Starman's RAAM Blog

The Big Finish

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:46:30 GMT

Yesterday brought on some crazy happenings. We lost Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcet, we nearly lost a rider and we won the race.

At our stop in Athens, OH, we had a nearly costly set of errors an demonstrated just how much the diabetic condition needs to be managed. One of our riders was still hungry after his breakfast of two bowls of rice and veggies so he decided to hit the Burger King for a Whopper and a bathroom break. After he was in there for what seemed like a while, our driver assumed he went to the Wal Mart who shared a parking lot with the fast food establishment. When the rider came out from the BK, he didn’t see the RV and figured we had left him. Luckily, or unluckily he jumped in the utility car and headed up the road.

The unlucky part is that we didn’t know where he was, and he didn’t have his diabetic management supplies. We searched the Wal Mart, Burger King, and various local businesses because when I diabetic gets low blood sugar there is a potential for them to act irrationally. We were afraid he may have wandered off or had been taken by a local. When the utility car finally made contact with us, we were relieved an thought the incident was over.

As we lumbered through the mountains of West Virginia, we were surprised to be flagged down by the Crew Manager. As the utility car driver, he had pulled over to get our rider something to drink because he had spiked his blood sugar to a level near 500, very bad without management. The crew sprung into action and got him the insulin needed, and he made a very quick recovery without missing a leg of the race.

The real lesson here is that even though these are phenomenal athletes, who manage there condition with great discipline, they have bad days too. You need to be able to know what to do in an emergency situation and you need to have people around who know what to do. Continue to manage your diabetes, and always be prepared.

“West Virginia, You Suck!” is a new proposed slogan by our Aussie rider. The climbs in WV are hell for a rider. We hit Gormania, which is my favorite little mountain town that time has forgotten. Although I did get a good sandwich at the local gas station and Deli, the rest of the world seemed to have passed the town by.

West Virginia is more beautiful than the canopy of trees allow you to see. The greenery is so dense that you nearly miss the mountains and streams decorating the state. It really is a sight to see and you have to get up close to see it.

Rouzerville, PA was the site of what we thought was our last transition. The crew stopped into a little bar/restaurant and had some food and laughs as we sent off the final team for the finish. After we sent the team off, we loaded off the remaining riders and headed to the hotel for showers so we could all attend the finish. On the way to the hotel, the team coach called and said the current team out was struggling and they needed a couple of extra legs. The rest team was exhausted, but one rider stepped up and headed out. So we changed course to drop off that rider at the final time station.

Once we dropped him, we headed to the hotel to await the finish. We didn’t have to wait long. As soon as we pulled in, what was supposed to be a couple hour break, turned into a 20 minute break and we were back in the cars to head to the finish.

At the finish line, we anxiously awaited the announcement of the finish and whether or not we claimed the world record. The riders pulled in and we heard 5 days/9 hours/5 minutes and average speed of 23.41 mph, a new RAAM record for time and speed.

There is more to the story, but really who’s gonna read more. It was a once in a life time opportunity that I have gotten to do twice. I am part of a record holding crew, and I helped a team achieve something great. I hope you have enjoyed reading, and thanks for checking it out.

For more information, please check out:

www.teamtype1.org

www.raceacrossamerica.org

Oxford, OH Update

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 00:09:17 GMT

Well, I am sitting in some middle-of-town park in Yates Center, Kansas. I have just had a blow out with a couple of the riders, so I have isolated myself on a picnic table, to just take a break from the situation. The blow out was not entirely mine. There has been an underlying friction between some of the crew with one of the driver-navigator pair. The pair is a great couple of guys, and they have the riders concerns at heart, they just have a different idea of how things should be done. They don’t accept other people’s ideas well, and so friction has been created.

The friction is multiplied by a barely functional air conditioner in our RV. The inside feels like an oven, and the already sleep deprived crew and riders are made that much more on edge. Throw in some low blood sugar and you have a recipe for disaster. The blow out is something that will be forgotten by the time the next shift of riders comes in, but I can’t help dwelling on it because I got caught as the middle man. I have been trying to put out fires, and stifle disputes along the way, and here I have gotten caught in one.

Oh well, like everything else in this ride, its time to man-up! Swallow some pride and make this adventure happen.

Last night I pitched in on a navigator shift. It was a easy stretch of road between Elkhart, KS and Pratt, KS. I underestimated my opponent however and the sandman did me in after I got our driver on the right road. I bowed out graciously and let another navi step forward.

We have reached the stage where the fun and excitement has worn off. Fatigue and frustration has set in. I hope we can find a way to bring some of that excitement back and get the riders fired up again. Maybe we need to destroy another vehicle.

Fast Forward a few hundred miles. We zipped through Missouri and its steam room like atmosphere. Next we crushed Illinois and made our way through to Indiana, where I sit now. We had lunch at the little Kit Kat Diner near Sullivan, IN. It was nice but made me crave Tommy’s Diner on 4^th St in Davenport.

Something I never really took stock of until this trip was how beautiful Missouri is. Our neighbor to the South possesses amazing hills and lush greenery. The waterways of the Ozarks weave a scenic backdrop that just makes you feel good.

A few of the riders and I have been joking about our expected Thursday night finish. One rider and I are joking about pulling in earlier, so we can start drinking beer earlier. Another rider who is underage wants to get in early so he can hit the mall before closing time so he can pick up high school girls. Maybe he didn’t say that, and I am just saying it for him.

I am still not getting along with this Driver/Navigator crew. Last nigh the navigator in question crawled into the back for a nap. We have pretty strict sleeping arrangements for the riders benefit and special reasons. This fool decides he gets to sleep where he wants and doesn’t have to share. Fine, now you have a rider sleeping with 2 others in a full size bed. In addition, the combo moved bags around so that when I needed my jacket this morning, it was nowhere to be found. I slept outside a church in West Alton, MO out of anger and desire to avoid the pair. I had a good sleep until I heard what I though was a pair of flip flops slapping the ground. It turned out to be a toad. Second friendly toad of the trip, maybe things are looking up?!?

I know a lot of this sounds like a downer, but I really am having a great time. I am seeing the country, doing the massage I love to do, and interacting with people from all over the country. I am learning a lot about diabetes, which is always neat information to have. I genuinely like most everyone on board, and we’re winning. It is always more fun when you’re the best. Well, onto that record and the eastern half of the country.

We’re now in Oxford, OH. If we continue to average 22 mph+ we will beat the record. I had an opportunity to sit shotgun without navigating the last leg. We had a bunch of detours which delayed us in getting her so I need to get back to work. Eastern Indiana has some poor towns.

Race Day 2 Updates

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 16:56:57 GMT

Greetings from Eagle's Nest New Mexico. We are currently at an RV park showering people and recharging our batteries. A lot has happened in 48 hours.

The Race started on Saturday at 2:00 Pacific time. Since then we have managed to start a van on fire, last night we lost the transmission in the Rider RV, and we also ran one vehicle out of gas.

Coming through the hills outside Mexican Hat, UT the rider RV started smoking. We had some difficulty shifting, and then it stopped running. We split the crew into two and we took the most essential crew along for the ride while the rest waited for the replacement RV which should be coming around noon. It may be Tuesday before we see them again. They are very much missed.

Sometime during the overnight shift, the rider RV ran out of gas. We have a lot going on, and its easy to make bad decisions or miss simple things. Despite the adversity the crew and riders are in good spirits. Team Type 1 is on record pace. We hope to crush the record in Annapolis.

As for me, I have been massaging in the RV. My table didn't make the cut on the list of items to bring. Its a little more work and the massages aren't quite as nice. But it gets the job done. Well, until the next update.... stay tuned.

RACE DAY 1 UPDATE

Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:40:55 GMT

The first 24hours of the race have been really eventful. We departed from the start team in Oceanside and headed up the road to set up camp. Forty miles past Brawley, CA we settled down just outside of a border patrol check point. It’s a little unnerving trying to pee while there are armed guards and heat sensitive cameras 50 yards away. Team Type 1 and Team Type 2 are separate teams from here on out. Team Type 1 had a good 10 minute lead as they flew into the transition. We sent the next team into the night and they were on their way. The first transition is always the most exciting, and all the crew all comes out to watch the first one. The rest of the time you can barely get enough crew to hold the bikes.

I woke up to the darkness in Kirkwood, AZ, where we were told the riders were 2 hours out. We set up shop in the cold and waited for the riders. Kirkwood is little more than a ghost town. The local steakhouse and bar has been closed for years, with various For Sale and For Rent signs decorating the town. A bug light zaps some of the few locals out tonight. When you’re waiting, people get creative with the bathrooms situation. As we’re not allowed to use the bathroom, on board the RV, people find all kinds of ways to relieve themselves. We have people using water bottles to pee in, last year there was a community milk jug, and the guys are now dumping into garbage bags and pitching them.

While waiting in Kirkwood, we received a call from one of the vans, and they were on fire. Either the brakes or the muffler caught the grass on fire and it spread under the vehicle. Everyone was OK and all the equipment was salvaged. However this was the only vehicle that had a hitch for the bike trailer.

We hit the road with a lot of goals that needed to be met. We dropped gray water, the disgusting wastewater from the RV. We stopped for gas and grabbed some groceries. I decided at the start of the trip I was not going to eat fast food, sweets or soda. My diet is consisting mostly of veggies and chicken, and ham & cheese on wheat sandwiches. I am kinda detoxing and trying to lose a few pounds. So far so good, although the Cash Team, of our Tango and Cash crews, vows to break me of this self imposed detox.

I apologize for the lack of updates. I missed the one area that had WiFi service in the past couple hundred miles. SO by the time you read this, it may be old.

San Diego 2 - Actual RaceStuff Included!

Sat, 20 Jun 2009 02:36:01 GMT

Today was a busy day as the race starts tomorrow. The day started with a trip to the RV rental office. I had to sign a rental agreement in case there is an emergency and I am needed to drive. I pray that this emergency never happens, as I am scared of driving large vehicles. Its a control issue for me. I have a lot of issues like that.

Eight of us piled into a van to head over the the RV office. We pulled into the back of a junkyard/U-haul store. The place could have easily been a Army Surplus Store. They now have a copy of my ID on file and a signature.

I got a few massages in, I missed one guy that asked me for one, but we just ran out of time because we had to head down to the pre-race inspection. During the inspection process I literally have nothing to do. I did get a pic with my feet in the Pacific Ocean and I hope to get one in the Atlantic when I finish.

After inspection we had a little free time so a few of us walked the pier. It was really a good time, and it is a very long pier with a restraruant at the end.

Next was the awesome RAAM meeting. Some of you may remember from last year when I said "Never give a man with a lisp a microphone." Again, the same guy, the race director spoke for an hour about the race. The meeting goes over history, rules, and other less than charasmatic speeches. One older gentleman described in detail a race that happened in the 80's and noe cared about. They introduced the riders, and that was the excitment of the night.

After the meeting we headed back to get some grub. I had a HUGE burrito for a local Mexican place. I couldn't finish.

Well, one more meeting and we get ready to head out tomorrow.

www.teamtype1.org

San Diego Update

Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:06:38 GMT

I will try to add some pics today, but it will be a busy day.

I roomed with the team media manger. Very good guy, he helped coach me with the newspaper article.. He was up until 3ish and back at work about 5ish. I still slept fine.

Busy day today. I have to leave shortly to sign a RV driver agreement. This is for emergency use only. I am scared to death to drive a large vehicle like that. I nearly wet myyself last year riding shotgun through the mountains in one of those.

Lots of RAAM meetings and inspections today. After hours of that I may get some time to work on the riders. That IS what I am here for, right?

I Landed in San Diego

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:35:31 GMT

I landed here in San Diego. The flights were fairly long and uneventful. I met a gentlemen on the flight to Atlanta who was very curious about the RAAM and the work put into it. We had some good conversations.

In the flight to Sand Diego, I sat next to a girl and her grandmother. The grandmother hadn't flown in 38 years and was scared of the landing. They were nice people.

I checked into the hotel. The team has set up a makeshift campsite. There are RV's, vans, and bikes everywhere. There is a buzz of activity. I met several of the crew I haven't had a chance to meet yet. I saw Kevin, Alex, Nate, Bob, and several other whom I had rode with last year. Catching up has been fun.

We have a meeting and a dinner tonight.

That is all for now.

Leaving on a Jet Plane

Thu, 18 Jun 2009 09:01:53 GMT

It never ceases to amaze me! People still come to the airport with no idea what to do. It is 4:45AM and I just passed the rigorous security check point. I happened to get behind the guy who has no idea what to do because he ALWAYS checks his bags. So he is scrambling, trying to get his plastic baggies in order. Ahead of him, is soccer dad, who has to pass through the metal detector somewhere in the neighborhood of a dozen times because he can't figure out why he has to pass his cell phone through the x-ray machine. Now on to fight the morons trying to get 3 oversized bags on as carry-ons.

Its not all bad. I got to kiss my son and wife goodbye. Kyle was sleeping with my mother in the living room. So he wouldn't be scared when he woke up, I put him in bed with my wife. I woke up, barely enough to tell me he loved me and he'll miss me. This makes leaving harder. Off to ATL then San Diego. More updates later!

Pre RAAM Update

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:06:52 GMT

I received a call last week from Moline resident, Joann Bennett. Joann is the mother of one of last years RAAM riders, Jody Bennett of Washington DC. While I met hundreds of people at the pre-race activities, I am not positive I met Jody. Even if I didn't it was great to hear from Joann, and share some stories about last year's race. It feels like the whole world is connected at times when you make contacts like this. Joann shared that her daughter would not be able to participate in this year’s race. That is unfortunate because it would have been neat to meet her.

After that call I did some quick checking, and Jody rode with Ride4melanoma last year. What a great cause to ride for. When I joined TT1 last year, I really had no connection to diabetes. This year is a different story. I have a good friend, whose child is Type 1. I have been privileged enough to help raise money to sponsor his trip to camp Herkto Hollow, a special camp for children with Diabetes. I have also taken part in Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation's Walk for the Cure event.

That's the great thing about events like these. You are helping others spread there message, but inevitably, you spread a little of it to yourself as well.

Just one day over a week until I head out for California. I have been working on a list of items that I need to pack and get taken care of before I leave. I have started packing bathroom and basic med items. My table has been reinforced thanks to my pal Tony. I need to get it shipped out today or tomorrow. Other than that I am pretty ready to go. I will be getting more excited soon. That will follow by lack of sleep. As soon as I take off everything gets real!