In Part 6 — the finale — of her interview, Aliy talks about mistakes she’s made mushing dogs, about the support she gets racing the Iditarod and about how long she expects to be a professional sled dog racer.
Note: We hope you have enjoyed this audio series and that it has provided answers to some of the questions you have asked us to address. Aliy is concerned that it has been “too much talking.” Please let us know in the comments — one way or the other — whether this series has been informative and entertaining, and whether or not you would like more series like this in the future. Thank you!
If you are having trouble with the embedded mp3 player, you can click here to access the mp3 file directly and play it however your computer normally handles mp3 files.
This series has been great – I enjoyed it tremendously. Aliy worried about too much talking? But that's the best – it's like getting to have a conversation with her. It's been very informative and entertaining. If you can find a way to do more series like this in the future go for it.
It reminded me of the night before Iditarod dinner where Aliy and Allen sat at the table answering questions – that was a real treat too.
Personally, I enjoy anything you post that gives insight on mushing, Alaskan life, SPKennel, the dogs, etc. The only thing I can suggest is a few pictures to accompany the audio…either as part of the blog for the day or as a slide show.
I enjoyed the series. It was informative and interesting to her Aliy's thoughts. As good as the website is, it's not the same as hearing directly from Aliy on all the various topics that were covered. On the flip side, just checking in to the website is often a quick and easy thing (1-2 minutes) to do whereas taking the time to listen to a 5-10 minute audio clip is something I'm not inclined to do on a regular basis. So, the occassional audio clip would be nice (if there is something important/informative to say) but I like the main staple to be what you've been doing.
Thanks for putting the time and resources into such a great website.
Barbara
I really enjoyed it. Not to much talking at all, it was great to listen to. It did take more time to listen to it all but if its only done once in a while its perfect.
I agree with BJ. Great interview series but just a little too much "talking" all in a row. I look forward to the pictures and videos also. Love the website! I enjoy checking it out daily.
Actually, I was just thinking that this might have been my favorite series ever on the blog. I do love the pictures and videos, but often they only give us a glimpse of what is going on. The length of this one really gave me some insight into what Aliy is thinking, which I don't usually get from the blog. Obviously it is up to her how much she wants to share, but I really enjoyed hearing her reminisce about past races, share her thoughts on various topics, etc. It gave me a lot of insights into the choices she and Allen have made (both in and out of races) and why they run the kennel the way they do. It's one thing to say "We are a dog-centered kennel" and another to really share the thoughts and philosophy behind that statement, for example.
Dog mushing is such a mental sport, that I can't imagine I am the only fan who finds those aspects particularly intriguing, and was pleased to have some space devoted to them. It felt a bit like sections of a well-written memoir, which I always enjoy reading. I would add that in listening to interviews with many mushers over the past few years, I have always found Aliy to be unusually articulate, and that is actually one reason why I check in on her site as often as I do. It isn't 'too much talking' when you have interesting things to say and are able to express yourself well.
As far as the time it takes to listen to these clips, the great thing about audio-only clips is that I can be working on other things while I am listening, so I am actually more likely to hit play right away.
We eat it all up and then some, yes, keep it going when you have time. All great info/history, all things dog mushing. No, not too much talking, very well said.
Definately not too much talking!!! Keep them coming – it gives a fantastic insight.
Thanks,
Kirsty
Thanks Aliy and Mac for sharing the interview with us. It reminded me of listening to tapes of interviews at the ADMA annual meetings back in the early 90's. Aliy reminds me so much of Susan Bucher that it brings tears to my eyes. Keep up the great work you do. You are an inspiration to many young and old would be mushers! Dave in NC
I loved this series. It gave a lot of insight into the thought, planning and drive a musher must have to keep running the Iditarod and racing dogs. I'd love to see more of these type of features on the Dog Log. They complement the rest of the information fantastically!
A competent professional talking about the work she truely loves.
What could be better than that??
Keep up the good work!!!J.S.in NY.
Aliy,
As you can see, we love "hearing" your thoughts. The interview was great because of the questions and your insightful answers.
One entry you made on Oct 16, 2008 was another way we "heard" what you were thinking as a musher. That was also excellent.
Bottom line, your website offers many different things—narrative, pictures, video, audio—on many different topics. It is very clear that you are dog people, that you love your dogs and what you do, and that you enjoy sharing your world.
Thank you for all that you (and Macgellan, as well as the earlier contributors to your website) have done to share the world of competitive mushing in Alaska.