Greetings from Mobile, AL!

Run Stats:
Day: 50
Miles Completed: 201.7
Miles to San Diego: 1898.3
Avg Miles/Day: 4.0
Marathons Completed: 7.7
Shoes: Skora Tempo
Playlist Favs: Shuffle, Northpoint CC Podcast

Bible Verse of the Day: Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. - Psalms 119:2

Run Update: Today I'm passing through the town of Mobile, AL, still on I-10. It's another beautiful Saturday morning, 61 degrees and sunny. High today is supposed to be 72. Have had a good week of running and am pleased to have gotten the 1st 200 miles completed. Am also glad that it is staying lighter longer so my after work runs aren't so much in the dark. This also allows me to experience God's glory in some awesome sunsets.

Today I'm going to share some info about the town of Mobile and am pleased to be able to share some reflections from our dear friend Tima Williams on what it was like to grow up in Mobile. Finally, I'm going to share some info on some of the upcoming road races in Mobile. Let's jump right in.

Mobile Overview/Reflections: Alabama's only saltwater port, Mobile is located at the head of the Mobile Bay and the north-central Gulf Coast. The Port of Mobile has always played a key role in the economic health of the city beginning with the city as a key trading center between the French and Native Americans down to its current role as the 12th largest port in the U.S. Mobile began as the first capital of colonial French Louisiana in 1702 and became a part of the U.S. in 1813. The city is recognized as one of the cultural centers of the Gulf Coast and has several art museums, a symphony orchestra, a professional opera and ballet company and a large concentration of historic architecture. Provided below is an input from an article by Brian Arthur found on website www.motovo.com on the Top Ten Mobile Stereotypes that Are Completely Accurate:

1. If You Think Mardi Gras Started in New Orleans, They'll Take It Personally (as Mardi Gras originated in Mobile.)
2. Everyone in Mobile Has a Weird Obsession with Moon Pies.
3. Mobile Locals Are Big Time Seafood Snobs.
4. And They'll Stuff Crab In Pretty Much Anything.
5. People in Mobile Have Two Major Religions: Football and Christianity.
6. Mobile Natives Will Judge You Hard for Saying the Name of Their Beloved City Wrong (It's "Mo-beel")
7. Mobile Locals are the Artsiest Folks in Alabama.
8. You'd Best Not Get Between Them and a Dew Drop Hot Dog.
9. Everybody has Participated, or at Least Sat Through, Their Share of Pageants.
10. For People from Mobile, Being on a Boat is Pretty Much Second Nature.

As you can see, like most port towns, Mobile has its own personality and culture. Here's some reflections from Tima Williams on what it was like to grow up in Mobile.

I know nothing in life is ever perfect, my mind knows this. But in my heart I feel that growing up in Mobile, or maybe just the place itself was perfect. I loved everything about it and maybe part of it was because it was my youth also! There were summers driving to Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island, both so close. Or how about just a short trip "over the bay" to lovely Fairhope. Enjoying Ossie's BBQ or walking to Pak a Sak for an Icee. Simpler times in a less distracted world. Shakey's Pizza after the football games on Friday night or Tony's Pizza depending on your crowd. Trips to Mirror Lake....yes so many memories. Tons of beads and many moon pies caught during Mardi Gras fun! Azalea Trail maids as pretty as the flowers they represent. Speaking of flowers I cannot forget to mention some of the tourist attractions Mobile has to offer such as Bellingrath Gardens and the U.S.S Alabama! My dad loved that battleship so much. I think I probably have seen it at least twenty times! I realize that I am rambling and I can go on and on about my city by the bay. Memories of Old Dutch Ice Cream Shoppe where my parents would take us on Saturday for a cone. I would get chocolate chip, my mom, cherry vanilla, dad green mint chip and I forget what my brother got! Ha! Just kidding, he got chocolate. Seriously when I think about Mobile these memories just come flooding back. Sneaky Pete's, Bama Drive Inn, Eight Kings and The Sandwich Shoppe, The Dew Drop Inn, Thirsty's, Soloman's ....Hmmmm lots of food establishments. I remember Municipal Park and going to the art fair every year there ,taking the dog, walking in the walk a thon for pete's sake...so many things! The point is I loved growing up in Mobile and I will always love the people and the town.

Another cool aspect of a larger city is that there is probably an active recreational running community. The Port City Pacers lead this effort in Mobile. Since running is such a big part of this journey, I thought I'd include some info on some upcoming road races in the areas I'm passing through. Provided below is a list of some upcoming road races in Mobile (per runningintheusa.com):

Mar 5, 2016: Funky Monkey 5K
Mar 12, 2016: Going the Distance to Fight Lymphedema 5K
Mar 12, 2016: Green Dress Run
Mar 12, 2016: Shamrock Shuffle
Mar 19, 2016: Azalea Trail Run
Apr 2, 2016: Get Your Rear in Gear - Mobile, AL

Races like this are a great way to challenge yourself and get to know people in your area who share a common hobby. As indicated above, many of these races also support a charity or community cause so it's also an opportunity to give back while doing something you enjoy. Most races also provide a T-shirt as part of the associated race swag and these shirts become "bumper stickers" for the places you've visited and races you've participated in.

Of the runs above, the Azalea Trail Run is one of the signature runs in Mobile and is also one of the premier 10K road races in the United States. Runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes from around the world and at all levels turn out for this event each year. The race is known for its flat, fast course along Mobile's oak shaded streets and has seen blistering records set by runners since its inception. The 2016 race will be the 39th annual running. I have included a picture from the starting line of a recent run to give you a sense of the scope of this.

I had the opportunity to run in the Azalea Trail run in 1988, along with my friends Bob Riehl and Diana Prokopovich. I have included a picture of the t-shirt design for 1988 race. More info on tis race, including all of the annual t-shirt designs can be found on www.pcpacers.org.

I hope you've enjoyed learning a little about Mobile. Thanks again to Tima for sharing some of her experiences. I don't know about you guys, but I'm thinking there's some seafood and a moon pie in my future :-)

God Bless,

Pat