Battling Wind and Finding Warmth

Daily miles: 39.68 | Total miles: 7,605.2

My alarm rang early, but it took me quite a while to get ready. I made some food for the road, had my coffee, packed up—and by the time I stepped outside, daylight had already broken. Another frosty, ice-cold morning. I started slowly, warming up and trying to find a good rhythm.

There’s this strange thing I notice sometimes: I feel as though I’m running on a permanent incline. The effort feels heavier than the ground really is—later the data usually shows something different. But in the moment, the body insists.

The day stretched out long, a steady run forward. I passed through Kiki, where the café was unfortunately closed, so I kept going. A few miles later in Yumali, I met Galvin—the first and only person I exchanged words with during the entire run. Then it was back to the road, the quiet, the steady miles.

As the day warmed, so did the wind. Oddly, I didn’t feel like taking off my jacket. The wind was so loud, I had to pull my hood up just to mute it. At one point, I tried to take the jacket off, but I couldn’t stand the sound of the wind in my ears—so I put it straight back on. Only in the last five miles did I finally peel it off.

It was a tiring run, and when I arrived in Tailem Bend, I felt both hungry and relieved. I bought groceries for today and tomorrow, then sat down on a chair inside the store with a protein drink in hand, letting the fatigue sink into my bones for a moment before moving again.

Inside the store, I met Sandra, a kind woman from town. Then outside Chris. Then, just around the corner, Jules and Amanda. And finally at the motel, Carolin greeted me warmly—offering a good rate, free breakfast, and a long, meaningful chat. A simple kindness that landed deeply after such a long day.

Now I’m settled in, heater on, hot shower behind me, food in my belly. I’ll rest well tonight, grateful for today’s miles, and ready to see what tomorrow brings.