Attention la patinoire
8H30, l’heure d’aller à l’école
Insolite
Une emprunte…
…que l’on suit à la trace
Toujours présents
Au revoir à M. Hayashi et M. Nakai
Fin d’étape après Sakarya
D60 – 73.7Km
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 15
N41 04.416 E30 05.408 (6 before Kandira) – N40 58.063 E30 30.461
73.7 km – 8H58′
At 5H55 this morning we were pulled from our sleep by the call to prayers at the Kandira mosque.
At 6H45, we found ourselves at breakfast prepared by Joël. 35 minutes later Serge went back 6 kilometers to get his start on an icy road. This improvised ice skating rink meant he had to wear his track shoes, which are heavier and have notched soles. They give better adherence than his orange shoes. The surface was uneven and Serge had to walk, especially when going down hill, in order not to find himself flat on his back. He changed to his running shoes at the end of the morning. Serge has two types of shoes: the orange ones were custom made in Osaka, Japan and the track shoes which are size 43.
Joël and René are still driving the 4 wheel drive and taking care of feedings. We have given them a nickname “the Duponts” because if you see Joël, René is never far away and vice versa.
Georges and Pascal have a vehicle they rented in Istanbul. This is a new arrangement and has enabled us to welcome Mr. Nakai and Mr. Hayashi as part of the team. After spending two days and two nights with us they will leave us at Sakarya.
In the afternoon Serge had the visit from a local TV station which came to take some pictures of the French runner who is crossing their huge country. The reception we get is always incredibly friendly. A young boy who was on his way to school this morning in Kandira approached Serge with a “nice to meet you” to start a conversation. Serge gave him a big smile and posed for a photo. Sign language, smiles, and “welcome” are what we have encountered all along this stage. What a hospitable country! What a welcome! What a smile! It’s almost like being at home. We are trying to speak a few words of Turkish, which really isn’t all that difficult. It’s so nice to see faces light up when you start a conversation with “meraba” (hello), “un güle güle” (goodbye), “techekkur ederim” (thanks). We are working to increase our vocabulary.
As for Serge, he runs and runs. More than running after kilometers, he is running after a dream, his dream.
Go Sergio!