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Cassie Lowe
"Cassie Lowe: RAAM"
Two years ago, Cassie Lowe, 37, left Sydney, Australia, and a job in graphic design to tackle the world's toughest endurance race, the Race Across America, otherwise known as RAAM.
This year, after the previous year’s fine finish — seventh place overall and title claim to first female — she finished in fourth place overall and defended her fastest female title. It was a triumphant finish that Lowe attributes to having a good game plan and excellent support. Among the many factors and people who made it possible, she counts a solid training program (both physical and mental), a spot-on dietary program, a great partner and crew chief — Steve Born — and a terrific crew.
Competitive endurance cyclists face a constant battle of priorities when attempting an event on the scale of climbing Mount Everest. There’s the challenge of surviving financially while maintaining a full-time training schedule. There’s the effort that goes into trying to break barriers both mentally and physically. And always there’s the issue of finding the right food and balance of nutrition to power such an effort. Finally, there are the logistics and engineering that go into carrying out the final race strategy. Lowe credits Born for helping her resolve and ease the stress of many of these challenges. Lowe describes RAAM as nothing short of a life changing event. But words are never quite adequate when you’re trying to explain the personal transformation that occurs as a result of such epic endeavors. There are the mental and the emotional challenges of training, enduring and competing in such a race, and then essentially having to walk away from it all.
RAAM is unique as a national competition in that financial rewards are non-existent, and outside of endurance cycling circles, there are few accolades or recognition. Is the 2001 RAAM the finish line for Lowe? There are a lot of things for her to consider, she says, inlcuding a visiting visa status that’s about to expire. But she’s not ready to say no or yes. Still, she is a changed person and grateful for all the experiences she has had around RAAM. Foremost, she is thrilled with how healthy she feels despite having just completed the world’s toughest endurance bicycle race. She’s also grateful for the support of Doug Herthel and Platinum Performance, her sponsor. But, sponsorship isn’t the reason Lowe is sold on Platinum Performance. In fact, it’s how the product has benefited her health and helped her achieve her dream that has made Lowe a big fan of Platinum Performance.
She was first introduced to it two years ago, she explains. She had finished the Furnace Creek 508, an endurance race and qualifier for RAAM. "I knew that in order to be able to finish [RAAM], let alone be competitive in it," says Lowe, "I had to give as much, if not more emphasis on the food I put in my body as I did to my training and equipment." The Platinum Performance bar met all her requirements perfectly. It contains all the beneficial ingredients needed to meet the demands she was putting on her body. "The rich flax oil content provided joint and cardiovascular support," she explains. "The additional joint health nutrients helped by providing even more complete support for my tendons and ligaments." As an athlete, she says she’s not only concerned with properly fueling her body, but providing structural and immune support as well. "The antioxidants provided immune system protection, and the fiber and protein make-up of the bar completed the picture by providing digestive and muscular system support." Convenience is also a key factor for her. "With so much nutrient value packed into a compact bar," she says, "I'm able to carry and use an adequate supply hour after hour during the longest of training rides, and when the intensity of race pace is on." Lowe says Platinum Performance bars are her perfect fuel. "As great as all of these things are, if the product doesn't taste good, I won't eat it," she says. "Unlike all the overly sweet or cardboard tasting bars available, the Platinum Performance bar really does taste fantastic. It tastes like real food because that's what it is. This year's RAAM was special for me, as I was able to defend my title. I was so pleased to have this phenomenal product available for the 3,000 miles and 10 days, 7 hours it took to help me reach my goal."
Training and competition and aside, Lowe says both the bar and the granular powder are part of her daily diet. "As a woman, I want to take steps to help maintain the healthiest body I can for may years to come by [consuming] nutrients that may help prevent any potential degenerative diseases, [including] cancer." Lowe is convinced that Platinum Performance is beneficial to non-athletes as well. "Whether you're an athlete competing in one of the world's most grueling events imaginable, or someone looking for a great tasting convenient and extremely healthy "real" food, Platinum Performance has passed every requirement I have placed on it." client profiles home
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