Most of us dread those bitter-cold Canadian winter days where the walk from our heated home to our parked car seems like it's a mile away. Now add 1150 miles, a sled pulled by 16 dogs, the desolate Alaskan wilderness and you've got Karen Ramstead's ultimate dream- the Iditarod!

Her Story: Karen Ramstead is a musher. A Nordic sport that has her travelling, via a small sled pulled by 16 mighty Siberian Huskies, across great expanses of land, in frigid temperatures for up to two weeks at a time. But mushing hasn't always been in Karen's blood. In fact, she happened upon it 12 years ago when her husband Mark, bought her a Siberian Husky as a bribe in an effort to convince her to move from Calgary to northern Alberta. She describes her fate like this: "I was out visiting the folks that we bought [the dog] from and they offered to take me on a sled ride. The second I stepped onto the runners, I knew this was a passion found...the bond between human and canine athlete in mushing is truly magical." In 2001, Karen completed the Iditarod- an 1151-mile race across Alaska. Alone with her dogs, Karen spent 2 isolated weeks sledding, eating, drinking and sleeping beneath the stars, in open air. Completing the race was an incredible feat- one that definitely makes her an extraordinary Canadian athlete.
Karen must also commit to a steadfast exercise regimen: "During heavy training and racing, I rely on chores around the yard and time on the trail to keep me fit. For the last few months, I've been doing 50 minutes [of cardio] 6 times per week and 30 minutes of weight training 3 times per week." Apart from mushing, Karen also owns and operates North Wapiti Kennels- home to dozens of award-winning Siberian Husky show-dogs, and her fellow teammates. As well, she still finds time to pick up her old camera and practice her hobby of photography.

Her Advice: "My father who passed away in 1996 was a very big influence in my life. He was very supportive of my brother and I and was convinced that we could succeed at anything we wanted to do. I still feel his confidence in me and it helps me to accomplish things that most people wouldn't attempt. So my piece of advice would be: Believe in Yourself."

For more information on Karen Ramstead, please visit her website: www.telusplanet.net/public/musher

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