9/30/2014
The Tombstone Grand Hotel was a fantastic place to stay. The view from our room was of the surrounding green hills. In the morning the sun gently kissed my face for a soft awakening. The air on my skin was cool, almost cold. I wasn’t sure if the temperature was a tease or if autumn was upon us. Either way it was a gift.
The forces of the universe conspired to keep me there an extra day. On day 35, just after fueling my body with a nutritious breakfast at the hotel, I headed out to run Middlemarch Road. Sign #1 A mile into the run my leg felt funny. I had remembered jumping down from the fifth wheel after fixing something on the roof, and landing somewhat funny, but pain didn’t register. Not until I tried to tackle Cochise’s stronghold. While discussing the predicament with Crystal a car drove up to us and asked if we needed help. Sign #2 appeared. The guy said he wouldn’t take a fifth wheel on Middlemarch road. A strange feeling of deja vu settled on Crystal and me. Could it have been from the last time we didn’t listen to a local. We scrambled to find a plan b and an alternate route. Several options surfaced. We could a) increase our day’s mileage to 54 miles and take a very safe but boring road or b) split the difference and settle on 34 miles. It would be more than Middlemarch but less than 54. It was a no brainer.
We tried our best to navigate the route but, like a laboratory rat on medication, I failed. Every street was a dead end. Valleys of dense brush obscured roads. I decided there were many omens in the air. When you fail to listen, and you go against the forces around you, that’s when you get into trouble. It’s much easier to ride the wind. The wind blew us into the direction of Old Tombstone. I had wanted to see all the shops and attractions anyway. Perhaps it was the reason for it all.
A few western shows later, when the Tombstone Grand heard about our predicament, the hotel offered to host us another night. It worked out because we hadn’t been able to properly thank the manager and staff before leaving. The extra time also allowed me to rest, ice, compress, and elevate my leg. I had identified the area of pain as my Achilles. I would take every precaution to keep all parts functioning.
Day 36 started out much like day 35 except the scent of determination was in the air. Perseverance is a funny thing. We figured out the geographic logistics before taking on the tail end of our Arizona adventure. Ghost towns, old mines, cute animals and beautiful trails would be my substitute for Middlemarch Road. I treaded lightly for the first few miles. It wasn’t until after walking a slow seven miles did I dare to let loose and run. I wasn’t sure if the slight pinch in the leg was mental but if it was, my mind should have been able to conquer the irritation. I focused on my form. I thought to myself “Use a midfoot strike”. I concentrated on being light on my feet. I wanted to let go of the tension and just get back to what felt natural to me. Somehow, I broke through the pain and enjoyed the sights of numerous little gems which very few people will ever see; old jails that still stand in the middle of nowhere, copper colored mountainsides, scampering foxes. The Ghost Town Trail Road proved to be a great run!
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