Dokkodo: Lonesome Road of Running

On Day 20, I woke up at 5:00 AM. Today’s destination is Lapseki, 25 kilometers away. The rain has cleared, and it’s a beautiful, sunny day. About 30 kilometers southwest of Çanakkale, on the hill of Hisarlık, lie the ruins of Troy. I first learned about this place in high school through Heinrich Schliemann’s *Ancient Troy* (originally titled *Passion for Antiquity*). It’s also currently in the spotlight thanks to the film *The Odyssey* (based on Homer’s epic). I’d love to visit, but… I set off at 7:40 AM, just as the sun was rising. It remained cloudy and cold all day. The D200 highway runs along the coast and offers some lovely scenery. The road features frequent, gentle ups and downs, which keeps things interesting. That said, long, gradual inclines are the most taxing on the legs and lower back. Today, I was approached by locals on two occasions. The first time was while I was taking a break, 15 kilometers outside of Lapseki. A couple pulled up in their car, struck up a conversation...

On Day 19, I woke up before 5:00 AM. Today’s destination is a town called Gürece, 36 kilometers away. The route includes a couple of hills, each about 100 meters high. Compared to the areas around Istanbul—where there are many large cities—this region has less traffic, and the air is still clean. I’m moving away from the interior and back toward the shores of the Sea of ​​Marmara. It’s about 90 kilometers to Çanakkale. I could potentially reach it in two days, but there’s no need to push myself. The main thing is to focus on the present—to enjoy the here and now—and to think only about wonderful, pleasant things. I dried my tent and other gear, which had been left wet from yesterday, inside the room. By morning, everything—including my laundry—was completely dry. My gear is my travel partner, so I treat it with care. When traveling alone, staying in tune with one’s equipment is essential. I never forget to say "thank you" to my gear. Breakfast—this comes with a fried egg and ...

Day 18 of my journey through Turkey—my 66th birthday. I spent the night camping on the coast in Denizkent and woke up inside my tent. Thank you to everyone who has already sent me birthday wishes! I’d like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude. Please continue to follow my "PEACE RUN"—a 40,000-kilometer journey across five continents—and keep supporting me, adventure runner Katsuhiko Takashige. Although I heard dogs barking and people talking during the night, the morning arrived without any real issues. My tent was soaked with night dew. The humidity made it feel quite cold. It’s a shame there’s no shower, but I’m grateful for the zero-cost accommodation. I might encounter situations like this again further down the road. I set off at 7:40 AM. While packing up the tent, I was swarmed by a massive cloud of mosquitoes. On the way to today’s destination, Biga, I passed through several small settlements and a few gas stations. As usual, my diet consists of nuts, dried...

On Day 17, I woke up before 5:00 AM. The weather is great again today. My route takes me from Bandırma to a place called Denizkent—a distance of just over 40 kilometers. It has already been 20 days since I left Kansai International Airport. Heading south from Çanakkale; I suppose the area around İzmir marks the halfway point. With a smile on my face and safety as my top priority, I’ll keep moving along at a steady, relaxed pace. I set off from my hotel in Bandırma at 7:30 AM. After navigating the hilly city streets, I reached the D200 highway. Traffic was heavy at first, but it soon quieted down. I took my first break after running 15 kilometers. It looked like a bus stop, but there was nowhere to sit. The temperature began to rise quickly. It’s another perfectly clear day with a brilliant, expansive blue sky. It’s over 20°C—warm enough to feel hot. The landscape features wind turbines and vast fields, with stunning views of the Sea of ​​Marmara. Someone from what appeared to be a fact...