| Geoff Roes |
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Reply with quote | #1 |
I just got off the phone with her. she's had a couple tough days with lots of walking, wind, and cold but she is feeling strong and is planning to get some sleep and get up early for the final push onto McGrath.
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| Brian |
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Reply with quote | #2 |
Geoff that is GREAT news. It must feel great to have been able to talk to her and to know she is doing good. We will keep her in our thoughts and prayers as she gets ready for the final push. She sure is amazing. Hope the ankle is doing better. |
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| Mom & Dad Roes |
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Reply with quote | #3 |
WONDERFUL NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is the best news of the whole day - we are so relieved and thrilled that she is safe. One more day and maybe we will get some sleep. Jill, you are one amazing girl and we are so proud of you even if you can't make the final push. WE LOVE YOU |
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| Laura |
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Reply with quote | #4 |
Geoff,
Thanks so much for the update. We are all so glad to hear she's on her way.
Laura (NPR/the Bryant Park Project)
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| Jill Homer |
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Reply with quote | #5 |
Sorry to everyone for the concern.
I am doing the best that I can. It probably seems that I have slowed way down but that has mostly been my way of dealing with the cold and being out here in Interior Alaska by myself, which is causing some anxiety and has made it hard to sleep even when I am stopped.
I took a hard fall at the Post River waterfall (the trail actually goes up a waterfall) and pulled my right hip flexer muscle. This has made it really painful to push my bike uphill, and my pace over the millions of small hills before the Farewell Burn was downright glacial ... take three laboring steps and stop, repeat. Luckily, it is pretty flat from here on out. Hopefully I can get through this without further injury.
Cold weather has been a struggle. I bivied just below Rainy Pass one night as I pushed my bike through the knee-deep snow for 45 miles. My thermometer bottomed out at 20 below. I bivied again last night at Sullivan Creek when I kept literally falling asleep and falling off my bike. I woke up after three hours and set out to pack up, but it was so, so cold. Everything was frozen solid. My chemical warmers had turned to ice bricks and I couldn't make them go. I crawled back into my bag and waited another couple hours before attempting again. Again, couldn't quite handle the cold. I finally just decided to wait until daylight and stayed in my bag until 10 a.m., but didn't sleep much. I woke up to a 35 mph headwind and single digit temperatures. Ground blizzards were out of this world. Again, glacial pace.
So that's my story. I am definitely a rookie out here, but I am learning tons, and having good times along with the bad. The Farewell Burn is surreal, and I can't believe I actually rode a bike out here. I didn't even realize until I read this message board that I was challenging Kathi for a record time. Believe me, that was never my goal. I am trying to finish. And survive. I am warm and full of moose stew, with 50 miles to McGrath that I should be able to complete in one push unless I have a problem. (And I do plan to keep moving, because I have no problem staying warm on the bike.) I am hoping to be finished by Saturday evening. Thanks to everyone, love to my family. I will report again soon.
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| karen | |
| logan |
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Reply with quote | #7 |
Jill - Yeah right, you were just building suspense to keep us all coming back. Glad you're okay and good luck on the rest of your trip!
Geoff - Hope the ankle is mending well! |
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| brent driggers |
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Reply with quote | #8 |
You are one tough cookie! I cant even imagine the cold...All of you racer have been inspiring.
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| Mom and Dad |
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Reply with quote | #9 |
Jill,
The relief we feel tonight that you are OK is huge. The last couple days have been rough because we didn't have alot of definitive information. We are incredibly proud of you and that you are handling the difficult situations. All of our love during the last leg of your journey; we can't wait until you reach the finish line. Lisa and Chris, Sara, and Sadie send their love too.
Love,
Mom and Dad
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| Scott / RandomlyRational |
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Reply with quote | #10 |
Absolutely the best news of the past 48 hrs! My family cheered your safe arrival! Your effort and commitment have certainly inspired this old retired Navy Senior Chief - stay safe, stay within yourself - you're a winner already! Best from Wisconsin. |
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| Micheline |
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Reply with quote | #11 |
Woohoo! So glad to read the update about Jill's progress, thank-you Geoff....she and all other racers are unbelievable. Wishing Jill all the best in her last leg of the race and hoping the pulled hip flexor doesn't cause her too much grief.
Cheering for Jill from Mackenzie, BC!!! Take care of yourself Geoff and heal well.
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| Mike Schoder |
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Reply with quote | #12 |
I helped Rob check at Rohn last night. When we checked in with Dan this morning he said that Jill was still on the trail. I flew the trail from Rohn to Nickolai today looking to find her. It was horrendous winds, and very turbulent. I found Jill at the Salmon River Cabin on the lee side looking good. Problem was that the trail turns due north from there for ten miles to Nikolai. That was right into the wind. My GPS said the winds were between 25mph to 40mph. I was so hoping she could bear into it, and glad to hear she made it safely. It was so windy at Nikolai, I could not get the plane near the ground to land it, or handle it once landed, so I went to McGrath. Still windy, but the airport area was not turbulent.
Good thing is now Jill will have mostly a tailwind to McGrath. Good luck and see you out there tomorrow!!!
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| David & Lydia Maddux |
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Reply with quote | #13 |
Jill, finding your blog many months back and following your training for this journey was indeed a pleasurable way to start or finish our day ... a small view into your world. You displayed great generosity in sharing your preparations and the adventure leading into this race. With your determination and sense of humor, winning our hearts you did easily.
Hoping rest comes to you easier tonight for your last push to McGrath. We look for to hearing of your completion, what a journey! |
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| Alex Baker |
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Reply with quote | #14 |
Thats great news, I had been watching the leader board and trying to work out when Jill was due in relative to the other riders. I can not imagine those sorts of temperatures or conditions...here in the UK the whole place grinds to a halt with -1deg C and 1" of snow 
Keep plugging away Jill and you will make it, you have already done so much!
Can't wait for the write up.
Alex (fixedisf**ked blog)
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| Patt Church |
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| March 01, 2008 at 04:28 AM |
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Reply with quote | #15 |
So happy to hear good news. I too have been following the leader board trying figure out where you were. Hope by now (Saturday, 8:24AM) you are very close to McGrath and staying warm. I will be glued to my computer 'til you check in. |
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