Sometimes in life you just need to face your demons. As many of you know, I'm a runner and love to take off and run when I get the chance. Recently, I found myself in Pensacola, Florida and I was challenged to return to University of West Florida for a late afternoon run on a recent Saturday. Several years ago I stared into the late afternoon shadows of the same running path and took off for an easy run. I found myself in the forest just weeks after the destruction that Ivan wrought on the area (he was a hurricane). To make a long story very short, the woods were torn apart with shattered tree's but I pushed on until I was completely lost, straddling an oozing stream, just as darkness gripped the trail. Lost like I never imagined possible, I cut the run short and managed to shred my legs and arms on the flora and fauna as I struggled to find my way out of the damp gator-infested woodland. As a student many years before, I remember seeing many a ten foot alligator in this area.

I finally made it out of the swamp and cut the run short but it left a bad taste in my mouth. So, there I was heading back to the swamp and much to my suprise I was greeted by the sign that you can read above. Now I was faced with a decision. Push on through the fear and ignore the sign or just turn around and find the running track to circle like a frustrated hamster.

I did push past the fear and had a great run, gators and poisonous snakes not withstanding. It just proves that you can return and face your demons.