“Nashville, man. That’s the place to be”.
(Willie Geist)
This quote really hits home for me!
My Walk into the Future leads me back to Tennessee multiple times each year. April is a trip to Nashville for the Rock N Roll Half marathon and November has me hiking in the Smoky Mountains.
Not sure when I fell in love with Tennessee, but I’ve got it bad. I looked at moving to Nashville back in 2017 but never pursued the career opportunity. My first visit to Nashville came back in 2006 when I attended a Florida Gators versus Vanderbilt Commadores football game. Got my first experience with Broadway and the Wild Horse Saloon and the rest is history.
I ran my first Nashville Rock N Roll half marathon back in 2017. I’ve been back yearly since then—I missed 2020 because the race was cancelled due to Covid-19 and 2021 because the race was changed from April to November as a reschedule due to Covid-19 concerns. I decided to head to the Smoky mountains as planned instead of running in Nashville in November.
Fast forward to this year and the return to Nashville was an anticipated adventure for me. I love the city, the food, the music, and the people. Broadway is an outstanding place to watch people and hear fantastic live music. Check, check and check.
I didn’t enter the race this year with a set time goal in mind. Just wanted to enjoy the environment, the people and after race party.
I’m a creature of habit so stayed in the same hotel for the past three years. It is in the West End and a short walk to the Broadway music scene. I normally eat in the same places (Midtown Café, Rippy’s Honky Tonk and ACME Feed and Seed). The Wildhorse Saloon closed in January and is under renovation to become Luke Comb’s new venture. No line dancing this trip since my favorite spot shut down. ☹
The weather was forecasted to be warmer than normal—the race normally happens earlier in April but was pushed back a week this year. FYI—it was not Florida warm but not as cool as I would like considering the hilly Nashville course.
Toed the line with 23,000+ other runners to test my mental and physical fitness while taking in all the site and sounds of Nashville. Did I mention I love this place?! 😊
Finished a bit slower than last year but felt good throughout. The hills were a bit tougher with warmer temperatures but powered through until the finish line. Proud of my 2:20:34 finish time.
Already planning my return trip next April for another run in Nashville.
Here’s my trip in pictures:
(EXPO)
(Broadway)
(Race day)
(Nashville / Broadway)
Next stop the Rhode Island Half Marathon: https://runrhody.com/event/rihalfmarathon/
Irie!