Day 24 of Running the Length of Japan – Ichinohe to Morioka (63.61 km)

Day 24 of Running the Length of Japan – Ichinohe to Morioka (63.61 km)

Day 24. We’re heading off to Morioa today or just outside it. And we’re heading to a love hotel because that’s the cheapest place we can see. Breakfast. It’s got breakfast. She’s looking forward to the breakfast. Better in the tent than in the hotel. [Music] [Music] Yeah, there’s more vehicle coming. We’re waiting [Music] lunch. And look at that. arm. So big because of your hair on my head. I’m being chased down by some primary school kids. [Music]

It was nice waking up in a small wooded area. We’ve been so lucky with the places we’ve camped. We still set off early, but were in and out of Ichinohe too early for either of the pharmacies.

We made our way down the roads, first passing a 600 km to Tokyo sign, and then an awful lot more. On the main roads in Japan, they have these markers every 100 metres, which feels a little much, but if there is one thing that the Japanese love, it does appear to be a sign.

Speaking of love, we were headed to a love hotel because it was the cheapest accommodation within striking distance, and at 60 kilometres away, that distance was close to my limit. We wanted to be there by 5, and for most of the morning, that looked possible. We were behind on time, but all the uphill was done, a fast downhill would see me claw back that time, only today it didn’t.

Some of the time was lost dallying in convenience stores. We also needed to find something to help with Joy’s allergy, which led us to wasting time in two different pharmacies, although hopefully the pills and potions we’ve picked up will help.

We stopped for an Indian curry for lunch, and it was really good, but again, it slowed us down. Making it before six was feeling a little optimistic. I made a push to try and get to the hotel by 6.15, but soon any remnants of my energy left in my legs were gone. Trying to push probably slowed me down, and soon I was walking.

We arrived at the hotel by 6.30, an hour and a half later than planned. In time to have showers, laundry, and backup videos, but not in time to do all the things on our to-do lists.