This is an inspiring story of a middle-aged woman who sets out to live her dream—pushing herself beyond her own physical and emotional limits—to achieve something she never thought possible. A great journey to follow. —Gary Paulsen, author
For Lisa, the dogs were champions long before they won a race. Their journey, hers and the dogs, needed no trophy to celebrate success. This is a great story for anyone who dreams of ‘doing it’ - no matter what 'It' is. If I had a tail, I'd be wagging it! —Jeff King who won his fourth Iditarod with Salem winning the coveted Golden Harness Award 2006
If you’ve ever wanted to run the 1,200-mile Iditarod with a crazed 850-pound team of sixteen huskies—then read Lisa Frederic’s superb account of misadventures and success. She’s forty, slightly built, a rookie completely new to the sport, but full of resolve. After a winter’s apprentice with Iditarod Champ Jeff King, she runs the Iditarod—and reminds me that great adventures are more than just good planning. —Joe Runyan, 1989 Iditarod champion
I thoroughly enjoyed this vivid account of a spirited individual with a zest for life who managed to go from curious observer of the Iditarod to crossing under the burled arch in Nome herself in just a few short years. I have a hunch some unsuspecting reader of this book will one day make such a life journey of his or her own. —Stan Hooley, Executive Director, Iditarod Trail Committee
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Inspiring Tale Proves it’s Never too Late to Dream Big
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA. – Lisa Frederic didn’t set out to run the Iditarod. A vacation to Nome, Alaska in 1997 to witness the end of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race® turned her life upside down. At the age of 40, when her life felt fairly settled, she suddenly found herself obsessed with a whole new world. The Iditarod and sled dogs had been vague concepts before the vacation, but dog mushing and a dream to run the Big One progressively became both a goal and a frightening commitment to her. Running with Champions; A Midlife Journey on the Iditarod Trail (June 2006, Alaska Northwest Books®) follows Lisa’s quick progression from tourist to Iditarod volunteer to dog musher in The Last Great Race. Never described as graceful, Lisa learned to drive a team of huskies with sometimes funny, but more often terrifying experiences. The puppy team she trained went on to become champions – winning the 2006 Iditarod with Jeff King – but they were champions long before they won trophies. A tale of unconditional puppy love, this is also an inspiring story about setting goals, facing fears, and accepting challenges. Lisa's self-effacing account will speak to all those who have ever followed their heart and found that the dream realized is even bigger than the one they imagined. May I send you a review copy? Please let me know if you have any questions. 907.278.8838 or christyb@gacpc.com If you would like a review copy please click here
About the Author
A vacation in 1997 turned her life upside down when she visited Nome to see the end of the Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Five years later she was shocked to find herself committed to driving a dog team across the state. In 2002 she completed the 1,049-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race as a rookie at forty-two years old. These days she writes and gives tours inside Denali National Park, trains sled dogs for Jeff King, and commutes to the ocean waters around Kodiak to fish commercially. She is making plans for her next midlife adventure.
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Lisa Frederic has been blessed in living the Alaskan dream. After coming north for summer employment, she spent the next two decades fishing for wild salmon off the coast of Kodiak Island. She and her husband built a home in an isolated bay, eight hours by boat from the closest town. They make their own electricity and get mail once a week by seaplane. There are more bears than people in their neighborhood.