Country Music Full/Half April 25th, 2009

[CarolA]

I am in #25. That was the plan and would have worked if these medical issues hadn't interferred. It will be ok, just a slower than the usual slow for me this go round.

I am in the same corral!

I am not going to have a good time on this one. I think the pollen in the south has whipped my "you know what" this time!

Won't be doing the Spagetti Factory as my friends who live in Nashville and I are getting together!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

When is everyone planning to arrive on race day? What time are the later folks arriving.

I'm an early goer and plan to get there early, settle in and wait and wait and wait for the start.

 

[Cruella de mom]

We will need to get there early. Last year the lines at the portapotty almost made us miss our corral start. Thats the problem with being in those early corrals!

 

[WDWFAN9]

I'm with the arrive early crowd!! Better safe than sorry is my plan....

 

[aldisneygrl]

Well, I will need to "hitch" a ride with someone to the start, and am willing to leave whenever. I am in Corral 28, so I should have "potty time" built in.

Let me know if you have extra room in your car for me.

 

[jeanneg]

Allie: if you're staying at the Hampton Inn on Donelson Pike, we should have room for at least one or two more (depending on whether or not my son decides to sign up). I am hoping to leave about 30-45 later than Pat, unless people convince me otherwise. Right now, I'm wishing I were in one of those hotels situated near the start line.....but then I'd miss the fun of staying where everyone else is. Ahhh life, always a give and take.......

 

[FireDancer]

I like getting there early to get in the spirit. Plus I am in corral 1 so I don't have much choice. Last time I did this I stayed in the same hotel (Maxwell Millennium House) and they had a bus to the start. I will be calling again to confirm they are this year also.

 

[rKyDeX]

I'm using the shuttle bus and will be leaving from pick-up point at the adjacent Radisson Airport Hotel at 5:30am.

Chester

 

[jeanneg]

Chester: Are you at the Hampton Inn on Donelson Pike? Can we walk to the Radisson from there? Will the bus leave us off at the start or at the finish where we will need to take the other shuttle? How frequently do they run? Sorry for so many questions, but not knowing what to expect with the parking situation, I'm strongly inclined to pay for the shuttle also. If we don't have to take that second shuttle, we would also leave at 5:30 am.

 

[FireDancer]

Are we still going to meet at 4:30 at the Spaghetti Warehouse? I know there was some concern about them not taking reservations but I do think if we are there a bit before opening we will be ok.

 

[aldisneygrl]

We're still in for the Spaghetti Factory!!!

Although, for them to put our name on the list, we have to ALL be there. At least that is the way it works in Atlanta.

going to check out that Shuttle map again.......

Oh, and I'm trying to stay healthy because one of my preschoolers, who sat in my lap last night at church, came down with the FLU today!! I'm hoping I don't catch it. Taking plenty of Vitamin C, and going to be drinking plenty of OJ!

 

[jeanneg]

After reading Chester's post, I decided to mapquest both hotels to see how close they really were. Basically, it's a 4.2 mile drive by vehicle. I did an aerial view and if you can exit through the back of the HI parking lot, the Radisson is right there. Not knowing if there was an fence or other impediment, I called the HI and the clerk said you can definitely walk through the back and get to the Radisson without any difficulty whatsoever. It looks like it's about one-tenth of a mile. I think that clinches it for us. Not only will we get a little more sleep, but we won't have to deal with the hassle of the early morning parking jam.

Allie: I guess that means you might have to look for a ride elsewhere......sorry! I know there are lots of us at the HI, so it shouldn't be hard to find someone with space in their vehicle.

 

[rKyDeX]

Chester: Are you at the Hampton Inn on Donelson Pike? Can we walk to the Radisson from there? Will the bus leave us off at the start or at the finish where we will need to take the other shuttle? How frequently do they run? Sorry for so many questions, but not knowing what to expect with the parking situation, I'm strongly inclined to pay for the shuttle also. If we don't have to take that second shuttle, we would also leave at 5:30 am.

Jeanne
I see that you have already answered some of your own questions. I an staying at the Donnelson Pike Hampton Inn. The Radisson is just next door. The bus will take you to the starting line. After the race, the busses begin running at 10:00 am to take runners who have a round trip ticket back to the Radisson. I'm all set for race transportation.

But, I'm not sure how I'm going to get to the Expo and the Spaghetti Warehouse Friday afternoon and to the after-race concert Saturday night. If I can't bum a ride I'll taxi around.

Chester

 

[momoftwogirls]

Hi everyone!

One week from today, we'll be at the expo! I can't believe that the race is next week. The time has really gone fast.

Mike and I are looking forward to seeing everyone again (and meeting a few new friends). We plan to meet up at the pasta dinner on Friday and also at the BBQ dinner on Sat. Is anyone planning on going to the free concert after dinner on Sat?

Just a few days ago I switched from the Hampton Inn to a downtown hotel. I feel sad that we won't be at the same location as everyone else but I'm excited about having a nice mini vacation with Mike.

I hope that we can also find a way to meet up with everyone before the race starts. Mike is in corral 5 and I'm in 25. From what I've read about the corral release times I think Mike and I will reach the finish line at the same time. He'll be completing the full marathon at the same time that I'm finishing the half.

 

[jeanneg]

Jeanne
I see that you have already answered some of your own questions. I an staying at the Donnelson Pike Hampton Inn. The Radisson is just next door. The bus will take you to the starting line. After the race, the busses begin running at 10:00 am to take runners who have a round trip ticket back to the Radisson. I'm all set for race transportation.

But, I'm not sure how I'm going to get to the Expo and the Spaghetti Warehouse Friday afternoon and to the after-race concert Saturday night. If I can't bum a ride I'll taxi around.

Chester

We will be unable to offer you a lift as we have business we need to attend to in Murfreesboro and will be coming directly from there. As far as the concert goes, we have not yet made a definite commitment to attend. If we do go, you are more than welcome to join us. AND, I'm sure there must be some folks at the HI who have the same itinerary as yours and are willing to give you a lift to the Expo/OSF.

Not sure if this is true, but a little birdie told me it is going to be a crazy weekend in Nashville. In addition to the marathon happenings, there is a Dave Matthews concert and some sort of street market fair going on. We may just end up buying a bottle of wine and taking it easy at the hotel.

 

[FireDancer]

In addition to the marathon happenings, there is a Dave Matthews concert and some sort of street market fair going on. We may just end up buying a bottle of wine and taking it easy at the hotel.

I will be at said concert and can't wait. It is a stadium show with Jason Mraz and will probably sell out. The stadium holds just under 40,000 for football so depending on the layout it will probably have about 25,000-30,000.

 

[aldisneygrl]

Ok, I looked at the mapquest too. I am seriously considering taking the shuttle too. You catch it at 5:30, is that correct? If I ride with someone, would I have to leave earlier?

Also, is it feasible that my family could find me afterwards? Or should I just get the round trip shuttle and meet them back at the hotel? Can you buy just a one way shuttle ticket? I guess I could wait and buy the ticket at the expo.

Also, how long will it take me to get my race number, shirt, etc. at the expo? How many vendors will be there, and how much time should I anticipate spending looking?

I figure we will go to the expo, and then to the Spaghetti Warehouse from there, that way we are already downtown, and don't have to fight traffic to get there. Does that sound feasible?

I'm keeping the kids out of school on Friday, so we are going to get up and come that morning.

Also, when I made my ressies, the lady at HI said that they would prepare the breakfast early for the runners. Did anyone else hear that? Do you plan on taking food you could eat on the way, or will you eat there? To me it seems like it will be a long time between eating at the hotel and my starting time, since I am in Corral 28.

Sorry for all the questions, but it's my first Half, and I have lots of questions.

 

[jeanneg]

Allie: the shuttle leaves the Radisson at 5:30 and, according to the website, takes you directly to the start line, so you don't need to take the additional shuttle. If I am reading it correctly, you can buy a one-way ticket back from the race, but it doesn't say anything about a one-way ticket to it. We will need both ways anyway, so it's not an issue for us. If we traveled by car, we would probably leave at about 4:45 so this gives us 45 extra minutes in the morning and less time standing around waiting for our corral to be opened. If you decide to use the shuttle we can walk over together. Not being very familar with Nashville, it seems like a good deal to me. More time where you need it, less where you don't.....and no hassles.

One week from today, we'll be walking around Nashville with our bling!

 

[Cruella de mom]

The past few years the expo has been somewhat large with lots of vendors. You get your shirt and number pretty quick though so if you don't have lots of time, it will be ok. The CMM merchandise is usually right after packet pick up so you wont miss it either. After that, Its the same vendors that are at every race so if you miss that part it wont be a huge loss.

I am getting excited!

 

[chimera]

Did you guys see this? Wonder if they'll have camera crews out there?

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