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 26th .
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.
- Safety first.
- Spend every possible minute on the bike.
- 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