Surfers, Rain, and Rhythm

Daily miles: 31.4 miles | Total miles: 6090.6

I got up at 6am this morning, quietly packed up my buggy while the sky drizzled a little—one of those uncertain starts where you hope the rain won’t follow you all day. And thankfully, it didn’t.

Today’s run was, in many ways, a gift. Almost the entire route traced the water’s edge along a beautiful bicycle path, with the ocean never far from sight. Navigating out of town took a little maneuvering, but as soon as I reached the beachfront again, I was greeted by the constant rhythm of crashing waves.

The first third of the run followed that beachfront, and although it stayed cool, the rain held off. Along the way, I passed a series of beaches where surfers were patiently waiting out in the water for the perfect wave. Just watching them gave me a knot in my stomach—the waves looked rough and relentless, like a giant tumbler. But the surfers moved with calm confidence, diving into them like it was second nature.

At one point, while I paused to snap a photo, a man named Clive passed me. We shared a short but kind exchange before I continued on, weaving through neighborhoods of beachfront homes and then into busy roads lined with shops and stores. The diversity in today’s scenery kept things interesting.

The final stretch of the day brought rivers, crossings, and more seaside paths. Then, for the last 7 miles, the rain came back—this time hard. But surprisingly, I didn’t mind. I found my rhythm in the downpour, running through a green tunnel of trees just a sandy breath away from the sea. It was one of those rare stretches where everything feels just right, and I didn’t want to interrupt it by stopping for photos.

I eventually arrived in Cabarita Beach soaked to the bone. I did my shopping, then headed to my accommodation—on the second floor, of course, with no elevator. Hauling all my gear upstairs was not exactly the dream ending, but I turned on the heater, took a hot shower, and settled into the evening’s work.

Tomorrow is supposed to bring better weather again. Today wasn’t bad—but let’s be honest, sunshine always makes things feel just a bit more magical.

Thanks for being here, wherever you are. Every mile, every message, and every bit of encouragement means the world. Andrea