Dancing with the Wind
Daily miles: 30.65 | Total miles: 9,553.76
My alarm rang at 5:30 a.m. Coffee, packing, and a quiet moment to enjoy the view from the 12th floor — the soft light of morning spreading across Kakegawa. The forecast promised 25°C, so I put on sunscreen and prepared for a warm, sunny day.
In the elevator, I finally read the little sign next to the small seat in the corner — something I had never noticed before. It made me smile. There’s so much thoughtfulness in small Japanese details.
When I stepped outside just before 7 a.m., a strong wind was already sweeping through the streets. It would stay with me all day long — mostly headwind, slowing me down, and always present.
I ran through Fukuroi, Iwata, crossed the Tenryu River, and entered the outskirts of Hamamatsu. There were many bridges today, each giving me a new perspective of this beautiful, windy landscape. Somewhere along the way, I met Gogo — a cheerful man walking in the opposite direction. He had started early that morning from Hamamatsu. We chatted a bit in English, and when I told him about my run around the world, he laughed and said, “You are a crazy one!” Then he added that he once ran 130 km — I told him I’d done 160 km twice, and we both laughed. A perfect runner’s exchange.
I ran through the center of Hamamatsu — a nice city. Many of the stores along the road had standing flags flying in the wind, whipping violently. The picture with the flags should give you an idea of how strong the wind was. You can almost hear the deep, fluttering sound they made — loud and constant.
Later, I stopped by a running store, hoping to find a new cap. They didn’t have any — just rows and rows of shoes. But the two women working there were so kind and curious about my story. We shared smiles and took a photo together — another small moment of connection along the way.
After miles of wind and bridges, I reached Lake Hamana, crossing it over long bridges and two small islands. The views were spectacular — water shimmering, waves dancing under the force of the wind.
In Kosai, I treated myself to a small vegetarian pizza from a Japanese pizza place — my first stop before grocery shopping for the usual evening supplies. I’ve now become quite skilled at navigating Japanese stores — knowing where to find what I need and how to check out smoothly, even without words.
My hotel tonight is on the 8th floor. The buggy fits perfectly beside the bed — no extra space, but just enough. It feels right, compact and comfortable, like this journey itself.
Dinner was a mix of comfort: the pizza, some noodles heated in the microwave, salad with sesame dressing, milk, a protein bar, a persimmon, and yogurt with nuts for dessert. Simple, nourishing, just what I needed.
Another day done — windy, lively, full of small discoveries and kind people. The journey continues.
Be well, Andrea