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FLRC Newsletter - June 2004 |
| Ruthie Adds Number 45 with Nashville | |
After staying in marathon shape over the winter by running the Las Vegas Marathon in January and the More Marathon in New York City in March, I was ready to add State 45. On Thursday, April 21, my husband Larry and I were driving on our way to Nashville, Tennessee. The Country Music Marathon would be the last marathon we could drive to.
When we reached Buffalo, the rain started and would not stop, even upon our arrival to Tennessee.
On Thursday we again woke to pouring rain. We made our way to the huge expo in downtown Nashville to pick up my packet, running chip, and also to made several purchases. A few blocks away is the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which my husband particularly enjoyed visiting. The weather did not improve, so we made our way back to the hotel after passing by The Grand Ole Opry House.
Friday again brought pouring rain with a very short period of sunshine. We were able to tour Belle Meade plantation. This was once a 5400-acre thoroughbred horse establishment. Belle Meade was home to Iroquois, the first American-bred horse to win the English Derby in 1881. A descendent of Iroquois is Funny Cide, from Sackets Harbor, New York, who won the Kentucky Derby last year.
Our day continued by looking over the course in pouring rain. A total of five major hills had been cut out, but the course still looked very hilly.
No prerace pasta dinner was scheduled, which I always enjoy. This was replaced by a postrace concert by Brad Paisley who is one of country music's hottest young stars, but we were not able to attend.
Marathon day came and it continued to rain, along with thunder and lightning added. Needless to say the marathon had to be delayed. I sat in the car hoping the marathon would not have to be canceled.
After a half-hour delay, we finally lined up in the rain, but the thunder and lightening had stopped and we were off and running. The course took you through Centennial Park, Music Row, along the Cumberland River, past the State Capitol, and into beautiful Shelby Park before finishing outside the Coliseum, home of the Tennessee Titans. Along the way, 27 entertainment stages hosted 50 bands playing rock, jazz, blues, country, and everything in between to keep us going throughout the 26.2 miles.
The temperature started out at 67 degrees in the pouring rain and rose to 86 degrees as the sun came out around the 20-mile marker for me. "This is really hot weather, even for Tennessee," one of the runners from the area commented.
I was happy to finish with a chip time of 4:25:29. As I approach the end of my 50 states, other 50-state runners who have completed all 50 states told me I would become crazed to finish them. I must admit I have reached that state of mind for in one week I will be running in Lincoln, Nebraska, to add state 46.
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