Music City 10k Preview

It's time for our 2014 Fourth of July road race. This year PTR is taking on Nashville and checking Tennessee off of our 10k to do list. The race is called the Music City 10k and features our first course where we will complete two loops of a 5k course. While I can't say I support the less diverse range of sights offered by a loop course, maybe this will keep us in the heart of Nashville and help with pacing.
So, on to the course preview. The race starts at Public Square Park and 2nd Ave.

No one will be grumpy at the start

We proceed northeast over the Cumberland River on Woodland St. From there we will be able to see the Titans stadium and the river off to the sides.

Home of mediocre football

The course continues pass the stadium a couple blocks before hanging a right on Interstate Drive.

Don't take that left lane!

After a few paces on Interstate Drive we will turn right onto Shelby Drive, which has an Exxon on the corner if you need to stop for a Powerade. Continue following Shelby onto Korean Veterans Blvd. That becomes a bridge with a slight incline to test the leg strength.

A touch of climbing

The Gateway Bridge has a stunning view of downtown Nashville to keep runners entertained

We will come down off the bridge and continue on Korean Veterans Blvd. This road takes us from 1st Ave. through 6th Ave. There we will turn right underneath an awning of sorts.

Out of the tunnel we turn left on Demonbreun Street. A block later we hang right on 7th Ave. The race continues on 7th Ave. over Broadway and Commerce before turning right on Church St. Then, it's a quick left onto Capitol Blvd.

With the State Museum ahead of us the course turns right on Union St.

Next, comes a left on 6th Ave and a quick right onto Deaderick Street. Deaderick is the last street before the course starts its second loop. It bends right on 3rd Ave. around Public Square Park.
In general, this is a very flat course. We get to traverse two bridges over the Cumberland River and dodge our way through Nashville's downtown. It should be a fantastic race with hopefully some music and moderate temperatures. A tasty dinner and huge fireworks show will cap off our night.
Come on girls and boys, everyone make some noise!
Full course:

June Reflections, July Preparations

The Stats
6/3: 3.11 mi; 23'48"; 7'38" avg. pace
6/9: 3.11 mi; 24'00"; 7'42" avg. pace
6/18: 3.11 mi; 29'13"; 9'22" avg. pace

This year has not recovered the frequency of running I had in the glory days of my early 20s. Boo hoo. But recovering from May's half marathon took some time. Mix that in with harsh weather and aches and pains and you have plenty of excuses. But I am still a big optimist for this year. With half of it left, the family has the potential to run two more 10k races and rack up some respectable mileage. And without a pool membership I will need to run to get my summer sun.
June has been held to 5k runs after work and the occasional bike ride. The last run took place on vacation at the lovely Fripp Island resort. For a change of pace I kicked off the shoes and ran barefoot. Ashley looked at me strange and questioned the choice, not without reason. My feet took a bit of a beating, but it felt good on the legs. None of my recurring aches presented any problems when running sans shoes. I don't have any plans to head down the barefoot/minimalist path in the short term; it was interesting to test out though.

Barefoot beach running

My next post will feature a preview of the Nashville Music City 10k that we will be running over July 4th. It should feature relatively flat terrain, but with humid and hot weather. Good food and lots of music are sure to follow the race. Pictures and reviews will report on the excitement.