A week from today, I’ll be in Alaska. A week from tomorrow, I’ll have moved through most of my first day out on the Iditarod trail - on skis, in the cold, completely out of my element. If all goes to plan, I’ll have 25+ miles behind me, and 300+ miles still to go. Crazy.
I have never competed in a winter race. I have never attempted a race this long. My fitness is nowhere near where it should be. Oh, and… I am not a skier. Yet here I am. I have no business toeing the line in the Iditarod Trail Invitational, and yet I can’t wait to be in Alaska with this precious gift of ten days of unadulterated focus.
This will be my fourth visit to Alaska, but my first ever attempt at a winter ultra.
So much has happened in the last year — COVID, moving to Kanab, my dad’s death, Paul’s and my delicate dance with overwhelm as I personally try to straddle three (if not more) different identities as co-owner of Dreamland, founder & owner of AWExpeditions, and professional athlete. With everything that 2020 brought, the idea of being in the moment, and having a singular purpose for ten days while I attempt to make it through the ITI350, is pure bliss. Do I worry about frostbite, about being found out as an imposter, or about having to abort the race on account of being too slow? Of course. And that’s OK. I’d be worried if I didn’t worry.
Here’s to hoping for another glimpse of the northern lights.
Earlier this week, I took some of my cold weather gear up to 10,000ft. I slept out in a snow storm. I held my pee because I didn’t want to peel out of my sleeping bag. I learned to appreciate the value of vapor barrier liners and KT tape. I thoroughly dislike the cold, and I am dreading all the moments in the ITI when I will have to get out of my warm bag in subzero temperatures… but the thought of being on the trail and having no task other than to ski and eat and sleep and stay warm sounds like utopia. With all the uncertainty and speculation and anxiety that comes with being a complete rookie - a rookie in the ITI, a rookie in the cold, a rookie at the distance, and a rookie on skis… I can’t wait to be out there. I can’t wait to be - just be.
You’ll be able to track me and exchange messages with me at www.sunnystroeer.com/gps once the race starts on February 28. If all goes according to plan, I’ll be back in Utah on March 11. Let’s do this!