Sideline Stories – Becki Tucker – “Can-Am 250, For the Love of the Race”
I became obsessed with the mushing lifestyle 26 years ago. What started out as a hobby turned into my very own crazy, beautiful life – a life that grounds me and at the same time sets my soul on fire!!
Every athlete in every sport has focus, determination, and drive. Sled racers have all of that, plus another special team bond that is unlike any other. The bond I’ve formed with my team is raw, real, true, and full of so much love and pride it’s priceless.
This is why I love the Can-Am 250. This race puts my athletes, who are also my kids, together to face anything and everything that is thrown at us. We are the most powerful and positive team you could ever imagine. It’s not about winning, it’s about conquering the challenge together as one team!
The Can-Am is a 250-mile dog sled race with no assistance and no help from the outside. It’s just you and your team, driven by your wit and your team’s instincts, and the dogs’ power and energy. A race where I need to think ahead and plan for anything and everything, even the unexpected or unknown. What will we need while we’re out there, dog food, an extra jacket, duct tape in case something breaks? Predicting what’s to come and packing supplies correctly is part of the challenge of dog sled racing.
I’m the planner because I’m the brains of the operation, right? Not all the time!! I have been the weak link more than once. At the start of a race a few years ago I stepped on the runners, took off from the starting line, and 50 miles on the trail I had a revelation. It became clear that I need to trust the dogs more than I do myself and need to listen to them and give them complete control to run the show. That was the same year we came into Portage (the first checkpoint ) and I thought, “no way, we’re done, this is too hard!” Then I walked outside only to see everyone happy, tails wagging as they jumped up, ready to go and with some serious power. This is why the Can-Am 250 is the ultimate TEAM sport in my book. We know each other inside and out. We know some of us are gonna have an off day but the team rallies together and everything works out!
The memories we make at the Can-Am aren’t just on the trail. I appreciate the energy, kindness, and wonderful community that puts this race together. So wonderful that after 14 years of coming here every year for the race I decided in 2020 it was time to call Fort Kent HOME. So the team (Outlaw Ridge) and I left NH and I purchased my home in Fort Kent. It’s incredible to be home and we’re looking forward to the Can-Am 250 even more this year!!
Maybe we will see you at the Can-AM sometime. For more information on Outlaw Ridge feel free to follow us on Facebook. Happy trails!
-Becki
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