Day 46: Pools & Puddles - 29km

Ouf. Another rough one. Had a pretty bad sleep. I guess I no longer sleep well on couches and prefer the floor. I was tossing and turning all night, and when it was time to pack the horses up, I had no motivation. "Why are we doing this again, I just want to rest."

We were out of there by 8am, thank goodness, but it was already humid as hell. I thought it was calling for lightning? Nope it was just hot hot hot.

I don’t even know how the hours passed. I started in my blundstones with my new orthotics, after about 20 minutes my feet were killing me, but I put myself through another hour and a half of torture (thinking it would get better - my feet were just lacking support...) until I put on my running shoes.

Sweet relief came when Joseph found this awesome ladies house to stop at. She had shade, grass, and a POOL! She even gave us towels and freezies and we hosed the horses down twice. It was a much needed break for all. I think I ate 4 freezies.

Then back in the heat. All attempts to keep cool dissipated the minute we were in the sun. I tried to practice mindfulness, but my thoughts kept straying to my aches and pains, the roaring traffic, and whatever else occupies my mind.

In some ways I felt like I learned a lot. In other ways, I felt a bit like a sweaty zombie, putting one foot in front of the other for 9 hours.

We still had 7km to go. I called a campsite because we weren’t passing any farms. we were coming around a bend when this man came out offering us water. Sure. We said. I almost didn’t want to stop, the desire to keep going takes over. But I’m glad I did. He offered us to stay here, and just in time because the rain started.

Sweet relief in the rain. Rain that only 2 days before made us miserable. Now we were begging for it. It felt so good to turn our hot faces to the drops. Hose the horses down and let them cool too.

Now we’re inside with Richard, who’s got the beers flowing for the J’s and yummy crackers and cheese. We’ve showered, its not even 7pm and I’m ready for bed. I think I could use an early night. And I know tomorrow will be better.

I hope.