A New Year, A New Continent

After a rest day—well, more of a waiting and flying day—I’ve officially arrived in Buenos Aires, marking the beginning of my South American adventure. The flight went smoothly, and I even managed to catch a bit of sleep on the plane. Thankfully, all my luggage arrived at the right place, undamaged and ready for action. My friend Gerardo was waiting to pick me up, and after a quick stop to buy some food (it is a holiday after all, and January 1st means most stores are closed), we headed off. I also had to grab some cash before Gerardo drove me to the Reserva Ecologica Costanera Sur, located near the waterfront.

The park itself was closed due to the holiday, and so were most other places, but that didn’t stop me from getting ready. My first task was to prepare my trusty buggy for its first continental crossing. Everything went smoothly, and I must admit, I’m amazed at how organized I already am. It’s a huge help to know exactly where everything is. Once the buggy was set, I made sure to grab some water—hydration is key, especially in this heat. I even had to change clothes right there. Luckily, not many people were around, so I don’t think anyone noticed. A quick photo session later, and I was off!

A new continent, a new climate, and a new year. The first 8 miles of my run were pleasant, though the high humidity and blazing sun quickly reminded me that I’m not in Europe anymore. I can’t remember the last time my face turned so red while running. It felt like my entire circulation system was on overdrive! Earlier, in the car, I’d asked Gerardo about the possibility of thunderstorms. He shrugged it off, saying you never really know. Turns out, he was right.

A few drops of rain here and there were a welcome relief from the heat. But about 6 miles before my destination, the sky opened up. Thunder and lightning accompanied an extreme downpour, transforming the sideroads into little creeks. I found myself ankle-deep in dirty rainwater, navigating puddles and streams. Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever seen so much rain come down at once! While the rain was a refreshing cool-down, it also made the last stretch to the hotel a bit exhausting.

When I finally arrived, I was soaked to the bone and ready to collapse. But after a much-needed shower, I’m here trying to figure out how to tweak something on my live tracking website and catching up on social media tasks. The first 15 miles of my South American journey are done, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead as I cross Argentina. Let’s see how it goes.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your support means the world to me. Here’s to embracing every challenge and celebrating every mile.