This week meant more sand, hills, and heat. I ran up and over a concrete mountain, and then through a tunnel. The highest temperature I saw was 110 (not sure if this was the actual heat or just a direct reading from an over zealous car thermometer). The team and I were based out of Elko – a midway point between Reno and the eastern state border.

In the middle of making our way east, Cassidy joined us. She is 1Run’s social media coordinator and someone who is always ready to join me when I am less than excited to be out there logging more miles. She fills a crucial position that rest of the crew and I appreciate having filled. Four people in a tiny car with the newly added “backpack” (a bag that is strapped to our roof) is creating a new form of comedy. But this week we will have a reprieve from the normal smell of my running shoes. Today two fresh pairs just arrived, so we are spared the scent for at least a couple of days.

The new site’s rollout is complete and I am very happy for this. Thanks Gloria & Ashton; you guys are the best! So far the reviews are positive. If you have been following us on Facebook you may of saw that we are now selling Merch! T-shirts and bumper stickers are fundamental in any grass roots campaign.

While in Elko we were really fortunate to stay with five-year-old diabetic Ashlynn and her family, the Sorrenson’s. They are the best. Helping 1Run and the team pull off our most successful event yet. 45 people attended and we connected with a lot of diabetics from the Elko and Spring Creek communities. A front page article in the local paper got the attention of Jan Boyer, a local diabetes health educator. It was great to experience Elko’s sense of community and support for diabetics.

To everyone who has put us up, given us food, gas, and a load of laundry, none of this would be possible without your generosity and support! As I have shared, this run is about connecting with diabetics and we are doing that in so many amazing ways. For instance, meeting truckers at truck stops and learning about how to drive a big rig and dealing with the struggles of eating a nutritious diet on the road while managing one’s blood sugar.

At the moment team and I are between Wendover and Salt Lake City. Salt Lake is getting ready for us, and we drove ahead to meet the Delinquent Pancreas Group led by the amazing Michele Litchman. Thank you for gathering everyone together and all the great introductions. Can’t wait to see how we can make the lives for diabetics better. This Saturday we are hosting an event in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City at 10:30 AM, getting TV time on Fox and ABC, got an interview printed in the Salt Lake Tribune, and are meeting with other runners in the Salt Lake City area.

New steps and really excited to get over and into the mountains. The heat has been ferocious but we are taking precautions and keeping healthy. Ran 150 miles last week and getting a little closer each day.