32 Miles of Solitude

Day 30 was a rather solitary run. I woke up a bit after 5 a.m., packed my gear, and after getting ready, I hit the road at around 6:20 a.m. As I ran out of town, I had brief chats with a couple of locals who were still up, enjoying the Saturday night and Sunday morning. It was a quiet start, and as I made my way onto Ruta 7, the run felt uneventful—nothing spectacular in terms of scenery or excitement.

The first half of the run was uphill, but my legs felt great, and I was enjoying the rhythm of running. The cool air, courtesy of a storm that had passed through overnight, made it even more comfortable. I only crossed paths with a couple of cyclists, and other than that, I was running in solitude.

Around two miles before reaching Las Catitas, I made a stop at a gas station to check if they had decent wifi. Thankfully, they did! I decided to do as much work as I could there, so I wouldn't have to deal with bad wifi in the hotel later.

A significant milestone today: I completed my first 1000 miles! It feels amazing to see that number, and it's a reminder of the progress I've made. I’m proud to say that both my body and mind are adapting well to the daily running. It’s still early in the journey, and I see these first days as a warm-up phase, building strength and muscle for the long road ahead.

Once I arrived in Las Catitas, I got a place at the hospedaje Los Carozitos with Vicky and Cesar. As soon as I arrived, Cesar immediately brought me a chair and ice-cold water. It was wonderful to sit and relax with them after such a long run. I then settled into my room, ate, washed my clothes, cleaned myself up, and took some time to unwind. Later, I went to say goodnight, and to my delight, the whole family was gathered together. They invited me to join them, and we spent the evening talking and sharing stories.

The family had a traditional asado, and when I mentioned I don’t eat meat, they kindly prepared a carrot salad for me. It was incredible to enjoy such a fresh dish after so long without salad! The conversation was lively, and thanks to Google Translate, we could communicate and exchange thoughts and ideas. I enjoyed the evening tremendously. Before I left, Vicky and Cesar gave me a babushka as a companion and protector for my journey. What a wonderful gesture and a pleasure it was to meet them.

I want to take a moment to sincerely thank all of you for your support. Knowing that you're there, following along, and excited about this journey gives me so much motivation. It helps keep me going, and I truly appreciate every bit of encouragement.

Here’s to many more miles ahead! Thank you for being part of this adventure with me.