From the Heart of Melbourne to the Edges of Kurunjang

Daily miles: 29.19 | Total miles: 7,234.35

My alarm went off at 6:15am. I made a coffee in the hostel kitchen and then quietly rolled my buggy out of the room. I got dressed in the shared bathroom, packed everything with care, and stepped out into the grey Melbourne morning around 8am.

The city greeted me with wind, drizzle, and the hum of early traffic. The bike paths were busy—streams of cyclists heading into the city, a rhythm of movement I admired. Despite the damp and chill, I appreciated how bike-friendly Melbourne is: overpasses, underpasses, bridges, dedicated lanes—all thoughtfully integrated. But weaving through traffic and massive intersections early in the morning is still an exercise in patience and alertness.

Rain started to fall gently. A light drizzle, steady enough to soak slowly, accompanied by a cool wind. I made my way out of downtown, running beside main roads and train lines. The surroundings grew more industrial, with frequent construction making things tricky. Around mile 12, I stopped at a grocery store to stock up on everything I’d need for the day. I knew options would be limited near my destination.

After that, the stretch felt long. There was endless roadwork, narrowing my space to run and requiring constant awareness. A steady incline made pushing the buggy more difficult, and the visual landscape didn’t offer much relief. Rubbish lined the roads—plastic, scraps, abandoned things. It made me sad. A beautiful world covered in waste. And then those rows and rows of new housing developments, built with little charm, only added to my sense of disconnection today.

I noticed how irritated I felt. Low energy. A dull, negative headspace. I wasn’t just tired—I was flat. I didn’t fight it, though. I just acknowledged it. Some days are off. Some days, the energy doesn’t return. I walked where I needed to. I stayed safe. That was enough.

At one point, my route even turned to gravel. That felt like a joke. But I kept going. I thought about arriving, about warmth, food, and rest. Just the basics.

And eventually, I did arrive—around 4pm. Dany, the owner of the house where I’m staying, welcomed me with kindness. I was hungry and ate immediately. Later I showered, had dinner, and began to unwind.

It wasn’t a highlight day. But it was honest.

Thanks for being here. See you tomorrow. Andrea