12/12/2014
I racked my brain for the different ways to present the fact that we stayed in the cold trailer parked in a large lot once again. Plenty has happened on this adventure. We faced major obstacles and we overcame each one. Of course we expected hindrances, detours, and adjustments. We accepted the physical and mental challenge knowing there would be days where we’d want to throw in the towel. Luckily the Hilton in Lafayette had a room waiting for us the next day. We just had to make it there.
Crystal woke up early in the morning. Despite needing more rest, I too dragged my body out of bed. We needed to purchase some foodstuffs from the market. Somehow we ended up losing ourselves in the market. By the time we made our purchase the weather began to warm. With only twenty miles to run for the day I chose to return to bed. Even with a nap I could get to Lafayette before check in.
The nap had my body feeling great. I jumped up and ran to the first town with the freshness of a thirty year old version of myself. The run slowed to a trot and I began spotting statues of frogs in front of a few businesses. When even more popped up, I decided to take pictures of each different frog. They were dressed as priests, bankers, farmers, everything you could think of. There were pictures of frogs everywhere as well. I finally came upon a marker that explained how two brothers had turned the town of Rayne into the frog capital of the world. When I read the marker, I remembered having to dissect frogs in high school science class. It was very likely those frogs had travelled from Rayne.
The legs felt strong and I ran with a spring in my step. Hundreds of frogs hopped around the ditches as I passed. More rice fields lined the sides of the road. Out of nowhere, when I hit the town of Duson, the back of my calf experienced a sharp pain. I found a crate to sit on and I tried to massage the pain away. It appeared to stimulate my leg but only for a few minutes. I would have to walk the last seven miles of my day to reach my destination. I held the idea of a large bed and hot bath in my mind.
I was able to reach the hotel in one piece. The Hilton did not disappoint. I entered the room with a grand view of Lafayette. The first order of business was to submerge myself in a hot rejuvenating salt bath. The pain melted away and I let myself finally relax. I put the thought of injury out of my head. I figured I would wrap the appendage and wait for the following day.
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