Cookin' with Gas in Pittsburgh

As I settle down in a rocking chair smelling breakfast cooking out the window over here in Marietta, Ohio at a bed & breakfast with Roddy and our crew, it allows me to reflect on last weekend's race in Pittsburgh.
Long ago- way before Roddy decided to get back into racing he told me over dinner about a special race called the Three Rivers Regatta. It was an important race to him because in the past he never won it. He came so close- on the last lap he ran out of gas and watched as boats passed him for the win. Over and over that race would play in his head. After all the cancer treatments and thoughts of getting back into racing no memory stood out more than that one it seemed.
As a wife, I was extremely nervous for this race. Not for the danger really, just the disappointment if he were to lose. I wanted him to win that race so that we could erase the "run out of gas" memory and replace it with a successful win. That's just what Roddy did. He prepared his recipe for success: balance and focus. This may sound crazy but we both started visualizing him winning the race and we allowed no negative thoughts about any other outcome except total success. Since November Roddy had been doing 2 a day workouts with myself and his other trainer, Brannon Gilliam. He also received regular massage therapy, acupuncture as well as a nutrition plan to help him focus his mind and balance his work and race life.
On the morning of his race at breakfast Roddy and his crew were talking about the water being 'chewy' and described the turns as 'slop'. I thought we were talking about the stale pastries at the Microtel, but nope- all racing talk,specifically the Pittsburgh water, which was known to be rough...silly me. Throughout the race day, none of that seemed to matter we saw things fall into place.
After the race he told me as he was doing his checkered flag parade ride, "It felt surreal, I did it". As we watched the 4th of July fireworks from the best seat in the house, the casino restaurant, we lifted our glasses to celebrate. I couldn't help but think of how lucky we were to be living in this moment we created.

"TBR" adventures, Elgin, IL

The term, "TBR"  is evidently common in the boat racing world.  It's sounds a little like "TMI" and probably is closely related but it simply means, "...that's boat racing...."  When certain things happen: funny, anger provoking, dangerous, unexplainable, emotional- they can all be explained by just saying, "TBR" and shaking your head in agreement.
That brings us to Elgin, Il's Thunder on the Fox Race, Father's Day Weekend.  Many moments during this weekend can be classified to this term.  For example:  Head Foreman Racing Mechanic/comedian and radio man, Kyle, arrives at the race site and explains to us all that he is 'passing a kidney stone 3mm'.  We think he's joking, but he's not.  Imagine for a moment the pain that is most often compared with childbirth - dealing with that while standing out in the hot sun for hours on end boat racing.  The Doctors told him in Florida it would be out in 24 hours.  That was more than 48 hours ago....TBR.  And the next example, Foreman Racing mechanic, wanna-be water rescuer, Hans, who- in order to sleep at night with his roommate Johnny's snoring shoves kleenex deeply into his ears then earplugs.  Now that's some serious snoring folks (poor Carolyn).  Long story short the next morning I find Hans using long needle neck pliers to remove the kleenex- HE CAN'T get it out!  Finally- they decide to wet inside his ear and the stuff come out.  Geez.  TBR.   Last but certainly not least is the example of the 2nd heat for the 60 boats on saturday.  Barely one lap into the race there is a crash at turn 2, right in front of the crowd smashing the green Herd boat to smitherines and sending it's driver, Hooper to hospital.  The Amsoil driver involved with the crash walked away with a hole in his boat, leaving many debating who caused the terrible wreck.  Was it he who cut him off? or was it the novice driver that needed to turn quicker.  No one takes blame, that's not manly I guess.  TBR. 
So here we are, it's Sunday, Father's Day.  At breakfast before heading to the river most of the Foreman Racing team: Roddy, Brad, Hans, Johnny, Kyle and the Roddy Hottie's:  myself and Kerri chimed in about personal stories of their dads.  Some funny, some sad, some boat racing.  TBR.

"BAM" takes on new meaning

Calculations.  I would have to say the funniest thing that happened to us on the ride over from Texas was when we finally arrived on thursday night at the hotel in Lakeland, FL.  It was dusk, we were tired and weary from the road.  We pull the 'Bodacious Box Van' partially into the drivearound at the hotel, which was slightly congested with cars.  The boat racing professionals, Roddy and Johnny, exchanged glances and opinions about the clearance of the box van's air conditioner unit on the top of the truck and whether it would or would not clear the overhang.  Agreement was made between the 2 guys in some magical/telepathic man way to move forward.  That's what I'm calling it since we can't talk blame here...(touchy subject).  Roddy then starts pulling forward towards the front doors of the hotel.  BAM!!!! well, it was actually more like CRUNCH....  Yep, you guessed it- it was totally mashed in and inoperable.  Score:  Boat Racers- 0, Air conditioning unit- 1.  I'm told in boat racing there are literally hundreds of thousands of calculations that are made to win a race.  Whether its motors, props, water temp, OR air conditioning unit clearances, one must always calculate correctly!  Hard but expensive lesson to learn!  Not funny when it happened, extremely funny to us now!

"how fast does that there boat go?".....

Attraction.  It's a common occurrence that happens around the world everyday.  Haven't you seen guys bring puppies or babies to a park to watch the girls swarm?  What is it that works in this way for guys?  The answer is a race boat ladies and gentlemen.  Everywhere, and I do mean everywhere- gas stations, restaurants, grocery stores, state agricultural stops on the freeway, rest stops, parks, sun pass toll booths, etc. there are always guys that wanna get close to that thing.  All male walks of life:  young, old, fat, skinny, toothless- whatever- they are like moths to a flame.  Usually it starts with them walking over and asking the most predictable question of all, "how fast does that there boat go?"  (hello- I am using my best redneck dialect here folks).  I think it's hilarious that they think I actually drive it- when they say next, " are you scared little lady?"    REALLY? 

Bodacious Box Van Bonanza! last Wed am- Thursday night

Focus.  2 days in a box van with excited race boaters is quite an experience for a girl.  First off- kudos to Roddy for even buying the box van in the first place to transport us- it's awesome!  Our box van has a RV- like middle with a bed, tv, microwave, sink and frig!  Comfortable for sure!  In the back there is an open mechanics section for boat racing stuff.  It's really easy for them to get what they need, store it, have shelter to work on things if they need it.  What's really great for me as a BR (boat racing) wife is that I can be slightly separated from all the endless 'gearhead' talk that evidently always happens on these trips.  Roddy and Johnny talked, discussed, argued, dreamed, reminisced and whatever else you could do during the trip- the true constant- non-stop boat racing talk.  It went a little like this:  drive your shift while talking about boat racing for hours, pee or food break while continuing to talk boat racing memories, check on the boat straps, trailer, etc. and discuss more boat racing and REPEAT.  Thank God they love to stop and look at the boat alot- that means extra pee breaks!  whew!

Monday Morning Press! Lakeland Leger Article March, 7, 2011

Check out the article written in the Lakeland Leger on the win at Orange Cup Regatta, Lakeland, FL

I can tell you it was an emotional race- right after the press came over to interview Roddy. 

Boat Racing Wife 101

Ok, so we aren't yet boat racing, but everyone knows there's alot of prep work that goes into these races.  We (Roddy and I) started the journey from Austin yesterday morning.  Our next stop was to pick up our crew chief, Johnny Calley in Pasadena, TX.  While there we had a nice lunch with his wife, Carolyn before heading straight east to Florida.  Carolyn is a legendary boat racing wife with over 20 some odd years in the businesss.  She was glad to give me some pointers on being a boat racing wife.  Very interesting.  Let me just describe Carolyn- (she's tiny, adorable lady and I got that she doesn't like swearing) - so I thought, uh oh- I better watch my mouth since I do believe she was walking around with a 'switch' in her hand.  hehe.  Anyway- she tells me its very essential for me to know information about my husband's boat:  type:  Pugh Tunnel boat, motor horsepower:  90, motor type:  Evinrude, class that he races:  SST 60.  Ok, got it - check.  she says everyone including moms, wives, good looking guys and kids will ask me these things and it's important for me to at least look like I have an idea about what's up.  (Good idea).  Next and lastly- she's takes me away separately from the group and says, " sometime Roddy will be an obnoxious butt head "...." you'll need to put your hands on his shoulders, look at him and say that you love him and that he needs to settle down"......   Words to live by!!!!