5/25/2011

When you look at a clear blue sky you’d never think of a tornado. But, the weather is funny and clouds can move pretty quickly. I discovered this on today’s run. A huge shadow overtook me and blocked out my sun. The giant clouds weren’t the billow white ones that look like cotton candy. Oh no, They were dark and they obscured the view of the horizon. I was blessed to have arrived at Sullivan early becuase the weather turned violent on the drop of a dime.

A light rain greeted me upon my arrival and lasted all of five minutes. When it stopped I was torn between heading to St. Clair or stay put. I was partial to making a dash for it because I was restless and it was still early. St. Clair would have been another fourteen miles away and something was telling me to stay put...

5/24/2011

I woke to the sound of chirping birds. I looked out the window and saw clear skies and a smiling sun. I knew it was my day. I guess good things come to those who wait. Patience allowed me a perfect running day. Despite taking a turn which led me an extra mile off my path, I couldn’t have asked for better conditions.

The nice weather afforded me the luxury of taking a few pictures and smelling a few flowers. But since perfection is elusive, those same flowers seemed to be putting pollen into the air. I didn’t realize until after my run that my eyes were super irritated and itchy. It was nice polishing off my day around lunch time.

While my day’s conditions were ideal for me, the storms and tornadoes continued on in other states...

5/23/2011

The tough part of this journey is not the running. The tough part is when I am not. I got stuck waiting in Rolla for mail from home base. This waiting caused me to miss two great weather running days. My saving grace was the book “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair.

While the weather was fine in Rolla, it was not so gracious in other parts of Missouri. Yesterday Joplin, Missouri experienced the nineth most destructive tornado in history. I can hardly believe I was just there a couple weeks ago. The destruction and devastation is massive. My thoughts and wishes go out the people there.

I tried to contiue on my journey today but it didn’t turn out quite the way I expected. First I tried to intercept the package at the post office. I figured it was on the way to the next town...