East of Kazan, Russia. Raindrops were falling on my head as I started my run along the Trans-Siberian Railway at 3am. And surprise, surprise, we are running a secondary road. Why we’re not on MR7 and whether or not we go back to it matters not. I take what I can get and this morning was glorious. I ran rolling country road, through farmland with the beginnings of the sunrise, birds singing at the tops of their lungs, and fresh air. The police escort is back. You never know what you’ll get in the wilds of Russia. This officer is very protective and considerate, yet I could not help taking notice that he had a tail light out and his police cruiser stalled a few times. But then I’ve been on a Russian chairlift and flown Aeroflot so I expect these things here.

Our eight hour drive to Kazan was long but scenic. The further east we got, the greener and more agricultural. Soon there were rivers including the great Volga along which Kazan was built. Kazan is a wonderful juxtaposition between new and old. It also has the girth and is clean like Minsk. Our time there was limited but we managed a walk down the new pedestrian way and through an underground passage with shops. There are construction projects everywhere and all the young people were dressed beautifully. Their dress was in stark contrast to how most young people dress in the States.

Yesterday we encountered a young boy at a gas station, sickly, dirty and reeking of alcohol. We gave him BPR stickers and Jason posed with him for a photo. Then Maria gave him a pear. We made his day but it was a sad look inside the social problems here. Today it was a dead dog on the side of the road where I finished my run. Too many dogs in this country are undernourished and mangy. It breaks my heart. Who knows if this one will get any kind of burial. I laid some flowers on his limp body and shed some tears, remembering also that young boy from yesterday.

We have a ferry ride and are getting close to Siberia. I am about to make the switch to Team Silver. It’s terrific to be in the wilds. As I sign off we are next to thick, luxurious forest. Today’s run helped pacify my homesickness for Vermont. Happy July everyone! Stage two is underway……….