 RAAM - Jason's Journal |
Hal Roseman
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
 RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/26/2009 9:46:01 PM
Wow Jason ... Well done! Congratulations on a well ridden race. You and your whole team (riders, support, and all) are truly inspirational.
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Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/24/2009 11:09:03 AM
Jason Weckworth, about 9:45 AM PST, from the lobby of a Motel 8 in Jefferson City, MO
“Last night we got in to Yates Center, Kansas about 1:45 am – exhausted. We had just finished about 14 hours. The challenge now is the heat. There’s heat wave warnings throughout the cities we’re going through. It was 98˚ going through Kansas and it just about killed us.” And the riders were buffeted by heavy crosswinds as well. “Finally when the sun went down it was easier,” he said.
The teams have been taking longer shifts than is the norm on RAAM. “The reason we’re doing longer pulls this year, is the crew is just wiped out.” He doesn’t know why the crew is so wiped out this year – he hasn’t experienced this on his last two RAAMs - but maybe because the team is going so fast, and transitioning so quickly, the crew doesn’t have enough time to really rest.
When Jason’s half (Elliot Block, Jason Weckworth, Jared Ellison, Tad Rogers) pulled into Yates Center, the other guys (Bob Carbonneau, Brodie Pollard, Dave Stoker and Ryan Robinson) took off. “They seemed pretty fresh. [But] our motor home crew were all sleeping! They were out, they were sound asleep. So Tad and I jumped in the RV; I drove for the first 50 miles, and then Tad drove the next 50,” before they finally pulled over into a parking lot in El Dorado Springs to crash themselves. “Marcia finally woke up at 8:00 am,” and woke everyone else up, Jason said.
They’re strategizing how to get in under that six day mark. Give Hope is right on the border of being able to make it with the average MPH they’re currently doing, but the heat is not helping.
“We’re going to try and see if we can do shorter durations between our team and the other, well – we’re just going to try and speed it up,” says Jason, a bit at a loss for what else they can do. They’ve been giving 100% already. “The heat is brutal,” he says. “It’s noon and it’s already 87, with almost 100 percent humidity. We’ve got a lot of lactic acid, we’re just sore.”
He puts me on hold to take a phone call from Bob Carbonneau with the team currently riding, then comes back. “It’s going to be too much for them to go more than five hours in the heat,” he says. “We’re going to split the distance and do shorter durations, our challenge is doing a long enough duration so that the crew can sleep, right now they’re only getting about 4 hours because it’s taking so long to drive ahead."
It’s going to be another rough day. But Bob also told Jason that the terrain is lightening up a little, so they’re just going to push hard and try to maintain their pace.
Issued by The National Weather Service
St. Louis, MO
11:22 am CDT, Wed., Jun. 24, 2009
... HEAT ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT SATURDAY...
THE HOT AND HUMID AIRMASS WILL REMAIN OVER MISSOURI AND ILLINOIS AS A LARGE AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE CONTINUES TO DOMINATE THE WEATHER FOR TODAY. HIGHS ARE EXPECTED TO REACH THE LOWER TO MID 90S ACROSS THE REGION WITH DEWPOINTS IN THE LOWER 70S. THE COMBINATION OF THE HEAT AND HUMIDITY WILL CAUSE HEAT INDICES TO REACH AROUND 100 DEGREES DURING THE AFTERNOON AND EARLY EVENING HOURS.
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Karin, Jack, Kellen Martin
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/23/2009 3:32:15 PM
Jason, my husband (John Martin) asked me to send you a message:
"Thanks for pulling us to Annapolis. Stay strong. A spy told us they saw Jared go by doing 30 mph. Great effort." John Martin
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/23/2009 8:17:28 AM
Day 3 Personal Stats = 4 Hrs, 22 Minutes, 134 Ave HR, 82.9 Miles, 19.4 Average
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/23/2009 8:16:03 AM
Day 2 Personal Stats: 4 Hrs, 5 Min Riding Time, 137 Ave HR, 83.4 Miles, 20.9 Average Speed
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Barber Jon
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/22/2009 9:43:50 AM
Thank you Jason and Kristen big insperation for me !!! i think thats spelt right any way if i say i love you guys everybody gonna see it.Alright here goes i love you both see ya soon .Strength and Honor-(Gladiator)
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Carol Shuler
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 10:40:01 PM
Jason, hope all is going good on your 2nd night...we love you & hope everything's going smooth.
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Sierra Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 3:16:27 PM
Dad & Kristen- I love you guys & Happy fathers day! I'm glad I can keep up with you guys on here so thank you! Hopefully next year we can crew! I'm praying for you, Good Luck & Have fun!!
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Brenda Baldwin
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 11:06:39 AM
Jason & Kristen,
Hope all is well and that you guys are kicking butt.. All of us at Rexel are cheering you guys on. The memories of 2007 RAAM race are still clearly etched in my brain so I know what you are going thru.. Hang in there....5 more days.... Be safe and know we are all praying for you!!
Brenda
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Khrystyne Kaphan
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 10:15:00 AM
Jason- All of here at Elite Spinal and Sports Care as wishing you a healthy and happy ride. Keep it up!
Khrys Kaphan
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Stephanie Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 10:11:41 AM
Happy Father's Day!! Sounds like you guys are having a great time. I love reading your blogs, I definitely want to crew next time! Good luck today and stay safe!
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/21/2009 9:08:20 AM
Yesterday's stats: 2:09 ~ ave HR = 150 ~ Max HR ~ 169 (WHEW!) ~ 50.2 miles ~ 23.8 Ave Speed.
Not a bad day. we are getting ready to transition for a 12-hr shift ~ 60 miles! Talk to you soon!
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Hal Roseman
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/20/2009 9:36:23 PM
Jason and Kristin, It was great to meet you both today at the start. You are an inspiration to all. I wish I were riding further than those first 13 miles with you. Be safe and best of luck for cool weather and strong tailwinds. - Hal
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John Maloney
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/20/2009 6:16:35 PM
Godspeed Jason. I’ll be following you closely on the TDL Blog. I wish I were with you all. Good luck, and be safe.
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Shannon Baggaley
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/20/2009 12:22:24 PM
Hey Jason & Kristen,
We're counting down the hours from El Dorado Hills and we're praying for you both. Jason, ride hard & be safe. Kristen....well, I just be praying. You guys are awesome! Lots of prayers are coming your way. Love you both. Shannon & Jeff
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Marc Palos
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/20/2009 9:33:36 AM
Jason and Kristen!
How exciting to finally launch today! I will be praying for you guys..what an incredible journey it will be......Jason I want to see you at a slim 165lbs when you get back! ha......enjoy.....God Bless and will be keeping you all in our prayers!
Marc Palos
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Christine Battistella
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/20/2009 6:56:39 AM
If anyone can break the 6 day record, you guys can. You are super fit, you have a great crew, and the experience to make it happen. Go go go go go TDL! Crewmembers remember: sleep whenever you can! Wish I was there with you!
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/19/2009 10:27:47 PM
I LOVE RAAM! This is so much fun getting ready to go today in Oceanside! Today wasn't too hectic... our teams are organized. I'm really impressed at the positive attitutes of everyone.
We had a team racer meeting after dinner... deciding that we are going to do our very best to break 6 days!
BIG thank you to Jocelyn Munroe, who will be updating our blog with pictures and notes all week stay tuned! Race starts tomorrow at 2 PM!
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/18/2009 1:36:56 PM
We are halfway to Oceanside for our pre-race prep! Just passed the Grapevine with 4 SUV's, and RV, and about 20 people. Left at 6AM from UCD after going to bed at 3:00 AM for an hour's sleep. I'm trying to catch up on some z's on the way down. Just checking the inverter and wireless card to see if we can get on-line while driving. All seems great! ok, I need a nap.
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/17/2009 9:04:15 AM
Last Day before leaving for Oceanside! I'm at Barber Jon's getting my haircut right now! - telling everyone how to access the blog and track us!
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Jocelyn Munroe
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/16/2009 10:34:35 PM
Nice V02 Max Jason! But you better get that haircut, just to reduce any excess weight...
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/16/2009 7:31:11 PM
I had my final V02Max today... 62.8. My goal was 60 this year, so I am very happy about my training. Signs are being delivered in 20 minutes. Bike is in the shop, ready for pick-up tomorrow. We pick up the Rental RV and SUV's tomorrow at 2 PM. Then we need to install radios, lights, and signs. I have 10 work priorities that MUST get done before heading to Oceanside tonight or tomorrow morning. Need to get a haircut. Need to pack. Sounds like a late night... again. The first day heading to Oceanside is going to feel like vacation. But I'm starting to REALLY get excited now.
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/14/2009 1:11:30 PM
Sunday ~ We take off in 4 days, with the race starting in just 6 days! Hard to believe that we are less than a week away. Everyone is getting very excited. So much to coordinate now. Signs are on order to be delivered Tuesday. Bike lights for night riding just came in. Pick-up rental vehicles on Wednesday. Still need to complete the budgets and get this out to the teams. Also need to creat our meeting schedules for Oceanside.
Oh, yeah... I should work, too. Not a single moment to spare. Tonight will be a late night.
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Jason Weckworth
Member since
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM |
RAAM - Jason's Journal
6/13/2009 7:34:57 AM
Hi, everyone! I blogged during the race in 2007, and really had a blast doing it. But I was also so exhausted that it was not healthy for me! So this year, our good friend, Jocelyn Isidro, has volunteered to update our blogs. We'll be calling her and giving her updates throughout the race, then she will update the blogs for us. Thank you, Jocelyn!
I hope that you will monitor our blog site to stay informed! It's Saturday, with just 5 days until we leave for RAAM... 7 days until the race starts! Still so many details to take care of. Still so much Weckworth Electric work to do so that I can be gone for 10 days! I already had to work one all-nighter on Thursday, then ride 50 miles at 5am... that was HARD. But I crashed last night, and I'm feeling just as good as new today. Off to a Kidney Walk with Kristen then a 50-mile ride, then I'll sit down for a few hours to finish all the team budgets. whew... Saturday feels like it is almost gone aleady, and I just woke up!
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