A Journey Through History

Today’s run took me along the historic trail from Montgomery to Selma — the same path that marchers walked in March 1965 for their right to vote. Exactly 60 years later, I found myself retracing their steps on this meaningful 46-mile stretch.

I woke up early at 5:10 am, feeling refreshed after a rest day following the tornado storm. Knowing I wanted to tackle a long run, I was determined to start early. After coffee, packing, and a couple of bites of muesli, I stepped outside around 6:20 am. The air was cool, the sky still dark, and the historic road was waiting.

I started slowly to warm up, focusing on staying relaxed. I knew this run would offer much to reflect on, and I wanted to honor the significance of the trail. Running out of town can be stressful, but I accepted it as part of the process. Once I left Montgomery behind, I enjoyed the peace of dawn, with the sun rising behind me.

For the first stretch, I had to stay focused, running close to the road’s shoulder. I realized today that I sometimes push my buggy far right, yet my body ends up further right still — throwing off my form. With a long day ahead, I reminded myself to align better.

At one point, a couple of dogs startled me with loud barking, circling me for a moment before leaving me alone. After that, all was calm again. At mile 23, I passed a sign marking the campsite where the marchers rested during their 1965 journey. At mile 24, I reached the Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail Museum. Walking inside felt deeply rewarding — I was grateful I made the stop. I spoke with the ranger and a staff member at the desk. I wished I had more time to explore, but I had to keep moving.

The second half of the run brought plenty of time for contemplation. During the last six miles, many of the houses I passed along the road looked rundown — abandoned, burnt-out, or falling apart. It was a sobering reminder that the march for justice and equality is ongoing.

Crossing the iconic bridge into Selma felt powerful. It marked the end of a meaningful run and left me with much to think about. Just after the bridge, I met Luna, Avon, and Columbus. Luna greeted me with a warm and cheerful “Welcome to America!” — her joyful energy made me smile. After many miles alone, I was so grateful for the friendly conversation.

I ran the final two miles to my hotel, where I realized my buggy had a problem — a missing screw was causing it to lean awkwardly. I spotted several auto parts stores nearby and hoped I could fix it. At the first store, I met Shirley, who was so excited about my run. It felt amazing to connect with her — the conversation lifted my spirits after a long day.

I managed to fix the buggy right in the store, and finally, I returned to my room. I was tempted to collapse into bed, but first, I showered, had a protein drink, and prepared couscous with nuts for dinner.

Running is beautiful — especially when it carries such deep meaning. Thank you for following along and for being part of this journey. Your support means everything.