“To travel is to live.”
(Hans Christian Andersen)
The running tourist returned to Nashville for the 2026 Rock N Roll Half Marathon back in April.
Here are a few of the sights and scenes from my trip–enjoy! 😊
(Honky Tonks on Broadway)
(Opry Mills)
(Downtown NashVegas!)
I’m looking forward to my return trip to Nashville! 😊
Irie!
Calvin Williams
“What a glorious battle we had today.”
(Calvin Williams)
The quote above is directly from me! Yes, Lynn, I am quoting myself now on the blog. 😊
My Walk into the Future allowed me to head back up to Nashville, Tennessee for the 2026 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon. This was my eighth time with this glorious battle, and I have already signed up for #9 in 2027. I love Nashville and battling the hills and heat are a byproduct of running this race.
The glorious battle concept is listed because I didn’t have the best training cycle preparing for this year’s race. I’m always training but didn’t get in my normal bridge runs as part of my preparation. This is an easy lesson to remember but I didn’t make the time to get up and down on the bridges this year. Fun fact, I signed up for the 2027 version as soon as I got back to my hotel after this run. I’ve also started with my bridge repeats just to make sure my fitness levels are back where I expect them to be. 😊
I changed my routine and flew out of Palm Beach International (PBI) Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida instead of my normal Orlando flights. PBI is only 50 minutes from my house in Fort Pierce and had better flight times than Orlando this year. I had a short layover in Atlanta, but the flight times got me to Nashville around 10:30 am. I was able to pick up my rental car without any issues and made the short drive to downtown Nashville to check out the race EXPO.
I love this EXPO because they bring in a lot of local vendors and have product demos available. I always make my way to the massage areas to see what’s new in that space. I was able to try out leg compression sleeves for about 30 minutes while in the EXPO area. The salespeople are good, but I didn’t purchase a pair. I got my race bib and goody bag and made my way over to Broadway for food, beer and live music.
My first stop was at Rippy’s Honky Tonk for some BBQ, beer and live music. This venue is right on the corner, so it is a great place to watch people walk up and down Broadway. The Stage was my next stop because I love the sound system there and people are friendly. The morning bands are not as good as the later acts but there was a good vibe, and people were dancing at noon on a Friday. Nashville is a great place!
Luke Comb’s, Category Ten was my ultimate stop for the day. This venue replaced the old Wildhorse Saloon, but they did not get rid of the line dancing lessons. They have line dance instructors who lead guests every hour and show two different line dances. Most of the dances they teach are new to me so it’s great the instructors walk you through each one step by step before turning us loose with music. Most people are surprised to see me on the dance floor kicking up my heels, but I love this venue, the music and the people. Yeehaw! 😊
I followed the instructors through two separate line dance sessions and decided to head to my hotel on the Westend to get off my feet and prepare for the battle the next morning. I took a chance and changed from my normal hotel to a brand-new Residence Inn less than a block from where I normally stay. I love the Westend because once you park you can explore the area by walking around and taking in the sights. The Westend has more of a community feel so you can mix and mingle with locals in the bars.
I got to bed early so I could get ready for the Nashville hills on race day. My hotel was a little over a mile from the race start line and I use the walk down as part of my warmup. I arrived at the race site with plenty of time to warm up and stretch. I also followed one of my traditions and made a stop at the First Baptist Church to soak in their hospitality. The church is open to runners and spectators to provide a convenient place to get water, relax and go to the bathroom. The church members are super friendly, and I met the head pastor this year while waiting to go into the bathroom. It’s always great to interact with the First Baptist Church folks!
I made my way to my start corral to mentally lock in for the hills, heat and miles. It was a bit warmer than normal this year but everyone in the start corrals had smiles on their faces and got ready to run NashVegas.
First forward a bit and my first mile went by with a 9:38 pace. Fun fact, this was the fastest mile split I would run on the day. ☹ I didn’t fall apart but there was no extra gear coming today. I realized at the Mile 5 marker that this was not going to be a fast day, so I decided to enjoy the race, the crowds and the sights. I’ve run this race multiple times but I never looked up to see how beautiful the Belmont University campus was. It was like I was seeing the campus for the first time when in fact I just never looked up to take in ALL the sights. I almost stopped to take pictures but that would have taken the running tourist moniker a bit farther. 😊
I finished the half marathon with a little kick and a small smile on my face this year. I knew I didn’t train specifically for this race so decided not to beat myself up based on my time. The effort was there; I just need to match that with the correct training cycle. The 2027 race will be my redemption tour and get me back to running fast in Nashville.
I got my customary photos and beer in the race village before walking back across the bridge to get food. My go to spot after the half marathon is ACME Feed and Seed which sits right on the Cumberland River. I got fried chicken, collard greens and macaroni and cheese bowl. It tastes better each year when I get it. I took a slow walk back to my hotel after lunch to recover, stretch and take a nap.
The rest of my time in Nashville was dedicated to live music, beer drinking and shopping. I made two stops to one of my favorite spots, The Midtown Café. This is an outstanding breakfast and lunch spot. I always find a seat at the bar and enjoy watching the locals come in and out. I recommend this spot if you make your way to Nashville.
Well, that’s my recap of my annual trip to Nashville. I’m looking forward to get back up there for a Titans football game later this year. There may be another Nashville article coming this year. 😊
Irie!
Calvin Williams
“I love Nashville. It seems like everywhere you walk; there’s great music coming out of every wall”.
(Imelda May)
My Walk into the Future brought me back to one of my favorite cities, Nashville, Tennessee (NashVegas)! 😊
I always look forward to my yearly pilgrimage to the Music City for the half marathon, live music and great food. Nashville is my city!
I added bridge repeats to my training program this year to help me battle the Nashville hills. This additional training got me ready, like my old training routes in Tallahassee, Florida. I never imagined how the hill training in Tallahassee prepared me for the half marathon distance. Yes, I need more hill training in my life!
The 2025 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon was a battle. This was not because of the distance or the hills. I put in extra work to get me mentally and physically ready to rock the half marathon (pun intended). The battle on race day was because of the unseasonably high humidity. April temperatures in Nashville rarely get past the mid-60s but our race day started with temperatures in this range and the humidity hung in the air. Again, the race temperature at the start was fine but the humidity was my primary worry. Yes, I train in Florida, but the humidity has not been high so far in this training cycle.
The race is well organized and there are aid stations about every 1.5 miles on the course. I made a mental and strategic plan to get extra fluids at the aid stations to keep myself hydrated throughout the race.
I stayed in a new hotel this year. The Marriott Courtyard West End which was one block over from my normal hotel. I got a great rate which included parking and breakfast and allowed me faster access to the great restaurants in the West End of Nashville. I got an early morning flight from Orlando to Nashville so I could hit the race EXPO when it opened and then head over to Broadway for food, beer and music.
Getting through the EXPO was a breeze! The Rock N Roll folks know how to throw a race party. I got my bib, t-shirt and Rock N Roll carry bag and made my way to visit the vendors in the Music City Convention Center. I didn’t really need anything but always get some food samples and explore clothing options. I found a funky headband that matched my projected race outfit and tried out some recovery boots—this is always a highlight if there are no long lines. No, Lauren, I did not buy the high price recovery boots. 😊
I left the EXPO and walked one block over to Broadway to take in the sights and hear great music. My first stop was Rippy’s Honkytonk for food, beer and live music. Rippy’s is a popular spot and has great BBQ. This is not my typical meal before a race, but the pull pork is outstanding, and I doubled up on the French fries as part of my carb loading process. I left Rippy’s and made my way to my favorite spot, The Stage. I love this spot because of the stage configuration and the quality bands that play here. This is my go-to spot in Nashville.
I left The Stage and made my way down to 2nd Ave to check out Luke Comb’s new spot, Category 10. This is where the old Wildhorse Saloon was located, and I was anxious to see what they did to the place. The inside of the venue has been upgraded with new floors, light show and sound system. They also provide line dancing lessons throughout the day. Yes, Maria, I like line dancing when I’m in Nashville. 😊
https://www.rippyshonkytonk.com/
I didn’t want to stay on my feet too much with a half marathon coming up, so I made my way to the Westend of Nashville and checked into my hotel. I made a point to get to bed early so I could tackle the Nashville hills in the morning.
My hotel was only 1 mile away from the race start line, so I walked down Broadway as a warmup. I was assigned Corral #6 this year which put me close to the elite runners. I’m not saying I am elite, but I could see them from where I was standing. 😊 I got a nice warmup by walking to the start line and stretched well before getting into the corral. Getting extra hydration on the course was going to be a needed resource due to the humidity.
The Rock N Roll series uses rolling starts to ensure runners are safe at the start line. They release corrals every two minutes, so I didn’t have to wait long to get my start down Broadway. The first portion of the course on Broadway is downhill before we make a right on 4th Ave and then begin the climb back up towards Music Row.
My first mile was run in 9:20 which felt pretty good considering runners experience the first major hill climb within the first half mile of the race. My pace stayed consistent throughout the race with Mile 11 being my slowest at 10:34. I stuck to my race plan and got fluids at each aid station and made a point to pour water on the back of my head to avoid overheating—this really works. 😊
I finished Mile 13 with a pace of 10:12 and crossed the Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon at 2:12:45 which was 8 minutes faster than 2024 even with the heat and humidity. Unfun fact—there were several racers who needed medical attention on the course. This is the only race where I’ve seen runners receiving medical attention. I’m hoping these runners have speedy recoveries and can get back to running soon.
The race after party was epic again this year with food trucks, free beer and a concert. I stayed around a little longer this year to soak in the atmosphere and celebrate a hard-fought race. I am already looking forward to my return to the 2026 Nashville Rock N Roll Half Marathon.
What are you looking forward to?
FYI–part 2 will cover my time on Broadway! 😊
Irie!
Calvin Williams
“The half marathon is not a race against others; it’s a race against our own doubts”.
(Unknown)
“I love Nashville. It seems like everywhere you walk, there’s great music coming out of every wall”.
(Imedla May)
I am always looking for a clever quote to help me get started with the writing process.
My friends and family know I love Tennessee and Nashville is one of my favorite places to visit. I did not realize it has been almost 3 years since my last visit to the Music City.
The 2019 Rock N Roll Half Marathon and NFL draft weekend was the last time I was in Nashville.
https://walkintothefuture.blog/2019/05/23/nashville-and-the-wild-horse-saloon/
The 2020 Rock N Roll Half Marathon was cancelled due to COVID-19. The 2021 Rock N Roll Half Marathon was moved to the week before Thanksgiving. I thought about using my race credit and running the fall version of the race, but it would have kept me from exploring the Smoky Mountains. Got to have priorities in life! 😊
It looks like I will be able to run Nashville again in April 2022 with the Rock N Roll crew again.
Back to present day Nashville.
I decided to visit Nashville prior to Christmas for a trip to explore the city in a different way than I normally do. Most times I am in Nashville for an event (race/football game) and get focused on the task at hand. I have a regimented eating pattern when I am in town for a race. I also must keep track of how much I am on my feet prior to a race so I can conserve energy to compete.
I went full tourist mode for this trip so I could explore different areas and venues without worrying about how much time I spent walking or standing up.
Booked a convenient downtown hotel which was only half a mile from Broadway which is the main entertainment center in Nashville.
This easy walk made Nashville more accessible to me since I did not have to worry about finding a place to park. Nashville is like most big cities where parking is a premium and of course you pay a premium to park. I simply left my rental car in the hotel parking lot and got my steps in while enjoying everything Nashville had to offer.
Ryman Auditorium
I have been to Nashville 10 times over the years but never visited the Ryman Auditorium. I have walked by this historic music venue multiple times but for some reason never tried to go in.
The Ryman Auditorium is steeped in musical history and transcends multiple genres. It is the original home of the Grand Old Opry and music fans from all over the world converged there to see their favorite artists. The Ryman Auditorium started as a house of worship but expanded to host political rallies, plays, conventions and musical acts. I was surprised to see how many rock, pop and R&B acts played at the Ryman Auditorium. The Grand Old Opry moved out of the Ryman in 1975 to the current location in Opryland. The Grand Old Opry show returns to the Ryman Auditorium on a regular basis, and they continue to attract national headliners. Josh Turner was playing the same day I took the Ryman Auditorium tour. Highly recommend adding this tour to your Nashville travel plans.
Country Music Hall of Fame
The Rock N Roll Race EXPO is right next to the Country Music Hall of Fame. I have walked by the building a thousand times but never made my way up the stairs to see the exhibits. ☹
This trip was designed to be a true tourist, so I made my way up the stairs and entered the Country Music Hall of Fame. It did not have the same nostalgic feel of the Ryman Auditorium, but it was a great place to see and relive the history of country music. The exhibits included subtexts to ensure everyone knew what they were seeing to include instruments and clothing country music stars wore in their videos and on tour.
A surprising aspect of the exhibits was how small most of the country artists are. A lot of artists look bigger than life on TV but most of the female artists based on their outfits are 5’ 4” or shorter. Even the BIG country guys are not as big as they appear on TV based on the outfit that were on display. My favorite artist is George Strait and I thought he was 6’ 3” or 6’ 4”. He is 5’ 10”—never would have guessed that before seeing his exhibit in the Country Music Hall of Fame. I made my way into the Hall of Fame Rotunda to view the plaques for everyone who has been elected to the Hall of Fame. Got to see all the legends in the rotunda but made sure to get a shot of George Strait’s plaque. Highly recommend a visit to the Country Music Hall of Fame.
https://countrymusichalloffame.org/
Wildhorse Saloon
The Wildhorse Saloon is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in Nashville. The food, atmosphere and music venue are all first rate. One of my targeted activities at the Wildhorse Saloon is the chance to get in some line dancing. The staff at the Wildhorse teach multiple dances throughout the day and then get everyone on the dance floor. I have learned quite a few new dances over the years. Sadly, the Wildhorse Saloon was closed while I was in Nashville. They decided to give the staff some time off before Christmas and I respect that. The gift shop was open, and I was able to pick up a few souvenirs before heading back over to Broadway for music.
Broadway
Broadway is the main drag in downtown Nashville if you are looking for entertainment. I have covered almost every inch of Broadway over the years and still discover new places to listen to music.
There is no cover to enter the Honky Tonks so there is freedom to roam and change venues. I love this aspect because I move around depending on the bands playing and how good they sound.
I hit most of the Honky Tonks on this trip but found myself gravitating to The Stage, Whiskey Row, Jason Aldean’s Rooftop Bar and Tequila Cowboy. The sound stage in these spots were better quality and I enjoyed the bands playing. The food at Jason Aldean’s was good so why I kept going back. 😊
https://dierkswhiskeyrow.com/nashville-tn/
Nashville is a great place to visit if you have never been. Looking forward to getting back there in April 2022 for the Rock N Roll Half Marathon and line dancing at the Wildhorse Saloon.
“We’re playing your song”.
(Tennessee Department of Tourist Development)
Walk Into the Future 