The Freedom of Running: An Adventure from an Emergency Medicine Specialist to Trail Paths

My esteemed colleagues dedicated to emergency medicine, in October 2018, I will tell you about my running journey that started upon my return from a one-month duty assignment near the Syrian border.

Like any fresh Emergency Specialist, I too had received an assignment. And within two days, I needed to fly to Hatay. We worked in the field for 15 days at the Idlib border and stayed at the Antakya Teacher’s Lodge with Erhan for another 15 days. I ate two or three rounds of everything edible in Hatay. Of course, I have no regrets about what I ate; I would eat it again if I had the chance. What a cuisine, my God! I started taking walks around the neighborhood to repent for the weight gained during my trip. Somehow, those walks started getting longer. I began walking from the Florist to the Üsküdar ferry pier via the front of Maiden’s Tower. I don’t remember exactly when I started running or what triggered it, but I knew my walks were turning into runs. When I got tired, I would switch back to walking, and this cycle continued. Later, I learned this technique is called “run-walk.” Whenever I stretched out my hand across the course, it seemed close enough to touch the historical peninsula, Salacak coastline, Maiden’s Tower’s beauty, the tranquility of weekdays, brisk walking, and the freedom running provided. I was growing to love these things more and more with each passing day.

A few weeks later, I could run for 30 to 40 minutes without walking at all. However, achieving this didn’t bother me at all. I realized how much pleasure I derived from running and afterwards, I felt like I was flying like seagulls on the beach. I learned that this pleasure I discovered forces me to run. All I had to do was dress and go out. I later learned that this feeling is called “Runner’s High.” It’s said to create an analgesic effect and euphoria due to the excessive secretion of endorphins and/or endocannabinoids in the body, especially during steep trail runs. I guess more mediators are released as a result of larger muscle group work during uphill climbs. More studies are needed on this topic!

I was now a beginner runner. In November, I ran the 10km section of the Eurasia Marathon. I ran from Asia to Europe across the July 15th Martyrs’ Bridge. If I remember correctly, it was my first running race. After the race, I had a hard time walking for 20 days. I had battered myself a bit, but my only question after the race was how people sleep when they have the chance to participate in such an activity.

As I ran, I enjoyed it more. The more I enjoyed it, the more I ran. I can now run continuously for three hours. I made new friends and learned a lot from them. I watched local and foreign videos and read whatever I could find. I developed a hobby after the age of 30, without taking any courses or training. Bringing out the running instinct in our genes was enough. I now have a sport that starts when I step out of my house and ends when I enter. I run under the unlimited brightness and freshness of the sky. Just like flying in my childhood dreams. I feel the rain, wind, and sun all over my body. I get wet in the rain as I please. My course is everywhere. Every place where you can run. I lose weight without reducing my food intake and sleep more comfortably.

Over the years, I ran one marathon (42km 195m), four half marathons, and dozens of road and trail races. I went on hundreds of training runs. I ran secretly in back alleys during the pandemic. Then I achieved the honor of being an intermediate runner, and I think I always want to stay intermediate.

The running community is roughly divided into road (asphalt) and trail runners. However, the majority run both. Although I run both, I prefer trail runs. If you love nature, greenery, forests, rivers, summers, winters, autumns, traveling, eating, and drinking, trail runs are perfect for you. These runs, also known as trail runs, take place in nature, unlike road runs. In Istanbul, Aydos Hill, Polonezköy, Çekmeköy Forest, Belgrade Forest, and Validebağ Grove are the most preferred places for trail runs. You embark on a journey with the sun, rain, snow, or wind, alongside bird sounds, far from traffic, asphalt, and concrete. Each run becomes a separate story in your memory. Witnessing all four seasons of a track you frequently visit is exquisite. You can think of trail runs as similar to trekking. You run where you can run and walk up the hills you can’t. That’s the only difference. Over time, you can use poles to increase your running comfort.

In recent years, wonderful trail runs have been organized in beautiful geographies in Turkey. Cappadocia might be the most important among them. Imagine gliding through fairy chimneys with runners from nearly 70 countries worldwide. The fragrant flowers of Uludağ in July, the magical atmosphere of Mount Ida, Lake İznik, Forest baths in Sapanca, Mount Erciyes, and the ruins of Ephesus are a few of the places that come to mind right now. There are more. Imagine rediscovering these magnificent routes by running with thousands of nature-loving athletes. Trails range from 5 km to 160 km. Whatever your training and strength allow! I usually run around 30 to 40 km.

Caddebostan Beach is a paradise for emergency medicine doctors during weekday daytime hours. There’s no one around. It’s even more beautiful in winter and autumn. It could be a good start to try alone or with a friend. If you like it, you could explore Belgrade Forest or Aydos Hill on a weekend. Who knows, running could become your third area of interest. It could rescue you from the monotony of home and work. It could take away your tension and make you a calmer person. It could help you combat harmful habits. I’m not even talking about weight loss.

Don’t be afraid to try. Just wear comfortable shoes and run. Walk when you’re tired, then run again. Maybe you’ll like it. Even if you don’t, don’t stop moving. Try another sport. Sometimes we may not know what we like or dislike without trying.

Here’s to running a trail race together someday.

Dr. Davut TEKYOL

Emergency Medicine Specialist