I had fun, and that's what I look for in the running events. I have always been a slow, weak runner, and I also have three screws in my right knee. This course really challenged me. I never thought I wouldn't finish, but I knew I was going to have to gut it out to do so. It left me satisfied with my performance, and very pleased with the organization and race overall.

The weather was great, other than the wind on some sections. 50ish I would guess, and overcast skies. Pretty lucky, since January in Mississippi can give you anywhere between 20 and 75 degree temps.

Still, most importantly, I had fun. Before the race at the expo, during the race, and after the race as well. There was a big stage set up for a blues concert following the race, but I had seen and talked to all my friends, so I came home to fill out the race report, sleep, and hopefully watch some football.

Train better. The holidays got in the way big time, and that led to me nearly hitting a wall around mile 11. Other than that, I had a pretty good run considering how difficult I found the course to be.

Three beers, a slice of pizza, and a sandwhich. Yep, that's it.


The hills and my lapse in training. I had actually gotten a ten miler in about three weeks ago on some rollers, but nothing like what I just ran through.


As for the overall course based on my ability option, I picked just right, because too hard is to severe. I'd say this was about the hardest course I would ever like to do. Definitely the hardest I've done to date. For a much better runner, it wouldn't be a good course for a PR, but it would be a pretty good challenge I would think.

As for the other categories (organized, volunteers, drink stations, activities, post race), yes doesn't even begin to cover it. And it was the INAUGURAL Mississippi Blues Marathon/Half Marathon. That's right, the very first one, and it was one of the best run events I've done. I'm so happy about that, too. When they announced this, I knew this could be a great event for the city, but I was somewhat skeptical about how it would turn out with it being the first one ever. The Mississippi Track Club put on a marathon for a bunch of years on the Natchez Trace, and the highest number of participants was 200. This year, after the reorganiztion and move, they had to cap the half marathon at 1500 and the marathon filled up at the expo. I'm amazed at the turnout, amazed at how well run it was, and amazed at how much fun I had.

It was a great course that challenged me. A great group of volunteers. Great organization. Great post race. Great everything.

Can you tell that I liked this one a little?