CMM Race Recap

Posted in Race by
I’ve run the Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon numerous times over the years.  Hometown races are always fun!   It’s a hilly course and the weather can be temperamental, but it’s fun running with friends and seeing so many familiar faces along the course.
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I wasn’t sure what to expect this year after running Boston only 5 days prior.  I didn’t commit to pacing anyone for the race, because I didn’t trust my legs.  I went to the St. Jude shakeout run the day before the race and felt pretty good, so I decided to run the half marathon with the goal of having fun!
Race Day:
We stayed at the Omni Nashville.  It’s located beside the start line and a short walk from the finish line.  It also has a Bongo Java…perfect for pre-race breakfast!
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Race essentials…
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There was rain in the forecast, so we invited our friends to come up to our room to hangout before the race.  It never rained a drop!!!
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Our little gang headed to the start line…
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and met up with more friends!
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The CMM had 30,000 runners and almost 3,000 of those runners ran as St. Jude Heroes…incredible!
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I got into my corral and ran into fellow Rock N Blogger George Melichar.  He’s tough to miss!
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The forecasted rain completely disappeared…woo hoo!  However, we were left with a hot and humid race.  I felt great for the first 7ish miles.
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It’s a fun course with live bands playing throughout.
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Fleet Feet Race Team member, Heather found me around the 10k mark and joined me for the rest of the race.  She also ran Boston and was just running CMM 1/2 for fun.  (PS. I would love to know what that guy beside us was thinking!)
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I knew that it would be a tough run so close to Boston and IT WAS!  Thankfully nothing on me hurt, but I felt like I was breathing hard and my heart was racing too quickly.  This half felt like it took more effort than Boston.
This was the homestretch!
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Finish!!
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We walked back to the room to shower, checkout, and headed back to the finish line to cheer on our friends as they finished the marathon.
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I wore my Citgo shirt to celebrate with pizza…
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and Champagne!  My new favorite hashtag—>#MoBubblesLessTroubles!
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THANK YOU to everyone that made a donation to St. Jude and CHEERS!!!

49 thoughts on “CMM Race Recap”

  1. Great job! And so soon after Boston!

    I often have race pictures where the person next to me is giving me funny looks 🙂 Also, I looked into running as a St. Jude Hero at my fall marathon. It’s not a St. Jude race, but it looks like I can still run it as a hero. Just wanted you to know you inspired me to do it! I’ll definitely blog about it soon. It’s such a great cause and easy to do!

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  4. I think it’s awesome that you were able to complete a half marathon just five days after Boston! Running 2:51 for fun is also wonderful–my PR is 2:02:50, and that’s with maximum effort. 🙂 And finally; I love your Boston Citgo shirt!

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  6. Congrats on a great run and YAY for good weather! Well, sort of…at least it wasn’t as bad as Boston – ha! 😉 I’m so glad that you were still able to participate and that you didn’t have any problems; such great times with good friends! Love that Nashville view…how cool, right? Hope you have a great start to the week!!

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  11. That is an awesome pace and race especially so soon after Boston!!!!!! 13.1 miles at any pace would be hard less than a week after a marathon!!!! You are awesome! I have been meaning to ask you too….how many miles to you get on your Kinvaras? I LOVE mine but have only used them up to a half marathon. I am considering trying to push the distance in them though. I transitioned to them from only wearing shoes similar to the Ride’s. Now I rotate the Kinvara with the Ride and the Zealots. 🙂

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      • Thanks!!! That is what I was thinking. I usually get 500 or so miles out of my Ride’s, but am not getting that on the Kinvara’s so I just wanted to see if I was right :).
        GREAT job on your race!!! I love how you run so much with other people!!!!

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  12. Wow–I am impressed with anyone who can run a half five days after a marathon! I’m pretty sure I would have crumpled up on the side of the street! Glad it was a fun day for you. It’s always great to run with a group of friends!

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  15. That’s so impressive that you ran a half marathon – and with a great time when doing it for fun – so shortly after Boston! St. Jude is such an amazing cause and it’s great that you got to run for them!

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  18. Haha, love the champagne hashtag! I totally agree 🙂
    You did so amazing in the race despite having run Boston just before it. You should be so proud of what you can do 😀

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  21. Looks like so much fun!!! I hope my legs hold up as well as your did next week! Running Ragnar Cape Cod and my first leg is 12.8 miles of hills and then some more hills!! Awesome time!!

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  22. Great job Jen! Especially right after Boston. I ran Nashville last weekend too. Thank god the weather held off. I ran it two years ago when it torrential down poured the entire time. On Saturday the sun peeked out for a bit and I prayed to god it would slip back behind the clouds. Luckily it did and I was able to finish before the sun fully came out 🙂

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  23. A great race, especially considering you ran this one so soon after Boston! I would love to do CMM someday – looks like a fun race and I bet there is tons of fun to be had in Nashville after to celebrate 🙂

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  24. Pingback: Life Lately | Jen Chooses Joy

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