42 Miles in the Relentless Argentinian Heat

The day began at 6 a.m. with a farewell to Daniel and a return to Ruta 7. My goal was to reach Laboulaye, but I carried enough food and water in case I needed to camp along the way. As soon as I started running, I was met with a new challenge—humidity like I’ve never experienced before. Within a mile, I was drenched in sweat, even though the heat of the day had not yet arrived.

Thankfully, much of today’s route was slightly downhill, making the first 15 miles smooth and fast. I wanted to cover as much ground as possible before the full force of the sun bore down. The landscape between Rufino and Laboulaye is barren, with few trees or structures to provide shade. People do travel this road, but they mostly drive through since there’s no real reason to stop. It was a solitary run, marked by the sheer vastness of the inland plains.

At mile 27, I came across a small bus stop. It was a lifesaver. There, I met someone who was excited to take a photo, and I took a break in the shade to hydrate, eat, and change my shoes. That small act of swapping shoes gave me a surprising boost for the next leg of the journey.

The heat intensified, with warm air affecting my breathing. Passing trucks added their challenges—those moving in my direction pushed hot air around my feet, while oncoming trucks created gusts that nearly brought me to a stop. Shade was nearly impossible to find, and I had to break the last 15 miles into smaller segments to cool down and avoid overheating.

By the time I arrived in Laboulaye, I was utterly spent. The roads were eerily quiet as I scouted for a place to sleep. I opted for a hotel, craving proper rest after such a grueling day. A shower and some food revived me enough to step out to the supermarket for water and supplies for tomorrow’s run.

Today wasn’t about meeting many people or experiencing grand gestures of kindness—it was about endurance. The almost full moon above and the relaxed evening atmosphere in Laboulaye offered a calming end to the day.

Time to rest. Thank you for following along on this journey!