Rhythm, Roads, and Real Connections
Daily miles: 36.77 | Total miles: 6,426.19
Last night, my cozy little 4-bed dorm room in Port Macquarie — which I had to myself for most of the evening — suddenly filled up around 8pm. Three young travelers moved in at once. At first, it was a quick shuffle to gather my things and make space, but honestly, it turned out just fine. They were lovely folks with great energy and curiosity about my run. We had some nice conversations, and their interest in what I’m doing added a little spark to the night.
This morning, I quietly slipped out of the room and packed up my things just outside the door. It was cool but not cold — a pleasant start. I had booked a hotel 36 miles away in Coopernook, so my goal was clear: leave by 7am. And I did.
As the sun rose, it cast that golden morning light over everything. I soaked it in for a brief moment, fully aware that I was about to dive into a focused few miles through early traffic. The first mile, like always, was a little stiff — your body doesn’t just switch into “run mode” instantly. But once the blood starts pumping and your muscles catch on, it starts to feel smoother… even enjoyable.
Navigating roundabouts, small hills, and narrow shoulders, I felt agile and alert. Sometimes in high-traffic areas, I get this almost “race-like” focus. I run a little faster, tuned in to every movement around me — watching for tree branches, rough shoulders, or sudden turns. It’s a full-body awareness, and oddly energizing.
After winding through the town outskirts, I merged onto the highway — knowing I’d be there for nearly 30 miles. My body was warmed up, and my mind was ready. So I ran. I ran and ran and ran.
Drivers honked — some encouragement, I think. Maybe not all, but you know what? It’s all about how you choose to interpret things. So I take it as support.
The sun wasn’t too harsh today, but still strong enough to leave me constantly thirsty. I made just a few short stops for my three essentials — water, snack, and bathroom — and stayed mostly in flow.
Eventually, I reached Coopernook and left the highway behind. I ran through town to grab some groceries and stumbled upon a charming little store that felt like stepping into someone’s front room. The bell above the door rang as I walked in, and there sat Ernie — the kind of soul you instantly feel at ease with. We had a beautiful chat, the kind that makes all the miles melt away.
The store was simple — not overly stocked, but just enough. I picked up pumpkin soup (a first for me), a can of beans (my staple!), cheese, milk, some crackers, and an ice-cold Fanta. I still had two plain bagels from earlier. Ernie then handed me a bag of mandarins — in season and perfectly timed. That small act of kindness stayed with me. Amanda, one of the other customers, joined in the conversation too. These post-run connections are always a highlight. They ground me in the humanity of this journey.
I eventually checked into the hotel — WiFi doesn’t reach my room, of course 😄 — but I’m getting through the tasks, winding down, and getting ready for what tomorrow brings.
A beautiful day, with steady miles and real connections. Thank you for being with me.
Dream Big Too, Andrea