said her biggest hurdle was a lack of reliable leaders. Siirtola was unable to take Earp, her strongest leader, because of an injury to his hind end that never fully healed, even after acupuncture and chiropractic care.
While she did take another strong leader, Piggy, he was unable to lead because he seemed a bit stiff, she said.
“In 2009 my leaders were strong and carried me through a blizzard along the Yukon River,” she said. “If I had faced weather like that this year we would have never made it.”
And weather was a major issue this year — because it was too nice.
Daytime temperatures around 60 and overnight lows between 10-20 below took their toll. Siirtola said dehydration was a problem and that affected their stamina.
She said it slowed her pace and forced her to stop for water twice as often as in past years. But as far as trail conditions, she said it was the best she had experienced.
“It was the easiest trail, there was plenty of snow,” she said. “The first time there was no snow at all.”
Siirtola was running dogs that ranged from 3 to 9 years old but losing some her experienced dogs along the trail to injury left her in a precarious situation.
Siirtola says that with no “front end,” or dog that wants to lead the team wherever the musher wants to go, there is no teamwork.
“Their heads weren’t ready,” Siirtola said.
There were other health issues as well — not with her team — but with other teams. She said kennel cough spread through a lot of the teams causing mushers, including four-time defending champion Lance Mackey, to drop dogs along the way.
Kennel cough is preventable with vaccinations but she said apparently some teams slipped through the cracks — and it cost other teams.
It is something that never should happen in an event of this magnitude, she said.
Another issue facing smaller kennels like Siirtola’s are mushers that rent or lease teams from top kennels just for the race.
She said they take the dogs in the fall to train with them, not having worked with them previously.
Financing an independent kennel is tough, she said, a year-round endeavor.
“It takes 40 dogs to compete,” she said. “I took 20.”
Still, Siirtola said the Iditarod is something she is committed to, despite cashing a check this year for a little more than $1,000, barely enough to cover the cost of getting to the starting line.
“It’s about perseverance,” she said. “It’s going to take a few years to rebuild the kennel.
“I know I am a quality musher and I know how to get them to Nome and how to take care of my dogs,” Siirtola said.
“I won’t do another Iditarod until I can do it right.”
(Reach reporter Brian Gehring 250-8254 or brian.gehring@bismarcktribune.com.)
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| Still More Congratulations | Tue, Mar. 22nd, 2011 | |
Still more people across the country offer congratulations to Heather and the Hardcore Team:
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Congratulations on making it to the finish! I always admire you for your determination and outdoor skills.
Anita Johnson
Arlington VA (formerly from Bismarck)
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Congratulations Heather! I checked your status at least 10 times everyday for the entire race. My kids and their friends loved learning about it and following you too. Best wishes, hope to see you again someday.
Matt Roland
Northern, VA
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Hi Heather,
We followed your run from the get go and saw your dad there with you. we are proud of you, and love you. Uncle Bob is definitely thinking about coming up to visit with you with your dad. keep up the good work and give every one of your dogs a special treat. Love ya!!
Uncle Bob and Aunt Vickie
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Good job Heather,
What a great feat just for finishing such a grueling race. we are so proud of you. Hope you get to take a much needed rest.
Love Granma and Granpa Ennen
Bismarck, ND
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Congrats on finishing the race. That is such an accomplishment. I followed you every day. Bismarck is very proud of you.
Ann Vadnie,
Bismarck, ND
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Hi Heather,
What an accomplishment to do the Iditarod. It must be a terrific thrill! We`re proud of you having the guts to follow your dreams.
I worked in the same division as you mom Deb did at ND DOT for a short time as an independent service in 1991-92. Your mom was always sweet and helpful. She and Dann and our daughter and son-in-law, Marga and Lonnie, became very good friends.
Wishing you many more thrillling experiences in life!
Love, Jim and Berneice Lunday
Bismarck, ND.
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Just saw online that you got there!! Good Job Heather!! You made it to Nome and that is amazing without really good leaders. I`ll see you around Talkeetna.
Beverly Tanner
Talkeetna, AK
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Way to go, cousin!!! Get some rest and enjoy the completion of another race!!
Love, Nic Lien
Bismarck, ND
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Dear Heather,
We are so proud of you for finishing another Iditarod. You are in a very elite group of athletes. and you must have so much strength and determination. We love you and think of you often. Hello to your dog family, they need to be congratualated too.
Love you,
Lonnie and Marga Carlson
Bismarck, ND
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Heather,
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU & YOUR TEAM!!!!!!!!!!!, Also thanks to the ones that done the updates. Race well done, you are so brave.
Shirley Berg
Bismarck, ND
(Your dad & my hubby use to work together.)
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Congrats Heather!
Grant and I both want to tell you how proud we are of you and your doggies for not just running the Iditarod, but for completing it. You are an inspiration to many! I don’t know how you do it, but you do it and you do it well!!! Good Job!!!
Rachel and Grant Ehli
Bismarck, ND.)
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Hi Heather & the gang,
Just wanted to share this picture that was taken out at Long Lake as the Hardcore team was heading off to Nome! We`re her newest fan club. That`s me holding the sign and wishing you well. Hope you can find some time for R & R now that the race is over and you made it. Hope to meet you soon.
Sharon Winter
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Great job Heather. I am very proud of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brenda Weigel
Bismarck, ND
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Hey Heather,
Congrats on the finish! Your Mom is so proud I`m sure. Have been following and enjoying all the updates along the way. Can`t wait to hear all about it!Your friend and mentor. Hercules says Yeah Heather!
Carol Bloodworth
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Congratulations!
I admire your fortitude. Im sure your mom is smiling down on you. Good job Heather.!
Bub & Cheryl Hawes
(old neighbors in Charles Town, WV)
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Heather,
Congratulations on finishing another Iditarod. Good for you. Way to go.
Carole Kordyak,
Martinsburg, WV
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| More Congratulations for Heather and the Hardcore | Sun, Mar. 20th, 2011 | |
More congratulatory emails have been received at the Hardcore Headquarters for Heather and the Team:
Congratulations on completing the big race. I deeply admire you for having done the race again, three times now? You really have the Finnish "guts". I can`t remember how to spell that word right now, but it does begin with a S. Now get some much needed rest after you take care of the dogs.
JoyAnn
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Congrats, cuz! I am so proud of you! You are such an insperation to the family and quite the bragging point! Hope to see you run again next year!
Love,
Torie Bakken-Waller
Billings, MT
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Congratulations on your finish!! We have been following your progress since the start. The prize money may not be so much this year, but just wait till next year. You ran a great race, and we know that you did your very best. Again, we are very proud to say that we know a “racer and team” that finished the race.
Jim and Jan Weismantel, Aberdeen, SD
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WAY TO GO!!!! I am very proud of you :) so very excited you ran again this year. Get some rest and take care. I am from MN I worked with Heather in Bismarck ND close to a hundred years ago :) (actually 15 years)
Stacy Haugen
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Heather,
Glad you made it! What a hard job, but you persevered and got there. Always interesting to follow someone I know. Hope to visit you in Talkeentka again sometime. Congratulations,
Brymer Humphreys
New Hartford, New York
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Hey Girl we are all very proud and happy for you God Bless And keep you in the fold of his Hand.
Harry and Carol Kassian
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Hi Heather,
Thanks to Carmen we were able to follow you on the trail. Very exciting. We are so proud to watch your adventurous spirit and courage to do the race. Congratulations! Have a good rest. Hope to see you on the trail again next year.
Sincerely,
Claus and Marsha Lembke
Bismarck ND
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Heather;
Congratulations on your run! You are definitely hardcore!! Hope you and your team will run again next year!
Virgil Burrer
Madison, Alabama
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Followed all of you each day. You are all fantastic. Started to follow you because of the Steamboat connection. I lived there for 7 years teaching school. (67-73) now I admire you as an outstanding person that I admire so very much. Mush On!
Jon Olsen
Estes Park, CO
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Yep, confirming once again you’re a badass! Congrats to you and your dogs on making another long trip to Nome... I hope you get some well-deserved rest now.
Barbara & The Boys, Talkeetna, AK.
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CONGRATULATIONS HEATHER AND TEAM ON ANOTHER SUCESSFUL RUN AND EXCITING TRIP TO NOME. WE ARE ANCOUS TO HEAR YOUR STORY FROM THIS YEAR.
LOVE HARRY AND JOANN AND ALL THE BRAUNS
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Hi Heather:
We are so proud that you finished the race for you Mom. She was a great lady and I`m sure she is singing and dancing for you. God Bless.
Carol Covington
Tucson, Arizona
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I just wanted to send my congratulations to you. Have followed from the beginning.
We love Talkeetna and next time we`ll see if we visit the kennel.
Jeff
Monroe Wa.
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Way to go, Heather.
Congratulations on completing the Iditarod. You are an amazing niece and all of us in Bismarck ND are very proud of you. I know your Mom was watching over you and your dogs the entire way. Talk with you soon,
Love,
Dan & Becky Ennen
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Good Job Heather,
I am glad you made it safe and sound. I hope you and the dogs had a wonderful experience. It was very cool to know and be able to keep up with someone in the great race. Take care and keep in touch.
Your Friend From Anchorage,
Tim Wheatley
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Hey Heather,
Congratulations on a fine effort. We were following you all the way. Enjoy the banquet.
Mike
Pittsford, NY
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We are so proud of you, Heather! We`ve been cheering you on the whole way!
Much Love to you and the team,
The Waltemyers
Asheville, NC
p.s. Also - a special thank you to Hardcore Central for keeping us posted along the way!
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Hope you improved on your time and set a personaL BEST. Congrats on running, and most important on finishing, a grueling race. North Dakota is proud of you!
Val & Phil Kueffler
Grenora
PS. Phil ordered the dog booties and they actually stay ON!!! Thanks for the tip!
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Heather: Despite the difficult year you`ve had personally, you faced the challenge and succeeded. It seems you had an angel with you the entire trip....Hmmm could that have been your Mom, Debbie? Texas couple salute you!
Shirley & Ed Harmes
US Coast Guard Retired
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