What a Joy!

Daily miles: 26.59 | Total miles: 9,421.61

My alarm rang before 6 a.m. — I was still tired, but ready. Coffee, shower, packing, carrying all my stuff downstairs, organizing the buggy, and off I went around 7:30 a.m. I knew I’d be running along the beach most of the day, and that thought alone filled me with excitement.

Before leaving Kamakura, I remembered that Sue, a friend, had told me about the Great Buddha of Kamakura. I checked and realized it wasn’t far out of my way — and I’ve always felt a deep connection to Buddhist philosophy. The people, the practices, the teachings, the history — there’s so much wisdom there. Today, I wished I knew more.

But one thing I did know: this was a chance to slow down and truly feel. To sense calm and peace, and to recognize that suffering is a fundamental part of existence. Over time, I’ve come to understand that I can only experience great joy, love, or contentment because I’m aware that suffering and pain exist too. Joy only shines because darkness is part of life’s balance.

Maybe one day I’ll become a student of Buddhism — my lifetime certainly won’t be long enough to learn all I’d like to learn.

When I arrived at the Great Buddha, I felt deeply content, peaceful, and fully alive. What a start to the day — standing before this magnificent statue just after 8 a.m., on a calm autumn morning in Japan. The Buddha, standing (sitting!) over 13 meters tall and dating back to 1252 (a few years before Switzerland was founded 😊), was breathtaking from every angle. It’s hollow inside, but I didn’t feel the need to go in. I was already full — of gratitude, awareness, and quiet joy.

Leaving Kamakura with a full heart, I ran through narrow roads, maneuvering the buggy around corners, passing beautiful homes, tidy gardens, and all sorts of parked vehicles in funny arrangements. I even saw a hanging train gliding above me!

I followed the Sakai River, where a large group of elderly walkers shared the path. There was a stand-up paddler on the water, flowers blooming everywhere, and eventually, the river led me to the Pacific Ocean. The view took my breath away — crashing waves, a mountain backdrop, and snowcapped Mount Fuji in the distance. Surfers paddled out, waiting patiently for their next wave. Pure joy.

From there, I ran mostly along a cycle path by the beach, with a thin layer of sand underfoot and Mount Fuji glowing ahead. The shades of grey in the distant mountains were mesmerizing. I passed fishermen, surfers, and families enjoying the day. I watched a bright red kite dancing in the sky and smiled at the beauty of it all.

Nature was alive today — eagles circling, ravens calling, hundreds of dragonflies darting through the air, and even a snake crossing my path (a big one too!).

By mile 10, I stopped for coffee at a beachfront café — a perfect moment to recharge my phone, dream, and process all the joy around me.

The rest of the day unfolded like a painting. The sky shifted through layers of light and color, the ocean shimmered with different shades of blue, and I felt completely free. The narrow sidewalks kept me alert as I guided the buggy through tight turns, but even the effort felt rewarding.

Late in the afternoon, the sky turned golden with magical cloud formations. About 2.5 miles before reaching my hotel, I saw Masahiro — my friend who’d said he might come today — waiting at a street corner. We sat on a bench, and he asked if I wanted a coffee. Of course, I said yes! And guess what? The coffee came from a vending machine — hot! My first-ever hot canned coffee. Japan keeps surprising me.

We said goodbye, and I ran the final stretch under a sky painted in yellow, red, and blue. My heart was light, and my legs felt strong.

The last mile through Odawara was full of sights — people, lights, sounds, a street performer juggling, the busy train station, and even a statue of a cow wearing a hat.

At the hotel, I needed a little help figuring out the entrance, but Yuske kindly assisted me. Now I’m sitting in my room, enjoying ramen noodles with vegetables and a fresh salad, reflecting on the day.

What a day. What a joy. Pure, radiant joy.

I think I’d need about 48 hours of sleep to process it all — but for now, I’ll settle for a grateful heart.

Thanks for following along, Andrea