Week-end of April 25th, 2008- Nashville Half Marathon

Brian and I went different directions this week-end. Brian had the opportunity to do the Pinnacle sailboat briefing on the water for this summer. That was fine, except for the 40 degree weather and winds – on Lake Michigan. Sunday he was able to fly to Janesville, WI to have breakfast with Bud. Brian Patrick was in Iowa running the Drake Relays. He will have to elaborate on any adventures! We watched/track on-line results and spent a lot of time text messaging w/Brian. Meanwhile, Christina and Deb hit Nashville. Since Deb is writing this, it will have to be from her perspective. Chris drive down with friends, Deb flew SW. Upon arriving in Nashville, the music influence was immediately apparent with live music in the airport bars! Great new, mid-size airport. Picked up $12/day Priceline car. Remember windows that you have to crank up and down. No automatic locks. But 4 doors that you can manually lock from the front seat (even if it was a stretch). One problem with making late reservations on a popular week-end is hotel options are very limited. Rodeway Inn. It used to be an Econolodge. The old TV was etched with the owner's name – as if I might try to sneak it into my suitcase upon departure. Rooms by the hour or week.

The rest of the crew was checked in down the street at the Holiday Inn Express which was very nice for the rate. Had a great local meal at Raz's with Chris, Allison, her parents, Rachael, her parents, and Jill.

Saturday Morning was race morning. Up at 5am, picked up Chris & Jill at 5:30 for the 10 minute drive to the race start. Enormous traffic jam. Sitting on I-40 a young oriental woman was wandering down the expressway looking very lost. We asked if she needed a ride and she popped into our little car! Originally from China, now living in Raleigh, she was running her first marathon and we looked like we knew what we were doing (little did she know). Of course all of our planned exits were closed due to the course…..

I guess we looked trust-worthy... Jill and our new friend

In spite of being clueless (at least we had a map), got there in time –Chris and Jill were in the first corral for the ½ Marathon, so it was critical that they were there in time. Deb saw them 3 times during the race. They both did quite well in the ½ Marathon – Jill was the 4th woman and Chris was the 8th. Between the two races there were 32,000 runners! With bands set up along the race. It was great running weather (damp and cool). A little tough on the spectators.

Christina -at about mile marker 10. 3.1 to go!

A happy finish - Chris - 8th woman, Jill - 4th woman in the Half Mararthon

Mid-afternoon, Chris and Deb headed to Opryland. When in Nashville…. After finding the enormous resort – all under roof, spectacular gardens, water, and shopping (including a well-deserved Hagen Daz), and one weird vine creature – and driving around a lot, we did find the Grand Ole Opry. Didn't see the inside, but Chris was able to acquire a cowboy had at the Opry store. Next stop was Vanderbilt University which has a medical school. Gorgeous campus.

Our friend the Vine Lady

After regrouping, headed for downtown Nashville. We had time to wander a bit and deal with a little "drama". There were street musicians everywhere, Elvis, kitzy shops with politically incorrect items (when was the last time you saw Aunt Jemima?) and a Mennonite group looking a tad out of place between the bars.

Elvis lives!

The post-race concert Lady Antebellum played first and they were great. We ditched the headliner in search of food. At that hour most places had the 21 year old constraint and two of the girls were a couple weeks shy. So we settled at The Palm which was very nice and delicious. Exhausted we piled 5 people into the Rio (Kia) and headed back to our respective hotel/motel. Deb locked up, shoved a chair against the door (it was that type of motel/neighborhood) and turned on Saturday Night Live. A very nice week-end – Deb would return to Nashville for a week-end happily!

Dinner at the Palm. There were drawings of national and local celebrities on the walls. And some "just good patrons". There are only so many people in Nashville!