RAAM - postscripts by Anna Catharina Berge
The 3,052-mile cross-continental race through the heartland of America is over and life has returned to normal for me (well, some people claim that I will never be normal). The race has been classified as the world's hardest race, corresponding to racing more than 10 back-to-back Ironman triathlons, and considered harder than climbing Mount Everest (by those that have done both). Of the 26 Solo riders who started the race in San Diego on June 19th, only 12 finished in Atlantic City. The extreme challenge claimed 14 `victims' all along the way from Arizona to Maryland…as contenders were forced to drop out due to disease, severe exhaustion, heat stress, or injuries.
I, a veterinarian and postdoctoral researcher with the University of California, Davis, was the first woman to finish this race since 2001 and the only solo woman participant this year. If you would ask me why I wanted to do such a brutal challenge, all I could say is, “I don't really know… it is just in my heart.” I always try to follow my heart and do what I am passionate about. That is why I quit a, by worldly standards, successful career in Europe to come to the US in 1998 to study epidemiology… and thereafter to pursue a PhD. I wanted to work with and investigate my concerns about antibiotic resistance and zoonotic diseases in food animal production.
In order to accomplish this race, I trained more than 10,000 miles including over 400,000 ft of climbing in 2005 prior to June 19. The challenge did not only include the physical training, but also the organization of a support crew of 9 people and fund raising efforts to finance the race. I was able to secure some of the best crew in the US and received complete sponsorship. My team was called `Team with Catitude' and was renown for our great attitude and spirits all along the race under the leadership of Lee Fuzzy Mitchell. The crew also included our `control tower', Tracy Fawns in Oregon, who helped `Team with Catitude', keep contact with the outside world, and kept friends, family, and fans updated on Cat's progression.
After the start gun went off on June 19th, the racers biked day and night heading eastward. I slept on average 3 hours per night. As the race progressed sleep deprivation became my major challenge, and I did not do well with night riding; but there was no alternative in order to finish officially in 12 days. During the day I was in very good spirits, having a great time, and pedaling consistently and strongly eastward. The nights were grueling hard, and I had to fight so hard… and it still felt like my bike was not moving. Although a race, I wanted to enjoy the journey and stop and talk to fans along the route. After having passed the Mississippi river my parents, Gunnel and Björn, and my sister, Susanne, came to support me and joined the adventure. I consider the meeting of my parents that night after the river… one of the most cherished memories of RAAM.
11 days, 11 hours and 20 minutes after leaving the Pacific Coast I finally rolled up on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, where hundreds of people were waiting for my arrival. Going into the brightly lit Atlantic City with all police escorts… and blinking lights… was one of my most memorable moments.
I have been elected as `RAAM ultracyclist of the year' by PBAA/RAAM for my inspirational positive attitude and for embracing the spirit of RAAM. This reward will be offered to me at El Tour de Tucson in November 2005.
What has training and racing RAAM done for me in other areas of life?
Ultracycling has taught me perseverance and stamina in enduring the race. It has taught me to fix my eyes not too far ahead and keep pursuing the goal… even if it seems beyond reach. Many times during my PhD graduate studies, I drew on my experience from ultracycling to keep pressing for the goal, and to keep reaching higher than I could reach. Alternatively, my PhD studies also taught me perseverance that was valuable in ultracycling. I want to live life to the fullest every day, every hour, every minute, every second, and that is what RAAM was all about. Embracing the highs as well as the lows, going through all emotions in one day, going from power to pain and from strength to weakness, many times in the same day or even same hour. My RAAM race embraced my view of life to not frantically rush towards the goal, but to enjoy the journey.
I would like to encourage YOU to follow your heart for what you are passionate about… and to dare take on tasks that seem insurmountable… because the mountains are climbed one step at the time… just as the continent was crossed one pedal stroke at the time.
My life on earth is a time of blessing that I have received from God. I believe that God has planted passions and skills in each one of us, and that these are to be used to glorify Him. I believe that God has a good plan for your life… and He wants to be part of your life. Ultimately my life is not about myself, but what I am for God and for you.
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
