Quiet Miles, Deep Lessons

Daily miles: 27.18 | Total miles: 7,497.58

My alarm rang at 6:30 a.m. I got up, made a coffee, grabbed a quick bite, and checked the weather. Heavy rain until 9 a.m., with the wind already gusting hard outside my window.

Should I wait or go? With only 27 miles ahead and my hotel already booked, I decided to stay dry for a bit, catch up on some work, and head out after the rain passed. By 9 a.m., the rain eased — but now the forecast warned of showers on and off all day. So, I geared up for the worst, layering for warmth and waterproofing, ready for heavy downpours.

Even before I left, I felt the weight of the day on me. But when I met Lisa, who works at the hotel, her warm energy lifted my mood — if only temporarily.

Up on the highway, I started running, but it didn’t last. An endless incline, strong headwinds, and a rough shoulder made pushing the buggy exhausting. I told myself, just walk for a bit, then run. But every attempt ended the same way — a wind burst draining me instantly.

I tried to relax, to stay present, to loosen my shoulders. Still, the frustration kept building. The rain came in heavy bursts five times, each followed by strong winds that froze me as I dried out. The combination of cold, wet, and resistance made every step feel harder.

At one point, I heard footsteps behind me. Turning around, I saw Kuta, a truck driver who had passed me several times over the last days. He stopped to ask about my journey. We chatted briefly, and that short human connection gave me a small lift.

Soon after, I reached a milestone — leaving Victoria and crossing into South Australia. My mood wasn’t great, but I was fascinated to find the timezone line here shifts back 30 minutes. I never knew time zones could split like that.

The rain eventually stopped, and while taking a quick break, I spotted a beautiful rainbow. For a moment, I let it in.

But the heaviness persisted. When I finally reached Bordertown, my body and mind were done. The supermarket cashier’s friendliness was a balm, and when I arrived at the hotel, Santosh — the owner — greeted me with such calm, genuine kindness that I felt the shift inside me.

She not only listened but somehow lightened my mood completely. Then, in a gesture that left me stunned, she handed me back half my payment. That generosity, at the end of such a frustrating day, nearly brought me to tears.

Thank you, Santosh and family, for being the light today. And thank you to everyone who reacted to my reel — your love means more than you know.

After dinner and a hot shower, I’m finally still. Exhausted, but grateful. Tomorrow could be better — or not. Either way, I’ll take it as it comes.

Be well, Andrea