50 Miles of Focus and Adventure

I woke up feeling well-rested, probably with enough hours of sleep to take on the day ahead. I had an idea yesterday—to run 50 miles if all went well. It was interesting how, from the moment that thought settled in my mind, my focus shifted. I approached the day differently, knowing I wouldn’t take as many pictures and would break down the miles in a way that felt manageable.

I set out early while it was still dark, my headlamp turned backward so the traffic behind me could see me. The cool air and the quiet of the morning felt refreshing as I eased into my rhythm. Just one mile in, I was already climbing, a good warm-up for what was to come. The sunrise painted the sky beautifully, and I knew I was in for a special day. With enough food and hydration, and just one road to follow, my mind was free to focus solely on the run.

At mile 29, I reached the turnoff onto a new road that would take me over the pass to Pichilemu (if it isn’t officially a pass, it sure feels like one). There, I had my first conversation of the day—two friends in a car, a Dutchman and his friend, stopped to cheer me on. It felt great to exchange a few words.

Around mile 30, I took a break at El Kuchen, treating myself to some cake, fruit juice, cookies, and a muffin—extra fuel for the climb ahead. From that point, the route turned steep, a long 10-mile uphill stretch in the heat. The wind helped a little, but I was sweating heavily, breathing hard at times, yet fully embracing the challenge. Step by step, I pushed forward, inching closer to my destination.

The last 10 miles were all downhill, requiring intense focus—staying on the very edge of the road, avoiding traffic, and making sure I didn’t trip. Then, from three miles away, I saw the Pacific Ocean, and a wave of excitement ran through me. I had made it.

But just as I reached the city, something unexpected happened. A girl I ran past suddenly shouted at me, and later, she and two others surrounded me, preventing me from moving forward. A moment later, two policemen on motorbikes stopped me, with the same three people standing there. Apparently, the girl had accused me of stealing her bag. I was completely bewildered. After quite some time, the situation cleared up, and the police let me go, even apologizing. I apologized too, for not being the friendliest in that moment. The whole ordeal left me feeling uneasy, but that feeling quickly faded when I arrived at my hostel.

Jonathan welcomed me warmly, and soon I was surrounded by friendly faces—Nico, Sean, Angelique, and more. After a long day of running mostly alone, it felt good to sit down and share some stories. Later, I wandered into town and had some amazing empanadas at El Rey del Bajón—the best in Pichilemu.

Now, as the music plays late into the night, I know I’ll sleep well. Tomorrow will be a day of rest and organization before I continue my journey.

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