Runnin' Cities @runningcities - Tumblr Blog

Bagan, Myanmar

O my Bagan! This place is unique. Thousands of temples. Not as big as Angkor Wat’s but definetley special and it is not too touristic yet. You can jump and climb on the 1000 year old temples, they are ours! So the last evening just before taking the night bus to Yangon I decided to run to the sunset. I was postponing running in last days in Mandalay and in the morning in Bagan. But this time no! I had a bad stomach that day but I am going to run. So I started running. First run through the Ne Bagan and then run into the temples and get lost! In the 3th kilometer I was feeling really bad because of my stomach. I had diarrhea and It was kicking so bad. It was also the dry season and it was all dust in the air swinging with the wind. I still completed the run I planned: 8km. I stopped couple of times during the run which is never the case usually. But I survived and felt better after the shower. It is soo hot here! And one shoudn’t run in the dust, but one should run in Bagan!

To my run-->Bagan

To travel blog-->Bagan

#bagan #myanmar #run #running #runthecity

Yangon, Myanmar

It was the morning that we drank with Margaux Raj Alex and Sean. Even though I drank like 4 big bottles, I slept early and I was feeling good in the morning and I ran through the beautiful streets of Yangon. I walked in the other half of the Yangon and this time I ran in the eastern part. There was a lot of massive colonial buildings, some abandoned and some renovated on my path and I really enjoyed this run. This is the 0 point of the city Sude Pagoda and a fake smile.

After the Sude Pagoda, I went to the coast and saw a lot of the buildings I mentioned. Everyone is awake and it is only 6:45. One should wake up early!

To my run-->Yangon

To travel blog-->Yangon

#yangon #myanmar #run #running #runthecity

Pai, Thailand

Such a great trip that I did to the Mae Hong Son province with my Honda Wave! And Pai was the second overnight destination. I did A LOT of things that day. Woke up at 6 I think in Khun Yuam and drove to Pai and I was there at 3pm. Then I went to the elephants and watched the sunset and I was feeling great. Why not a run in Pai? YES. yes, 3 times YES. So I started from my hostel and crossed the river the destination was the temple. It was already dark. The stairs to the temple was too much! I tried not to stop but I couldn’t run all the way and I walked the last part of the stairs. Not good enough. This is the red part. After the temple I wanted to use another road then the one I used. However I got lost and found myself in a small sandy road without no lights and I had only 9% left and I was using the flashlight. My iphone survived, so I did. I ran definetely more than I intended to, but It was a really nice one. I saw the beatiful guesthouses of Pai during the night. Very well lit, such a chill place! One should stay more here. Now I can have a dinner and a Chang.

To my run-->Pai

To travel blog-->Pai

#pai #thailand #running #run #runthecity

Phuket, Thailand

I woke up not that early and therefore It was already hot. It is not much fun to run when it is hot. I ran first to the Kata Beach and to the Karon, then came back basically. And the beatiful breakfast of the hotel we stayed with Yagmur. I was feeling great that morning.

To my run-->Phuket

To travel blog-->Phuket

#phuket #thailand #running #runthecity

George Town, Malaysia

It was the day after I arrived to George Town , the town that I liked most among the places I’ve been in Southeast Asia so far. You can find the reasons, why I liked so far here. But, in summary It was a special place with all the old houses and unique environment and people.

So, I woke up early in the morning at 7 and got prepared and started running at 7:25. First I ran to the Fort Cornwallis and enjoyed the sun rising. About 20 local people were doing their morning exercises in the park by the fort. What a great way to start the day. I think It is a necessity to wake up early in a place where it gets really hot during the afternoon. Then I went to the port and saw people getting into the ferry to Langkawi. Then I arrived to the Jetty Port. When I was there the ferry arrived from Butterworth to Georgetown. A lot of motorbikes omg.

Then I ran and ran through old colonial streets uptown. I ended up in a local Chinese neighborhood, which was quite interesting. I ended up in a dead end, where I saw a family plucking and cleaning dozen’s of piggy's. That was interesting. I said “hi” and ran back.

It was great to run in this beautiful town. It was a quick introduction for me in my first full-day at exploring George-town. I love this! I came back to my beatiful hostel and took a shower and ate breakfast and at 9 I was ready to start the day :)

To my run-->George Town

To travel blog-->George Town

#georgetown #malaysia #run #runthecity #penang

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

We took the night bus to Sihanoukville and arrived there when it was dark early in the morning. After arriving to the hostel I decided to run and explore the place. My legs were quite fresh after spending 5-6 days without any kind of sport and had a high pace below 5min/km. After having a circle by the sea, I decided to stop. What a lazy of me, If would know that the real city is on the other side, I would run there. Eventually we never went there and other half of the Sihanoukville stand undiscovered for me. So one need to look at the map more :) It was a great beginning for the day. Plan to run in the morning!

To my run-->Sihanoukville

To travel blog-->Sihanoukville

#sihanoukville #cambodia #city5 #run #runthecity

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

In my last night in Kuala Lumpur after we played the most fun game kurt-kuzu in english with for the first time with friends I decided to woke up early in the morning and to run to the Botanical Garden of KL. I was feeling bad because of all extensive nights and the nose that I hit during my last Rugby training (After return I learned that I broke it actually, so I ran with a fractured nose) I woke up in the dorm I was stayig which has no windows and therefore it was a little hard to wake up. With a small delay I was able to dress up and start running after having a slice of bread with peanut butter ( o i love it). I started runnning at 8 I think. It was okay at the benning but than in an hour the sun made it so hot that I was with all kind of sweat at the end. While the temperature was rising I reached to the Botanical Garden through the KL train station, which is a quite impressive but not popular building. The botanical garden was not that impressive, I ran through it and ended up in the Merdeka Square, which is one of the main tourist attractions in KL. I ran faster through tourists and finally got into my hostel's air-conditioned lobby. It is literally a different experience to run in Southeast Asia. Due to the climate it is mentally and physically harder and I am not used to it. Best time to run is the morning. So this is the first run during travelling.

To my run-->Kuala Lumpur

To travel blog-->Kuala Lumpur

#malaysia #kualalumpur #city1 #run #runthecity

Lausanne, Switzerland

I hate when the computer crashes. I am going to write from the beginning now. I was saying that this run is quite special for me. Because, it marks one of the best time of my life that I had in Lausanne during my internship at EPFL. During that period I did a lot of things and enjoyed the life a lot. During the weekdays I was going to the lab by bike regularly and doing sports in afternoon and cooking after work. On weekends I went to the mountains and did hiking and travelling. That was my ritual for 2 months and I was quite happy with that. I ran quite frequently and admired the nature of Switzerland. It was quite beautiful with a reasonable temperature and clean air. I recorded around 150km during these 2 months and made one last one of 12k the day after I leave. I ran to the city from my favorite spot at the corner of Parc du Bourget, passing all the places that I've been before and connecting them in a run. That was not that hard. Despite the up&downs that exists a lot in the Lausanne center I run with a relatively high pace. All the sport that I did and the healty life I had during this period later paid off. After coming back to Istanbul, I was able to do my first 100kg in bench press and had my best season in American football. I would love to go back to Switzerland one day and start running there

To my run-->Lausanne

#switzerland #run #runthecity #lausanne

Geneve, Switzerland

That’s it! I was planning to run in the towns cities I’ve been before in Switzerland also, but I was not able to do it because of couple of reasons. Firstly, most of the time I wanted to climb uphill and running uphill is intense. Secondly I had my backpack with me all to time.Or sometimes I had some friends with me and I do not want to be the weird guy.

One morning I woke up for the TOEFL exam I had to take and headed to Geneve. When the exam was over it was afternoon and It was so hot. Even though I planned to run after exam It was not possible! So I went back to the train station and find myself in a beer shop, where hundreds of beer wait for me. That shop have the biggest variety of beers I’ve seen and I ended up drinking 3 bottle of cold Belgian beer. As usual belgian high alcohol beer make me feel happy. Then I decided to run! Of course!

I’ve first run to the UN-Building. It was so hot and I was running as much as possible on the shadows. When arrive to the broken chair sculpture I cooled my head in the water.

Then I run to the lake and turn to the center. In the center I had a little danger due to a car I haven’t seen, because I was basically crossing the streets without considering the lights too much. I really like the old-town of the city. The streets were so nice and narrow and unexpected. Then I run all the way to the Parc de la Grange where Gaye Su Akyol played a week ago when I was in Italy :(.

Because of the city festival of Geneve they were all-kind of amusement machines and stands along the lake, which I am not interested in.

A photo posted by Utku Evci (@utkuevci) on Aug 7, 2015 at 12:01pm PDT

I end my run in the Rousseau Island and got in to the quite clean canal by stepping over the fence. They were a lot of swans around and their shit. A homeless-like guy came to the fence to watch me. So I made it almost 12 km run under the sun! Thats the spirit

To my run-->Geneve

Harder Klum, Interlaken, Switzerland

Almost each weekend I spent at EPFL, Lausanne during 2015 summer I’ve gone to different places around Switzerland. Interlaken was one of the first destinations as one of my must see places. I’ve planned to come here during my Interrail trip at 2013 summer and arranged everything, however I had to stay in Munich couple of days more and give up this destination. In the middle of July 2015 I’ve finally visited Interlaken with my two friends Gabriela and Natalija. We took the Golden Pass train from Montreux and arrive to Interlaken in the afternoon. Then we decided to walk up to Harder Klum: almost 800meters uphill walking. It was quite tiring and It took almost 3 hours.

A photo posted by Utku Evci (@utkuevci) on Jul 19, 2015 at 2:12pm PDT

The view at the top was however quite nice and inspiring to discover the Alps more for the future. We ate raclette in the restaurant and I drank 3 glass of bier while enjoying the view when It started to rain.

Since I wanted to take the train to Luzern and my friends wanted to go to Thun, we separated at the top and they took the cable-car back. I’ve read some book after they left and waited rain to stop. After some point, when the rain slowed down, I put my earplugs on, open my favourite musics and started to run down. It was still raining and the path was muddy due to the rain. However the trees were my rain-jacket and I was sincerely happy. With the stupid smile on my face, dancing and running in the rain, barely held myself standing when my feet slipped couple of times, I’ve managed to reach to the valley.

Then I run all the way to the train station, I was quite warm when I got in to the ticket line in the station and I felt like everyone was looking to me, but I told myself: You should feel comfortable. This is europe.

#interlaken #harderklum #running #Nike Running #downhill

Ankara, Turkey

After spending the first half of my summer break in the summer school, I came to Ankara for a month, to do my internship in a small inovation company called SiyahARGE. Despite going to work at 8 am and coming back at 7pm, I was dedicated enough to go to the gym 5 days a week. One day, on one of my off-days, I felt myself healty enough for a short run. I was unable to run for 4 months because of the ankle injury I head in Mai. I pick my route, get out my cousins home and run downhills. First my ankle hurt, but after 10 minutes it disappeared. I run through Tunus street, known with its night-life. While I was running through Tunus, there was a interesting contrast in the frame for sure. The I ran by the monument built for the memories of mine workers died in the terrible mine accident. While running to the Mesrutiyer Cad, there was a strong weed smell. I ran by Kocatepe Mosque, which is one of the biggest mosques I've ever seen. Then I was lost, so I got some help from locals and finally reach the home back. It was about 5 kilometers long, I was quite tired at the end, but glad at the same time for being able to run after those days. I hope I never have a injury preventing me running...

Note: I lost my iPod, so I am not able to record my run, so no link this time :)

#ankara #running #night run #night runner #kizilay #tunus caddesi

Mardin, Turkey

I spent my spring break mostly in the southeastern Turkey. I've heard a lot of times that these part of turkey worth to see. After only 4 days It's not hard to say thats %100 true. We were in four cities, Adiyaman, Antep, Urfa and Mardin. Mardin was the last one and it was smaller than the other three, only 23000 people. However it was the best one. I admire its streets, its location, its greatness. Its located on the top of the hill and you could see the whole Mesopotamia starting in front of you, if clouds let you. While we were walking in the streets at the night we arrive I decided to run those streets. I woke up at 9 upset being sleepy and tired. But I managed to run. I could not run well, dont know why, maybe because of the cigarretes I smoke last night or because of the general tiredness I had during whole trip. However it was nice to run in that beautiful narrow streets. Wearing shorts during the trip was attracting people's attention in every place we've been during the trip. But that morning I wear my shorts I run without thinking about it and acting like it is normal(it should be) and I think anyone who saw me running accept it as it is, you need to respect the one running, cause thats your strength. I arrive the hotel and had some push-ups and took a shower, my friends were still sleeping when I had shower, really? Come on maan...

To the my run-->Mardin Oldcity

To the route-->Mardin Oldcity

A photo posted by Utku Evci (@utkuevci) on Apr 10, 2014 at 12:59am PDT

Castle of Kandiber, Osmancık, Turkey

My motherland Osmancık, the town where my mother was born and raised. Spending more and more time for myself and friends, I haven't come to my motherland for 3 years. This time, during the feast of sacrifice I've visited my grandparents with my family. After all the great food I ate full of fat and protein, I couldn't stop running. Before running I was a little suspicious about how locals would react to it, I don't think a guy running with his short pant and lcyra clothes is something they often see.

Anyway, I started to run from my grandparents home and ran to the sport center of the town first and ran 3 laps around the running trail. Then I started to run to my ultimite goal, the castle. It was one of the most attractive events for me when I was child to walk to the castle. Every time when we were there I was spending a lot of time to convince my grandpa to bring me there. Now it is time to run there.

I could not manage to run all the way, it was too steep and I am not ready yet, what a dissapointment, so I barely walked to the peak. 120m above the lowland near the river Kizilirmak castle of Kandiber! and old break point of the silk road. It's quite easy to understand why. The view and the way up was breath-taking.

I ran down and crossed the river, ran faster back home through the locals runnning faster. Average pace was not satisfying for me, but It was interesting to run here, maybe inspiring for me.

That was also the first time I ran my iPhone and tracked my path. I like it! I hope soon I'll be better and get in a better shape, then it will be great!

To my run-->Castle of Kandiber

A panaroma from Castle of Kandiber

River Kızılırmak flows through Osmancık

Crossing Kızılırmak (means Red River)

#osmancık #run #running #Nike Running #koş

Munich Old City, Munich, Germany

I have just came back from the famous cheap supermarket of Germany ALDI. I decided to run to the center of the city. I told my friends who are going to have dinner in a turkish restaurant that I will be late. Than I open the map and tried to figure out the route I'm gonna run. Getting in to the Englisher Garten was the hardest part, because the road was unclear. It was late sunset. Anyway I left my room and started to run to Petuelring. Petuelring Park was quite nice. After I left the park, I was middle of the buildings. I just keep going to the south-east. While I'm running on a wide street, I saw some polices and a reporter by a dead body lying in a huge construction area. I just keep running. Why should I stop and looked it? To tell people with more details?!. Nee, I dont need it. Than with the help of the police I was in the huge English Garden. Than I arrived to the Chinese Tower. It was just before Christmas and they were Christmas Market around the tower. I just ran through people after a short looking to the top of the tower. Then I arrive to Odeonsplatz through Hofgarten. I was never been in Hofgarten. So it was a nice place to see. Between Odeonsplatz and Marienplatz it was crowded. It was a different feeling to run through a crowded street. So i arrive to the destination. It was more than 9 km. In metro station I looked to the mirror. I was tired but proud of myself. I got cold on the way back. Next time I will run from the center to my room...

I ate something in the room and joined my friends afterwards: 'I ran to Marienplatz'

To the my run-->Munich Old City, Munich, Germany

To the route-->Munich Old City, Munich, Germany

Chinesischer Turm

Odeonsplatz

Marienplatz

Nymphenburg Palace, Munih, Germany

As an exchange student in Munchen I had plenty of time so I did a lot of sports here. I also have tried to run regularly. After running to the closer places I decided to run further. One night after dropping my dirty clothes in to the washing machine I started to run from laundry near my dorm to the Nymphenburg Palace. I run by a stream to the palace. It was dark and quiet. Than I arrive to the palace. It was lightened and the light was shining on the lake. I ran through the garden to the entrance full speed. Then I came back following the main stream coming through to palace. It was a great neighborhood. I feel myself like I am in Bruges or Amsterdam. Then I ran back to the Olympia Mountain, which is my favorite running destination and has a great view of the city. City in lights...

Running back to Laundry. Taking out the clothes and putting to dryer. Life goes on...

To the my run-->Nymphenburg Palace, Munih, Germany

To the route-->Nymphenburg Palace, Munih, Germany

#run #running #munich #nymphenburg #night

Trending Blogs

Recently Viewed Blogs

Runnin' Cities