The coolest part about RAAM is the people

Today we went down to the Oceanside Pier-the race starting point-to go through all the RAAM inspections and to attend the official RAAM team meeting and presentation. It was a pretty awesome experience because it was the first time I was around the other teams and got a feel for just how big this all really is. There are teams from 20 different countries over 6 continents and lots of great causes are being represented and publicized. The organizers said this years' RAAM teams have collectively raised over $1 million for numerous charities. All very impressive, but no where nearly as impressive as some the folks competing. Two of the folks I spoke with today really put things into perspective for me...Conner Ellison of Team Donate Life and Kyle Bryant of Team FARA.

Conner is 13 years old, the youngest person to compete in the RAAM as a member of an 8-person team. And did I mention that he suffers from a serious liver disease called Congential Hepatic Fibrosis? It's created all sorts of obstacles for him throughout his life. His mom (who is also riding on the team w/Conner) and I were talking today and she told me that he's the kid that from a very young age was told by lots of doctors that "he never would be able to..." Well, he didn't let that define him and crush his dreams. No sir, he was determined to prove them all wrong. And might I just say, he's doing so in a BIG way by racing in the RAAM. What a testament to the power in the human spirit that's there in ALL of us if we just choose to use. Conner truly is an inspiration and I feel honored to have met him. He even signed an autograph for my 10 year old son who he inspired. If you want to read more of his story, check out his blog. He's a fantastic writer! You can also follow his team's RAAM progress here on twitter.

Another amazing person competing is Kyle Bryant of Team FARA (a 4-person team). FARA is the The Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance and Kyle rides in support of this alliance in hopes of raising awareness for this terrible disease from which he and teammate Sean Baumstark suffer. It's called Friedreich's Ataxia and it's a debilitating, life-shortening, degenerative neuro-muscular disorder. It has wreaked havoc on their bodies but they haven't let it stop them from being active and competing in the toughest race in the world! Kyle's enthusiasm is amazing and his commitment to helping this cause is admirable, to say the least. I didn't meet Sean, but I am sure he's just as great as Kyle. If you want to see a video about Kyle and Team FARA, check this out and you can read their blog here. They even have a film crew travelling them working on a documentary about their efforts. I will be excited to see that when it's finished up.

The cool thing I am realizing about the RAAM is that it's made up of countless people with stories just like those of Kyle, Sean and Conner. The team I am crewing for is made up of Type 1 diabetics. Team Type 2 is made up of Type 2 diabetics. They all have a purpose for their efforts in this race and it isn't for themselves. They have much bigger goals in mind. I don't believe this isn't just another race. It's a display of humanity at it's best...people working together under very difficult circumstances for the good of something much bigger than themselves. That's what it's all about. And for me to be a part of such an event really is humbling. Now to sleep.