A Windy Forty-Mile Push

I got up at 5am, brewed a quick cold instant coffee, and began packing up. Meanwhile, Marcella was already in the kitchen cooking breakfast—she had asked me yesterday what I’d like, and this morning she delivered: warm oatmeal with blueberries, a blueberry lemon scone, and a cinnamon muffin. Honestly, I felt spoiled in the best way. I ate a lot, but I knew I’d need every calorie for the 40 miles ahead. What I really loved was that we all sat down and ate breakfast together—it felt like such a warm, grounding way to start the day.

By 6:30am, I said my goodbyes and hit the road. It was already warm when I started, with little wind, and I settled into the day. Soon I reached Highway 77, where I stayed for about 14 miles. The road had a subtle but steady incline that tested my patience—and my legs. I stayed mindful not to push too hard off the ground with each step, keeping it light and low-impact to avoid overuse pain from the repetitive movement.

The wind picked up eventually, and a grey sky rolled in. My hands got really cold from the chill. A kind young woman stopped her car to check if I needed help—small gestures like that always touch me deeply. Later, I even saw Steve’s dad drive by; Steve had been one of the people I met yesterday.

At around mile 14, I turned west toward Newton, and with the wind coming from the north, those first 14 miles had actually been the toughest. The last 26, while still challenging, felt more manageable. To fight the cold and distraction, I put on my gloves, threw on my rain jacket, and used the hood to cover my head when it started to drizzle. I also listened to an audiobook to stay mentally focused. It worked well. Even when the wind tried to slow me down, I didn’t resist—I just let it happen. No frustration. Just flow.

I ran steadily through the day, stopping only briefly to hydrate, eat, and use the bathroom. Just after 3pm, I reached the home of Lena and Marge. I took time to introduce myself, share a bit of who I am and what I’m doing.

Now I’m in my cozy room. Shower time. Then the three of us will go out for Mexican food and get my supplies for tomorrow. I’m filled with gratitude again—for the love, the warmth, the hospitality, and the openness of strangers who become part of this journey. It’s a blessing to have a home to arrive at after a long run.

Thank you for following along. I’ll see you tomorrow