Day 135 – EU – Croatia [Pisak to Igrane]

06/07/20

39.5km

  From Pisak (Croatia) to Igrane (Croatia)

Europe

Another run with stunning vistas of the Dalmatian Coast – and inquisitive hosts!

I am very glad that this week of running is starting so well, under stellar conditions. I once again woke up at 4:45am for a start at 5:30am. The Northerly Eastern wind I had been hoping for was again right there from the get go, along with shade from the nearby mountain range. I had all the time and leisure to take in the incredible beautiful views as the sun rose slowly and strongly.

Yesterday’s hosts, Miran and Marina, have been incredibly welcoming. They cooked me dinner and brought it to my apartment along with some delicious dessert. We sat down for a chat in their living room. They had so many questions, most of which I couldn’t answer straight off the cuff. But I tried my best and they kept asking. I have always thought that questions are more important than answers anyway.

What’s the point of my run, they asked? I don’t know if there is “a point” per se. On a very personal level, this is the pursuit of a childhood dream that has never died – and that I found myself, at the grand age of 40, able to realise. As I meet people along the way and get to talk about my journey, I am amazed that it almost always “echoes” something with them.

The key is to listen. I only just need to say a few words, the main ones: “run”, “”journey””, “round the world” – and I am invariably met with tales of travels or dreams, or plans to go here and there in a convertible minivan, or by bike or else… or past travels and road trips. And there’s the glitter in the eyes. And in that instant, the “point of my run” becomes irrelevant.

It’s the idea that it conveys that seems to be important. That it’s okay to have dreams that are way bigger than yourself. That these dreams we have may very well not be achievable. But that we have one lifetime, and that it doesn’t hurt to try and reach for them.

As I left this morning, Miran asked me why I thought I could do it. The truth is, after 135 days on the road, I still don’t “know” that I can do it. Another 500 marathons…? I’m certainly up for it, but… Who knows. I thought of Springsteen’s song “Leap of Faith” – I replied that sometimes, you got to take a leap, and that’s the salt of life. Then I left. And I was left with that Springsteen’s song in my head the whole way!

Check my daily run GPS data on or

Here is the map of today’s run: