Sunshine, Kindness & the Gold Coast Glow

Daily miles: 30.14 miles | Total miles: 6,059.2 miles

I let myself sleep in until 6am this morning. I decided it’s time to run a bit easier for now—shorter distances, slower mornings, and more time to rest and breathe. I took it slow getting ready: coffee, packing, and a moment to recalibrate before heading out around 7am.

Running through Beenleigh, I passed a tent community of unhoused people—a humbling and powerful reminder of how difficult life can be, and how lucky I am to do what I do. A few kind faces waved, and I waved back, heart full. The bike path led me through winding, little-used areas, quiet corners tucked away behind the main roads.

After three days of running in Australia, I’m starting to get a sense of how traffic flows, how the roads behave—but I know it’s all very regional so far. Today, my legs felt stronger and my mind started to feel like mine again—awake and wandering, in all the ways I like.

Much of the day was spent maneuvering alongside the motorway, dodging heavy traffic, weaving in and out of side roads. I passed “Dreamworld”—I didn’t know what it was, but it looked like a place where people come to dream big too. The whole surrounding area felt like the world’s largest amusement zone: rollercoasters, waterparks, and colorful rides everywhere.

And then—one of those magical moments. A car pulled over in front of me, five women jumped out cheering and waving! They’d just read the back of my shirt and were so excited about my journey. We took pictures, and their energy stayed with me all afternoon. A few miles later, I stood at a crosswalk when someone ran up behind me and handed me three bottles of ice-cold Gatorade. He’d also read my shirt. These small acts of kindness? They light up the road like nothing else.

The support I’ve felt from Australians—runners, cyclists, and people passing by—has already been heartwarming. The thumbs-up, the “Go!”s, the quick waves. It makes me feel alive and connected.

After some rolling hills and a lot of sweat, I crested the final stretch and finally reached the ocean. The Gold Coast skyline rose before me, highrises shining in the sun. What a feeling. I treated myself to an almond croissant and cappuccino right at the beach—heaven. The city itself? Big and buzzing—maybe a bit too big for me!

On the way to the supermarket, I learned the Gold Coast Marathon is next week—signs and fences were already being set up. Inside the store, I chatted with some friendly security staff—thank you for the laughs and kindness. Then it was just 3.5 miles more, cruising through the parks and over a fun, funky bridge until I arrived at my hostel just before a huge rainstorm hit. Talk about lucky timing.

Now I’m showered, fed, and tucked into social media updates, sharing space with some fun new people and loud hostel music. I’ll try to sleep early—tomorrow is a new adventure.

Australia, I’ve only just arrived, but I feel your warmth already. Let’s keep going.

Dream Big Too, Andrea