Posted on 06/23/08 12:51 AM| by team-admin
Yesterday evening, the team met up at Big Sky Resort which is where the race will begin and end. Ali, being local to Montana picked up Bruce and Jeremy from the Bozeman airport, and Jon and I picked up our super-deluxe, decked-out RV from Helena and drove to Big Sky. Jim met us soon afterwards in his car rental.
We spent a good part of today sorting through gear and skills testing. We have more outdoor gear than I’ve ever seen in my life. The RV looks like Campmor on crack.
The team started the morning with the ropes skills and they breezed though it. There will be a large water portion to the race and with all of the snow melting from the surrounding mountains, the rivers are a ragin’! The water skills testing was a bit trying for the teams since the water was 44 degrees and they were in and out of the water for about an hour, but it’s not going to be much better on the course.
Our biggest challenge of the day didn’t occur with any of the tests, but with the RV. We somehow managed to lock ourselves out with all of our gear and team check off sheets inside. Thanks to a small open window above the cab, yours truly was able to squeeze her fat ass in and open the door.Â
The race meeting was long but we caught a glimpse of the course through a video and it is going to be absolutely spectacular. Jim and I will get to see some good stuff as we travel around Gallatin National Forest to each TA, but the mountains and terrain that the team will experience will be so breathtaking.Â
Bruce and Jon poured throught the maps this eve and have the course all mapped out. Jim and I are just trying to do every little thing we can to assist the team with their needs. Right now everybody is sound asleep. This is the last night of decent rest that we will get in some time so we’re really taking advantage of it.
The gun goes off at 10:00 am tomorrow - wish the team luck!
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June 23rd, 2008 at 7:46 am
A Campmor on crack?!? lol Good luck to everyone!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
Go GOALS!! I can’t even begin to imagine what you guys are feeling right now. Less than three hours to go. I can’t wait! Go get ‘em and good luck with that water. I’m cold just thinking of it…
Brent
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:51 am
kick some butt guys!! cheering back here in PA for you!!
have fun!!!
marc
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:19 pm
Come on, Denise, the race has been on for eight hours, give us an update - it’s not like you have anything better to do!!
Hope all’s well in the RV (and in the wiles of Montana, of course). Keep those keys in your pocket!
June 23rd, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Goals ARA……go get em!
Everyone here in Richmond, VA. is cheering you on!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 10:17 pm
Good Luck Gang…. we’ll have a mojito in ya’lls honor!!!!
June 23rd, 2008 at 11:26 pm
You guys are absolutely ROCKING!! Keep it up and rest well tonight. I’m glad you’ll get a good night’s sleep before all that water. Good luck with the rapids!
b
June 24th, 2008 at 11:35 pm
It’s Wednesday morning at 12:32 a.m……..checking in on you guys. Keep it strong….you are looking great!!
Richmond’s cheering you on….
Marianne Swann
June 25th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
You guys ROCK!!! I am amazed! Flirting with the top ten. Keep pounding. Hope you guys aren’t too dissapointed with the skipped paddling. Can’t wait to hear about this water.
Keep it up. I expect to wake up and see you in front of Nike;)
brent
June 25th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Hey Ali and team.. You guys are AMAZING! Keep up the great job! WOW! I leave for Europe tomorrow so I’ll be tracking you there every chance I get. Take care everyone!
June 26th, 2008 at 1:18 am
Go, GOALS ARA GO! Ali, you rock!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Sending telepathic energy from Souderton, Ali & team!
You guys will definately be the topic of conversation at the Harleysville meet tonite! Go Go Go!
June 26th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Keep moving forward… You guys are doing great! Big swings in placement. I’m sure the scenery is beautiful.
June 26th, 2008 at 10:22 am
You guys are doing awesome!
Good thing they cancelled the water section. I heard there were sharks with “Lasers” in there. Hoping that is even funnier when you’ve hardly slept in 4 days.
Keep up the great work!
June 26th, 2008 at 10:31 am
Denise,
Dying to hear an update if you get this–been checking out the photos and the web site to live vicariously through the team. Hope you’re having fun being Mother Truck and tell the team they’re doing FANtastic!
CC-S
June 26th, 2008 at 11:37 am
Alright! The Spot must have bonked as it seemed you were stuck at CP13 for over 12 hours. I was beginning to cry uncontrollably and my productivity was plummeting. I think I can get it together now and leave my computer.
June 26th, 2008 at 11:41 am
Go GOALS!!!! Lots of snow up there huh? Well, keep your golf ball out of the glaciers. The Dolly Llama once told me, “kunga-lagunga” .. may you receive “total consciencenous” out there on that brutal course ….JK (aka Carl the Greenskeeper)
June 26th, 2008 at 11:44 am
Mother T and the Bear - keep those guys moving!!
PS - and pass out as many SHAG flyers as possible ….
June 26th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
Let those 29 inch wheels ROLL and barrel up to MOAT!! I’m so happy for youse kids….we are having a blast trying to keep up with ya!!! To think that we knew you when…hope you’re feeling good…it’s 100F again in Austin in case you’re wundrin!!!!
June 26th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Woo hoo! Go GOALS - way to power through that century ride!
Um, Denise, it looks like you’re wearing a NYARA shirt in that picture on the website… What’s going on here?
June 26th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
WooHoo……moving right along, skirting that Top 10 list!! Glad we are starting to get some updates. I have been scouring the pics to see If I can recognize you all by bib number…..not much as of today. Get out there in front of that photog….we want to see you all!!!
Hope you are all handling the weather….it’s a 100+ day here in Richmond. UUUGHGGGHGHGHGH!!
Cheers,
Marianne and Bill
Richmond, VA
June 26th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
Denise, have you seen any squirrels? If you have, take a picture of one. God, I love squirrels.
You’re in 12th, you guys are doing great! Keep it up (you know, doing great).
Joel Leibowitz and the whole NJ Region wish all of you the best!
June 26th, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Denise,
Where the heck are you? I didn’t think they were giving day passes at your last, oh shall we say…residence. Good for you. Now, the next step is to have your license reinstated (Oh, wait, you’re driving now, aren’t you? Nevermind). Baby steps.
Congrats on being in 12th place! Keep up the good work!
June 26th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
go-go-go-go!!!
You guys are doing GREAT!!!
I am totally impressed - best wishes from YEREN ASR!!
Kick some butt and leave the names behind!!!
Swannee
June 26th, 2008 at 9:04 pm
Just figured out this posting thing daddy. Hard to type right when I pluck the keys off the computer all the time. Good News that guy that visits whenever you race isn’t coming to NH with us! YAY. I like you much better. You are the best daddy EVER.
July 1st, 2008 at 7:06 am
Looks like the end is in site, yee haw! What an amazing accomplishment.