Country Music 1/2 Marathon - Run


View Member's Race Log View other race reports
Nashville, Tennessee
United States
Sunny
Total Time = 2h 43m 3s
Overall Rank = 10495/14638
Age Group = 25-29 Male
Age Group Rank = 763/837
Pre-race routine:

Well on Friday I met parrj(Jeff) at the race expo for packet pickup and some browsing. This thing was packed full of tons of people. This was a record year for Nashville with over 23000 people in the race. So we head around the expo whihc was really a large mall with mainly people selling various race things. I picked up some new balance shorts for only 10 dollars so I was stoked...so as we were heading through I knew exactly what I was looking for and low and behold I found it right after the Publix booth and across form the stick booth oh yes it was Jessi Stenssland at the GNC performance booth. So I was awestruck and I got her autograph as well as my picture made with her and chatted for a while. She is so down to earth and did I mention in excellent shape and extremely easy on the eyes. So after we leave that booth we walk around a little more and head to the BT dinner at Rennee;s(rrizzo)It was awesome to finally get to meet Chris(golfinggods)Jeff(parrj)Amanda(Am6ja4)Karen(kmann21) and several others. The dinner was divine and I again want to thank the great host. So after dinner we talked about well what do you think COJ and various other things we took some pics and headed to our various domiciles for a long night rest. I got home loaded up some pics layed out my gear and went to sleep
Saturday:Up at 330 had a bottle of gatorade and PB sandwich and just as I expected met my brother that was just getting in from a late night of partying. I then headed to meet Zeke(bigtex00) and the two Martys and off to Nashville. Parked and got in line for the shuttles and headed to the race site. I met the BTers again at the Parthenon replica and passed out some BT tatts!! One of Renne's friends and coworkers was also running and told us of a bathroom located in a building close to the start so be fore the race headed over there and was in line for two minutes...did I mention that Zeke waited in line for 40 minute at the portojohn with the other 23000+ people hahaha. Oh and I also saw a good frien of mine from HS who was there cheering on her husband so what a great reunion.
Event warmup:

Warmup ....ummmmm walked to coral 19 and waited for over 27 minutes after the start before our coral was let go. Me Zeke and the two Marty's were planning to run together.
Run
  • 2h 43m 3s
  • 13.1 miles
  • 12m 27s  min/mile
Comments:

Well like I said the run started and it took us about thirty minutes to get to where we could start but when it was out turn away we went. We were shooting for between a 11-12 minute pace and pretty much staed on it at the start. As we were running down the street the crowd turnouts were awesome so much support and volunteers. At the first turn around mile 2 Zeke had to stop at the restroom so I figured I would not see him the rest of the day but he has run several of these and would not count him out. As I started up the first hill it was awesome seeing all the little kids giving high fives so i was right there running down the line slapping hands thinking you know this is making their day but I hope they realize it is making mine as well we make the turn at the top and its the first water break so I did like I have read and took water at every stop as well as powerade I looked down at the garmin and noticed we were pacing a little faster than I wanted so I slowed a bit and decided to do what my coach and I discussed which was 9 minute run 1 minute walk and walk every aid station so I said by to the two Martys and started on my game plan. I was just in my own work looking at the other runners and chatting away when I hear Martin Methodist College Sucks and low and behold Zeke had caught back up to me so we begin our journey again heading up and down up and down we hit the first food station and I take a PB cracker and boy my mouth was dry anyways though we are keeping our time and still living it up. We get back into some residential areas and what would you think people were passing out at around mile 5 or6 ..jack daniels shots as well as mimosas and bloody maries(no I did not take any) So it was just shortly after that I started to begin to feel my lack of long runs. I began to chafe extremely bad due to my rather large thunder thighs but kept on. Zeke and I bothwere feeling it at around 8 so out walking breaks began more regularly. Zeke was in worse shape than me so we said good bye around mile 9 or so. I picked up the pace a little but my ability to run longer durations was falling fast. Just prior to this though I saw the most inspiring thing all day a blind man and his lead man it made me realize that all things are possible so back to the race at about mile 10 I met the crazy guy preaching who know what on the corner so I picked it up a little more. I definetley began to walk lots then or do the schuffle and it slowed even more. We got to the split of the half and full which was being directed by none other than Elvis!!! So I just kept on and saw the 245 pace group and made sure I kept ahead of them and at mile 12 the biggest hill so far WTF? A hill at mile 12 so I trodded up it and could hear the announcers in the distance. I picked it up a little and then a nice breeze picked up whihc was much needed. So I headed down to the colliseum and kind of teared up thinking about the moment and even more about all the chaos that had been in my life the past few years. I wiped away the tears turned the corner and saw the finish line. AHH home sweet home. I looked behind me and noticed no one was real close and for some reason people where hanging the corner tight and all headed towards on side so I stayed on the other and just tried to finish looking strong!! First Half in the books it hurts but feel oh so good!!
What would you do differently?:

I would train for the half. My longest run so far was not much more than 7 miles and not that soon prior. Mostly 6 miles or so..Oh and did I mention the 240 pound frame I was running on and also wear tri shorts until I loose more weight and my thighs wont rub. The rest will do better as I learn more.
Post race
Warm down:

Got my medal and stood in line for finishers photo. Stretched a little and talked with golfinggods first then went to the car and changed clothes and headed over to the full marathon finsh and met parrj and Shannon(amandas friend) to cheer on rrizzo watergirl am6ja4 cross the finish line. Saw some extremeley motivating finishers then headed home for an Ice bath and nap

What limited your ability to perform faster:

Lack of long distance runs being over weight and extremeley chaffed!

Event comments:

This was a great experience and start to my race season. It began by meeting some awesome people and finished with alot of new respect for myself and training properly. I am looking forward to this season and many more to come!!


Profile Album


Last updated: 2006-01-27 12:00 AM
Running
02:43:03 | 13.1 miles | 12m 27s  min/mile
Age Group: 2529/837
Overall: 0/14638
Performance: Average
Course: Course was a bit undulating. The Garmin had it at 2300 feet of elevation gained throughout.
Keeping cool Average Drinking Just right
Post race
Weight change: %
Overall:
Mental exertion [1-5]
Physical exertion [1-5]
Good race?
Evaluation
Course challenge
Organized? Yes
Events on-time? Yes
Lots of volunteers? Yes
Plenty of drinks? Yes
Post race activities: Good
Race evaluation [1-5] 4