Whirlwind April

April Recap

April was an amazing month. I had so many experiences.  My intent was to write about them but I came down with a cold.    Besides being in the height of marathon training, it knocked me down literally for a week so my good intentions went by the wayside.

Riverboat Series

The Mississippi behind us.

KY was rough - 1/2 of the loop was a trail and there were 10 loops.  Who's bad idea was this anyway? I had tweaked my ankle and so the trail aggravated it even more.  I took it easy and completed it.  The view of the Mississippi was breathtaking.  The southern hospitality had me mesmerized and the I was indulging in everything fried or in butter (rolls with strawberry butter, fried catfish with crawfish on top, fried chicken, fried green tomatoes and pickles....so much for ME).  I also got to meet some of Kim's fellow blog/racer friends.  MCMAMMARUNS was super awesome and was another friendly face on the course!  After the race we headed back to Memphis and we went to the National Civil Rights Museum which is part of Hotel Lorraine, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr spent his last hours.  The museum just re-opened and if it is not on your highlights of visits around the country, it should be.  Moving, interactive and informative.

Tennessee

TN - a much better race but still took it easy as I knew 7 am would roll around the next morning with another race in Arkansas.  I felt good and other runners commented on how smiley I was.  I also found that my favorite race food at the aid station was the spanish olives.  Just the right amount of fat and salt to keep me going.  I loved them so much I bought a jar and plan on having them on the marathon later this month.  We hit Sun Studios before heading out to Memphis and it was pretty amazing to hear all the stories. Our guide was fantastic.  

Sun Studios

AR - Hmmmm Thunder, lightening and torrential downpour.  Not to mention that in the first 4 miles I had to run to the bathroom and my calves cramped up so I headed to the car around mile 5 tore off my compressions socks, slathered my calves and ankle in Voltaren (best product ever available in Canada for $16, here you need a prescription, which is not covered and they charge you $70) and had a small pep talk and major attitude adjustment.  I decided for a negative split which I had 17 minute difference. Around mile 10ish the rains came and lightening was striking.  Runners were advised that they could stay in their cars.  Seriously...I'm over it.   My shoes were so waterlogged they felt like 10 lb weights on each foot.  I borrowed Kim's hat because there was so much water it was like a semi came and splashed water everywhere I couldn't see.  For fun, I stomped in three puddles like a 5 year old and ran the rest of my race.  One of my personal worsts, but strong finish and felt happy that the last half was unlike the second half.

Soaked in Arkansas

Brings back childhood memories

Other tourist highlights - The birthplace of Kermit the Frog (it's free and the size of one room) in Leland, MS - Beale Street and Graceland.

Kim and Trisha flew home and I headed to NOLA.

NOLA

I met Hannah, Sean and Lauren in New Orleans.  The food is amazing, the people watching is even better and there is live music and partying everywhere. I also loved the architecture of the city. Food highlights are Cafe du Monde for beignets and cafe au lait and BBQ shrimp...they are both must haves.   

On our way to the swamp tour I saw a sign for Crescent City Classic 10K.  I searched for information and the next day hit the expo and signed up on the spot.  I had just run 39.3 miles in 3 days.  It was the best race experience ever - they had a Marine Corp and Navy jazz band, neighbors came out with music, beer/sausage and mimosa stops.  Plus I fared well 101 out of 1083 women in my age group.  I can deal with that.  After the race we walked through the Besthoff Sculpture Garden and Botanical Gardens.

Hannah, Lauren, Sean, Dad & me - Cafe du Monde

Jackson Square

Architecture - Spanish and French balconies

Cornstalk fence

Las minute sign up!

Jazz at Fritzzels

Besthoff Sculpture Garden

10% :) <3

Taste of the Nation

Taste of the Nation is part of Share our Strength and No Kid Hungry which started 27 years ago in a collaborative effort to help hungry children.  The impact has made a difference by offering food and meals to children not only during the school year but in the summer.  Some of the beneficiaries are Partners for Hunger-free Oregon, the Oregon Food Bank, St Vincent de Paul Society and Klamath/Lake Counties Food Bank.  Kim and I were able to taste the best of the best in food and drink.  Tickets were sold out and it showed there were so many people.  If you attend in the future, I recommend sharing food with someone so you can have more tastes.  For an attendee paying for a ticket you get more than what you paid for and everything goes towards a great cause.

Taste of the Nation

Crystal Ballroom

Kim and I should be on their ad!?!

 It's been a whirlwind of a month.  But it is not the place, the food or the race.  It's the experiences I have had with the people in my life.  That is what makes my life so rich.