Running with Champions: A Midlife Journey on the Iditarod Trail

by Lisa Frederic

?Lisa Frederic was just your average Alaska fisherwoman when a vacation in Nome to see the burled-arch finish of the Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race changed her life forever. The mushers’ devotion to their dogs and the sheer grit required to complete the epic race lit a spark in Lisa. She started as a volunteer at checkpoints along the race, became an apprentice to Iditarod champion Jeff King, and, finally, mushed her own dog team in the world’s greatest sled dog race.
Running with Champions is Lisa’s riveting account of her amazing journey, from head-bashing encounters with trees along the trails to the panic of losing control of a powerful team of dogs in the wilds of Alaska, all leading to her first attempt as a forty-something at the Big One: the 1,049-mile Iditarod. Lisa’s inspiring story speaks to everyone who has ever followed a dream and found that the dream realized is even bigger than the imagined one.

Genres: Nonfiction, Dogs, Memoir

225 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2006

Reviews

[Jana Middleswart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. The author was the bus driver/tour guide we had for our day tour at Denali National Park in late June 2012. She had amazing stories to tell!

[Kathy Bringardner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to spend a day with this author, as she was our tour bus driver in Denali National Park. Hearing her stories of raising dogs and training for the Iditarod was amazing. Her knowledge of nature and the animals in the tundra enhanced our 8 hour tour. I loved finding this book in the bookstore and found it to be a page turner! She writes with humor and wit and tells a very entertaining story. Even if you have never been to Alaska, this story of her determination and courage inspite of all the odds, is worth a read and is an inspiration to women not to be afraid to pursue their dreams.

[Christie Bane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a five star read not because it was great literature but because it was just a damn good dog/adventure story, and also because I love stories of people chasing and achieving big dreams. This author went to watch the Iditarod start one year, and 5 years later was on the start line herself (with no background in dog sled racing) with a puppy team belonging to the famous Jeff King. That’s impressive no matter how you look at it. This book was equal parts great dog story, Alaskan adventure, and human interest, totally worth a read if you like any of those things.

[Marge Mclaughlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I visited Denali National Park, where I purchased this book. This account of Lisa Frederic's Iditarod journey really drew me in. She tells of her preparation and training, the description and love of the dogs, and the physical and mental encounters during the 1,049 mile race. I enjoyed every chapter. What a dangerous grueling amazing life adventure.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Running with Champions is a great book that has gotten good reviews all around. But I'm a little biased because I'm related to the author. You can check out some of the reviews on Amazon, but as always I'd buy from the independents. Happy reading...

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew nothing about the Iditarod before reading this book. Makes you want to go and see it!

[Stephen Heverin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book which gives you insite into the passion that surronds Iditarod mushers, and the passion of the people that help them.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story about true happenings preparing for and running the Idiatord, "The Last Great Race".

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read. Inspiring to see someone follow their dreams! Great because I am currently working at a husky kennel!

[Jessica Warpup-Goodrow · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Lisa's journey from tourist, to volunteer, to handler, to musher. This book is honest and genuine. You can feel her anxieties leading up to the race, the fear in her heart as she faces many challenges on the trail. She also discusses the kindness of strangers, the camaraderie in the Alaskan wilderness. I only wish the book was longer!

[Patrice La Vigne · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are heaps of published authors in my area (Denali), and it’s my goal to meet and read all their books. Plus, I love any and all these Iditarod books now that I’ve seen the race in action while volunteering. With that being said, I didn't love Lisa's storytelling style, which was more of a play-by-play rather than diving deeper into what she really felt. Still a great adventure read!

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Upon taking a run in musher's camp with 13 lively dogs, an Iditarod book was sought. This one provided lots of insight into the raising of the dogs, training, and ultimately completing the Iditarod by a rookie musher. Really enjoyed this.

[Rox · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrific read for anyone interested in the dog sledding world. Also a bonus for women who appreciate mid life challenges.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa works for a dog handler for Iditarod Champion Jeff King for a few years before running a team of his dogs herself in the Iditarod. Thoroughly entertaining chronicle of her adventures.

[Kris Loveid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun insight into the Iditarod.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved loved loved! Congrats, Lisa!

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible! What an emotional, inspiring , difficult ride that was! I’m in awe of this book and of the Iditarod.

[Chickadee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lisa tells her story of how she became involved in the Iditarod later in life. It was an evolving process over the course of 5 years and within that time frame, she candidly reveals her triumphs, love for the dogs,challenges, tears, and inner thoughts. I loved the way she wrote about her time during the Iditarod. She was challenged many times, but she prevailed and loved the experience.

To me, this paragraph perfectly captures her feelings, her passions about racing and the Iditarod:

"There are significant moments you are certain will make your top-ten list as you look back on your life - weddings, the births of babies, certain holiday meals - and those last minutes, as I approached the coast, running the Iditarod with a team of dogs I loved and felt an unbreakable bond to, I knew would be hard to surpass. The crimson sky, the small yips of excitement from the dogs, the smell of wood smoke and my own complete physical exertion as I kicked the sled to the familiar rhythms of old rock-and-roll tunes - we wait our whole lives for moments like these."

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

the perfect fuel for my iditarod obsession, which always heats up around this time of year. great account of frederic's journey from iditarod fan to volunteer to handler to musher. gives me yet another nudge along my own fantasy path of doing it myself some day... sigh.

i'd recommend this mostly for people already knowledgeable about and/or obsessed with the iditarod... the book doesn't always do the best job of presenting info and background about things in an orderly fashion so i definitely would have been lost at some points if i didn't already know what she was talking about.

[Becky Rippel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great Alaska book. The author and her husband run a fishing boat out of Kodiak. That is until Lisa vacationed in Nome and was bitten by the Iditarod bug! She began as a volunteer at checkpoints along the trail. Then apprenticed to 4 time Iditarod champion, Jeff King before finally participating in her first race. Following Lisa on her adventure is heartwarming and at times, heartbreaking. Great for anyone who loves dogs and has even a passing interest in the Iditarod!!

[Chade66 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting tale about a woman in her forties that decides to run the Iditarod. I only picked this up because I turned around at the library and caught sight of Winter Dance, one of my all time favorite books. So I checked out a couple of books, both based on the fact that they were by women.

Makes me want to buy a sled dog and a harness.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the book! I met Lisa on a Denali tour in August 2012 and really enjoyed her stories about the history of the area. I was impressed that she had been in commercial fishing for 20 years and enjoyed mushing in the winter. Lisa didn't talk a lot about her accomplishments so I didn't realize the extent of her involvement with mushing (completed an Iditarod!) until I read the book.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great perspective, the Iditarod Trail through the eyes of a rookie. I learned so much. The subtitle, "A Midlife Journey on the Iditarod Trail" almost kept me from reading the book. I was afraid it was going to be "Eat Pray Love" with sled dogs. It wasn't at all. It was a great adventure tale and I enjoyed getting to know the dogs.

[Graceanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I met Lisa at a bookstore signing in Denali with two of her dogs, Bronte and Vincent. I read the book after returning from vacation and found it to be gripping. We only saw a small portion of Alaska but had an appreciation of the size and beauty. I learned more about the Iditarod and appreciated the spirit of the book. I highly recommend the book especially if you love dogs.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the most interesting or least interesting of the Iditarod books I've read. Provides an interesting perspective of the training and behind-the-scenes kennel work, as Frederic worked with Jeff King.

[Lori · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was lucky enough to have this author as my tour guide when I was in Donali! This is how I found out about her and this book. Interesting for anyone wanting to know more about life in Alaska and about the Iditarod. Lisa is a pretty amazing woman.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book of a middle age women overcoming physical and mental challenges. Lovely story of dogs! Recommended for everyone who has a canine family member. These dogs are the real champions. Totally amazing!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! An exciting story (Lisa decides to run a 1100 mile long sled dog race when she's middle aged) with really, really good writing.

[Clara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is interesting if you are interested in Iditarod stuff....

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books!