Spring in the Air, Growth in Motion

Daily Miles: 34.24 | Total Miles: 12,121.27

I got up a bit earlier and started running before 7am. It was a dry morning, with puddles still on the streets from the previous rain, but the temperature already felt warm. I could feel spring in the air. I know it’s still January, but I truly enjoy days like these.

It was still dark when I started, so I ran with my headlamp on. To my right, the morning sky was painted in deep reds. Sometimes I like to imagine painting something like that myself — mixing colors on a palette and letting the brush move freely across the canvas.

The first half of the miles were along a busy road with heavy traffic. I met my sister somewhere along the way, and that alone made me smile even more — although I was already in a very good mood all day. So many realizations, ideas, and thoughts were coming up.

Things could always be better. And at the same time, I feel they are exactly as they need to be — so that I can pick myself up, dust myself off, and continue.

Time for myself.

Time to understand.

Time to try different things.

Time to figure things out.

Time to experiment.

Time to learn.

Time to make mistakes.

Time to grow.

Time to live life fully — knowing that life is too short not to give it my all. Not just in finishing this run, but in continuing to work toward becoming the best version of myself.

I’m happy to simply do the best that I can.

I love doing my best.

That’s all I can do.

And I want to do it with a smile.

With gratitude.

With as much awareness as I can bring into each day.

A few miles later, my sister stopped again. I changed my shoes and we had another good laugh together. The weather was amazing all day — sunny, clear, and perfect for moving through Greece.

One thing that stood out today was how much fruit and vegetables are grown here. And like in many parts of the world, many of the pickers are immigrants. Some of them seem to live in very difficult conditions — falling-apart houses, garbage around, likely limited access to electricity. It stayed with me as I moved forward.

Later, I saw my sister again at a beautiful spot right by the ocean. From there, I continued through Patras — so much happening around me, and some roads still flooded from the storms.

I finished my run along the beachfront, where I could see the bridge leading back toward mainland Greece — the bridge I will cross tomorrow. The day ended with a beautiful sunset.

My sister and I had dinner together, and tonight I simply feel happy.

Thank you for checking in. Andrea