Sixteen Thousand Miles

Daily Miles: 31.99 | Total Miles: 16,021.73

My alarm rang, and when I opened my eyes, I realized what a mess surrounded me. Clothes, gear, electronics, and various items I had laid out to dry overnight were scattered throughout the room. Oh well. I had a cold coffee, packed my things, organized the buggy, and prepared for another day on the road.

Just outside the hotel door, someone called out to me after reading the print on my shirt. "Are you Andrea?" Well, I guess yes.

Sherry and René from the Netherlands immediately made my day. We had a wonderful conversation, and their encouragement gave me a smile before I had even started running. What a lovely way to begin the morning.

I then navigated back to the river and onto La Voie Bleue, the cycle path that would guide me north for most of the day. After yesterday's heavy rain, the weather was perfect. There were still plenty of puddles left on the path, but the air felt cool, fresh, and clean. Everything seemed washed and renewed.

I also knew that today I would pass the 16,000-mile mark.

That thought stayed with me throughout the morning and made me reflect on many different aspects of this journey. Every step I take these days, I feel incredibly fortunate. One thing I have become quite good at is fully living in the present. Standing still sometimes and appreciating everything—and I mean everything. My life. This run. The people I meet. My commitment. My health. The love that seems to appear everywhere.

The views along the river were once again breathtaking, and I found myself simply enjoying this remaining stretch of the journey as deeply as I could.

Yes, at times I feel slow now. Sometimes I remember how I moved during the early days of the run. But honestly, I would like to see the person who moves thirty miles a day for 532 days and isn't tired.

After about seven miles, I stopped for a coffee in the sunshine. There I met a whole group of men who were curious about my run, and later Carole joined us and took a photo. Shortly afterward, Muna, a German geologist, stopped to talk. She told me she had already looked me up online. Hearing about her work and her travels inspired me, and I left our conversation feeling genuinely happy that our paths had crossed.

Then, around mile eleven, it happened.

16,000 miles.

Incredible.

Just me, the buggy, the path, and a feeling of deep contentment.

At some point later in the day, I noticed a runner behind me. I assumed he would pass me, but he stayed there for quite a while. Eventually I stopped, and when he came by, I matched his pace and started a conversation.

His name was Pierre. He is 73 years old and still training for marathons.

I think we both enjoyed sharing a few miles together.

A little later, I passed a car with three people inside and, naturally, had to tell them about my run. Lili, Esma, and Fabian responded with so much enthusiasm and kindness that I walked away feeling energized all over again. Thank you.

The sky remained overcast for much of the afternoon, which made for pleasant running conditions. Later I met Monique and Roger. We spoke in two different languages, each doing our best to understand the other. Somehow, despite the language barrier, I think we understood almost everything that mattered.

About three miles before reaching my hotel, I needed to buy food for the evening. So I ran through Mâcon, picked up some groceries, and then followed Google's directions back toward the cycle path.

That turned out to be interesting.

Google sent me down a sandy road covered with huge puddles. When I reached one puddle that stretched across the entire width of the path, I started looking for the best way through. That's when I noticed Nino.

He was in an electric wheelchair and completely stuck. He had gotten out and was trying to free it himself.

I asked him where he wanted to go and then began the process of lifting and maneuvering the chair out of the mud. "Somehow you can do this, Andrea." About ten minutes later, we finally managed to get the wheelchair back onto firmer ground where he could sit down and continue on his way. I was glad I had taken that route. I don't think many people would have passed through there. After that, I only had a few more miles to run before reaching the hotel.

And here I am.

Tired once again.

16,000 miles completed.

About 600 miles to go.

We can do it.

Thanks for checking in. Andrea