An Iditarod musher has spoken candidly about how finishing the race in 1996 was part of the healing process after a car accident.

DeeDee Jonroe was involved in the smash four months before taking part in the Last Great Race.

Her grandmother died in the smash, while her husband was left seriously injured, but Jonrowe knew she had to continue with her Iditarod plans to continue her grieving.

Although she had undergone major intestinal surgery, the plucky musher told the Irish Times she "had to do it".

Jonrowe said her strength came from being in the Alaskan wilderness with only her dogs for company.

Sled dog racing is more than a sport – it’s a spiritual journey, she claimed.

"It was about beginning to take charge of my life again, healing myself and getting back my time. I relate that to people now, people who come here in grief," the musher remarked.

Jonrowe has since gone on to battle breast cancer, after which she again competed in the 2002 Last Great Race and finished 18th.

She is set to be on the starting line for this year’s Iditarod, which kicks off on March 6th 2010 in Anchorage.