Dokkodo: Lonesome Road of Running

Left Kurow at 6:40am, when very few were awake, quiet and calm morning. It’s a new year’s eve. People have fun here and there at night almost every night after Christmas. 15 degrees is not bad, it’s better for us runners to enjoy running comfortably. It’s a smart idea to go farther while the sun shines softly. There might be a few towns or villages between Kurow and Oamaru but they say there’s no shops or stores. So I got to get ready. Took a break, not very often. 66km is not short. It means that I run full marathon and half marathon. Maybe I run 10km 6 times or 6km 10 times. Done 40km by 1pm. Basically and gradually  elevation is going down Some rains around noon. Running with rain suit on and off. It’s good for the dry land to get wet. But soon sunny breaks and the land and highway becomes hot and dry. Even after the rain, the sun seems to shine so hard. Saw some cyclists including 2 were from Japan riding across South Island. I just keep myself co...

Started at 6:40. There’s only one peak but basically downhill route. Tomorrow I’ll be back in the East Coast. Some small hills continues. The first guy I met on the way was Noel, 65-year-old cyclist. He says he likes riding a mouton bike. Even early in the morning after a party, he keeps pedaling while everyone’s sleeping. He’s happiest while riding his bike. I liked his shining eyes like a child. I felt as if I had seen myself in him 11 years from now. Hill after hill, my legs are okay but it got to be the tough run. Lots of lakes in South Island. People enjoy camping, cycling, canoeing, kayakking, walking and running. I am often talked to by many people. “I saw you on the highway yesterday!” Something like that often happens. Yes, I’m famous wherever I go. About 4Pm, after running 54km I finished running today at Kurow Holiday Park. There happened to be only one cabin vacant! But tomorrow there’s no vacancy unfortunately. Tomorrow I’ll be in Oamaru 66km awa...

Late start just before kitchen re-opens at 7am. 12 degrees in my tent. Kind of chilly around dawn. Recharging batteries during breakfast. Starting at 8am. Did some shopping at 4 Square in town center. Cloudy but soon sunny breaks. Heading down to south along SH8. Twizel is famous for salmon farming. Speaking of salmon, the salmon I ate at KOHAN in Lake Tekapo is from Twizel. That’s what I heard from the shelf Mr.Ito. When we’re busy, we may forget how to enjoy ourselves. And when we complain about something, we become selfish. All we need is relax and get satisfied with what we are now. And we can share anything including time and money with someone else if possible. 32km was an easy run today. Fortunately I was able to check-in at a hotel which belonged to bar and restaurant. Thanks! I can sleep in bed under the roof for the first time in 4 days!! I slept almost everyday in the Nullarbor Plain, Australia. It was the hardest part of my life as wel...

Running along the canal road which is only for cyclists and pedestrians. I remember riding along the canal 20 years ago too. Thanks no cars come and go. This road is only for me! Feeling so good. But back in State Highway 8 again where traffic is busy. All of a sudden the scene of Lake Pukaki got into my eyes! It looks like Lake Tekapo but today under sunny blue sky, the color milky blue of the lake and the snowcapped Mt.Cook were completely matched. How gorgeous!! When I arrived at Mt.Cook Alpine Center, I thought I gave up running to Mt.Cook. But instead I made up my mind to head to Twizel directly. I just want to enjoy slow and mellow run. I don’t have to spend time in crowded places. When people are in a hurry or in a panic, they may forget how to enjoy their time. Isn’t it good for us to enjoy and appreciate the time we are given. The grass loos browny because it’s very dry. This scenery reminds me of the one in desert. It was not so hot but the air is p...

Calm quiet night. Hear the sound of the waves of lake Tekapo. Out for a toilet before the dawn but stars was not to be seen. Breakfast before kitchen gets crowded. And during breakfast I need the charge all the batteries of IT tools. During stay in my tent, kitchen is the only place I can get electricity. But during meal time it’s impossible because people come one at a time. After that I went for a walk along the lakeside in Ipponbageta (One-Tooth Geta) Wind was cool but I felt so good. Quiet, very few people were there. After 9am, tourists gradually came around in tour bus almost every 10 minutes. Shopping at 4 Square, the only supermarket in village. Spent some hours at cafe where Wi-Fi was available. Remembering 20 years ago when I first came here. I was still young at the age of 34 then. Wondering how I felt when the color of the lake got into my eyes. How are some companies doing whom I met at Youth Hostel? Wrote some picture postcards to my pals....

Started at 6:20. Cloudy morning. Cool but need no outer jacket. This is a dry area. Drought climate cannot keep grasses green. There were a couple of ski resort area on the way. They say there are 25 people living in town of Burke’s Pass. That’s what Julie the owner of the motel told me. The town was established in 1857 and the former motel 1869. The first settler from the Europe spent much time building this town. At the same time Japan was on the way to modern age from Edo to Meiji Era. Iandie the cyclist and triathlete was riding between Timaru and Twizel for training. She looks at the age 50s but very fit. The Southern Alps look great of which the peaks are covered with snow. And the lupins smells good. Went over the Burke’s Pass (709m above sea level) and after that I kept climbing. Hills were not so steep, just kept on climbing slowly. Final 3km I saw the marvelous color of Lake Tekapo. That milky blue is still the same as 20 years ago. On the wa...

On the morning of Christmas day, the high way is so calm. While people are having fun during Christmas holidays, I have only one road to run. Cloudy, drizzle but I don’t have to wear a rain jacket. Sheep, they are just eating grass I just keep running with no words. Sheep have nothing to do with Christams. Even if it’s a birthday of Jesus Christ, all sheep need is pasture. Probably Jesus Christ is the only one whose birthday has been celebrated more than 2000 years all over the world. I have no religion at all but I hope all the religions will co-exist. Every God will never hope people will fight against each other. I have no one to talk to, just listening to the song of the wind. All I can do is keep running only one road seeking for the peace of mind After this trek, I’ll be back in Osaka, Japan and enjoy life with my wife Piapi. We are husband and wife but as I’m running here and there we are far apart. Hope we can spend our lives together with each other...

Office opens at 8am. I made up my mind to stay another night. Fortunately I am able to stay at the same room, I don’t have to move. Tomorrow all the stores in this country close. So I have to do some shopping for tomorrow. And then I got to do some laundry. The owner allowed me to use washing machine for free. Next I went out for a shopping in town in SAMUE and Ipponbageta (One-Tooth Clog). Just after 9am, the supermarket was crowded with local people. Parking space in front of the market was full of cars. Got some stamps and picture post cards at post shop. The owner was kind enough to give 45 dollars back for the donation to kids in Fukushima Prefecture. We were talking about earthquake and tsunami that happened in Japan in 2011. Another surprising today was an encountering Franc from France. While I was walking back from the supermarket, he said hi looking at my Ipponbageta and asked me what kind of shoes I wore. And I asked him if he wanted to try on. T...

It seems no problem with my right ankle. Running everyday makes my body’s immune system so special, doesn’t it? I guess sleeping well promotes recovery of whole my body. I changed my plan. I was supposed to head to Timaru but I gave up. But instead I took a short cut to Lake Tekapo. So I chose Geraldine as today’s goal. Leaving Ashburton at 6:30. Went through downtown Ashburton and then I came back into State Highway 1 again. Sunny blue sky again. It’s warm enough to feel like summer. Saying goodbye to State Highway 1 in Rangitata after crossing two bridges without shoulders. And another bridge was one-lane traffic. Traffic was not so busy that I enjoyed crossing those bridges feeling no stress. Nobody hastes and becomes panic in this country. It’s natural for KIWIS to go slow and mellow. They have enough time to do anything they do. Love and peace come from kindness and gentle care to anybody. We should never forget thanking anybody. Running on the...

Woke up at 4:50am. Traffic noise kind of bothered me just a little bit. It’s 10 degrees inside the tent. Not so cold. The rain stopped after midnight. Started at 6:30. Boring State Highway 1. When passing lanes occur, shoulders get narrow. On the bridge over the Rakaia River, 1.8km long bridge with no shoulders but it’s all right. Drivers were so patient and kind that they waited for me. “You’re doing your best and I wait for you patiently.” Their eyes seemed as if they were speaking like that. I kept running as fast as possible but now I guess I didn’t have to do it. After that I felt something wrong with my right ankle. Walked sometimes and took a break at rest area. The ray of the sun was too strong in the afternoon though wind was chilly. It reminded me of the sun of the Nullarbor Plain. The air is dry and huge sprinklers keeps splashing water in the field. Perfect sunny blue sky. After 3pm I finished today’s run at Holiday Park in Ashburton...

Mr. Hayasaka gave me a ride to the Palms. How happy I have spent so comfortable 4 days in Christchurch! Mr. Hayasaka treated me like his family member. I’ll be back in Christchurch the first week of February. Mr. Hayasaka let me have a souvenir some rice balls, lettuce and coffee. We ran together for a while. Mr. Hayasaka was running with me until we got to another shopping mall. The road was almost flat but there was no shoulders only on the Selwyn Bridge which is about 100 meters long. About 4pm I arrived in Dunsandel but there was no accomodation facilities. So I pitched my tent at sports park in town. I camped out for the second time. Tonight I have no water and electric supply, no hot showers. It’s 18 degrees now. Outside the rain started to fall. A little bit wind blows but no problems at all. Tomorrow I’ll be in Ashburton. They say there’s a long bridge with no shoulders. *Today’s Distance: 46.59km *Total Distance from Auckland: 1137.79km ...

Time passes so slowly in the afternoon. I updated two of my blogs and edited and uploaded two YouTube movies. One-Tooth Geta Festa in Christchurch  *Camera by Mr. Hayasaka PEACE RUN 2014 NZ Christchurch 12/17/2014   *Camera by Nigel Mr. Hayasaka showed me around his farms in the afternoon. He works on his farm which only makes organically grown vegetables. I learned how really difficult farming was. It needs patience of course and philosophy. In farming, naturalism is also essential and necessary. Business-oriented farming makes money but it’s not a true farming. I guess farmers have to learn how to get along well with earth and soil as well as know-how of growing vegetables. Dinner was a SUSHI party!! How happy I am to eat SUSHI in New Zealand!! *Today’s Distance: 0km *Total Distance from Auckland: 1091.2km * See Where I am * See More Photos 　

I came back in Re:Start Container Mall again for a promotion of One-Tooth Geta (wooden clog). Nigel came again. Paul whom I met at the library last night was already there too. While we were sitting on a picnic table, someone came up and hugged me. It was Roberto! Met him for the first time in 10 months. His girl friend Annika would be here but she was at work. We met in eastern part of Australia in January this year for the first time. They were on the way cycling around the world. We camped out at the same park one night. And they were with me when I finished my running across Australia just in front of the Opera House, Sydney. After that they have been working here in Christchurch to make money for the next cycling. They plan to leave New Zealand in February 2015 for Tonga and Hawaii. Hope I’ll be able to enjoy the final run in Christchurch together with lots of companies including them. We moved to the square of the Cathedral. Sunny and warm enough. La...

As soon as I woke up, I started my laundry. Mr. Hayasaka took me to the City by car. One of my missions this time is to see what has happened so far after 2.22 Christchurch Earthquake. First I saw Transitional Cathedral made of paper (cardboard). At CTV (Canterbury Television) building ruins, 115 people including 3 Japanese exchange students were killed. Re:Start Mall looked so so active with many tourists. Original Cathedral reminded me of the Atomic Bomb Dome of Hiroshima. I was here in 1994 just 20 years ago. At that time this place was so crowded with people wherever I was. Street performers, musicians, jugglers and tourists were here and there, everywhere. Whenever I tried to take photos, they shows the scenes of construction somewhere on them. That’s the way it is. Tsunami and earthquake always bring tragedies no matter how many people were killed, no matter how large the damage was. Some people got away from the City after losing their jobs or hou...

Cloudy morning. Looks like it will soon rain. So I got to get ready wearing a rain jacket. 43km today to The Palms, a shopping mall 3km far from City Center. Almost flat, traffic is a bit busy during morning rush hours. State Highway 1 turns into a motor way. I follow the alternative route to Christchurch via Kaiapoi. Nigel, my friend was there to wait for me to come up. He’s a cyclist who has traveled in Japan several times. In 2012 he was riding along Route 45 where I was running about the same time. He read my blog and often sent me a message to support my run. Took a short break sometimes and a long break at a cafe, where Nigel treated me cafe latte. Keeping good pace but still early enough to arrive at the Palms. And then one taxi stopped just in front of us. A lady got out of the car and said to me, “Do you remember me?” I didn’t recognize the face at first but as soon as I noticed a name tag on her chest I realized she was Kate. What a big surp...

Traffic noise has been heard all through the night. It cannot be helped because State Highway is just 30 meters away from this caravan park. Woke up at 5:40. Perfect sunny day again! After breakfast I set out at at 7:30. Oliver, a cyclist from UK caught up with me on the highway. We met at the kitchen of Greta Valley Caravan Park last night. He watched some of my YouTube movies after searching PEACE RUN on internet. He said he was going to Amberley the same as I but would stay at campground near the beach. I may be running in Europe next year and hope to see him again somewhere along the road. I might have sunburnt on the top of my head because I am wearing sun visor. Running in high latitude area, the ray of the sun is too strong but wind is a bit cold. I feel cold in the shade. Strange how the climate is. Traffic is getting busier, which means the Christchurch is drawing near. Tomorrow will be much busier, I’m sure. I got to take de tour. Running on the...

So quiet all through the night. No traffic noise about 1km far off the highway. Maybe it was the most quiet night I’ve ever had in New Zealand. Started at 6:30. Today is the day when I cover 1000km from Auckland where I started just one month ago. Have traveled so slow but steady moving forward. Chilly but sunny, it seems like a perfect weather. No wind at all. Got to care about ultra-violet. Both my lips are so dry. Just keep running all by myself talking to my-inner-self with no one to talk to. Isn’t it good to run empty-minded? But I have lots of things to think over. About the future, business, family…and so on. There will be more suffering and hardship until I finish 40,000km on 5 Continents. Nobody knows about the future. Only time will tell. They call it is Canterbury Plain but there are lots of small hills which annoys me so often. Pushing a heavy buggy can damage my ankles and calves. I have to appreciate both my legs. Yes, they were reall...

Woke up at 4:50 and started at 6:30 earlier than usual. Clear blue sky and no wind. Feeling so good as if I would fly high. Wind is a bit chilly but sunshine is warm enough. Saw some fur seals here and there. Two tunnels along the way, both of them were short. 20km after I left Kaikoura, State Highway 1 goes into the mountains. There were 3 passes and some small hills other than this. Need to take my time but I can climb any hills. Farming area, so familiar scenes I have seen so many times. At 3:30 I finished today’s run at The Staging Post in Hawkswood. It’s a part of the farm and traditional highland sheep station. There’s a coach house next to my cabin. My room is a dormitory but there’s no one but me. State Highway is about 1km off from here. All I can hear is wind and the song of birds. It’s been a long time since I last stayed such a quiet place as this. Tomorrow will be a bit longer 55km to Greta Valley. *Today’s Distance: 49.42km *Total Di...

For a traveler who keeps moving on each and every day, travel itself is a part of daily life, and they live their very best while everything is changing. Therefore, they have nothing to fear at all. In other words, a traveler is the one who can accept any changes in generosity no matter how good or bad it is. They have special skills that they should get through traveling such as eyes which can see anything optimistically, positive way of thinking that can accept anything negative as something positive, and the talent that can switch from adversity to favorable circumstances. The longer they keep traveling, the farther they may get away from ordinary world. But when they stop traveling, there might be a world what is called Shangri-La or El Dorado. And I know the place has long been waiting for me. As I keep moving on every single day, I experience a lot of encountering, discovery, realization and learning. Surrounded by the great mother nature, I am made to think about...

Woke up at 6:40 under a bit chilly air. 11 degrees in my tent. I wish it would be much warmer. Wrapped in a sleeping bag but only my face felt cold. Early birds singing around here and the sound of the waves makes me feel fine. But during my sleep, big trailers and trucks as well as long trains did come and go as I had expected. Seems like it rained at night. 7:30am late start. 32km to Kaikoura today’s goal. State Highway 1 runs along the Southern Pacific coast line. Some small hills but no long hill climb. On my left hand side was a colony of fur seals! They seemed quite exhausted after long swimming in the chilly cold sea. Baby seals were so cute playing with their mothers. Taking so many pictures of seals that I can’t go on. Haven’t decided today’s nest. Weekend and tourist spot, hard to find accommodation with no booking or reservation. 20 years ago, when there was no internet, I left everything to chance. Que sera sera… What will be, will be. ...

Woke up at 5am. Rain seemed to stop yesterday afternoon but it was raining again this morning. Weather forecast says it’s cloudy today. Anyway I have to head for Kaikoura. Wind stopped and it’s not so chilly. Another cyclist from England came here after German cyclist yesterday. Both of them were sleeping in their tents. They are both young enough to have tolerance to do anything they can do. Started running at 7am. Drizzle for a while. Chilly but soon it became warm but no blue skies. After I climbed up some hills, I was running on a flat road along the Pacific coast. Shoulders were narrow but traffic is very quiet. Around 28km point they caught up with me. Christopher and Marks. Christopher is riding a small-wheeled bike with a trailer. Marks puts a guitar on his rear carrier. They are on their way to Kaikoura. We took some pictures of each other and said goodbye. Sea breeze are nice, which reminds me of the scenes of Japan. Felt like I had be...

Leaving Seddon at 7am after saying goodbye to Yuki, a Japanese friend whom I met here. Soon it started raining. I thought it would stop soon but it kept raining all day. Wind blew so hard just like typhoon. It was a headwind. Temperature was not so low but I was totally wet. I got soaked to my skin. Even inside my shoes wet. Some more hills to go. Head winds kept me from going forward. Felt like crying. Huge trailers passed me by at 100km per hour with splashing water left behind. Even though I want to quit, I cannot quit until I find a town. How can I manage this situation if I have to go on 50km? Fortunately I found a sign of WARD. I I had to give up now. That’s all for today. There’s only one motel in town. It has a caravan and a tent site as well as cabin. I chose a caravan, cheap but comfortable. Unexpectedly short run today. Both my hands were numb because of the cold chilly wind and rain. I was happy while taking a hot shower that my hands w...

Slow start…because kitchen didn’t open until 7am. Left Picton about 7:30 and heading southward along State Highway 1. Shoulders are gone on the bridge but sometimes I run on trails only for walkers and cyclists. Roads don’t belong to anyone. That’s what we can share. Saw some vineyard. The scenes remind me of the one of Adelaide, Australia. Had to climb some hills but tail winds helped me a lot. Not so many towns between Picton and Christchurch. Blenheim is kind of big town but after leaving this town is there any towns until I get to Kaikoura? Anyway traffic is not so busy which gives me no stress. The last hill climbing I conquered 190m pass. About 5:30 I arrived at Seddon. Then I finished my run at Stoney Acre Accommodation. It looks like a backpackers hostel and caravan park. Met a Japanese guy who had been here in NZ for working holidays. He treated me Japanese soup SUITON which was so good! *Today’s Distance: 53.71km *Total Distance from Auckland...

Saying goodbye to Mikako my friend, I left her place at 7am for Ferry Terminal. Ferry was supposed to leave at 2:45pm. So I had to kill my time in downtown Wellington. I found people in Wellington quite health conscious. In the morning many commuters run or ride bikes to their offices. People are not so fat, which means they take exersise regularly. Did some shopping at New World. A young man at a checkout stand asked me some questions as for my running trek. Anyone I saw in town seemed to be pretty friendly. I learned why people said Wellington was a nice place to live in. I took a break at Te Papa Museum and ate rice balls which Mikako made for me. The taste of UMEBOSHI(pickled plums) was so good! I realized how lucky I was to be a Japanese. Arrived at ferry terminal at 12:30. Had to wait more than 2 hours. $55 for a ticket plus extra fee for my buggy $15, in total $70. About 6:00, I landed on South Island for the first time in 20 years. Pict...

How to spend an exciting and thrilling day off in the capital of New zealand....                               Cuba Street, Wellington, New Zealand

After saying goodbye to Howard & Jan, I left Paraparaumu for Wellington. Traffic was not so heavy on weekend. State Highway 1 runs along the coastline for a while. Where there was a footpath, I ran on it. Met Richard the cyclist from London on the way. He pulled a trailer carrying 40kg stuff on it. Looked like mid-60s but he said he rode 80km per day. He also said he liked New Zealand. He was on the way back to Auckland. We took each other’s photo and said goodbye. The closer Wellington became, the busier the traffic was. To try to avoid motor way, I had to choose alternative route. About last 10km was a hill climb, a bit hard to push my buggy. 1 kilometer took me 15 to 20 minutes. But I got to be patient. At 4:30 finally I made it 52.4km from Paraparaumu. Here I finished at Wellington Station where it was the end of my run in North Island. A friend of mine welcomed me and I was invited to a party tonight. About 20 Japanese friends ...

Taking another day off today and I will head to Wellington tomorrow. They say weather will be nice tomorrow. I take 2 days off in a row for the first time in 3 weeks since I left Auckland. Got to re-charge my energy before landing South Island. Taking a look at Howard’s work place. He’s a carpenter and he also makes furniture. Sunny and warm. I felt like taking a walk around the beach in Samurai costume with One-Tooth Clog (Ipponbageta) on. Late afternoon, Jody(a daughter of Howard & Jan’s) came and visit us with two girls(her daughters). We enjoyed KENDAMA(Cup & Ball Game) and Ipponbageta together. I gave them some crafts of ORIGAMI(Paper folding). Kids were so glad to see ORIGAMI for the first time. Sometimes I feel I’m sowing the seeds of PEACE here and there where I visit during my travel. It is my mission to bring happiness to those who welcome me. What I can do is not so much but I’m really happy if they make happy smiles for just a litt...

Howard and Greywacke the cat Taking a day off at Howard & Jan’s place. Time is passing slow and mellow on a day like this. Cloudy and sometimes a light drizzle. Light breakfast with cereal, toast and coffee. Howard got out for work, Jan was busy doing cleaning, laundry and gardening in the morning. I spent most hours in front of my MacBook Air, writing a journal, checking e-mails and chatting my wife Piapi. Making a plan in South Island. Roughly estimated, I might be running 2500km in South Island. I will have done 735km in North Island by the time I reach Wellington. That means I will run 3200km in I’m wondering if I can finish such a distance by February 9 when I leave Christ Church for Japan. Jan showed me around Kapiti area by car. We strolled along a good trail in the park. But all of a sudden, what caught my eye was the construction of a new motorway. Convenient life will surely bring inhabitants some factors such as noise, scene, exhaust gas. ...

So many things happened along the way every day. That’s why travel makes my life interesting and exciting. Today I happened to encounter a dog just after I left Levin. It was male, very active and young. First I thought it was someone’s dog. I told him to get back home but it kept following me for a long while, maybe 5km or so. It ran around me as if I had been his pal. I said, “I’m sorry I can’t take you anywhere because I’m traveling alone.” I didn’t know if he understood me. As I got out of the town, traffic became heavier. In some part shoulders became narrow. The dog was brave enough to run onto the highway. “Get out of the highway!!” I shouted out. The dog narrowly escaped being run over by a huge truck. “You’re making me nervous…Stay calm…” He seemed hungry and looking around for something to eat. He tried to eat a dead body of a bird on the shoulder. But I told him to stop it. A problem occurred. We had to stop moving forward bef...

I was supposed to visit Parmerston North but I changed my mind. So what I did was keep following State Highway1 straight to Wellington. About 140km to the Capital. Probably 3 days to go. Soon after leaving Sanson, I found a picnic table at Waireka Manuka factory outlet. While I was taking a short break, the owner came up to me. Richard was his name. We talked about travel for a while. He asked me if I liked honey and I said yes. I received a small bottle of NZ Manuka Honey. Richard said he was glad to have met me. And I said thanks and goodbye to him Chilly wind was still blowing. I’m getting closer to the sea…Yes, Tasman Sea. Beyond the sea is the continent I ran across last year…Australia. Kept running while playing with cows and sheep. Slow pace, 7-8km per hour. I don’t have to hurry. Even if I run slowly, it’s okay if I can reach today’s goal by the end of the day. It’s been sunny most of the day. Had some head wind and hills but I made it....