How long did it take you to beat it for the first time?

The days system that everyone is talking about must unlock after you complete the game for the first time, because I'm still at that stage where half of the map is fog-of-war and all that. I've had 48 runs already as per the stats tab but haven't gotten farther than Hot Springs.

How long did it take you to actuallyt have your first victory and how and when does the whole days system unlock?