DAY 15 Alor Gajah-Rembau (Malaysia)

The owners of the guesthouse in Alor Gajah once again thoughtfully brought homemade steamed buns and coffee.

Yesterday, during check-in, all we had was a brief conversation about being from Japan and traveling by running in prayer for world peace... I'm so grateful and touched by their kind consideration!

Started at 7:40 AM. There was a fairly strong headwind.

The ups and downs weren't too steep, but there were more gradual inclines in the latter half.

The shortcut route I took when joining Highway 1 from Highway 19 was interesting, like a trail.

There were hardly any people or cars. The atmosphere was nice and quiet, like a farm road.

There were several packs of stray dogs, and some bumpy, rocky paths reminiscent of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route.

I took several breaks at bus stops. It was comfortable when there was shade and a breeze.

Since it was 23.4 kilometers, I arrived in Rembau by lunchtime, but I killed time at the bus stop until hotel check-in.

I was surprised to find so many things there – convenience stores, restaurants, McDonald's, etc. – when I thought it would be a barren town.

20km is definitely too short; it's better to run at least 30km.

I checked into the hotel exactly at 2pm.

The owner, a Japanophile, kindly carried my heavy duffel bag up to my room on the second floor.

*Today's distance: 23.4km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 281.5km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 14 Melaka-Alor Gajah (Malaysia)

It's been two weeks since I left Kansai Airport. According to the schedule, I still have five weeks left.

I've switched into traveler mode, but I'm still not fully accustomed to the tropical heat.

Today's run is a short 27.3km to Alor Gajah.

I left Melaka at 7am. I soon got onto Route 19, but there was a lot of traffic.

Exhaust fumes and noise were a constant nuisance.

The route was moderately hilly.

I ran non-stop for about 13km.

Once in Alor Gajah, I did some shopping at a large supermarket called Family Store.

There didn't seem to be any convenience stores or other shops near the guesthouse (the nearest 7-Eleven was 3km north), so I had nasi goreng ayam at a restaurant about 600m before.

As I was loading my luggage, a sudden, heavy downpour hit. Perfect timing!

Although it's a guesthouse, it's more of a private lodging system where I rent rooms.

It was nice to be able to use the refrigerator.

If I freeze some water bottles and put them in the cooler box, I'll have a cold drink tomorrow.

Finishing my run early feels refreshing.

Considering my previous journeys, I feel a bit guilty about ending the day with less than 40km, and it doesn't feel right.

No matter what, safety and health come first as I move forward.

*Today's distance: 27.3km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 258.1km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 13 Melaka (Malaysia)

Day off in Malacca.

When running in the heat, it's important to take frequent breaks.

I woke up leisurely, showered, and did laundry.

I left the hotel around 8am and wandered around town, encountering the city's colorful and diverse landscapes.

I wonder how photographers could have captured this beauty in the old days, when only monochrome (black and white) film was available?

Founded around 1400, Malacca was the capital of the Sultanate of Malacca and a historic port city that flourished as a transit point for East-West trade.

It has a turbulent history, having been colonized by Portugal, the Netherlands, and Britain, as well as being occupied by the Japanese military. Its streets, a fusion of Malay, Chinese, and European cultures, were registered as a World Heritage Site in 2008.

The atmosphere of Portugal, which I visited two years ago, is certainly in the air.

Japanese people are also good at fusing different things.

Tolerance and acceptance of all things fosters a peaceful image.

At 2pm, I had nasi goreng ayam (fried rice with fried chicken) for a late lunch at a nearby restaurant.

The temperature was 34°C at this point.

It was hot to walk, and even hotter to run. When the wind blew, it was warm, like the wind from a hair dryer.

If I had been pushing the buggy, I would have been more tense, but since it was my day off, I just stared blankly at the scenery, feeling listless.

Memories of the many times I've felt dizzy in the heat flash back to me.

It's a heat I'm sure I've experienced many times before, but there are also times when it has already faded from my memory.

My body seems to be gradually getting used to the heat, which Malacca is probably trying to make somewhat gentler.

*Today's distance: 0km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 230.8km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 12 Muar-Melaka (Malaysia)

Started at 7:00 AM, just before sunrise.

Headed north, using Route 5 as my base. The cool weather quickly ended, and by 10:00 the temperature was over 30°C.

Bought drinks at almost every convenience store.

My current enjoyment is ice cream and cold drinks.

I never drink pop soda such as cola in Japan, but when I'm traveling on foot, I really crave it.

I had a takeout mie goreng for a late lunch at the bus stop.

I couldn't finish it all, so I had some at the hotel in the evening.

Drank watermelon juice in Malacca city; 80 yen for 500ml was a real bargain.

It tasted like watermelon juice with sugar added.

I had several painful blisters on the soles of my feet. The high temperature and humidity inside my shoes were a problem.

I made good progress up to 30km, but the last 15km were tough.

Break breaks every 5km became more frequent, becoming every 2-3km.

The more water I drank, the more I sweated. Still, I couldn't help but drink fluids.

After 44km, I finished at a hotel in Malacca Old Town just before 5pm.

I feel like going more than 40km in this heat is a bit dangerous (lol).

Tomorrow is a day off. I want to keep the distance to Kuala Lumpur short.

*Today's distance: 44km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 230.8km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 11 Batu Pahat to Muar (Malaysia)

I left Batu Pahat around 7:10 AM. My plan for the day was to cover 50 kilometers to Muar.

I wanted to cover as much distance as possible during the cooler hours.

It was fun to watch the remaining distance on my GPS slowly decrease.

However, the temperature exceeded 30 degrees Celsius just after 10 AM.

It was 33 degrees Celsius by 2 PM.

I skipped a lunch break and instead took many 10-15 minute breaks. I rarely sat down.

Eating ice cream at a convenience store became a daily routine.

I gulped down pop soda (my favorite is A&W), which I rarely drink in Japan.

A little after 5 PM, I thought I'd reached my hotel in Muar, but realized it was the wrong hotel, so I frantically searched Google Maps again.

I arrived at my destination, my private lodging, at 5:30 AM. It was just over 1 km from the city center. I bought some food at a convenience store.

Finished with a total distance of 50.3km. My first distance of over 50km in Malaysia.

Refreshed after a shower.

The afternoon heat of 33°C, constant thirst, and soles of my feet hurt for the first time in a while.

Tomorrow, I have another 45km to run to Melaka. I'm pumped. I'm ready to show my true adventure runner skills.

*Today's distance: 50.3km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 186.8km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 10 Batu Pahat (Malaysia)

Day 10, a day off in Batu Pahat.

The high temperature was 33°C again today.

I would rather not walk around town in the scorching sun, but I took a morning stroll around the neighborhood.

I headed south along the Batu Pahat River.

I visited the market and tried out the food court.

Wherever I go, there are stray cats, quite a few of them just hanging around the area without being owned by anyone.

Their fur is messy, and some of them look quite ragged. It is just like the stray cats that are common in Japan in the past.

I am often forced to watch animals that has been hit by cars while running on the road, but while these cats have gained their freedom, they are always walking a fine line between danger and reality.

The markets were all lively and bustling. Being close to the sea meant there was a wide variety of fresh fish available.

For lunch, I had Vietnamese seafood pho at the food court.

I was surprised to find out that pineapple was used as a secret ingredient!

For dinner, I ate Fish Curry at a food court called New Traffic Light Corner.

Whether it's food or something else, it's nice to casually come across something interesting or wonderful while walking around.

*Today's distance: 0km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 136.5 km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site

DAY 9: Pari Raja to Batu Pahat (Malaysia)

Left hotel in Parit Raja at 7:40 AM.

Today will be a short day just 23km to Batu Pahat.

Soon I join Route 5, along the coast, heading towards Muar and Melaka.

The shoulders of the road are now wider and relatively easy to run along, but I need to be careful when crossing the road or turning right.

To turn right, I need the same speed as a car or motorbike and start sprinting as soon as the light in front of me turns green.

It was also nice to see drivers chatting to me from their car windows and road construction workers waving at me.

For an early lunch, I had pork noodles at a Chinese restaurant, 7km from Batu Pahat. It was so delicious that I drank the whole soup.

The heat remained the same today.

Sweating profusely and drinking plenty of fluids stimulates metabolism and actually makes me feel better.

Eating and drinking too many cold foods or drink can make my stomach feel cold.

Checked into the hotel at 2 PM. Enjoy every day to the fullest.

*Today's distance: 22.6km

*Total distance from Changi Airport: 136.5 km

*Today's Photo Albums

*YouTube Playlist

*PEACE RUN Official Site