Coming Home, One Step at a Time

Daily Miles: 30.32 | Total Miles: 15,609.07

My alarm rang at 6am. Hot coffee, packing, getting ready. I left the house quietly and pushed the buggy down to the road. It was a beautifully cool morning, though I could already sense it would become a hot one.

I had about five miles to cover by myself before meeting the family, Yanis and Jürg, who would run with me. Enya would follow along on her bicycle for part of the way, while Sändy would drive the car and meet us here and there.

Those first five miles were beautiful. The last stretch climbed steeply uphill through the forest. Everywhere I looked felt familiar—like the terrain I would run at home. I was sweating, but I felt strong. I knew I only had a few more steps to the top, and that’s where they would be waiting.

And yes—I spotted them from afar. Seeing them made me so happy. Enya and Yanis had written words of encouragement on the road with chalk for me to read on my way to the top. How nice is that?

We got ourselves organized, and then off we went into what became a long day of running.

We kept it relaxed and easy and simply enjoyed each other’s company. Sändy met us every now and then, making sure we stayed hydrated. Later Daniela joined as well, so suddenly we had two crew vehicles supporting us. Along the way we stopped for drinks and little bites to eat whenever needed.

Before noon, it got really hot. Luckily, for a while we ran through the forest on a shaded gravel road, which felt like a gift. We passed horses pulling carriages in a combined driving event, squeezed through bushes on a very narrow path, and at one point even had to lift the buggy up onto a bridge to get through.

At some point, Yanis realized this was already the furthest he had ever run. Then the idea came up—maybe he could run the whole marathon distance.

And he did.

The last ten miles were really hot. Properly hot. But somehow we all enjoyed it. Step by step we made it all the way to where we had said we would finish.

Yanis and Jürg both ran more than 42 kilometers today—for the first time in their lives.

I’m so happy I got to share that with them.

Before my world run began, Yanis once asked me if I would run a half marathon with him—and we did. Today, we ran a marathon together.

He loves running as much as I do.

What a joy. What an honor.

And I have to tell you what he said to me several times today—that it was an honor for him to run with me, that if people knew who I am… that I’m a machine… and that he thinks running around the world is amazing.

I smiled every time.

Because today reminded me once again what this run is really about.

To inspire—and to be inspired.

Sändy and Daniela were waiting for us at the finish, and we all completed the run together.

Then we rested for a while, loaded the car, and drove home.

And can you believe it—after around 522 days—I came back home and walked into that old familiarity.

How beautiful.

Today was pure joy. Deep satisfaction. Some struggle at the end. A full and beautifully rounded day.

Thank you for the company.

For the driving.

For the support.

For the food.

For the care.

For the laughter.

For the good times.

See you tomorrow. Zurich is waiting.

Thanks for checking in, Andrea