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The Road to 15.5K: Three Weeks Until the Istanbul Marathon

Three weeks to go. On November 1, I'll be standing at the starting line of the Istanbul Marathon's 15.5K race. And although I've been racing for years, there's still something about having a date circled on the calendar that changes the way I approach training. Suddenly, every session has a purpose. Every kilometer feels like it's leading somewhere. Today, I've just finished my long run, and it feels like a good moment to look back at the past few weeks. Not because everythin

Ahmet Kucukasci

9 hours ago8 min read

Dagestan MMA Camp: I Came Alone, But I Wasn’t Alone (11th–16th Days)

By the final days of my Dagestan MMA camp, the intense training rhythm had become my new normal. Between wrestling, grappling and new friendships, I realised the hardest part might not be adapting to Dagestan — but adapting back to normal life.

Ahmet Kucukasci

Sep 48 min read

Dagestan MMA Camp: Disconnecting to Reconnect (6th-10th Days)

Somewhere between sparring, an injury, Sulak Canyon and unexpected friendships, Dagestan became more than an MMA camp. With less internet and less noise, I started enjoying the simple rhythm of training, exploring and being alone with myself.

Ahmet Kucukasci

Sep 47 min read

Day Two in Dagestan: Hills, Fighters & Hard Work

The second day ç was one of those days that reminded me exactly why I came here. I woke up around 7 AM and had a simple breakfast: oats, kefir, honey, and walnuts. Enough fuel for what was waiting for us. At 10, Arsen picked us up. We headed toward Eagles Gym and from there drove to Tarki-Tau for our running session. No Warm-Up. Just Run. I’m used to the usual runner routine. Get out of the car. Warm up. Move around a little. Maybe start with an easy jog. Not here. We got out

Ahmet Kucukasci

Aug 213 min read

Where the Road Ends, the Water Begins

Summer weekends have a rhythm of their own. The pace of life slows down, but my training doesn’t. If anything, it becomes more enjoyable. Escaping to my summer house gives me something I can’t find in the city—quiet roads, open water, and the freedom to combine different disciplines in a way that feels completely natural. This weekend was a perfect example of why I look forward to these short escapes all year. Just before the start The pool is where I build technique, consist

Ahmet Kucukasci

Aug 43 min read