I've been back home now for a couple of days. To answer my friends, who are asking how it went... it was not fun. It was hard, and nonstop. There were days I didn't even have time to brush my teeth. I slept with my shoes on, in case I had to make a quick dash. A shower was something I didn't think about, and the one I had in a hotel that we rented for 3 hours, was quick as we were all where trying to get a few drops to wash away some grime.
I ate as we went. There were many days that I just forgot to eat, until late in the night. Peanut butter and jelly kept me alive and Starbuck Double Espresso vanilla coffee drinks and gallons of root beer kept me awake. (I gave up soft drinks over 10 years ago!)
My first shift (4 p.m. to midnight) was in the follow van called Lola. I spent most of it standing up watching the traffic behind and then watching Jacquie up ahead. I would open the side door and hand out water and food to her as we were moving. When Jacquie stopped, I jumped out and ran to her, to support her bike and do whatever needed to do at the time. She needed to stay riding as long as she could. Sometimes I would drive and I needed to be as close as I could to let the lights on the van further illumine her way.
My second shift was midnight to 8 a.m. We were in Pablo the support van. Our job was to run around and get supplies and do anything the Lola peeps wanted us to do. One of the main things we did was go head of Jacquie, pull the car off the side of the road, and clap, and dance, and sing and do anything to show our support as she rode by. At night, we were just strips of reflective material moving in the night. It helped her focus on the road ahead, and to let her know that the people who loved and believed in her where there for her every stretch of the way.
My third shift was 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. We rode in Harvey, the RV and sometimes got some sleep. Other times were spent in laundry mats and grocery stores.
Our focus was on Jacquie. How could I do my part to make it go smooth? How could I anticipate, not only her needs, but my fellow crew family to make sure food, drink and whatever was needed was there before they asked. Most of the time, it went smoothly. Some of the time I felt like a Three Stooges routine, as we were all running around and sometimes running into each other. It's amazing we didn't drive off without someone.
As much as I loved coming home to Bruce I was missing the crew. I felt guilty taking a long shower, and laying in a bed with sheets and my shoes off. I went to work and thought how boring this is and hoping things were going well in the race.
I couldn't have done this without Bruce. He encourage me to go, to support our dear friends John and Jacquie. He never complained, he never told me of concerns back home. He dove right in and became "Blogger Bruce" and let the world know with his humor and love of the Schlitters what was going on.
What it fun? Hell no. It was the most incredible time and adventure with many new and old friends that have become family. Fun is totally overrated.
This is my favorite photo of my trip. It shows Maria Parker, last years RAAM winner running along with Jacquie. Her sister is dying of brain cancer and yet she and her husband Jim were there for support.
These two women are my heroes.
And to my crew family. Love, love, love
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Race Across America is a grueling, relentless battle and we are so inspired by Jacquie taking it on to end brain cancer. If you missed your opportunity to get a raffle ticket, you can donate at www.3000milestoacure.com or check out the Hope documentary here https://vimeo.com/
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