Running Strong, Adjusting Course

Last night, exhaustion took over, and I fell asleep early—one of those deep, complete sleeps where my body tells me exactly what it needs. When I woke up, I felt like a new person, fully recharged.

I started the morning with coffee, packed up my buggy in the dark, and ate just a little breakfast, taking a sandwich and yogurt for the road. Of course, I had my usual fuel—three liters of Powerade-water mix and my now-standard liter of milk for breakfast. The house was still quiet when I stepped outside, the air cool and the sky slowly brightening—a perfect setting to slip into a strong running rhythm and prepare mentally for the day ahead.

The first five miles were a smooth start, mostly flat, and even a cycle path appeared now and then. But soon enough, the hills took over. For the next 20 miles, it was a mix of relentless climbs and rewarding descents. Somehow, today felt light—my legs powered through, and I even found myself running up some of the inclines, feeling stronger than I have in weeks. Maybe it's all the miles starting to pay off, or maybe today was just one of those rare, magical running days. Either way, I soaked it in.

The people I passed while running uphill looked a little surprised—probably wondering why someone would choose to push a fully loaded buggy up these inclines rather than take the bus. But I just kept moving, feeling grateful for the strength and endurance that 53 days of running have built. Reflecting on the fact that I’ll be doing this for another 500 days, I realized—what an incredible experiment this is. Almost two months in, running nearly every day, and nothing hurts. (Okay, knocking on wood now—probably shouldn't mention it!) It’s remarkable how the body adapts, absorbing both physical and mental stress.

As I approached Concepción, things got trickier. The hard shoulder was full of potholes, sand, garbage, and parked cars, making for tough and unpredictable footing. Traffic rushed past me fast and close, keeping me on high alert. Then came the city itself—navigating busy streets, dodging obstacles, and constantly deciding whether to stick to the road or take my chances with the uneven sidewalks. I tried both, each with its own set of challenges.

Arriving at the hotel, I ran into a small issue—they told me there was no space for my buggy. But I wasn't too worried. I simply told them, "So far, we’ve always found a solution." And sure enough, we did. The buggy is now parked right by the reception desk.

And here’s a little secret just between you and me… I accidentally used the wrong hotel room for a couple of hours. Only when I went to leave did I realize my key didn’t work. Checked the number—yep, oops! No harm done, though. I eventually made it to the right room and got everything set for tomorrow.

One last update: My sister informed me today about the wildfires raging in parts of Chile, including the areas I was originally planning to pass through. No need to worry—I’ve already adjusted my route and will now stay closer to the coast. I’ll stay cautious, follow updates, and make decisions as needed. This journey is all about adapting, and I’m ready for whatever comes next.

Looking forward to another great day of running tomorrow. Thanks for being here with me—your support means everything.