Women's Running Half Marathon in Nashville

Since I am training for the Disney Marathon in January, I figured that running a half marathon or two would be a good way to hold myself accountable in the meantime.  So why not run in the Women's Running Half downtown with 2000+ other ladies?  It seemed like a good idea at the time!

Pretty awesome course, right?

The course was hilly, but pretty incredible.  We started and finished at the Country Music Hall of Fame (soooo Nashville, right?) and the course included running on Broadway, through Midtown, Centennial Park, Music Row, and more.  I noticed so much about the city that I hadn't seen before.  And I actually ran about 15 minutes faster than I'd hoped to, in spite of warm weather and hills!  It was a fun race for sure, and I even ran into a coworker and two fellow West Pointers that I knew; the running world is a small world.  As it turns out, I knew about half a dozen of the women running!
There were junior cheerleaders, sororities, students, police, and even IHOP employees out on the course cheering us on.  There were creative signs and costumes too.

Running photos aren't glam... but I'm proud of this!

And the medal?  Sooooo blingy and Nashville!  I loved it!  They even had post-race mimosas.  I felt pretty wiped out afterwards, but the next few days weren't as bad for recovery as my ill-prepared half in 2012.  I have been wearing tall compression socks on my long runs, and I think they do help me recover faster.  I also ran with some goo and water at my disposal, which was helpful even though the water stops were plentiful.

I know my "fanny pack" belt is dorky, but it keeps my inhaler, phone, and more close at hand.

After those 13.1 miles, I was pretty much starving... so my friends Lindsey and AB picked me up and took me out to the original Puckett's in Leiper's Fork.  Back in 2008, it split from the rest of the restaurant group, so the concept is very different.  It's truly a Meat & Three, more casual, and sticks to the basics.  You eat, and then you pay on the way out!  The food is solid Southern fare, not as upscale as the rest of the restaurants, but still pretty good.  I had a breakfast platter that really hit the spot after my race.

AB, Lindsey, and me!

After all, *real* girlfriends pick you up from your half marathon and feed you biscuits.  Of course!  :)