Attention danger
chemin des écoliers
coin de verdure coincé entre la nationale et l’autoroute
vague déferlante
Serge sur ses gardes
figurines qui empêchent les mauvais esprit de rentrer dans la maison
les yeux enfoncés dans les orbites et brillant
un peu de miel
un peu de repos, de doute
ça repart à l’abri des bambous
D221 – 70.5Km
WEDNESDAY, JULY 26
N34 05.096 E131 26.373 (14 m – Ogori) – N34 05.507 E132 03.862 (53 m)
70.5 km – 12H07′
At 6H00 and after only two hours of running, Serge knew that the day would be tough. “It’s going to be hot, it will be a horrible stage. Tonight I won’t be down to eat because I want to be able to sleep at least ten hours. I don’t feel well.” It’s true, Serge’s eyes were deep in their sockets, a sign of great fatigue, and shining, a sign he’s feeling sick.
There was a difficult moment on highway #2: the band between the white line and the safety railing was very narrow. Trucks scraped by Serge, the rear view mirrors only 2 cm from his head, and serge lost his temper: “I’m stopping, I can’t continue this way and risk having my head broken.” Luckily the situation didn’t last long, but from now on we know that there may be others. I seem to remember that the speed limits were respected, but no, especially by the truckers, who barreled along at 80 km/h in a 50 km/h zone.
Strangely, in Japan Serge was told he should run in the same direction as the vehicles, so he doesn’t see the danger approaching from the rear. In France, if you are alone, you run against traffic but when you are in a group you run in the direction of the traffic. This change doesn’t make Serge feel comfortable.
Another complaint from a tired runner: “I’m fed up with traffic lights, and sloping sidewalks.” This is only the beginning because the coming days will be run entirely in very densely populated cities.
In Kyushu, we were spoiled by the space and countryside. Kyushu is truly beautiful and if you should come to the land of the rising sun, be sure you don’t miss that island, which in some respects has managed to remain wild.
At the 40th kilometer, Serge wanted to wet his head. For once it wasn’t raining! He must miss the showers.
Saying of the day: “To run in Japan in July is to run soaking wet, no matter what the weather.”
The end of the day was harrowing, with a stop to lie down in the vehicle due to the heat, nausea and diarrhea. Serge had lost his voice and was weak in this legs when he arrived at the hotel. Dead beat, completely baked and no possibility of going to bed early because Radio France Bleu would call at 20H00 for a live interview.
“However will I manage to get myself up tomorrow?”