Country Music Half Marathon

[marathonmommy]

Thinking about registering for this one on April 30th...

For those of you who have done this, tell me all about it!
Loved the Philly Rock n' Roll!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Such an awesome awesome race. I think the rock n roll folks know how to put on a fun race and maintain organization. I was actually considering doing this one again soon....had plans for last year but a family emergency changed that sadly. Perhaps this year...maybe I'll see ya' there

Nashville is a GREAT town...so much fun to hit music row after the race. Lots of places to stay reasonably. Relatively cheap flights in and out.

I can't say enough good things. Oh and crowd support was best I've seen at a RnR race.

 

[mousemgr2]

I was just on their website looking around. We have been planning on doing the KY Derby miniMarathon which is the same day as RnR Nashville. The elevation chart for KY is really scary. The elevation chart for Nashville doesn't seem as scary.

Anyone have any input??

Susan

 

[AmyBeth68]

There are a few good hills in Nashville...but totally manageable.

 

[WDWFAN9]

Fun race in a fun destination. We stayed at the Hampton Inn by the airport, they had a free shuttle to their location and an "unofficial" van to the race start for a modest cost. There were hills, but nothing too intense.

 

[FireDancer]

I ran the half in 2006 and again in 2009. It is a great race and like all the other Rock N Roll events it is first class. I will warn you that the course is hillier then it looks on the elevation chart. The weather can be really tricky that time of year in Nashville. In 2006 it was perfect for racing. In 2009 it was really hot and they even forced some full marathoners to switch to the half at one point. Last year they stopped the race for a tornado.

 

[marathonmommy]

Thanks for the feedback! Oooooooh! I don't like hills or tornadoes - but the fun seems like it might outweigh that. Definitely a possibility...

 

[windwalker]

Yes Nashville is very hilly, the bad thing is the hilly are very long so it's deceptive looking at the charts. The Derby has all the hills at the beginning and then after 4 miles it flatens out but Nashville is one long hill after another.

It is a good race and good location, do your hill work and you will enjoy it. Also it can be hot. I life 60 miles north and we cvan have weather any where from 50 to 90 degrees that time of year.

Dave

 

[escape]

Maybe it was just an off day for me but I definitely thought it was one of the more challenging RnR races I've done. There are long inclines/hills. And, two years ago (the 10th anniversary), it was near record heat for that time of year. Maybe this is the weekend Frank is talking. Hills and heat don't mix well for me.

On the other hand, I do like Nashville. It is a great destination. If it is one of the cooler days, it would definitely be worth doing.

 

[AmyBeth68]

Hmmm...I ran it in 07 and the weather was good...so I guess it can depend on the type of spring they are having there. As for hills...I still didn't feel it was that bad at all, and hey what goes up must go down and the downhills can be a nice recovery period if run properly. To be fair though, I train on pretty significant hills around here so maybe that's why it didn't feel too crazy.

 

[chimera]

There are a few good hills in Nashville...but totally manageable.

Well hey there stranger!

Yeah, the Nashville race was fun and well-managed. We did it this year with bad weather and all. But yeah, there are hills.

 

[WDWFAN9]

...but the hills aren't unmanageable IMHO! The roads are in great shape, 4 lanes wide, and none of the inclines are huge or extremely long....at least that is the way I remember it - a gradual uphill, leveled off briefly, then more uphill, repeated a few times. Nothing as bad as the ramp at WDW about mile 10 or 11 - that one gets me every time!!

 

[AmyBeth68]

Well hey there stranger!

Yeah, the Nashville race was fun and well-managed. We did it this year with bad weather and all. But yeah, there are hills.

Hi Mel!! Nice to "see" you here. I've missed everyone. Running Wine & Dine. Are you going to be there? Any of the original wishers around for this race?

 

[mousemgr2]

Yes Nashville is very hilly, the bad thing is the hilly are very long so it's deceptive looking at the charts. The Derby has all the hills at the beginning and then after 4 miles it flatens out but Nashville is one long hill after another.

It is a good race and good location, do your hill work and you will enjoy it. Also it can be hot. I life 60 miles north and we cvan have weather any where from 50 to 90 degrees that time of year.

Dave

Thanks Dave!

Any suggestions on how to train for hills when you live in a pretty flat area (Michigan)? Do you think treadmill hill training would be enough to manage the Nashville hills?

Thanks again everyone!

 

[Tiger Lily 03]

Hi Mel!! Nice to "see" you here. I've missed everyone. Running Wine & Dine. Are you going to be there? Any of the original wishers around for this race?

Hey! How ya doing?

Hill training in flat locations...do some plyometric exercises (google that one). I don't think you need to go overboard with those just plunk some in your cross training. Do your lunge walking, skipping reaching high as you go, but kicks (running while trying to put your heels to your butt).

Don't fear those hills. You can do it!

Louisville vs Nashville hills, well as said Louisville KY hills mostly in the beginning then all down hill from there until you get to the last mile where we had to climb up to the park finish. Nashville ups and downs, mostly stretched out. Roadd for both events in good condition.

Did I mention--Don't fear those hills. You can do it!

The hills may slow you down a bit, but your training will get you through. Fun times! Good luck deciding which one first.

 

[FireDancer]

Hmmm...I ran it in 07 and the weather was good...so I guess it can depend on the type of spring they are having there. As for hills...I still didn't feel it was that bad at all, and hey what goes up must go down and the downhills can be a nice recovery period if run properly. To be fair though, I train on pretty significant hills around here so maybe that's why it didn't feel too crazy.

The course was changed to make it more difficult in either 2008 or 2009. They wanted to make it a bit more challenging and that first stretch for the start went further into down town making the hill from about mile 2 to 4 a bit longer and steeper. I noticed a big difference between 2006 and the new course last year (2009).

I don't think it is unmanageable by any means but the elevation chart is deceptive. It is tougher then it seems in that chart but it isn't like there is a heartbreak hill or anything. They have had two bad weather years in a row so I'd say the odds are in your favor to have a good year in 2011.