Through my training, I have discovered what a beautiful country we live in. While it is sometimes easy to focus on the smoke stacks and crowded commercial areas that dominate the coastlines of Japan, just a short walk/run/bike inland can deliver some awesome scenery. Living on the border between the city and the so called "inaka" (aka countryside), I have been able to explore countryside more than in any other time in my life. Those moments when you catch a view of Mt. Fuji that gives you no choice but to stop and stare, or find yourself on the bank of a beautiful river you usually only find on postcards, will make any day a good one. Those moments have this paralyzing effect on me, as if to say, "Stop what you are doing and appreciate the world you are living on." I'm looking forward to catching a few of those moments along the 100km of trail we are going to take on.

Labels: ken