I first started running in 2011 when my friend Youseff from McGill University invited me to the Eurasia Marathon. My Moroccan friend and his wife participated in this run, now known as the Istanbul Marathon. I remember completing my first 15 K run in 1:22 minutes, which was a great experience, with no training. In fact, after initially getting fired up and running alongside professional athletes, I was out of breath after completing the first 8 K in 37 minutes. I thoroughly enjoyed that run and knew it would continue.
This is the photo I took just before the start of the Eurasia Marathon, the first race I participated in.
A souvenir photo we took with Youssef and his wife after the Eurasia Marathon.
Later, as time allowed, I participated in various races. From time to time, I wrote articles about the races I participated in. Here are some of them:
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/sporcunun-zeki-cevik-ve-ahlaklisi
http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/bozcaada-maratonu-2013
I’d like to share some brief reviews of the runs I participate in, usually for fun rather than training:
My favorite run: Büyükada
Running on an 11 K course is pure joy. The island’s mystical atmosphere, the stunning views of the Bosphorus and Istanbul, the fun participants and fellow islanders, and a wonderful post-run breakfast or fish dinner. All these factors make this run enjoyable for me. I’ve participated twice. If I could, I’d participate every year.
A photo I took before my first Büyükada run. It coincides with the only time in my life I’ve had a beard for two months.
Crossing the finish line at the Büyükada run.
A souvenir photo I took with my island friends after my second Büyükada run
My most challenging run: Deer Runs, Belgrad Forest
It’s the only run where, after participating, I felt like, “Oh my God, I used to think I was an athlete.” It’s more than just commando training. Don’t get me wrong, if I’m in Istanbul, I usually go running in Belgrad Ormanı (Belgrade Forest) once a week. But I run on a 6 K track. Just like any other, with a proper path. This run I’m talking about is right in the forest. There are no paths. It’s a run among trees, on lumpy, dried mud, mostly uphill. It’s more of a climb than a run. I nearly sprained my ankle twice. Normally, I never stop running, but I stopped three times in this one. You always start walking after an uphill stretch. My leg cramped up. I finally finished the 14 K race. Only I know how I did it, and only God knows. My only consolation was the T-shirt they gave me for the run, the design and color of which I liked. Would I participate again? I ran this run during the summer, when the weather was very hot. The heat was a challenge for me, too. I’m also curious about winter. I think I’ll probably partake. Let’s see where my curiosity takes me next.
A photo taken at the first start of the Deer Race I recently participated in.
A run I didn’t enjoy: Run Istanbul, Caddebostan
This run sees far more runners than expected every year. Two years ago, before participating in my first Run Istanbul, I developed a tactic after seeing tens of thousands of people around me: Since the 7 K course was short anyway and there were so many participants, I decided to leave the busy group behind and create a comfortable running space for myself. From the very beginning, I started the race at a sprint and ran at a brisk pace. I was following the mileage signs and checking my stopwatch. Just after seeing my last 6 K run in 23 minutes, I suffered an injury and couldn’t finish the race. Not being able to finish that last kilometer bothered me, so I participated again a year later. This time, I finished the 7 K comfortably and without straining. Of course, I ran with the same feeling. I don’t like running on top of each other. The course is flat and comfortable, and Bağdat Avenue enjoyable, but I don’t think I’ll participate again because it is too crowded.
The most fun run: Color Sky 5k
It’s truly a lot of fun. The 5 K run is designed purely for fun and to contribute to NGOs. At each kilometer, they throw different colored powdered starch at you, and by the end of the 5th kilometer, you’re covered in color. And then, as if that weren’t enough, someone keeps painting you while you’re dancing and immersing yourself in the music. After the race, a friend and I were walking home on the subway (of course, we couldn’t sit anywhere because we were all colorful), and the way the passengers looked at us was quite amusing. Some even came up to take selfies and photos with me.
Serhan was completely drenched after the Color Sky 5 K run.
The hottest run on the most enjoyable weekend: Bozcaada
Being on Bozcaada is a distinct pleasure. The run, held on a Saturday on the island, is incredibly enjoyable. The music, the island scenery, the vibrant crowd, the post-run swim, and the Saturday night entertainment… There are many great reasons for me to participate in this run.
Warming up with our friends before the Bozcaada run.
A souvenir photo we took after the run with my friend (anchor) Nevşin Mengü and her brother.
A fun photo we took with other runners after the Bozcaada run.
Cooling off in the sea after the run, which was the best part of the run.
Of course, there are some challenges. Getting to the island isn’t easy. The run starts at 2 p.m. The weather is quite hot and humid, and the course has significant hills, making it challenging. Therefore, I don’t recommend drinking rakı and fish on Friday night before the run. Saturday evening is a true fiesta!
The Easiest Run: Runtalya
The course is a breeze, you run 10 K on a flat road, and getting to Antalya is easy, and you don’t have to worry about finding accommodation or decent restaurants. When I go running in Antalya, I return to Istanbul rested.
Runtalya just before the start
A photo taken by a friend during the run.
A photo taken immediately after the run.
A souvenir photo taken with the Black Music Group after the run.
A photo taken with university students volunteering for the TEMA Foundation after the run at the last Runtalya I attended.
The next races I’m planning to participate in are the Gallipoli Run, the İznik Run, and the Eskişehir Run.
The most meaningful race:
The Istanbul Run, which I’ll be participating in on 13 November, will be the most meaningful race for me. I’ll be running for the new Support Market planned to be established in Bağcılar by TIDER (Basic Needs Association), of which I am the founding president.
I previously shared the details at http://www.serhansuzer.com/tr/adimgibibiliyorum-degistirabilir-cogalabilir. I’ll be participating in the Istanbul Marathon with Mert Fırat, whom I invited, and over 100 volunteer supporters who have declared their participation in TIDER. I’m already very excited. Incidentally, keep in mind that we always say run, but you don’t have to run; you can also walk. The important thing is to be there to support our association, which meets the basic needs of thousands of people and provides them with jobs, and to enjoy it.
We are entering the last week for registration. If you haven’t registered for the Istanbul Marathon yet, visit http://www.istanbulmarathon.org/ and register.
The TIDER Board of Directors will also be running in the Istanbul Marathon. From left to right: Serkan Başöz, Aziz Akgül, Nigar Uçar, Alp Armutlu, and me.
I know it like the back of my hand, we can change, we can multiply …
#AdımGibiBiliyorum #adimadim #iyilikpesindekos
