1/3/2015

The sound of voices woke me early. People were heading to the lobby for the complimentary breakfast. In the middle of the street, vendors were setting up stands with arts, crafts, and food. Many of them wandered in and out of the hotel lobby greeting the staff.

The weather report had predicted rain for several days and it made me cautious. For my run to Navarre, the rain never showed up. Instead, warm rays of sunlight tickled my skin. The cold temperatures of the rest of the country danced in my mind as I bathed in the light. I figured my turn had come for a nice running day. For my warm up, I perused the stalls of the downtown farmer’s market.

Obstacles have been around every corner. I turned a corner and there was my first obstacle of the day...

1/2/2015

I was surprised to hear multiple vehicles roaring by at six in the morning on the Spanish Trail Road, otherwise known as the 90. Our parking spot seemed like such a quaint out of the way spot when we decided to park there. Adrenaline pumped through my body and kept me from feeling any aches or pains. After a quick breakfast of scrambled eggs with grilled veggies on a croissant. The light buttery pastry melted in my mouth. Before I knew it, I was ready to take off.

The proximity of the Alabama/Florida border was only a couple miles away. So it felt like I had only run for a couple minutes before Crystal and I were snapping photos of the final border crossing of the first stage of four. I was shy of the outskirts of Pensacola by a dozen miles...

1/1/2015

The last day of 2014 began with a run through the city of Mobile, Alabama. I gritted my teeth as I ran through the ghettos of the city. In some areas the stench of booze and urine hung in the air. Groomed areas were intertwined with rough patches. My sore feet pushed forward on the trek. I grumbled as I looped around the city to reach a bridge which allowed pedestrians. I never thought Mobile could be so big. The detour added several unwanted miles to my day.

Crystal had found a great place to park right before the bridge. She prepared instant noodles in hopes of receiving some residual warmth. We welcomed the heat even if it was momentary. Lunch was a quick affair. The bridge to Spanish Fort Alabama beckoned. Once again there was no wall to separate me from the speeding machines...