I'm on a mission to be the first woman to finish Dex Tooke's 1000-mile epic "No Country for Old Men". Partly because I'm kinda surprised that no woman has finished it - yet. Partly because I got some unexpected inspiration from No Mans' Land Film Festival. And partly because - it's there.
This is quite likely to be the hardest race I do. I'm going to do everything in my power to MAKE it the hardest - and most complete - race I've done yet. And after 2018 Race Across Oregon, I'm going to have to work my ass off to deliver in the "most complete" department.
It's also going to be a film project. That's a little crazy, and a little extra pressure, but in a year when Free Solo makes the Academy Awards, I don't think I have to automatically turn away from the possibility that a camera crew could impact my race. I've got my reasons....When the No Mans' Land Film Festival came to Arcata last year, I was excited to see "all kinds of women" doing "all kinds of adventure sports". And - I didn't, exactly. I mean, I totally did NOT expect to see ultraendurance cycling represented - but I didn't see any women anywhere near my age actually out there doing anything. And I got kinda mad about that, for a minute or two. And then I reflected - women my age are the last (hopefully) generation who were told, from an early age, that we don't have much to offer the world of sport - so likely no one thought that their story was good enough.
My story - dammit - is good enough. I am going to be the first woman to finish the 1000-mile No Country for Old Men. And I'm going to make a (short) film, and submit it to No Mans' Land Film Festival. If they don't accept it, well at least I can make the grandkids sit though it (easy enough - use Moana as the soundtrack and I've got Bailey's attention!) It's going to be a helluva race, and an even better story.
An undertaking like this requires a village - and preferably a smart, engaged village. Shane Traughber returns for nutrition help. Kellie Moylan is coaching me, and I'm already seeing profound differences. Bill is pulling out all the stops in support. Crew is coming together. I'll be getting a film crew together - hopefully with some female representation. Logistics are starting to fall into place. I'm the luckiest person in the world, and I'm going to get video evidence....