M-I-SS-I-SS-I-PP-I
2 50Ks west of the river, today I’d bridge-cross & begin a trend east of the Mississipp’.
2-night stay in Lake Village = 3am alarm for Day 3. Striking a balance between lodging nearby [our] next day start & the treat of two nights in the same bed. No checkin, no unpack/repack routine, immediate post-marathon shower & a break from daily highway travel. So… somedays you welcome a dark 3am start ‘though it still comes early.
Another state park, more GPS coordinates. Well over 70 degrees; HEAVY still air. No breeze, no cell signal, isolated — later, most leafy green cover I’d seen all series 🙂
60+ miles in so far. Even with TheraGun massage, notice Days 3 & 4 are the worst physically. Everything hurts, mind’s fighting ya… doesn’t seem any end in sight. 7 days [mentally] more like months away. So… you walk the beginning… in the dark, with a headlamp. Ya group with your best end-of-race walk buddies & listen to stories.
Dave from Raleigh. He’s lap one, lap 2. Chey (gal attempting Guinness Record/baby-in-stroller) shows an hour later, runs a Half, appreciates the company. 9:30/10:30 minute pace. Just like that… 16 miles completed.
And then... a day early… it begins to rain. Light gentle summer drops. Temp becomes something bearable. Tree canopy amplifies the patter. Frown upside down. Mini miracle. Run/walk/jogged remainder of my 32. Thank ya Lord 🙏
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- Leroy Percy State Park
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- tree canopy patter 🌧️
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- Day 3
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- ‘Always in Season’
Leroy Percy State Park, MS
Another early a.m. start. Day 2, Lake Chicot State Park in Lake Village AR.
Advised to use GPS coordinates to locate today’s start — thanks so much! Tucked deep in the woods next Lake Chicot. Headlamp beginning but without the Day One swamp or croaking gators.
What they do have in Arkansas… whole lotta HUMIDITY. Sweated inside & out.
For folks wanting to drop some winter weight, hey y’all — found your spot. LOL> Drip, drip, drip. Down my nose. Off the cheeks. Shirt soaked tight against my chest. WHEW!
But… those daybreak views? FAAANNTASTIC! As the laps wore on, light steady breeze half-mile ‘longside the lake. Whoop whoop! 50K day, finished with a smile 🙂
So… after 32 miles… grabbed a extra lap to help a runner finish her marathon day.
GREAT day to be alive ❤️
Bridge-crossing tomorrow. Running east of the mighty river, M-I-SS-I-SS-I-PP-I!
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- early a.m. GPS
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- Arkansas GATOR
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- Lake Chicot
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- SHARED miles 😎
Lake Chicot State Park, AR
GATOR 🐊
Not the greatest of overnight accommodations, but the Indian couple who ran the joint were friendly, happy for the business — and kept the room clean. Location? Across a two-laned road from our parking lot. Civitan Park, Winnsboro LA.
Went out a bit fast for Day One. Pitch black, except for my headlamp — stayed top 3 outta fear of what lurked in the dark. Swarmy humid swamp smell & the croaking/clicking sounds of nearby gators. By mile 7, had moved into first place.
Yeah… that scary. Y’all know I’m slow. LOL> Daylight exposed fire ant mounds, lush tropical vegetation & a row of turtles sun-bathing on a dead log.
What about… Oh yeah, there were gators. Spring season when juvenile males fight & wrestle to move-up the breeding pyramid hierarchy.
Have marathon’d Louisiana twice in 3 weeks. Check, done.
Tomorrow: the Land of Opportunity. Woo pig sooie, Arkansas! 🐽
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- Luzianna swamp
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- row of TURTLES 🐢
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- Civitan Park
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- #50k every day
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- Mom ❤️
