Day 97 - August 17th: T-2

August 17 – Day 97

Tekirdağ to Sultanköy: 31.9 miles / 2,798 total

Tekirdağ was my first big city in Turkey, and the hotel Christina booked there was one of the best of this entire trip. After the run I cleaned up, ate alone in the restaurant—a Greek salad, kebabs and one beer—and went to sleep full of anticipation for today’s shorter stage.

Breakfast was superb, and I was out by 7:30. The first few kilometers passed quickly, then it was back to the highway for the long stretch ahead. The winds were manageable, the heat stayed under control, and I moved fast—25 km gone in record time before stopping for a Turkish coffee and dessert.

Later, I felt a serious hotspot on my left foot. When I checked, my sock had blown apart and my skin was grinding against the sole of the shoe. Luckily, carrying everything on me has its perks—I swapped in a fresh sock and kept moving.

For 96 days my mindset has been locked on one stage at a time. No thinking ahead, no wondering what comes next. But now the blinders are coming off. I’m starting to imagine the finish line—what it will mean, how I’ll step back into my life, and most of all reuniting with Monica.

Christina shifted tomorrow’s plan so I’ll cover 54 km, leaving 48 km for Istanbul. That cut saves me time to actually be with them when I arrive.

I feel strong—part animal, part machine—riding the momentum of these final days. Two stages left.

Thanks for following along and for all the support.

Cheers,

David