I can't say enough about the people who worked so hard behind the scenes to make the run happen, to keep us as safe as possible while on the run, to tend our aches and pains, and injuries.

As I have mentioned in previous blogs, the 20 runners were divided into 5 teams thus four runners a team. Each team was named a color. The colors are from the BPR logo emblem. I have been a member of two teams which made it nice to get to know up close and personal some of the other runners. Some of the teams rebelled at being changed to another team, others at times asked to be changed. Why.....personality clashes at times, impatience with habits of others, as in some kept their space very neat and clean while others didn't mind the food crumbs on the floor, dirty clothes spread about, some liked constant music while others needed sleep, quiet, etc. Before we left Lake Placid everyone was saying they hoped the teams would change but that attitude seemed to die on the vine pretty quickly after a month or so. Teammates got used to the familiarity with each other and that can be hard to give up at times. For me, I tried to just accept whatever was needed for the team. I enjoyed the time with the Green Team ( Laura, Mary, Jason and Taeko ) and with Team Orange ( Sean, Sunil, Brynn and driver, Andy ).

But, our drivers were the ones who got us to our run destination exchange points, hotel destinations, sometimes having to endure rudeness and abruptness, change of plans at the last moment, weather problems, on and on, usually without complaining. They also made sure the support van was washed, cooler full of ice, helped us to load and unload our backpacks, luggage, etc.

Dill and his staff, especially Da Bus driver and support team, went out of their way to make sure we had food waiting after running the 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. shift when there were no restaurants in site. This was a new addition for us on the U.S.A. leg. Boy. could we have used that in parts of Europe and Asia. But, thank goodness for them when we ran across America!

Our drivers and translators throughout our run across Europe and Asia were for the most part magnificent and went out of their way to tell us about their country and to feed us or get us to a food place, kept us from getting lost and got us whereever safely.

Everyone was a part of the team. Not just the runners, Everyone who was involved had to be a team player. For some, that took a little longer to adjust to than for others, but it worked.

I do know without the guide vehicle crew with the doctors ( who also helped drive ), GPS gurus, etc, the run would have been a lot tougher.

The run began in an optimistic state and after a while everything was not so neat and cozy and comfortable. Without these support people we would not be two days from ending in celebration!
THANK YOU ONE and ALL!!!

peace and blessings to you and yours,
Lansing