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Running in Place(s) 3

Oh you thought I forgot?  It's been more than a month since I last wrote.  I've been focusing on school, a bit on football, and, to be honest, Assassin's Creed Origins.  I know, I know.  But those Ptolemaic baddies gotta be stopped.
Yes, this is the third in the "Running in Place(s)" series.  The Air Force sent me to Biloxi, Mississippi for a few days this week.  Obviously, I brought running clothes with me.  I am only a couple weeks out from the Rock n Roll marathon (December 2nd), so I'm tapering.  However, I like to get to know a place on my feet, so I was still going to run a bit there.
Tuesday night I found an irregularly shaped track next to the Blake fitness center.  The rubberized, 1.5 lane track measured 3/10 of a mile with a "shortcut" taking the distance down to 1/4 of a mile.  There were also six or seven turns and an infield that looked like a park.  It was a really fun track to run on solo, but I'd hate to try and take a PT test there or run for time with a large group.
Blake Fitness Center track in the light
(photo credit: Anita Emily Yarbrough)

The weather was cool the entire time we were down there, with highs in the 50s.  Monday through Wednesday brought a cold drizzle as well.  We were just over a mile from the beach and Thursday was our late start day.  My plan had originally been to do a beach run Thursday morning... then I looked at the forecast.  It was only supposed to be 29 degrees Thursday morning and I just didn't pack the right clothes for that.  Instead, I did my beach run Wednesday afternoon while it was 45 degrees and getting dark.
It was a pretty beach, not showing any effects of Katrina's devastation.  I stopped to read some signs and saw that the bay was an early point of exploration for the French.  The water is shallow and there are multiple islands just a few miles offshore.
It was NOT supposed to be this chilly
Zoom

Neat looking trolly
                                   
I got in 5 easy miles and it went really well.  Except for one spot.  I found myself with an onramp between me and the sidewalk.  I had been on the sidewalk and then it just turned into shoulder.  I was running facing traffic (#safetytip) and noticed that I was now in the middle of a busy road.  I had to stand there for a minute to wait for a break in traffic to jump over the concrete barrier and back onto the sidewalk.  I guess I should have taken the walkway over the water again instead of trying to explore.
da beach


The Beau Rivage hotel and casino



Out on the pier, you can see the islands out there...

...and the shore back there

the boardwalk that I should have taken on the way back, it hugs the I-110 on ramp going out over the water


 
The run was really nice, it just gets dark very early this time of year.  
The next day, I slept in a bit and found a nice coffee and biscuit shop.  Yeah, it seemed odd to me too until I tried it.  Don't tell my diet, but I went back for seconds.
We planned to hit the Beau Rivage after dark to lose some money.  Luckily, we finished for the day fairly early and I was able to go check out Keesler's I-81 running track.  It is a rubberized track that isn't the typical 400m oval.  (Do they even have one?) This one goes on for miles to include circling an active flight line and the base golf course.  We caught glimpses of it while driving around, but I never found its full length.  I decided to just run my four tempo miles from my hotel and see where the 2 mile turnaround gets me.
Instead of sidewalk, it's rubberized track.  How neat is that?
 I saw some Marines getting their workout in and a couple of walkers, but the track was not overcrowded
View from the track



My "thoughts" were mostly work related on this trip.  I took away a lot of tips and tricks that I can implement and that inspired me.  To be honest, that was what occupied my mind during much of the trip.
I was surprised by the amount of times that I was called "honey," "baby," "sweetie," or even "handsome."  Southern women can sure boost a guy's confidence.
What I saw was a city scarred by its recent past.  Maybe the beach didn't show signs, but sand moves quickly.  There was construction all over town and the casinos were well done.
Some of the Beau Rivage's Christmas decorations
But there were signs all around town.  No, I mean literally.  We went to dinner Monday night and the restaurant had pictures and signs of pre and post Katrina times there.  Conversations with locals would typically touch on the topic.  Many people spoke of "coming back" or "before Katrina..." or mention friends and family that left and never plan on returning.  The town is working to return to its former glory as the Playground of the South.  I certainly had a fun time "playing" and am curious to see how the city continues to grow and improve.
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