Posted by Gail Marino on September 03, 2004 at 17:12:46:
In Reply to: RACE ACROSS AMERICA-Louis Rodriguez updates posted by Gail Marino on August 02, 2004 at 09:02:43:
RAA DAY # 35 FRIDAY 7/16/04
It's a slightly cool morning, as we leave the motel at 5 am, to drive about 50 miles to the start in Lindon, Colorado (4899 ft) to Kirk, Colorado (4200 ft) for 45.4 miles with a cutoff of 12 hrs 58 min. The line up starts out slightly different today, its Russell, Olivier & Luc in front, then Kaz & Lou, then Bob, then Don & last Taka. Taka is able to walk today, something he hasn't been able to do since his injury, just the slow jog.
I hear a lot of conversation tossed around amongst the groups, mostly mind games but we just listen. Then after a few miles out, Olivier takes over the lead. He is moving well, and actually having fun. He looks great up there. His crews are ecstatic & of course taking pictures. My heart is racing, because I am excited for him. For me, Olivier in the 1st position is almost having Lou up there. Of course all the crews who are generally in the 4th position & back are excited & happy for Olivier. Then Alan says a few things that really disturb me, " I have to go & get a picture of the new leader before he injures himself". Perhaps he finds this remark funny, I just find it cruel. Anyway, Olivier hangs on to the 1st position for about 19 miles. I was so proud of him today. I bragged all day about it to Lou, because he is the only one out here, that I really talk to, " At least Olivier has something the other 2 don't have". He took over the lead & held onto it for 19 miles.
After Bob took over the lead, he & Alan made it a point to tell everyone once in town, Bob was going into a café & sit down & have a full breakfast. I guess there is something wrong with me, but I find this very insulting to all the runners, that he can sit & have breakfast in the middle of a race & not worry because he is either that fast, or they are that slow. But I am forced to just listen & smile.
We found mailboxes along the route. Lou ran with Kaz & Olivier on & off then caught up to Luc & Russell for the last few miles & finished just behind them. Everyone finished within cutoff. We waited for Taka to finish, about 9 minutes within cutoff. Then we drove about 25 miles to the hotel. Lou & I tried to go shopping for supplies, but unfortunately we get there as the store is closing. I did make friends with 2 Amish women at the motel as we did laundry together. They were very friendly & interesting & I enjoyed their company. They wished Lou & I well in our endeavor & hoped to see us in their home town, in Ohio when we passed by. Till tomorrow.
Lou & Agnes