It is Team Silver'€™s day off and we are still in Novosibirsk. Last night'€™s run was a blast. We met the Blue Team at the exchange, arriving in time to watch a local horseman herd his cows home across the highway. He then trotted over for a photo session along with several neighborhood kids. Of course we stickered them! Shiri then took off running along ripe freshly tilled fields, into a short spurt of rain, and through the middle of a shining rainbow. The mosquitoes were out but not as vicious as usual. A mile from Shiri'€™s finish point, a second police escort appeared and the run was rerouted more directly through downtown Novosibirsk. It took a while for the police to explain what was happening and reach agreement with the pilots. They drew maps in the sand on the shoulder of the road explaining the new plan. Finally we were off again and Shiri finished with a double police escort which then remained with us through our shift.

David ran second and was greeted at his hand off exchange with another round of Happy Birthday and a chocolate and cream cake. While waiting for David, our driver took us through a Russian car wash. The water smelled weird.

Emmanuel, our self-proclaimed "€œKing of Russia,"€ ran the third leg right through downtown Novosibirsk. He created quite the scene at the midnight hour on a Tuesday night. Roars and cheers rose from crowds of students. This is a university town. Emmanuel'€™s greatest moments of this night came at a downtown roundabout as he waved the baton and ignited the spectators, amidst the police, our vehicles and the brilliant lights of downtown Novosibirsk. This town is hopping, full of casinos and dance clubs.

I ran the final leg starting just before 1am, still with a double police escort. The air had cooled, the bugs gone to bed, and the route was varied and interesting. All I had to do was follow the police car up front with my way lit by the police car behind. When I first started police car #1 took off at Emmanuel'€™s pace, way too fast for me, but he figured it out and settled down. It did however set a swifter pace for me, a good thing. Once out of the City limits I could see that there were actually views as the road was somewhat hilly with drop-offs, but it was too dark to tell what was there. Along the way I smelled something more fragrant than honeysuckle and then ran past a lumber yard with the smell of fresh cut timber.

We returned to the hotel for a sleep and another breakfast for me of multiple bowls of fruit, granola and yogurt. We then got massages at a local sports club, possibly our last opportunity before Irkutsk. I went for a three mile run to sightsee a little and see what it'€™s like to run in daylight without a set route or pace. We have been basking in the comfort of this hotel as it will be a last oasis until we hit the Lake Baikal region several days from now. Our phones are out, although internet when you get on is better than usual.

The hotel situation has been interesting, alternating between marginal and good. I thought it might have been strategic to treat us every few days to make up for the mosquito-ridden, bleak quarters. But the strategy is only about what'€™s available. Again, the long distances between major ports means few if any options as to beds and food. You have to take what you can get! We may yearn for that bleak accommodation when we are camping in the Gobi Desert.

The day ended with a wild thunder and lightning storm, creating rivers of rain down the streets and sidewalks. The drama in the weather illustrates the extremes of Russia. The harshness of the climate speaks to the toughness of its people. I stood out a downpour in an underground walkthrough with about six locals who just would not look at each other, and certainly not at me. Not much different from city places in the States where life is tough.

Until our next stop, keep things in perspective.