“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
“Nashville vibes and honky-tonk nights”.
(Instagram)
My Walk into the Future in Nashville, Tennessee (NashVegas) provided me with new adventures this year! I normally stick to my tried-and-true venues but wanted to explore a bit more this year.
The Stage
I know this is one of my regular stops when in Nashville, but I always like to stop in. This is my favorite live music venue in Nashville because of the actual stage and the way the music carries throughout the venue. The view of the band is never obstructed, and the sound system provides a great acoustic backdrop for the crowd. There’s not much of a dance floor, but you occasionally will see a few folks out dancing to the music.
Category 10 (new)
This was my first time visiting Category 10. This venue transitioned from the Wildhorse Saloon and now features Luke Combs and his musical endeavors. The Wildhorse Saloon is a place I loved visiting for the great music, large dance floor and line dancing. Luke Combs and his team did a great job renovating this venue and turned Category 10 into a destination in Nashville.
The main dance hall is huge and has three levels. The stage and dance area are the largest in the Broadway area and the crowds continue to flock here. I was able to get in some line dancing before and after the half marathon and enjoyed every minute of it.
Bon Jovi (new)
Jon Bon Jovi has the newest bar on lower Broadway. I walked by the venue several times before deciding to go in. I thought it would only be a rock venue but there were country tunes coming out on the day I walked in. This was a huge venue with multiple levels of music to include a rooftop bar. It was a nice spot and I’m sure I will visit again on my return to Nashville.
Jelly Roll (new)
I’m not sure how new this spot is because I’ve walked by this location on lower Broadway multiple times but never ventured in. It has multiple levels, but it is not a huge venue. It has a great sound stage and angles to watch the bands play. I’m not sure how often I will visit this spot, but it was a nice change of pace from my normal Honky Tonk adventures.
Morgan Wallen (new)
Morgan Wallen’s bar is called THIS BAR after one of his songs. It’s not on Broadway but you can see it from Jason Aldean’s rooftop bar. I’m not a huge Wallen fan but there was a stream of folks going in and out, so I decided to join the crowd. The rooftop bar had great views of the Nashville skyline and an outstanding sound stage. The beer was cold, and the crowd was ready to have a good time. I decided to stick around for multiple beers and vibe with the band.
Jason Aldean’s
This is my favorite rooftop bar in Nashville! It’s right in the middle of Broadway and offers views up and down Broadway. The crowds on the rooftop are mellow and kicked back on sofas or high back chairs. The best bands play on the rooftop and the dance floor is always packed. This is a great place to watch people and listen to outstanding musicians. I highly recommend this spot if you are heading to NashVegas!
Well, that’s my Nashville report on places I visited on my most recent trip.
Which venue are you going to visit? 😊
Irie!
Calvin Williams
“Nashville, where the music flows like sweet tea”.
(Unknown)
“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)
“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!
Walk Into the Future 