State #30 : Tennessee
Big River Crossing Half Marathon and 5k Benefiting Peer Power
Memphis, TN
October 21, 2017
Time: 2:09:01
5th for age group of 40-44 women
Overall : 652 people participated
This was the inaugural race of the Big River Crossing. There were many first for state #30
1. First time running in an inaugural race
2. First time running over the Mississippi River. We crossed over the Hernando de Soto Bridge. This is the longest public pedestrian across the Mississippi River and the country's longest active pedestrian bridge.
3. The 30th is extra special because I ran in the state that my mother graduated from undergrad from Lane College. I was finally able to visit my mother's Alma Mater on her birthday weekend. I wish she could have been here with me but I know her spirit was watching over me.
4. First time I used the port-o-potty like three times. Having womanly, body issues.
5. First time a high school marching band was apart of the pre-race entertainment. The high school was cranking out Snoop Dog's Gin and Juice while the young ladies were twerking. I think I'm old and out of date.
6. The smell of sweet wonderful BBQ was everywhere. Smell of smoked meat.
7. The race started at 8:30am which killed me. So late and because of the time difference, my body thought it was 9:30am ( eastern standard time). So, so, so, late.
8. The students were "manning" all the water stations with support and costumes. This was the first time for me seeing a bunch of black and brown kids at participating at the race.
9. It was almost two miles running across the bridge
10. I ran into Arkansas again for a bit. Never thought I would be back in the state.
11. Ran into several Black Girls Run - Memphis sole sistas.
12. Mile 9 it got hot. The sun came up and I saw my shadow. Oh, I was not happy. That Tennessee sun...was not ready for it.
13. This was a mixed terrain race. Grass, gravel, dirt, concrete. Part of the race was on a trail...side note I hate trails. For me time is an illusion when running trails. I think I ran two miles but in reality it was half a mile. Ugh
14. I did not hydrate well or eat well. Totally a bad runner. Boy, did I drink alot..and not water. When your around folks going to the Ole Miss/LSU football game...and they are into college football and drankers....well.......stuff happens.
15. Bumped that my customized #30 shirt came when I left. Side note for #35, #40, #45,#50.I'll make sure to order super early
16. I found it happy that my southern folks thought I had an accent. Really? lol
17. I have less states ahead of me than behind me. One more state ( #31, North Carolina) until all the states east of the Mississippi are conquered.
GREEN BOOK EXPLORATION
1. 36 hours of sightseeing : Civil Rights Museum, Lane College, Marching of the Ducks at the Peabody Hotel, West Tennessee Cotton Museum, Beagle street, Tina Turner's school and museum, Tom Lee Park, exploring art in downtown Memphis.
2.As I was driving, I thought I saw snow on the ground. It wasn't snow but cotton. For the first time in my 43 years I saw a cotton field. I made sure to pull off the road and look at it, touch it, smell it, and pick it. I was fascinated and disgusted at the same time. Bevy of emotions.
3. The Civil Rights Museum was my everything! Love the museum. So powerful and beautifully done to show and tell the history and struggle of Civil Rights. At the end I saw the room that Dr. King had occupied. Speechless. Then you go across the street and see the room that his assassin stayed in. I saw from his window, the angle and shot he took. Next year will be the 50th anniversary of his assassination.
