Dokkodo: Lonesome Road of Running

*I took many photos today. Since I cannot post them all here, please click the link below (to my Facebook album) to see the rest. On November 9th, around 8:00 AM, our beloved black cat, Ali, passed away. He was approximately 8 years and 6 months old. I am so sorry I couldn’t be there with you at the very end. Thank you for coming into our lives. Thank you, truly, for so many wonderful memories. I hope you enjoy delicious food and have a great time in heaven. For now, I’ll spend some time looking back at photos of Ali and cherishing those memories. Of all times, to receive news of my cat’s passing while away on a trip… The sadness is overwhelming; it’s almost too much to bear. My mind has come to a complete standstill. I just lie here on the bed, staring blankly, not knowing what to do or how to move forward. Perhaps seeing so many black cats yesterday was a sign from Ali. It’s even harder knowing I can’t be by Piapi’s side while she is so crushed by grief. You came into our lives in th...

Day 35 began with a 5:00 AM wake-up call. The weather has turned as cold as midwinter. With winds blowing at around 10 meters per second, the "feels-like" temperature drops significantly. If I’m not moving, I feel like I might freeze. It’s supposed to get warmer next week, though there’s a lot of rain in the forecast. I heard there was a major earthquake in the Tōkai region—is everyone there okay? Breakfast this morning: Like last night’s dinner, the food was so delicious that I ended up overeating. I set off at 7:40 AM. After passing through Menemen, I had about 20-plus kilometers left to go. Traffic has increased, likely because I’m getting closer to İzmir. This photo was taken in the square in front of the Menemen train station. While in Menemen, someone kindly gave me some drinks and a *simit* (Turkish sesame bagel). Thank you so much! In a large city, the traffic is heavy; crossing highway ramps requires perfect timing—I have to make a mad dash for it. Cars turning right...

On Day 34, I woke up at 5:30 AM. It looks like a strong tailwind from the north will be blowing again today. I plan to reach Menemen, though I haven’t settled on a place to stay yet. There are a few small towns along the way, but lodging options are limited. Embracing the unexpected is one of the true joys of travel. Whatever path I choose, I’ll trust that it will turn out for the best. May the world be at peace today… Breakfast at 7:00 AM. At 7:40 AM, I set off just as the sun rose, heading south on the D550. Another clear, sunny day. The wind is cold, but the sunlight feels warm. Living, running, traveling… I’m truly living the best life! Aliağa itself is a resort town along the Aegean Sea, with a fair number of shops and places to stay. f Once past the city center, the atmosphere shifts completely. With cement factories and quarries nearby, dust swirls in the wind. The road shoulder is covered in sand, which causes my tires to sink and makes the handlebars hard to control. Finding a...

On Day 33, I woke up at 5:30 AM. It was the coldest morning of the entire trip so far. I suppose the clear skies are causing the temperature to drop due to radiative cooling. I’m grateful that it hasn’t rained for a while. Time to bundle up and get moving. Today’s destination is Yenişakran, about 30 kilometers away. Since I generally only run during daylight hours, shorter days mean I can’t cover as much distance. At exactly 8:00 AM, I thanked Ayhan and his mother, and set off once again. Thank you for hosting me for the past three days! And a big thank you to Kaori-san for connecting us! Another wonderful memory to add to the collection. I descended a steep, cobblestone slope, crossed a bridge, and headed into the town center. It’s cold, but the sky is perfectly clear—a refreshing morning! Time to run! After transitioning from the D240 to the D550 highway and running for about 10 kilometers, I was joined by a cyclist from Poland named Maciej. He left Poland two and a half months ago, ...

My second day off in Bergama. I plan to head south tomorrow. Woke up at 6:00 AM. When I take a day off, I tend to disrupt my rhythm—eating or drinking too much, or staying up too late. I wish I could still adapt as flexibly as I did when I was younger, but that’s not so easy these days. Trying to force things only leads to stress. It’s best not to push too hard. Today, I’m planning to visit a bicycle shop in Bergama for some maintenance on my bike (my "buggy"). There are chickens in the garden, and I can harvest various fruits—grapes, lemons, tangerines, and more—right from the home garden. Had a late breakfast at a café in town. It came with a boiled egg. Visited a bicycle shop and bought some spare spokes. At another bike repair shop, I had my spokes adjusted (trued). The man handling the job is clearly a seasoned veteran; every step of his work is almost like art. This place feels like a dedicated shop for bicycle and motorcycle repairs. I imagine this shop has supported t...