Heat, Highways, and Human Connection

Daily miles: 32.27 | Total miles: 10,832.92

I got up at 6 am and got ready. I really needed that sleep. Even though I managed to reduce the pounding on my legs during yesterday’s long downhill, my muscles could still feel it—and the heat, of course, added to the overall exhaustion.

Today, though, I felt quite good. I left the hotel at 7 am. It was already dusty and hot in the morning, and behind me a beautiful sunrise lit the sky. The first five miles led through numerous construction sites, over gravel, and through thick clouds of dust. Not the most elegant start, but part of the journey.

As the day unfolded, I started meeting people again. My intention was to keep moving and not stop constantly. Since I spent longer stretches on the highway and passed through fewer towns than yesterday, that was actually possible. Still, there were plenty of questions, smiles, and photo requests. People offered me water and cool drinks—small gestures that mean so much in this heat.

Just after noon, I met a wellness coach. He handed me his card and told me he was inviting me to his wellness and health education center, just about one kilometer down the road. And sure enough, a little later he was there, waving enthusiastically with his wife and their two children. They invited me in and offered green tea, a nutritional shake, and a couple of hydration sachets to take along.

It’s a company that seems quite established here in India, supporting people with weight loss and weight gain. I explained that I’m not much of a supplement believer, but I did try the complimentary shake. What really stayed with me was their involvement and openness—even if, personally, I’m not a big fan of how pushy some companies can be.

I ran on feeling good. Hot—extremely hot—but good. After a few final hills, I reached the place where I thought I would stop for the night. Some negotiations later, I had my room. I like it.

Shower. Work. And then another beautiful surprise: Chayan, a local runner, invited me out for dinner. He and his wife, Noopur, picked me up, and we drove to a vegetarian restaurant. There we met Raghava, a local newsman, along with a photographer. A few questions turned into many—as you can imagine, I talked and talked—and then we shared a wonderful dinner together.

Now I’m back home!

I should get some sleep soon so I can get up early again tomorrow.

Thanks for checking in.

Happy journey, Andrea