Day 4 and 5: Burney, CA to Sparks, NV and Service Day 1

Woke up nice and early at Word of Life in Burney. Hosts there went above and beyond, opening up their donation-only coffee shop (named Wholey Ground) for us with a full spread for breakfast. These ladies absolutely crushed it and it was a great way to start the day since we had a 100 mile drive to Van 2’s start point.

Started out running by Honey Lake around 8:30ish. Ran with Tyler B, Abby, and Regi and we did 3 miles rather than 2 for our first two runs while the heat was manageable. We were out of CA pretty quickly and into Nevada! Comment how YOU pronounce “Nevada” below! There was a spirited discussion.

Miles in Nevada were beauuutiful but the elevation (nearly 6,000 feet) made things feel tough. We arrived at our host, Sparks United Methodist, around 2:30. À la Chris Regan I “rewarded” myself with a cold shower after a hard days work.

We wrapped up the day with a long meeting about our reasons for doing 4K. I’m not putting my whole shtick on that. I miss Angela. That’s why I’m running. I got the opportunity to think back to one of my original connections to the cancer community, volunteering at MSKCC as a patient escort (Hey Ariel Sánchez and Mike Flood!). That experience has really stuck with me more than I’ve realized. I think all of our stories from last night deserve to stay on 4K out of respect for everyone’s privacy. The meeting ran so late that we had to postpone the rest til Monday night. Every individual with whom I’m doing this crazy thing has such an incredible story. I’m proud to be part of this group of people; I feel like I’ve learned so much from them already.

***

Today we got to sleep in all the way to 7:45. Hollaaaa!!! After breakfast we drove over to the Ronald McDonald House of Reno. I was part of the cookie-baking team because, as Sam Miller’s dad astutely pointed out at my bake sale at the Hopkins-Loyola meet, I have a lot to learn about baking cookies! When I’m in Cleveland perhaps I can redeem myself, Mr. Miller!

An employee at the house told us how her brother was awarded an Ulman scholarship by one of the 4K ride teams year ago, and that he tried to see every 4K team that came through Reno. He couldn’t be there because he was at work on the Pediatric Cancer floor of the hospital next door. I asked her if he was allowed to see visitors at work and she called him up and we sent a smaller contingent over to the hospital to meet him. He’s become another in the long line of strangers who we’ve turned into friends, into meaningful connections.

After service the rest of the day is ours. We got lunch at Chuy’s in Reno, the premiere destination for Mexican in the city. The trip’s leg leader, Justin, somehow had a personal connection to the restaurant and they made us food for free. This connection went all the way to the top because the Mayor of Reno, Hillary Schieve, came out to meet us! A delightful and welcoming mayor, I’d love to revisit the city some day.

After lunch we drove an hour to Tahoe, which was dope. One of my goals for 4K is to swim in every body of water that is safe to swim in, so, that’s one down. Water was cold but refreshing. Would’ve been nicer with less wind.

It’s getting late and we have an early wake-up tomorrow for our journey to Austin, NV, where it is supposed to be 60 degrees. Sounds dope. Staci Blank, rest assured that the local laundromat has been visited! Schoch out.