Chickasabough Park

I've been told my numerous people that this park is a great run.  It's trail running, and not a lot of marking, so be forewarned that it is not for those looking to get out of the woods quickly.

The park itself is in Prichard, making it an interesting drive in.  I wouldn't approach the park at night, nor would I dilly dally too long getting gas at the station.  Once you're in the park, however, it is secluded and beautiful.  It costs $1 per person to get in, which may be the reason the blight of Prichard doesn't continue on into the park.  What a difference $1 makes.

On my day here, it was all about running, but the park itself has a ton of amenities including campsites, canoeing, a swimming hole, athletic fileds, and places to cook out.  A nice park, to be sure.

The trails  extend way out beyond the main part of the park, under the interstate and out into vast other parts of Mobile.  Pretty cool for venturing out a little and seeing parts of the city that you would not normally see.  There is a nice canopy over nearly all of it, so even the rain is not bothersome if you don't mind a little mud on your shoes.  I'm fairly confident the spiders and snakes love this part of town as well.

Outside of the trails, you can road run a bit, but there is a little less that a mile of road to do so.  If you don't mind saying hi to the campers a few times, you can get some miles in here, and the traffic is of course very light.  

Safety wise - outside of the adventure it could become getting there, once you're in the park, it is it's own community.  Apparently the swimming hole gets pretty packed in the summertime and the trails get pretty packed with bikes, so from what I understand, you're never truly "alone in the woods" which is a creepy prospect for some.

Overall, I'd say I like this park and my wife has also said a few times that we need to go back.  That is enough endorsement for me.  The amenities are nice for a campsite and there are very nice bathrooms by the swimming hole, so there is always relief nearby.

For my money, I'd enjoy camping here with some buds, get in my morning run, do some kayaking, grill out, and explore more of the woods.  Seems like a nice place for that.  Thumbs up for Chickasabough.  

Laun Park

 I like this park.  A lot.  Randomly located in a nice little suburban community, it has the vibe of the baseball field from The Sandlot and I can imagine more than a few kids have played on the baseball field that the trail surrounds.

Getting to Laun Park is a bit strange, despite the fact that there is signage to get you there.  Somehow, you just feel like you're going into a subdivision and you may have taken a wrong turn.  Once I saw the park though, I was somewhat envious of the kids who have gotten to grow up there over the years.

The park itself is small, about a 1/4 mile loop around the baseball field, but it feels nice to run there.  There are also some decent elevation changes that add to the interest of the run.  Additionally, there is some nice shade which will help out in the hot July Alabama sun.

One other great aspect of this park is that it seems to have something for every kid growing up in the neighborhood.  It has what appears to be a small wading pool that can accommodate small kids, a jungle gym for when they grow a little older, and a baseball field for the rest of those kid years.  Again, I'm a bit envious of those living around this park.

The only negative that I can throw out about the park is that it looks like it hasn't had any investment in it for many years.  The baseball field and basketball court are both in need of some fixing up.  A small complaint, but an observation nonetheless.

I recommend this park heavily for getting in a nice run.  It's a nice place and doesn't get the traffic that Medal of Honor or Langan Park get, so you can be fairly assured plenty of freedom to get your run in.

Public Safety Memorial Park

An unfortunate experience for me on this run, although I suspect it would not be uncommon if I took subsequent trips.  A true shame too, because this is a really nice park that they are upgrading at this very moment.  The location near Midtown inspired me to go ahead and make my trip to Public Safety Park on a day when my wife couldn't join me.  It's a good thing too, as we wouldn't have lasted long enough to get around the whole park once.

Long story short, after seeing a few drug deals once I was asked for money the second time, I went ahead and left the park after only a handful of miles. Finished at another park that I'm consistently pleased with.

Again, it is a shame because the location is in a great spot geographically, despite the few blocks that are sketchy.  Close enough to getting downtown, it would be a great experience to get some miles here and then walk downtown for some tacos at Bicycle Shop.    This being said, I spent the whole time watching my vehicle, which tends to kill the running mojo.

The park is located in a very convenient spot with entrances and parking on both Government and Airport, so wherever you are coming from in Mobile, you can reach the park with ease.  Close to The Loop, it is also convenient to get to other parts of town.  It is also close to a Mellow Mushroom........

The facility is well equipped for families and children, with several pavilions and a playground.  The trail is just under a half mile if you take the entire route around the park.  You can switch up your route as much as you want, which makes it possible to keep a half mile trail interesting on a long run.

For safety, I wouldn't mind running the ironically named Public Safety Memorial Park again, but certainly not in the evening and I won't be inviting my wife to get the miles in with me.  A nice little park, but I won't be rushing to get back.

Well, another week down and a week closer to my 2015 mile goal.

Casino Bridge Run 5K and 10K

I am proud to say that I got 3rd Place in my age group for this race.  First time I've ever placed in a race.

This is the first of its kind for this group and I believe we'll be running this one again.  Gorgeous run over the bridge and through a beautiful neighborhood.  Also gave every runner three free beers after. The organizers definitely got this one right.

The race began outside of the Golden Nugget Casino and moved immediately over a 1.5 mile bridge then onto the beach where the sand was pretty soft and deep.  Got the heart beating a little to hard at that point.  After the beach run, the race was guiding through a residential area with some pretty nice housing.  They were preparing for a Mardi Gras parade, so we got a free cheering section, although I don't think they had any clue what we were doing there.

Rosie ran the 5K and I did the 10K.  She keeps getting faster and faster and she achieved yet another personal record.  After the race, we took a walk to the top of the bridge to take some pictures.

I've been to Biloxi a few times, but mostly to gamble so I've never really paid attention to how pretty the area is.  Very nice around these parts.  Will probably have to stay the night next year and do some gambling.

Running Soundtrack

When running is the topic "what do you listen to" always becomes a discussion.  For a lot of people I've spoken to, they want to continually add to their music choices out of fear of getting bored with what they have on their playlist.  I find they are open to anything that gives them an extra boost.  That's a great way to move into new bands and even new genres of music.

Every time I load up music, I get really excited to hear it for the first time on the course.  Here are my Top 10 enduring songs that always get me going.  Full disclosure, I could just listen to Dream Theater for my whole run, so picking as few as possible was made very difficult.  

#10.  Juke Joint Jezebel - KMFDM

From the Mortal Kombat movie soundtrack, this one is a no-brainer.  In all truth, the entire soundtrack is easy to utilize while exercising, but this one has a great rhythm.  

#9. Awake and Alive - Skillet

A great one to get you moving.  Inspirational lyrics and some intense vocals.  

I'm awake, I'm alive

Now I know what I believe inside
Now it's my time
I'll do what I want 'cause this is my life

(Here, right now)
Right here, right now
Stand my ground and never back down
I know what I believe inside
I'm awake, and I'm alive

 

#8.  Did My Time - Korn

Power.  It's Korn.  Thunder and more thunder.  The lyrics to this one just get me.  Very much about struggle, but when you throw the vocals in, you feel like you're beating the struggle.

I am the one who chose my path
I am the one who couldn't last
I feel the life pulled from me
I feel the anger changing me

#7.  Darkened Mind - Circus Maximus

The virtuosity of the musicianship is enough, but the chorus brings it all together for running.  Great tempo for moving those feet forward, and the way the track builds just makes you feel like there is something great ahead of you.

Can you forget all of the promises, is the truth to hard to take
Now I know there must be time to forgive, we will be one again

#6.  Clifhanger 2 - Shadow Gallery

Long song with a great storyline about getting saved from desperation.  Finishes with a dual guitar attack called The Crusher.  Killer tune for setting pace.

In the blink of an eye systems deploy
And we are off, baby, off on the run
Bullets raining on down
Wind driven snow here we go

#5.  Marathon - Rush

Hard to argue the theme.  Makes you feel like a method actor

From first to last
The peak is never passed
Something always fires the light
That gets in your eyes
One moment's high
And glory rolls on by
Like a streak of lightning
That flashes and fades in the summer sky

#4.  Pull Me Under - Dream Theater

And now begins the deluge of Dream Theater.  I could fill out the top 10 with all DT tracks, but not everyone is into the band like I am.  This one again, builds brilliantly and keeps the show going the entire track.

This world is spinning around me
This world is spinning without me
All life is future to past
Every breath leads me one less to my last

#3.  Outcry - Dream Theater

A song about not being beaten.  Themed around the recent revolution is Egypt, this one is not only inspiring, but the instrumental is CA-RAAAAAAAZY!

By the way, this is a fan video made of still pictures of the revolution.  Chills up the spine every time.

The streets are bathed in blood
Time to step down and time to walk away
You'll never rule me now
Though you may stand upon my grave

#2.  Bridges in the Sky - Dream Theater

Another track of redemption.  The chorus always makes me move an extra step faster.  So inspirational.

Sun come shine my way
Make healing waters bury all my pain
Wind carry me home
The fabric of reality is tearing apart
The piece of me that died
Will return 
To live again

#1.  Last Ride of the Day - Nightwish

Oooooooh Man.  I ONLY listen to this while running.  Can't handle it otherwise.  Inspires me to appreciate every single day of life right here in this moment.  When I run a race, this one is quick-played to the finish line and I feel no pain.

Once upon a night we'll wake to the carnival of life
The beauty of this ride ahead
Such an incredible high
It's hard to light a candle
Easy to curse the dark instead
This moment the dawn of humanity
Last ride of the day

There it is.  Lots of guitars and drums, not a ton of techno; but that's just me.  Of course, this is going to be a living list as more music is made, but for now if I had a 10 track soundtrack to get me my miles, they would be here in this order.  Cheers.

Dauphin Island, 10 Miles, and 200 on the Month

To hit my 200 miles in the quest of 2,015 in 2015, I wanted to hit the mark in a different spot.  I figured at the beach in the middle of winter was far too appropriate.

Dauphin Island is the barrier between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.  A very small island at 166 square miles and a population of just under 1,500 it is hard to believe that this place plays a huge role in determining the climate of the entire southern part of the state.

The smaller picture under the map of Mobile is the GPS of my run on the beach.  5  miles out west, 5 miles back.  After the first two miles, the beach becomes uninhabited with jetties on one side and sand on the other.  As you can tell, there is a ton more beach to go and as it can only be reached on foot, I'm sure that even in the summertime it is a desolate area to get a run in and hang on the beach.

There are a ton of shells on the sand, but it is perfectly compact to run on where the high tide sits and if you hit the beach at low tide, I can't imagine a better place in the area to run, both for comfort and for beauty.

The weather on this run was cold as all get out. The wind was insane and made it even worse.  I had on some long pants, long shirts, a buff, gloves, the whole nine.  Still wasn't enough and my nose was running as much as I was.

Either way, crossing 200 miles is a big deal.  I was hoping to hit 20 by the end of the month.  To hit it with a few days to spare is very encouraging.  Every day is a day closer.

I definitely recommend adding Dauphin Island to any running list, no matter where you are in the Mobile area.  At least once a month I'll be out here to log in a long run.

Bellingrath Gardens 5k

I will cross over the 200 mile mark this weekend and I have the pleasure of adding 2 more Mobile area running locales to the list. The first is the legendary Bellingrath Gardens and Home and Dauphin Island, the barrier island between the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay.

We joined a 5k to run at Bellingrath, put on by The Man About Town to benefit the Women's Business Center.  The run takes place near the entrance of the gardens and moves down the road leading to the gardens.  The land is flat and the run is pretty nice.  All trees and nature out here.  The level of fitness is varied.  There were some very serious runners scattered here along with a lot of folks just out to enjoy a nice run.  There were also tons of kids running, which was pretty cool.

In addition to the fun running activities involved, on a personal note, I got to pet a pig named Kevin Bacon.  Never done that before, so another check off the lost.

Outside if the run itself, entering into the event allowed free entrance into the gardens afterward, which alone made the event worth the cost.  Bellingrath Gardens is one beautiful place, and this is the winter when the flowers are not in bloom.  I can't wait to make it back when the flowers start doing their thing.

The race went as most do. You start, you finish.  I did my 5k in 27:53, whcih put me somewhere in the middle of the pack.  Just under 9 minute miles, so I'm still a hike from my 8 minute miles of this time last year, but I'll get there to be sure.

Check out the pictures we took at the gardens below.  Very nice place.