Quick results

I want to write a huge blog post about the finish of RAAM, with pictures and all, but that will have to come this week for a few reasons. One, I'm exhausted right now and don't feel like it. Two, we're trying to get things packed up to leave tomorrow. And three, because we're leaving in an hour to go see TT2 at the finish.

I'm sure most of you have looked at the results by now, but TT1 won the 8 man division of Race Across America in 5 days, 9 hours and 5 minutes. They set a new course record for the finish time of the race and the speed in which they completed it (they averaged 23.41mph for the race). The finish was awesome, even though it was REALLY late - they crossed around 3:00am on Friday morning. I was super thrilled to see all the guys and have had a great time getting to know them and their families this weekend.

Tom's pretty exhausted. We've been told that the fatigue will really hit around Tuesday, but he felt it a lot today. he's struggling a bit with his blood sugars, simply because his body is kind of in freak out mode a little without being on the bike. It's nice to be around other guys that have the same struggles of highs and lows as Tom. They just get him and their families get what I deal with! :)

Thanks again for all of your support. Again, I'll post more pictures and whatnot sometime this coming week. We're driving home tomorrow, making a pit stop in Gettysburg (Tom rode through it Thursday night and wants to go back) and then I'm sure this coming week is going to be a bit hectic getting caught up.

Over and Out

Just wanted to post quickly and say that I'm off to Annapolis. Talked to Tom briefly this morning (well longer than usual as he was walking around a Wal-Mart) and he was in a really good mood. I think he's just ready to be in MD with everyone, drinking a beer if you ask me! :) They were in Athens this morning and were just switching riders so Tom was a little weary of what lies ahead - the climbing in West Virginia and the heat! UGH... his worst nightmare! Guess the guys have seen a huge improvement in Tom's climbing just over the last 4 days so he was happy. Had found some caffeine this morning and was raring to go. Tango has 2 more shifts, Cash has one and then they will ride in together sometime tonight. The RAAM website says it'll be sometimes after midnight!!! The record is still in reach, as long as they keep pushing today. I think their lead on ViaSat is upwards of 5.5 hours now!!!

Some of you asked what his transitions were like. Here's a good video of that.


I can't think you all enough for you constant support. When the days were getting long (for both of us because as had as he's working, it was quite lonely here without him) your constant support really meant so much to us. He worked so hard for this race and never expected it to be as draining emotionally and I know that all of your calls, emails, comments, blogs, facebook updates, etc. really helped!

Hopefully I'll have internet access in Maryland and will be able to post updates. We'll be back Sunday night late if not.

GO TEAM TYPE 1!!!

Wednesday update

It's hard to believe that the race will be over tomorrow (although I'm sure the guys are thinking that it'll never get here!!!!) I'm super excited to see all of the guys (especially the hubster) and congratulate them on a great race. I haven't heard from Tom yet today. He texted quickly this morning after his all nighter and said that he was dead tired and was going to try to sleep and would call me in 4-5 hours. I'll wait to hear from him today instead of calling him.

As far as the race is going... TT1 is stilling kicking ass! They have gone through the 36th Tim station which is Effingham, IL (2,154 miles into the race). They have a 4 hour and 15 minute lead on ViaSat so I think it's safe to say that they will win the 4 man division. The only question is if they can keep the pace up for a new course record!!! Keep going guys... you've got this!!!

Thought you'd enjoy some pictures that they've taken along the way... Here's the RV parked yesterday afternoon:

The lonely open roads of Kansas:

Getting sunscreened to "try" and avoid a burn on the hot days!

You gotta get laundry done where you can! (Notice the portable shower in the background)

And one of the best pictures of all... all of the guys couldn't do this race without the fabulous help of the volunteers! They are working a well oiled machine and it's definitely a team effort!

I'm exhausted

And I only biked 40 miles today! :) That's sad in comparison!

Tom's doing good. They are in MO now, leaving for their next shift in about an hour. He was actually off to find some caffeine and pizza - hey, you gotta go what you gotta do.

Team Tango rode through the heat of the day today in Kansas. Tom said that it was brutal - 100+ degrees and now the humidity is horrible. When they got to the transition, Dave Eldridge had arranged for the guys to go to a public pool and Tom said they were all in the pool within 3 minutes. Besides some cramping in his legs, Tom said that he's feeling alright - sugars are relatively under control and I think he's happy to be in more "normal" altitudes. He's sleepy now, as he only got about 2 hours of sleep so he thinks this next leg, in the dark is going to be tough. They are fighting on though.

He texted me tonight some highlights or thing's he'll never forget from the trip so far

• a near crash within the first 20 minutes of riding - would have gone over a guardrail and a cliff (which would have ended his race - lovely...)
• Rattle Snakes
• 3am hose showers
• Climbing the Rocky's at 3am in 40 degree temps and then crossing Kansas in 100+ temps during the very next day
• sleep deprivation
• more motivation each pull from the rider car and crew screaming

TT1 is up by about 3.5 hours I think (and at least 1 full time stop). I think they pretty much have a win in the bag and luckily their motivation isn't dwindling because they see that record in sight.

Thank you all so much for your continued support. I read Tom your comments and tell him when I talk to all of you. It means a lot to these guys!!!

Tuesday morning

Quick update as I haven't talked to Tom much. He texted me last night around 2am and it just said "Just finished and ate and need sleep bad". I called this morning since I hadn't heard from him and he got a good 6 hours of sleep and they were currently flying through Kansas!!! They have a HUGE lead - 2 hours and 40+ minutes and are WAY ahead of the record so as long as the weather holds up and the guys keep doing what they are doing, they are going to be in good shape. They hit time station 26 this morning already - 2542 miles into the race - more than half way there!!!

Keep it up guys! Can't wait to CELEBRATE on Friday early morning.

And...

HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY MOM!!! I LOVE YOU!!!

I'm not sure any one's reading my updates, especially since I talk to so many people throughout the day and they ask how Tom's doing, but quickly -

The team is now up about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The second place team also has a 15 minute penalty which they haven't served yet so that just adds to the lead.

The guys are on track to break the record. They don't seem to be slowing down.

Talking to Tom today, he sounded tired, a little down and kind of just out of it. He told me he was conserving energy (it could have been that he just woke up). He was hoping that they hit Kansas soon... I being the dork that I am told him to keep an eye out for Toto and remember there's no place like home. :)

Finally - Tomorrow is my mom's 39th anniversary of her 21st birthday! :) HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA!

Here's a great video from RAAM yesterday!

Talked to Tom late last night. He was sleepy - there were mechanical issues with their RV so he didn't get much sleep and their 8 hour shift was starting around 1am and going through the Rockies. I'm hoping he calls anytime with an update. They have completed time station 16 (Chama, NM) and are averaging 24.09. Tom said last night that the only update they have been given is that they are ahead of last year's time by an hour and a half.

**Updated** Tom just called me and said that they had a tough night. Climbing all night and it was cold - low 40's and dark. They did great, but of course had some problems when about 18 miles out from the transition, the car ran out of gas. He said that they rode in twos the last 18 miles and have nothing left. He's in the middle of NM, just ate a big burrito (I feel bad for the guys in the RV later!!!) and that he's hoping to get some sleep. No showers because those were on the RV that broke down! (And being the good wifey that I am, bought him showerless wipes just in case he needed them and I think he was embarrassed to bring them so he left them behind. Team tango would be LOVIN' some Colleen right now if he had brought them!)

They are pumped - and feeling good!

I might be leaving earlier on Thursday so that I don't miss them at this rate! :)