It was much colder this morning than my phone originally told me. A windy, chilly 36 degrees at the start. We all were able to huddle in the Union University gymnasium before the race which was a nice bonus but the start line was up a hill closer to the road. Oddly, I went looking for it ten minutes before the start time and they hadn’t set up the timing mats yet. In fact, there were only five of us killing about, our teeth chattering as we tried to brace ourselves from the wind. Race organizers turned up five minutes out and unfurled the start line. A stream of runners were hustling up the hill to join is at the start. The race director didn’t have a megaphone so just shouted the instructions — the course was open so there’d be cars, the time limit was only for the water stops being broken down but if you were out longer than the 6.5 hours then that was ok. Oh, and the weather was perfect for a run. After he waited for some stragglers to get up the hill he finally just counted down and blew an air horn. No national anthem, no real pomp and circumstance. Just get out there and run.
And ya know what? That was ok by me. I was glad to be moving and running. For the oldest marathon on Tennessee, at 44 years and counting, I was astonished at the small field of marathoners. I think it was 72 who had signed up but I suspect the winds kept some folks away. Still, some super fast folks and some slower ones — it was a good turnout of skills and people dedicated to the notion of running a marathon.
The course itself reminded me a bit of Last week’s half in Carrboro, NC. We ran through lots of residential areas. The course markings were spray painted on the roads but unlike Carrboro, I didn’t get lost. Somewhere around the 5th mile, two guys caught up to me and we ran about fifteen miles together. Thad was a local, a cancer survivor and streak runner who decided just a few days ago to run the marathon, his first in five years. He kept saying he thought he’d struggle but it turned out he was sandbagging us – he kicked it up a notch at 20 and just took off. The other guy, Luke, was a DJ from around Nashville who preferred talking to fellow runners to help pass the time and miles. I don’t always enjoy running with others but it was fi hearing these guys’ stories and with the minimal spectator support it was nice to have someone to talk to for some miles.
Luke fell a bit behind at 16 as he feared but raced back and wound up finishing just 20 seconds behind me. Sadly, that put him as 4th in our age group… Which meant I placed 3rd and picked up a trophy.
The wind died down on the return trip — it wasn’t at our backs like I thought it might be given it was pelting us in the face on the way out. But at least it didn’t turn and once again become a head wind which often happens to me on windy runs.
The main thing I’d say about the race is that I enjoyed being out and about and pounding the pavement. It was a clear day and it was a good group of folks to be running with. At the finish line I grabbed my one free slice of pizza from a giant foam mascot. And as I sat around waiting for the awards ceremony, the charges for a second slice dropped to nil so I had a few extra slices for lunch.
I had to get on the road to come back to St Louis so the race organizers were good enough to give me my trophy before the official awards ceremony. I grabbed a photo to commemorate it… And then snapped a few more on the Union University campus.
I missed a lot of what Jackson, TN, had to offer — I’m not 100% sure but I assume President Jackson’s Hermitage isn’t too far. Instead of the “real” history, I went for the “sights” history courtesy of RoadsideAmerica.com.
I found the inordinately large bibliophile praying mantis outside the local library.
And then I paid $5 to see Rusty’s TV and Movie Car Collection. Most were screen used but a few were replicas.
He did have the shirt Eddie Murphy wore in Norbit. I assume he got that one cheap.
Still, a few worthwhile photo opps with some classic cars. Adding to the fun? Perhaps the WORST standee I’ve ever seen. That’s David Hasselhoff?!
It was a typically long drive back to St Louis but unlike the ride out, my tire pressure held and no detours to service stations were necessary. Unfortunately, my hotel tonight is one of the bottom ten hotels I’ve ever stayed at.
Bette Davis wouldn’t deign to call it a dump as that’d be an insult to dumps.
The door on the first room they gave me broke as I opened it and the deadbolt defaulted open… So there was no way to close the door. The second room is, um, subpar. It’s not a murder hotel but it sounded like somebody down the hall from me had his room broken into and stuff stolen. I’ve packed out my stuff to the car as I grab dinner before heading back and bolting the door shut with a chair back propped up against the knob for added security. It’s only a few hours until the next race. I’ll be fine.
Although if you don’t see a post from me tomorrow, tell the police I was last seen at the America’s Best Value Inn in Bridgeton, MO, room 548.