Frost, Focus, and Forty-Five Miles

Daily miles: 45.84 | Total miles 7,358.7

My alarm rang at 5:50am, and I had every intention of being out the door by 6:30am. Coffee brewed, bread in hand… and then I spotted it: flat tire, left side. Not exactly the pre-run surprise I’d hoped for.

I reminded myself — rush it, and it will take twice as long. So instead of stressing, I enjoyed the small mercy of having a warm room and a table-like surface to work on. The tube was changed, the buggy ready, and by 7am I was stepping into a frozen world.

Frost crunched underfoot (a bit exaggerated!), my breath puffed into the air, and the full moon hung over a magical, pink-tinged winter landscape. It was the kind of beauty you can’t rush. I started slowly, letting my body warm up rather than fight the cold with tense muscles.

Even with 45 miles planned, I couldn’t resist stopping for photos in those first few miles. It’s funny — you pause so early on and think, “Will I ever make it to my destination?” But the quiet Sunday morning, the wide shoulders, and the endless open views carried me forward.

I settled into focus mode: running steady, stopping only for essentials — to eat, drink, and, well, you know. By noon, I was in Ararat right on schedule. I didn’t linger; the road was calling. I like having “Plan B” stops in mind just in case, but today I didn’t need them. The miles ticked by, and I reached Stawell around 4pm.

No big grocery run needed — I’d stocked up yesterday. Just a quick stop at a gas station for water, milk, and a Gatorade. Then I found a roadside hotel, scored a small discount, and cranked the heater the second I got in. Showered, warm, and now about to dive into rice, chickpeas, and avocado.

A long, beautiful, and satisfying Sunday. See you tomorrow. Andrea