Latest from Planet Banana:
Suddenly it is difficult to write this blog, suddenly it is difficult to
illuminate what is going on. To be honest, Shanna's RAAM quest is in trouble
and it terrifies me. I find it impossible to think she might be defied by
time, but she might.
Time after time, she gets beaten by her body, her energy, the conditions and
just the continual slug of 9 days of RAAM. But she seems to find a way to
get out from under all the adversity and ride strong into the next time
station. Today, I supported her for two legs approximately 110 miles in
length. There were times when she moved as slow as a cyclist could. In those
moments, myself and the crew must remain strong and supportive, optimistic
and if we can, to be brave like her. I am the only one unfair enough to
challenge her to do more, (other than herself), this a position she awarded
me, to crack a whip as she says, its tough to do. How do you ask someone who
is giving it her all to do more? How mean can I be? When, if ever do you
throw in the towel?
She is still in good shape, she has endless injuries, some aggravations of
existing conditions, some newly arrived, but she manages them, she handles
them and she gets above them so a medical DNF is unlikely. But is the World
Champion Ultraman running out of steam? I am afraid it is so. Not that she
can't or won't finish officially, but she just might have to dig deeper than
she ever has before and for those of you know her, you know, that is some
kind of deep.
Knowing Shanna for the little time I have, I feel entirely implored to help
her in any way I can. Sometimes she asks me to straighten out a crew issue
or two, her father hates me, which doesn't make life easy. But we just go
on. As I have said I have never known anyone like her before, she is a true
champion, gentle, savvy and violently opposed to mediocrity. I watch her
reach time station after time station when it looks like she won't have the
energy to pedal one more rotation. I see her stall, subconsciously avoiding
the saddle and it scares me. Worries me she won't "do it" , when I know she
can. Then beneath my nose she moves her game forward. She understands that
the only way to finish is to keep going, no matter the pain or how tired she
is.
It is really not possible to specifically say how she does it. Some people
want to win, I think she needs to. (Win meaning finish RAAM). Sometimes I am
afraid to talk to her as I hand her food or replace her water bottles, then
other times, I never want to leave.
Shanna Armstrong has fought many a great battles, but this just might be her
greatest of all time. It is an honor and a thrill to be a part of it.
Everyday, is like another lesson in courage, in persistency, in ambition and
desire. Again and again she finds the way.