Embracing the Journey: Slow Miles, Strong Mindset

This morning, I woke up and packed my things, easing into the day with a little extra sleep. Since I'm still on my running vacation and covering fewer miles per day, I’m allowing myself that luxury. Sometimes, things don’t unfold as planned, but they fall into place in their own way. Accepting the situation as it is has been a good practice for me—resistance doesn’t change reality, but patience makes it easier to move through.

I left the hotel around 8 AM, knowing I only had about 18 miles to cover. With no need to rush, I settled into a relaxed pace. Of course, I’d love to be running, but this is where I am right now. It’s the third day of slow walking, and while my instinct is to push forward, I know this phase will pass. Looking at the big picture—450+ days still ahead of me—taking an occasional “vacation” is okay. The road will always be there.

Today's route took me through parts of Little Rock along the riverfront and then into the suburbs. I didn’t see many people—just a woman at a store I stopped by. What stood out most was the landscape: many houses were broken down or abandoned, and nearly every yard, whether occupied or not, seemed to hold a collection of vehicles—junk cars, boats, trucks, even shipping containers. Some had been sitting so long that nature had started reclaiming them. It was a quiet day, just me and the road, moving forward step by step.

Arriving at the hotel, I was met with a friendly face at reception. Everything went smoothly, which was a nice way to end the day. And even better—I have WiFi in my room, which means I can catch up on work without having to sit in the lobby. A small win, but one I appreciate.

The next few days will follow a similar rhythm. Not what I originally planned, but adapting to change is part of the journey. I see this as an opportunity to train my flexibility—both mentally and physically. It is what it is. And in the end, I’m making small, incremental progress. And progress, no matter how slow, is still progress.

Thanks for following along. Until tomorrow.