Sunshine, Stillness, and the Long Quiet Miles

Daily miles: 37.42 |Total miles: 5,921.04

I woke just after 5am, rested and ready. A hot coffee in the quiet morning, a quick pack-up, and by 6am I was back out on the road, running toward a cabin I had booked about 37 miles away. My goal was to arrive before sunset.

The day began in darkness. Streetlights in Waimate gave way to pitch blackness as soon as I turned onto Highway 82 and then Highway 1. With my headlamp beaming forward and traffic approaching head-on, I had to stay alert—especially through the narrow, shoulderless stretches and tight bridges that demanded focus over photography.

The cold didn’t invite lingering, so I kept moving, stopping only briefly for food, water, and a quick stretch. I ran all the way to Oamaru, where I restocked food: something to eat now (sultana rolls—perfect), something for later, and something for dinner. By then, the sun had broken through, casting soft golden light over the landscape and the distant mountains. It turned into one of those clear, radiant winter afternoons that warm you inside and out.

The final 10 miles took me through and out of Oamaru. The traffic, the turns, the hills—it all demanded attention, but there was still space to take in the views and let the warmth of the sun carry me forward. I arrived at the cabin just before 3pm. Not the nicest place I’ve stayed, but it has a heater, and that’s what matters most right now.

I’m writing this from a bench in front of a closed tavern nearby—grateful for their wifi and the last rays of sun before the evening chill sets in. Later, a shower, some microwaved rice and beans, and rest. The cold tires me out quickly, but the sunshine recharged me enough for another day.

I feel lucky to be here. New Zealand’s beauty continues to surprise me, and I hope one day I can return in summer to explore all the hidden pearls of this island. For now, it’s run, eat, sleep—and share it with you.

Dream big and take care, friends.