Posted by Gail Marino on September 03, 2004 at 17:15:24:
In Reply to: RACE ACROSS AMERICA-Louis Rodriguez updates posted by Gail Marino on August 02, 2004 at 09:02:43:
RAA DAY # 51 SUNDAY 8/1/04
Today we start out from New Berlin, Illinois to Decatur for 52.7 miles with a cutoff of 15 hrs 3 min. Only 1st we must drive 16 miles to the start, in the dark & with a thick fog, that we have awoken to. I remember it being a little tricky getting to the motel last night, from the finish & now with this thick fog, it wouldn't take much for me to get lost. So we followed Alan to the start, the RV & a few other vehicles were also behind, but the fog was very thick & Alan drove very fast, that it was difficult keeping up with him. We were the 1st to arrive after Alan & the other runners arrived a few minutes apart from each other. By 6 am, Kaz, Luc & Jeff, Olivier's crew, were not present. Alan was ready to start. Dario asked Alan to wait for the others to come,& that because of the fog, it was difficult to see. Alan would not listen & sent the runners off. Dario continued trying to get his point across to Alan, when Alan reminded Dario that he was not a crew, so his voice would not be heard. 6 minutes later, Luc jumped out of the car & when he noticed the runners were gone, ran off putting on his back pack at the same time. Luc was upset, I can see it written all over his crew, Alix's face. Then 7 minutes after the start, Kaz & Satoko showed. Kaz didn't seem to mind about being late, but Alan made Kaz walk over to the start line 1st, before leaving.
Kaz comfortably started walking & ahead of him was the trio of Don, Lou & Taka taking their time waiting for Kaz & Luc to show. As the day went on, it started to warm up. The scenery went from towns to fields, to more towns & more fields. We passed by many beautiful ranches & mailboxes along the way. It was another long day & it made its way to about 90 degrees. We were running low on water & supplies because we finished late yesterday. So I stopped in a small grocery store & surprised Lou with watermelon.
We met a large group of people coming out of a town dance. I was waiting in the parking lot for Lou to come. After reading the back of the truck, they all were waiting for Lou to arrive also. When Lou arrived, he was welcomed by this large group, who hugged him, even as he was covered with sweat & thanked him for running for all women. They enthusiastically accepted our pamphlets & decided to wait & cheer Taka on also.
Everyone finished within cutoff, Taka about 16 minutes before. At least tomorrow is only 41.3 miles. Till tomorrow.
Lou & Agnes