Jennings LA to Gulfport MS — 4 hour drive.  Life lesson learned, carry a phone battery.   Key when dependent on the Maps app.  Luckily, old school ways still work.  Stopped at a gas station.  Yeah — guys DO ask for directions (when there’s absolutely NO other option).

Day 3: BEACH RUN.  Boardwalk stretch right along the Gulf.  White sands… and no trees. Was forewarned so us albino types sun-blocked up, donned UV arm sleeves & brought out the bucket hat.  Flamingo hat, always a conversation starter.  LOL>

Never run three 50Ks back-to-back… ’til today.  Quads sore, calves right, blisters, chaffed (no details) & Day 2 neck sunburn.  So… you walk the first 2 miles.  Cold engine warms in 20 minutes, so does the body.  Walk becomes jog, you find pace, start clipping off miles.

BEAUTIFUL sunrise, light breeze.  Banged out 15 before the sun exploded.  Decreased my pace, kept the heart rate steady.  NO surprise, you’re running aside the GULF of MEXICO! Get outta your head & get it done.  Reward?  Marathon feet in the ocean.  Boo-yah!

5-hour drive to Marianna, Florida — or as locals call it, L.A. (lower Alabama).  Technically the state of Florida, but this ain’t DisneyWorld.  Heavy Dixie accent, railroads and swamp. No negativity here — I find all America beautiful.  Sometimes you just appreciate home more 🙂

Motivated by my first dive motel, brother was lined up for Day 4 — 30 minutes to spare.  Not calling out names.  Sometimes when you pay only $45, you get $45 worth of lodging in return.  No roaches in the shower.  Unusual cold temps (for fake Florida) kept God’s creatures lined against the baseboards.  Slept on top of the covers, warmed by my puffy jacket.  4:30am alarm.  Gas station coffee.

FOG covered lake.  Beautiful first couple miles at Citizen’s Lodge Park.

4th state medal collected, another 50K recorded.  Ultra winner this day.  Gulf Coast Series complete.  Short 2-hour drive to Eufaula, Alabama.  Appalachian Series in the morning.  New runners, new faces, same me.  50K every day.

Gulfport MS