13.25 miles – My Home Distance

I woke up at 6 a.m., knowing I only had a half-day of running ahead of me—my final stretch in South America, ending at the ocean in Puerto Montt. Excitement filled me, but as soon as I opened the door, reality hit: rain. My last day in Chile would be a wet one.

I adjusted my gear and mindset, layering up and putting on my orange reflective vest to stay visible in the dim morning light. Before heading out, I shared a quick conversation with Steffanie, whom I had met the night before. Then, it was time to go. Excited. Happy. Focused. I just needed to get to the finish point safely.

The first challenge came quickly—a steep climb out of Puerto Varas. My heart pounded, partly from the uphill effort but also from the sheer thrill of the moment. Once at the top, the course became rolling hills, sometimes narrow, with puddles forming everywhere. Cars splashed through them, and by mile nine, my socks and shoes were completely soaked. But the rain didn’t slow me down. In fact, it did the opposite—it made me feel alive. The fresh scent of the earth, the cool mist on my skin, and the rhythmic splash of my footsteps fueled my energy. My legs felt strong, my stride light. There’s no better feeling as a runner.

As I approached Puerto Montt, the traffic thickened. I weaved between sidewalks, dodging obstacles, staying hyper-focused. The couple of times I stopped—to eat, drink, or check my route—I felt the cold creep in, reminding me just how drenched I was. But my mind was locked in. I had one goal: bring this run home safely, no injuries.

And then, there it was—the ocean.

I could hardly believe it. I had done it. Over 3,000 km across Argentina and Chile, one step at a time. Just weeks ago, I wasn’t sure if this was possible. But here I was.

A deep sense of pride and gratitude washed over me. I had made it. And yet, I knew this was only the beginning—a small segment of a much bigger journey. Anything could still happen, but for this moment, I allowed myself to soak in the accomplishment.

Then, reality hit again—I needed to get out of my wet clothes. I found shelter at a flour company, where Alfredo kindly let me use the employees’ changing room. Flour dust floated in the air, covering everything, but I didn’t care. I had something important to do.

Since the beginning of this journey, I had imagined how I would mark the completion of my South American segment. And now, it was time. Despite the rain, despite the less-than-ideal conditions, I put on my Superwoman dress. It wasn’t about the costume—it was about the message. About daring to be who I am, standing by my values, and committing to learning and growing along the way.

Was it perfect? No. Could it have been better? Probably. But that’s the point—I’m not here to chase perfection. I’m here to show up, as authentically as possible. To be true to my journey. As my sister said, "Superwoman has room for improvement"—and that’s exactly what I’m here for.

With my South American segment complete, a new chapter begins. My buggy is packed, my clothes are washed, and tomorrow, I fly:

➡️ Puerto Montt to Santiago de Chile

➡️ Santiago to Miami

➡️ Miami to Jacksonville

From there, on March 2nd, I’ll start running westbound across the U.S. A new continent. A new adventure.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous—travel days always bring that edge of uncertainty, especially with luggage logistics. But beyond that, there’s a bigger feeling: excitement. Gratitude. An unbelievable opportunity to keep moving forward, to keep chasing this dream.

Thank you for being part of it. Thank you, Pancho, for your kindness. Thank you, Marty. Thank you, Flemming and Michael, for connecting me with your friends. This journey is not just about running—it’s about the incredible people along the way. And that, more than anything, is what keeps me going.

On to the next leg of the journey. Let’s do this.