Jo Dee Ahmann

Here we are.  At journey’s end.

The sun rises over Rob one last time before he approaches the finish line in Maryland.

Random quotes from Rob since early this morning—on the phone.

“It’s so beautiful.”

Rob flies down a hill as as he gets within an hour of the finish line.

“I can’t explain this.”

“This is far beyond my ability.  I’m not even a cyclist.”

“God is good all the time.  All the time, God is good.”

“Make sure God gets the glory!”

“When I’m done, I want to spend some time with my wife…and then I want to spend some more time with my wife.”

“Pray that I will see the beauty.”

At Mt. Airy time station—

“Pray for me, I’m not quite here (mentally).”  I grabbed his face and said, “Focus, Rob, Focus” and then we prayed.  He always wants prayer.

“I am so blessed.”

“Can you believe this is the last day?”

“Watch that time.”  Said with a twinkle in his eye because he didn’t need to be concerned about time anymore.

“It’s amazing how I can feel this good right now,” says Rob as he eats a coupel donuts.

“Oh, the miracles.  We pray for tailwinds.  We get tailwinds.  We pray for a chiropractor.  We get a chiropractor.  We pray for the coming storms and tornadoes.  We get clear roads and not one drop of rain.  We pray for strength.  Strength is there.  I couldn’t do this alone.”

And then, the last 50 long miles. Rob said, “This feels like an eternity.” He needed prayer to get to the end and finish strong. Next text from his wife, Kristin.  Rob says he feels better and thanks for praying.  He feels at peace.

And we waited our own little eternity at the finish line.  Finally, after many jokes about a last minute nap, or stopping to take a shower, he cruised down the finish—characteristic smile and wave.  We have learned to love and expect Rob’s kind gestures to all those around.  He is just that way—through and through.

They say that RAAM peels you back.  When Rob DeCou gets peeled back, there is utter consistency.  Still kind.  Still looking out for everyone else.  Still compassionate.  He told me before RAAM that God has remade him from the inside out.  Well, we have seen the outside and seen the inside and it all brings glory to the One who made him.

Rob was presented his medal.  A proud moment.  He immediately presented it to his niece, Madison who was on crew for Rob.  At the award banquet tonight Rob told me why he gave his precious medal away.  He said, “It’s important to give away the things you work hardest for. Otherwise, they can begin to own you. They can become idols.”

In the midst of all the celebration, Rob asks that you remember to donate to 3000 Miles to a Cure.  He has reached his financial goal but no one will turn down extra. You may donate here.   And please continue to watch and pray for our other rider, Marshall Reeve’s.  Some of Rob’s crew headed back to see if they could help get Marshall in by his deadline.

After debriefing with the teams, it is time to say goodbye.  It is bittersweet.  You have all become our community.  We go our separate ways, but we are changed.  Sacrifice looks more tangible.  Hard work–well, I’m not sure I knew what it was before this race.  Community has a whole new meaning.  And God walks with us more closely than we dreamed.  Thank you for following on this journey.  Thank you for praying for Rob.  Thank you for donating so generously for 3000 Miles to a Cure.  We are pretty sure Christina is celebrating in heaven–loving the unfolding of this story–really a continuation of her story.  No fear living.  Abundance in the midst of difficulty, and joy no matter what comes.

Back at the start line in Oceanside, Rob’s good friend, Joe Chehade, prayed for his start.  Joe just sent me his finish line prayer.  It seems like a perfect closure to this great journey of RAAM.

Thank you, Jesus for accompanying Rob and his crew across the continent.  Thank you for sending your angels and keeping them safe.  Thank you for giving Rob the strength to climb over physical, mental and spiritual mountains:  Like an eagle, he flew by them.  We dare continue to ask you for more graces and miracles:  for Marshall’s safe and quick finish.  For Rob’s fast healing from his wounds and scars.  For the continued ripple effect of this race and the mission of 3000 Miles to a Cure so that many people get involved in this fight and many, many more get to know You and love You.  For the continued healing of the families of Jenny and Christina—to have the faith that their loved ones are happy with you now.

We love you, we thank you and ask you to use the rest of our lives for Your Glory!   AMEN

Signing off,

Jo Dee Ahmann, The Messenger

This is it.  The final 24 hours.  The Last Big Push.  Go, Rob, Go!

Rob’s eyes are focused on the road ahead as he only has one full day on the road left.

The report from the West Virginia Appalachians through the night was that Rob was singing.  Really?   I asked, “Singing? Literally?”  Yes, literally.  And telling jokes.

May I just say Rob needs another miracle night like that.  He will be pushing through to make a close time cutoff at the Mt. Airy, Maryland time station.

Jamaica Lambie hands Rob a popsicle to cool him off as he races up a hill.

This morning in the car, while we were trying to catch up to Rob, I was watching some videos of Christina.  She consented to a video question session after she was placed on hospice.  She answered question after question, so coherently, so strongly, so beautifully.  So for Rob, here are a few of Christina’s words transcribed.  I think it is no mistake that they apply so perfectly for your ride tonight.

She was asked about fighting the good fight.  What words of encouragement do you have for those who might be struggling? She said,

 “The good fight never ends and you never get to a point where you have arrived.  I certainly haven’t and I am on the short end of the journey…but it never ends and the adventure of it to me is that it’s never over and hard parts are never over and the amazing beautiful spectacular miracle parts are never over, and the leaning completely on Jesus because you just have nothing.”

 “Things that feel devastating to us and ‘ I am tired of fighting and I am tired of this life being hard and I can’t do it anymore and I don’t want to do it anymore’—that never ends.  But that’s the beautiful part of it because that’s where God meets us.”

Tyler Clemens helps Rob off the bicycle.

 “Through our weaknesses our faith is made perfect.  Not through our strengths and all our amazing parts….’I got nothin’ but He has my everything and that is all I could ever dream for my life.’  That is the most adventurous part of walking with God.” 

 I jogged a little with  Rob while he was going up a hill and he said, “This is all Jesus.  He is getting me through this”.  He and Christina going to the end—in the power of Jesus.

Jo Dee Ahmann encourages Rob as he rides up a hill in Maryland.

Will you help Rob get through this last 24 hours with your encouragement?  He is loving your notes and your generous donations to 3000 Miles to a Cure.  He is at 84% of his goal of $20,000.  You can donated here.  Almost there on the bike and almost there on the donations.  It’s all so amazing.

The Messenger,

Jo Dee Ahmann

The night crew is calling it Bear Mode. Get him in Bear Mode.  He’s an athlete.  He’s motivated by hard.  He’s motivated by impossible.  He’s motivated to dig deep and push to the end.

Rob flashes a characteristic smile while heading toward Athens, Ohio.

We are in the last two days of RAAM.  If Rob is to be an official finisher, he needs to pass the Mt. Airy, Maryland time station by 11:22 a.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, June 26^th .

His night crew reported he has strong reserves—sleep, endurance, physical strength, manageable pain levels, and the heart of a warrior.

Apparently, all that needs to be done to get him fired up is mention his high school wrestling record.  31 wins, no losses.  And then Rob said, “But it ended 35 and 2.”  When we mentioned to him (out the car window) his amazing record, he smiled and said, “I like to wrestle.”

This morning, we talked about the coming mountains that are a hard thing to face at the end of a grueling, endurance test like RAAM.  He said, “I can’t wait.  They are going to go by quickly.  I have no fear of these mountains.”

Rob DeCou picks up his speed on his way to Athens, OH to make up for the hours he’s lost.

Go Rob, Go.  Those mountains need to go by very quickly.  He is on a victorious course to finish well—making up time even as I write.  This will be a difficult test—unending miles on the bicycle, quick pit stops, short rests.

Rob had three goals.

1. Safety first.
2. Spend every possible minute on the bike.
3. Create and keep good community.

He is in the middle of spending every possible minute on the bike.  Rob’s spirit is strong.  His desire to finish is undiminished.  His mind is clear and focused.  Even in his short sleep times he talks, “Let’s go.”  “We’ve got this.”  This ultra-endurance athlete is alive and well.   He is about to enter the unknown end of this race that will require everything Rob has and more.

Rob’s great crew has kept him safe.  He told me that Jamaica fixed many mechanical problems through the night.  Rob said Jamaica is fast and so competent and loves having him along.

Jamaica Lambie and Jo Dee Ahmann laugh at a video of him and Kyle Downs interpretting the hostile driver situation in Indiana the day before.

The crew keeps him fed with foods that interest him.  His caloric intake is critical and they are working fast and furious to keep Rob fed.

Rob’s goals are attainable.  It is hard this late in the race to keep these three things in the front of everyone’s minds.  Rob is working hard, the crew is working alongside—keeping him alive and rolling.  And the community is still functioning, here and around the world.  To Rob, it is so important for this  community to stay focused on those goals so he can stay focused on pedaling.

At the close of our conversation this morning he said, “I can’t describe what God has done this week.  He has pushed me the whole way.  I trust Him to wake me up. He powers me.”  If you are one who prays, pray for Rob in these last two days.  He really wants to stay mentally alert and strong to the end.

Rob reminded us (from the bike) to please give to 3000 Miles to a Cure.  He wants to beat brain cancer.  Rob’s community has given over $15,000 dollars.  That leaves $5,000 to raise in the final two days.  If you want to make Rob’s day, give here

Thank you all so much for following along on this epic race.

The Messenger,

Jo Dee Ahmann

Two weeks ago, there were only question marks.  Will Rob be able to handle the heat of the desert?  Will his lungs stay healthy as he cycles over the Rocky Mountains?  The highways of Missouri are notoriously dangerous.  Will Rob safely navigate the narrow highways and speeding trucks?  Will Rob make the RAAM time cut-off at the Mississippi River?

This is the beauty of an unfolding story.  Step by step, the answers are known.

The desert was conquered.

Rob flashes a thumbs up while riding.

The Rockies were celebrated.

Chris Clemens points out that Rob has reached the summit of Wolf Creek Pass and is about to fly down the mountain.

The highways of Missouri were navigated.

The business of a Kansas highway rushes past Rob.

The Mississippi River was crossed with an hour and 50 minutes to spare.

Rob races his way over the Mississippi River to complete the second time cut-off.

There were also new questions presented during the race.  Will Rob’s crew ever get to wake him up in the morning?  Will his voice come back?  Will his feet heal?

Jamaica, Rob’s mechanic, finally got to wake him up this morning.  Rob’s voice is audible, barely, but at least he can speak.  His feet look decent.

His mind is alert.  His smile is broader than ever.  He is working very hard to deal with the adversity and challenge of this race.

Rob waves to his friends waiting on him as he cruises through the last bit of Missouri.

It is beyond comprehension.  One gentlemen at a gas station asked me what was going on.  When I described the race—3000 miles in 12 days with such minimal rest, he said with a smile, “That’s just wrong.”  He is caring well for those around him.  He told me to ask people to pray for speedy miles today.  He is carried by the answer from God.  He always asks for prayer as he sets out on his bike after a rest.  He depends so much on the strength that God provides.  He told me he likes the line from “Chariots of Fire” (adapted for a bicycle).  “When I ride, I feel God’s pleasure.”  He attributes his strength, his endurance, his joy to God who has gifted him.  Rob is a great steward of those gifts.  He invests himself with abandon in his ever expanding community.  Rob is a giver.

Chris Clemens preps Rob with a donut and an energy drink before he heads towards the Mississippi River.

As we enter the last days of this race, we have other questions.  Will Rob hold up in this heat?  Will he be able to keep going on such a little amount of sleep?  How will he do in the Appalachians?  Will he make the time cut-off in Mt. Airy, MD on Sunday morning?  Will Rob be able to raise the full amount of his goal for brain cancer research?  And the bigger question.  Will a cure for brain cancer be found in our lifetimes?  This is the goal of 3000 Miles to a Cure.  This is the reason Rob is riding.

This community that surrounds Rob has given almost $12,000.  That is 57% of his goal.  Let’s work together and finish this off!  Please give here.

The Messenger,

Jo Dee Ahmann

The night crew called this morning and asked if I would talk Rob through a few more miles before a rest break.  What do you say to someone who is pouring out everything he has mentally, physically, and spiritually? It seems inane to ask, “How is your day going?”  Or “How’s the weather?”  Or “Does anything hurt?”  Well, duh.

Rob has had some pain in his feet. The heat and constant riding has produced some rashes, blisters and cramps.

It all seems so small. Insignificant. My life has nothing in it that I can compare in effort, tenacity, perserverance or difficulty.  This I know, the next time something enters my life that feels overwhelming—I will remember the relentless effort that Rob is making second by second, pedal by pedal, mile by mile.

Rob smiles while racing down a highway in Kansas.

How much more do we have in us?  Never tapped, never used, never known.

He woke up this morning after his hour of sleep and for the first time, his brain was foggy.  It lasted 10 minutes and he DID NOT like it.  He values being present in the moment.  He wants to be aware of those around him.  To his core, he loves his people.  We caught up with Rob around noon.  He whispered, “My brain is clear.”  Big smile. Rob’s smile brings smiles.  We just ran into some family from another racer and they said, “Oh, the guy on the recumbent—he always smiles and waves.”

Madisyn Heistand, Kristin DeCou, and Jo Dee Ahmann support Rob during a pit stop in Missouri.

His voice is reduced to a quiet whisper. His throat is swollen and very sore.  In typical Rob fashion he whispered, “So much for giving orders.”  He actually managed with sign language to let his needs be known.  Foremost was keeping to the 10 minute limit for a stop.  He made a watch signal several times to keep everyone moving and aware of the time.

Again I wonder, how does a person who has cycled almost 2000 miles in 8 days with an hour or two of sleep a night, even know what a schedule is?

This morning he said, “the sleep deprivation of the first two days was really difficult.  Now it is just what I do.  Every day.”

Madisyn Heistand, Rob’s neice, massages his hand to relieve cramps during a pit stop in Missouri.

Continually, I see the parallels of the quest for a cure for brain cancer and the quest for a finish of Race Across America.  Both seem impossible.  Both need perseverance.  Both need community.  It takes a lot of work to get Rob down the road and it will take a lot of work to find the cure to brain cancer.   Rob has raised 47% of his goal.  Please give here.

Amazement—

May I just share with you what is blowing up my pre-conceived ideas about how this race would go?

Rob is awake and working forward at least 21-22 hours a day.  His sleeps are short and powerful.  His breaks are minimal and timed.

The business of a Kansas highway rushes past Rob.

He is still waking himself up after each rest.  I told him it will be quite the day when his crew actually has to wake him up.  He said, “Yeah, it will be the day after the race.

Rob DeCou, surrounded by Jo Dee Ahmann and Madisyn Heinstand, feels 100% after a quick break. He’ll be spending all day in record-high temperatures while racing through Kansas.

He is alert, aware, concerned about all those around him.  This is Day 7 of the race and I really thought by Day 4 he wouldn’t be coherent.  His great desire is to stay in his right mind until the finish line.  I pray God gives him the clarity he so strongly desires.  I have seen that miracle before—with Christina.  I know it is possible.

He is still giving direction to his two crews—trying to make sure everything is going smoothly.  Jamaica, his mechanic, said the reason Rob is able to do that is because the crews are doing such a great job.

He has been pedaling through a heat wave in Kansas—upper 90’s and humidity.  He LOVES that he can fill his jersey and cycling shorts with ice.  A great help and relief.  The beauty of the recumbent bike.

Rob smiles while racing down a highway in Kansas.

The increased giving to 3000 Miles to a Cure is so appreciated.  For this, Rob is flying down the backroads of the United States.  I believe Rob will meet his goal of $20,000.  Will you join this community of giving?  Please give here.

All that and more.  So beautiful…

It is the privilege of a lifetime to watch this race mile by mile, pedal by pedal, prayer by prayer, joy upon joy.  All in a setting of perseverance, agony, intensity, timed stops, 45 minute rests, aching muscles, sore feet, blisters, sunburn, and so much more.  I will forever be changed.  I will never have to look far for inspiration to continue in difficulty, smile at adversity, and experience joy in the most difficult of situations.  Rob asked me this morning, “What are you learning about yourself?”  (May I say I DO NOT understand how he is able to be concerned about anyone but himself.)

Rob awakes in the coldest environment he’s faced yet at 38 degrees. His crew gets him fed and warmed up before taking the trip to Wolf Creek Pass.

I told him I am more convinced than ever, on a deep, deep level that the joy, peace, and abundance that God provides has NOTHING to do with circumstances.  I am watching, taking it all in and saying Rob is experiencing far beyond what he could ask or imagine and it has increased my capacity to believe.

Rob moved eastern Colorado into Kansas (173 miles) with some beautiful tail winds and great energy. His crew chief, Sean Flanagan reported early in the day, “It is amazing to watch.  God has answered Rob’s prayers.”  Rob reported in the midst of his good ride that he needed a chiropractor.  Sharon Powell from 3000 miles of prayer, found  Dr. Phillips of Phillips Chiropractic in Dodge City who was willing to meet us on route with a portable table.

Rob had a pain in his back and found a chiropractor to fix it during his ride through Kansas.

He generously donated his services and worked on the rest of Rob’s crew also.  We outfitted his whole family with our special t-shirts.  His kids were super excited.  It was fun to learn that Dr. Phillips is a team chiropractor for a local football team.  He knew just what to do with Rob’s athletic, football player stature.

Rob had some physical deterioration 30 miles before he reached the chiropractor but looking forward to treatment and a nap in the air-conditioned van kept him going.  He went down for a nap immediately after Dr. Phillips worked on him and if Rob keeps to the pattern of the past five days, he will be up in an hour or so and heading down the road with renewed energy.

Rob’s wife Kristin DeCou applies chapstick to Rob’s burnt lips after a long ride through campus.

I am so amazed at how this huge community has come together to get Rob through this race.  He has a very committed, talented, skilled, and compassionate team.  He has all of you watching, hoping, praying, and cheering him on.  He has people who will make calls and find chiropractors.  This is not a one-man show.  Rob absolutely trusts his team to care for him when he can’t walk and to think for him when he can’t reason.  He asks for prayer often and trusts that God will answer.

Rob’s crew checks up on him before he gets looked at by a chiropractor in Kansas.

This is a great picture of the 3000 Miles to a Cure purpose.  It will take a huge community to raise enough money to find a cure for brain cancer.  Rob is giving us a physical picture of the challenges ahead for brain cancer treatment.  It is a hard road.  It will take many of us to help by taking action and doing our part.  Rob said, “I am just a small building block of something much bigger.”  He is certainly doing his part—struggling, pushing himself, persevering in order to call attention to brain cancer research.  Now we can do our part.

3000 Miles to a Cure is a nonprofit organization founded to end brain cancer by raising funds for research. They have partnered with Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure (ABC2), funding cutting edge work in the difficult world of brain tumors. Every penny you give goes to research through ABC2.

Maria Parker founded 3000 Miles to a Cure when her sister, Jenny, was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2012.  Maria’s goal is to raise money to find a cure for brain cancer.  She continues to be devastated by the loss of her sister, Jenny, and wants to put an end to the suffering that this disease causes families.  She would love to see brain cancer cured in her lifetime. Brain cancer research has been underfunded and our hope is to provide some very needed funding using the platform of this race that demands everything.

In 2013, when Maria raced across America, she raised $70,000.

In 2014, when Jacquie Schlitter raced for 3000 Miles to a Cure, she raised $15,000.

In 2015, when Rob White raced, he raised $30,000.

This year, Marshall and Rob hope to raise $40,000 together.

We are now at the half way point of the race.  So far, we have raised $9,331.  That is 23% of our goal.

Will you please help by donating here.

This is the fifth day Rob has been on the road.  Over and over again I think, “This reminds me of Christina’s journey through brain cancer.”

Of course, no one asks for brain cancer.  And yet, Rob is entering into suffering willingly to stand with those who had no choice in their suffering.

I watch.  I wonder.  I am overwhelmed.

Rob has asked for his community to help him, support him, surround him in good times and hard times.  When Rob got off his bike last night, he had to be helped to bed, and the community surrounded.  Nurse Kim, massage therapist Darla, faithful friends, listening, loving, and laughing.  I sat there thinking how often we sat around Christina’s bed when she was spent—too much pain after surgery, or too weak to move.  Her community surrounded her in exactly the same way.  It brought hope, joy, help and the way through.

Madisyn Heinstand, Jo Dee Ahmann, and Darla Workman massage Rob before he tries to get a couple hours of sleep.

The fight to go on—even when you don’t feel like it.  That is Rob.  That was Christina.  She worked hard to have a normal life in spite of all that was happening to her.  She started a non-profit, she married, she had a baby.  It would have been easy for her to quit and just watch TV and eat ice cream.  But she persevered through every breath.  And that is what Rob is doing.  After the intensive treatment in the hotel last night, he got back on the bike in 1 ½ hours and headed down the road—at 10:30 P.M.

Rob awakes in the coldest environment he’s faced yet at 38 degrees. His crew gets him fed and warmed up before taking the trip to Wolf Creek Pass.

Christina prayed and worked to keep her mind engaged until her dying day.  She was not a fan of dying of brain cancer.  She prayed and prayed for her mind to stay focused.  At one point she said, “Tell everyone I am working really hard, it may not look like it but I am.”  It looked like she was laying in bed unable to see but her sweet little tumor infested brain was working overtime to stay alert.  On the last day of her earthly life, she tried to sing along with me as I sang one of her childhood songs.  Yesterday, I told Rob that he needed to work that hard to focus—even when his brain feels foggy, his eyes want to close, and he feels discouraged.  And, oh my, he is working!

“I feel good, really good. I pray I get rest because I want to keep riding,” said Rob before he tries to get some shut-eye.

Rob asks over and over for prayer.  He knows that God is sustaining and carrying him.  He felt physically pushed up the hill last night.  Christina also leaned hard into the arms of her Savior and He met her in unusually powerful ways.  This is the part of life that cannot be predicted, the hand of God intervening for those who call on His name.  Hope in the hard.

Christina did not choose brain cancer but she chose to live, love, give selflessly to those around her, and let joy and peace be the main expression of her life.

Rob chose this RAAM suffering but he is choosing to live, love, give selflessly to those around, and let joy and peace be the main expression of his life.  Today he rode by and said, “Hi Luke.  Good job, Jo Dee.”  Wait.  We are trying to encourage Rob and he is encouraging us.

Rob’s niece, Madisyn, is reading all the encouragements from the donation page.  Rob said it helps him power on.  This also, was like Christina.  When her eyes weren’t working well and she was experiencing pain or weakness or despair she would ask for “storytime”.  We would read encouraging notes sent to her.  It was relief for her aching heart.

As you give here and encourage, know that you are bringing strength to Rob and hope and encouragement for all whose lives are touched by brain cancer.

Thank you for following, loving, giving and encouraging.

The Messenger,

Jo Dee Ahmann

I am sitting in the village of Mexican Hat, Utah after chasing Rob down this morning.  We were at Monument Valley (so stunning) filming the sunrise when we heard that Rob was on the bike and moving toward us.  Already???  After 1 ¾ hours of sleep?

A bird flies over Monument Valley hours before Rob DeCou comes through.

It was true.  We raced toward him to have a few words at a pullout.  Rob, always aware of the crew around him said,  “Thanks for being here.  I mean, where else would you want to be on a beautiful Friday morning?”

Chris Clemens and Kim Godawa massage and bandage Rob’s feet in Monument Valley.

He said his short sleep felt like a full night.  He woke himself up (unusual in this ferocious race), and got his team back on the road.  I pray the pattern continues for the next 8 days.

Each time I talk to Rob, he mentions his massage therapist, Darla Workman.  He says she is definitely a rock star. His nickname for her is Healer.   Her massages have been perfect for him—and she’s generously working on the rest of the crew.  She is giving good reports on the state of Rob’s muscles.  Healthy, not swollen, and strong.

This morning, Rob’s crew loaned Darla to our other 3000 Miles to a Cure cyclist, Marshall Reeves.  Marshall’s massage therapist was in a horrible, rollover car accident on his way to the start of the race.  He was pretty banged up and certainly unable to come on this trip.  So…Darla   gladly gave up her sleep to help out Marshall this morning.

Before we began the race, Darla told about her brother-in-law, who died of brain cancer.  She asked Rob if she could be on his team.  When a spot opened up on Rob’s team, she jumped in and has served tirelessly.  

I spoke with Darla after she worked on Marshall.  She was thankful for the opportunity and she wanted to DO something.  This is a big DO.  Darla is a giver—like Rob, like Christina. She loves being able to do her part to keep Rob and Marshall on the road and help raise money to fight brain cancer.

Please join us in our race to find a cure for brain cancer.  The donations have been coming in beautifully these past 24 hours.  The notes with them are so encouraging as we read them to Rob!  You can give here. Thank you for following Rob and sharing with your friends. The great cloud of witnesses is increasing by the hour.

The Messenger,

Jo Dee Ahmann