From just west of Asia after a wonderful night last night in Perm. We took advantage of a sports masseuse named Sasha, also a family doctor, who came to our rooms and gave the best full body massage I’ve had since I left home, for a mere $30 U.S. Tomorrow we cross into Asia over the Ural Mountains.

We crossed two time zones in 24 hours. The days are even longer. Tomorrow is Independence Day in the States. We may have to celebrate with a lightning storm, fairly predictable here in the evenings. Maybe even a shot of Russian vodka. I am still testing the regional “cold ones” and find I have developed a thirst for a good cold beer at the end of a hot day. Ironically, it is the one drink that always seems to be available cold in this part of the world.

Interesting how cultures view the world so differently. My new team member David from the Czech Republic was taught that South and North America is one continent, not two. So he now will have visited every continent even though he has never been to South America. We on the other hand, as well as Google, consider South America a different continent.

We are being warned about the ticks, mosquitoes and pedicures. The first two for diseases, the latter for infection and too soft feet when calluses are removed. The biggest concern right now for the runners is dehydration because of the heat. Medical is on it and providing water and electrolytes on course. We also have them out riding bikes with us, for their own sanity but also companionship and safety for us. The medical staff all along has been great. They are all from the same facility in LaCrosse, Wisconsin, switching staff every two weeks or so. Right now we have Julie by day and Kevin by night.

My run today began at 6pm and was another hot one. It was also very hilly with a headwind and sticky tarmac. I’m having some trouble with my asthma, probably the exhaust since we’re on a busier road again, and also the pollen. At our final exchange tonight there was a young Russian woman selling chanterelle mushrooms under an umbrella. I engaged her with hand talk and took her photo. Later on she crossed the road and asked me to take another photo. She removed her heavy outer garments and babushka and revealed herself, a beautiful young woman with a braid below her waist, a good figure and a huge smile. Our photographer Chris showed up and bought one of her mushrooms and took more photos of her. Vicky from the communications car speaks fluent Russian and found out that the mushrooms grow very deep in the woods. I would have loved to buy a bucket but there was no safe way to eat them. We gave her stickers for her kids.

On to Asia. Our Silver Team will run across the border tomorrow led by super Shiri!