40 Miles of Hills, Heat & Unexpected Energy

This morning started with warmth—not just from the sun, but from Silvia, who had already been up preparing breakfast when I walked into the kitchen. We sat together, enjoying a quiet moment before I had to hit the road. I truly appreciated her kindness, but by 7:45 AM, it was time to move.

And move I did—straight uphill. The first 10 miles were relentless, steep climbs, pushing me to keep my breath steady and my mind focused. Within a mile, I was drenched in sweat, my legs working hard, my lungs adjusting to a deep, efficient rhythm. As I passed people waiting for the bus, I couldn’t help but think about the easier option—but that’s not why I’m here. I kept climbing.

Finally, at mile 11, a break. Some steep descents gave my legs temporary relief, but they were always followed by another uphill stretch. By this point, I could feel the fatigue settling in. My calves, my legs—everything was tired. And yet, 30 miles still remained.

The middle miles were mostly downhill, though the landscape around me told a different story. Many of the hills had been logged, leaving behind a stark, almost devastating view. It reminded me of the resilience of nature—something I had to embody today.

Just after noon, I reached Quirihue at mile 21. A much-needed stop. I grabbed food from a supermarket and had my only real conversation of the day with the owner and another man. A brief moment of human connection before heading back out into the rolling terrain.

The last 5 miles surprised me. Somehow, despite the exhaustion, I found a second wind. I don’t know where it came from, but I leaned into it, pushing forward until I reached my destination in Coetemu.

When I arrived, hot and drained, I was completely overwhelmed—not by exhaustion, but by the beauty of the house where I planned to stay. A stunning place to rest after 40 miles of sweat, silence, and struggle.

No, I didn’t take many pictures today.

Yes, I’m absolutely exhausted.

Yes, today was hard.

And yes, today was another step forward—another day of running the world.

Thank you for following along. Here’s to whatever tomorrow brings.