My team ran the midmorning to mid afternoon shift (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM) all the way through France and into Belgium. Our first full day in France started the morning of June 8th. My leg was rural, on a two-lane road that stretched through miles of farmland – beautiful fields of carrots and spinach. I tried to distract myself with thoughts of vegetables, but thirty minutes into the run, I knew I needed to make a pit stop. I pulled off the road and trotted behind some bushes – and made the unfortunate discovery that France has nettles. Lots and lots of nettles.

I've never been afraid of a plant before. I may never, ever make another pit stop.

I crossed (on foot) the France-Belgium border the morning of June 10th. I guess I expected a bit more fanfare; in the United States, state borders generally have big signs featuring the state flag and motto and huge Welcome Centers with free coffee. On the France-Belgium border, the only indication that I'd entered a different country was a small, blue metal sign stating “Bienvenue á Belgique.” I waved my baton as I stepped into Belgium and was greeted by some exceptionally disinterested cows.

Believe me, though, I'm not complaining about the rural runs at all. I honestly prefer running alone in the country. One of my teammates, however, really enjoys city running and is going a bit crazy communing with the spinach and carrots. Due to scheduling, my team has somehow missed running through Dublin, London, Paris, and Brussels. We had high hopes for Amsterdam, but once again, we ran on a road leading away from the city.

Outside of Amsterdam, while waiting to run, I spent the 20 minutes before my leg praying to a variety of deities, hoping against hope that I wouldn't have to run on a shoulder-less stretch of busy two-lane highway during rush hour traffic. Thanks to the untiring efforts of the advance scout team and the pilot car, my prayers were answered. I ran instead on scenic (and, mercifully, empty!) bike paths and farm access roads parallel to the highway. The route was spectacular – acres of cool, blue air and flat, green fields dotted with windmills. Dill Driscoll, one of the driving forces behind this run, accompanied me on his Vespa and we chatted about farm equipment while I ran. Easily my best run so far.

Dill also accompanied Shiri Levanthal, the next runner and one of my teammates, on her leg of the run. She and Dill traded stories and Shiri got the scoop on all the good gossip. So, while Shiri talked about intrigues and romances, I discussed the inner workings of a combine. Hmmm. I think I'm boring.

My team crossed from Holland into Germany the evening of June 12th. Weird to listen to Dutch and an English version of Dutch all day and then wake up hearing German. And for the first time in about 35 years, I am nearly illiterate. It's a humbling feeling. When purchasing food in a grocery stores, I'm relying on the packaging to tell me what's inside. I've uncovered some seriously false advertising!!

The Run winds through Germany for the next three-four days, stopping at three Dow sites along the way. Heiko Weiner will be in the spotlight (by the way, does anyone else think that Heiko looks a bit like a skinny Liam Neeson?). On the afternoon of the 17th, we leave Germany for the Czech Republic – and for parts of the world I've only dreamed of traveling. Here there be dragons!