A Straight Shot Through Windy Kansas

My alarm rang at 5 a.m., but I hit snooze a few times before finally getting out of bed. I left the hotel just after 7 a.m., bundled up in my jacket and vest, knowing the day would warm up later. No complicated route today—just a straight line down Highway 56 from Lyons to Great Bend.

It was a manageable day of running, though I never really found a faster rhythm. The buggy felt heavy to push. Am I tired? Is it the wind? Not sure. But I’m not overanalyzing it—just noticing, acknowledging, and moving on. The important part: I’m still moving forward. Speed will come again in time. No worries.

The scenery was classic Kansas—wide open farming pastures, fields, and pumpjacks spread across the land, steadily pulling oil from the ground. It’s a different kind of beauty, quiet and industrial.

I only stopped once to chat with someone sitting on a bench in Ellinwood. Aside from that, it was a solitary run under the sunny Kansas sky, with a good dose of wind to keep things interesting.

Once I reached Great Bend, I checked into my hotel, got some work done, did a little shopping, showered, and now—just like that—I’m already tired and ready to sleep.

Nothing much happened today, and that’s perfectly okay. It was just a long, straight run from one town to the next. Simple, quiet, steady.

Thanks for checking in. See you tomorrow.