It's upon us! The Country Music Marathon and Half Marathon is this weekend!! Be sure to check out all the details below. Even if you're not running the race, there's always spectating, and afterwards, you can come to the post-race party Saturday night!

Race Day:

Be sure to plan ahead for parking. Since the start is now downtown, expect more traffic and more cars at LP Field. Check the schedule for parking HERE.

Start - Saturday - 7am

Run 26.2 or 13.1 miles!

Pace Groups

We’ve got several awesome East Nasties who have been training with you and will help you meet your pacing goals for the race. Look for these half marathon pacers to be holding white star mylar balloons that say “ENFL” on them.

Half Marathon Estimated finish times:

1:30 – Corral #1

1:45 – Corral #2

2:00 – Corral #13

2:15 – Corral #22

2:30 – Corral #30

East Nasty Picture - Meet at Letter "E"

Because of the pouring rain last year no one really stuck around for a picture. This year we're planning on having one! Once you finish your race, grab some fluids and go to the family reunion area.  We will meet under the letter “E”.   Hang around as long as you can to congratulate your fellow Nasties, and hopefully get a group photo.

Post Race Party:
6pm-10pm at Pavilion East. 

Get ready for this excellent shindig after the race. We have some food, awards, and more! RSVP on the Facebook event so we can plan for food. We'll have Yazoo Beer and Edley's BBQ. Best of all - it's free! All ages are welcome, but IDs will be checked for those who want to drink. We will take a suggested $5 donation if you want to help offset the cost of the food/venue/etc.

I'm excited for everyone running and can't wait to run with you all and celebrate afterwards! See you Saturday. ENFL!!

-Daniel

Race Week

This is a big week for a lot of East Nasties, the culmination of a lot of hard work.  Enjoy this week and everything associated the race, because you've earned it.

First, some running advice: there is nothing you can do between now and race day to run faster, but there is a lot you can do to make yourself run slower!   In other words, be smart this week: allow your body to absorb all the work that you have put in over the last 16 weeks.   Don't do any hard/long running this week, don't eat anything new or different just because you're "carbo-loading", and  hold back on the celebrating until Saturday night.

Wednesday, April 23

6 a.m. or 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.   It's going to be a great night for a run.

Remember, cross the street at intersections, and stay to the left when going down the Lillian hill into the park.  As a side note, at some point this run is going to change.   Metro is putting in a greenway that will take us down the Lillian hill into Shelby- improving both runner safety and traffic flow.   Thanks Nashville!

After the run - head over to The Basement to see our very own Drew Jones for his pre-marathon night of comedy.  Who knows, you might even get heckled!

Thursday, April 24

6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.  Our "workout" consists of an easy 3-4 miles.   Enjoy!

Packet Pick Up

If you are running the half marathon, we will have pace leaders for 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15 and 2:30.   Check the blog later this week for race morning corral numbers, then change to that corral if you are not already in it.  Note: marathon security has gotten tighter, so if you are going to change corrals, make sure that you do it at the expo, and don't just try to move forward race morning.

East Nasty Picture

Last year, for obvious reasons, no one stuck around the finish line to get a picture.  We want to correct that!  Once you finish your race, grab some fluids and go to the family reunion area.  We will meet under the letter "E".   Hang around as long as you can to congratulate your fellow Nasties, and hopefully get a group photo.

Saturday Night

Our post-race party is going to be a great time.  This year, we're going to be catered by Edley's, so it would be helpful if we had an idea of numbers.   If you are a facebook person, take a moment to RSVP to the event.  Then just show up at 6 p.m. (It will be in the Pavillion at the corner of 11th and Fatherland.)

 

This is our final weekend long run before the Country Music Full and Half Marathon! Make this one easy and just enjoy being outside running. We'll be back in Shelby Bottoms, and the weather for this weekend looks perfect for running. Both mornings look like it'll be around 50 to 65 degrees with a mix of sun and clouds. Now if only we can get that weather for race day. Just for once.

 

When:

Full Marathoners: 7:30am Saturday and Sunday
Half Marathoners: 8am Saturday and Sunday

 

Where: 
Shelby Bottoms Nature Center

 

What: 

Full Marathoners: 8 miles easy (20 minutes before, then 60ish minutes with the Half group)
Half Marathoners: 60 Minutes Easy 

 

Brunch!
Sunday Easter Brunch is at Lauren Casswell's! 2515 Barclay Dr, Nashville, TN 37206.  It's the last brunch of the season! We'll be there directly after the Sunday run or around 9:30am if you want to just come to eat/share some delicious food. Let's make it a good one. Bring Peeps, Cadbury Eggs, whatever you want. Get more details and sign up to bring something on the info sheet HERE.

 

Post Race Party:
Get ready for this excellent shindig after the race. RSVP on the Facebook event, or just show up. 6pm-10pm at East Pavilion. We'll have Yazoo Beer and Edley's BBQ. Best of all - it's free! We will take donations if you want to help offset the cost. 

 

See you this weekend! ENFL!!!
- Daniel

Route #3

6 am or 6 pm at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.

This is our only out and back loop, and we love it, but there are a lot of traffic signals.  So I want to take a minute to remind you guys of some rules of the road.

1) Run on sidewalks as much as possible.  If you run in the road, run as close to the curb as possible,

2) Cross the street only at intersections or marked pedestrian crossings.

3) Stop at red lights.

As always, remember running with 200 people is different than running with 2 people.  Assume that whatever you do, the people behind you will do the same.  (i.e. if you run through a red light, they will probably follow right behind you...)  Safety first and foremost.

Thursday, April 17

Our final workout.  Just a 4 -6 mile run with 3 miles in the middle at goal pace.   This should be a "refreshing" workout.  Meaning, that it should feel easy - and should build confidence before CMM.  Note: we will meet next week, but it an easy, short, enjoyable run to celebrate all our hard work.

Post-Race Party

On April 26th, plan on joining us for our annual post-marathon party.  6 - 10 p.m. at The Pavillion East.  (At the corner of 11th and Fatherland…2 blocks from where we meet.)  It will be a good time.

Mark

 

This is the beginning of tapering for the full and half marathon! Next week half training is just 60 minutes easy, easy and for the full - just 8 easy miles. Then it's race day! 

 

When: 

Full Marathoners: 7:30 am - Saturday/Sunday

Half Marathoners: 8:00 am - Saturday/Sunday

 

Where: 

Start across the Street from Bongo Java East*

 

* Do not park in their parking lot as they will be open while we're running. Please use street parking.

 

The Workout:

 

Full Marathoners:

• Everyone does 16 miles (3 miles easy - then meet w/Half Group + 3 miles moderate + final 10 miles at goal marathon pace)
• http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/388600402

Half Marathoners: 

• 10 miles - Bongo East to Bongo on Belmont
• http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/388635156

 

 

Remember:

Don't forget our final Brunch is next week, and the Post-Race Party the night of the half and full marathon!

 

See you this weekend! ENFL!

 

- Daniel

Wednesday, April 9

Pre-Run -

If you have ever wondered about those calf-sleeve things you see people wearing, this week is your chance to find out.  A representative from CEP will be at Nashville Running Company at 5:00 p.m.   You'll be able to learn more about their products and actually try some out for the run.

Also, if you want to order a shirt or tank, drop by NRC to try one on.  (Click here for more information)  We will be placing the order at 10 a.m. on Thursday morning.   That will get the shirts here in time for Country Music.

The Run

6 a.m. or 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.

Post - Run

If you didn't have a chance to try on a shirt before the run, NRC will stay open until 7:30.   Then stick around and grab some food or drinks.

Marathon/Half-Marathon Training

Our workout on Thursday is 3 x 2 miles at goal pace.   This is a great final workout to prepare your body to lock into your goal pace.   6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.

Saturday/Sunday - Our taper has begun!  This weekend we will run 10 miles at a conversational pace.  (Meet at Bongo Java is East Nashville.)   Our final run (April 19/20) will be an easy 60 minutes at Shelby followed by an Easter Brunch (on Sunday).

Boston 2014

Below is an email from former Potato to Tomato participant Rachel Hooper.  If any of you fast nasties are heading to Boston, send her an email!

Hi Mark,

I'm a former East Nasty who participated in the 2010 P2T and then ran with the group for a couple of years.  Last year, my boyfriend and I moved to Boston.  I wanted to extend our southern hospitality to any of the Nasties or NRC peeps running Boston this year.  If anyone needs anything - a homecooked meal, transportation recommendations, last minute GU emergencies - I'll be happy to help.  I'm sure the race organizers have anticipated all these needs, but I just wanted to let the Nasties know they have a local ally if they need it.  And of course, I'll be somewhere on the sidelines cheering them on!  :)  

Hope all is well.  

--

Rachel Hooper superhooper@gmail.com

Spring Shirts on Sale!

Our spring technical shirts are posted.   This year, our shirts are from Mizuno.   Women have their choice of a technical SS shirt ($23) or tank ($33).   We only have a technical SS shirt for the men ($23).

Here is the rub: we have a very short order window.   Shirts must be pre-ordered through our web site, and we are going to place the order on Thursday morning at 10 a.m.   There will be a size run available to try on at Nashville Running Company on Monday through Wednesday.   Alternatively, you can also try them on after our Wednesday night run.

Click here to visit our store, and show your East Nasty pride during your 2014 races!

 

There are only two weeks left of long training runs after this week. That sneaked up on me.

 

Let's go make the best of this important workout!

 

Where:
Meet at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center parking lot

 

When:
Full Marathoners: 7:30am Saturday/Sunday

Half Marathoners: 8:00am Saturday/Sunday

 

What:

Half Marathoners:

• Advanced - 4 Loops of the 5k route
• Standard - 3 Loops of the 5k route

(map of the 5k course: http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/348037449)

 

Full Marathoners:

• 20 miles, all easy, just run. We won't meet back up with the half marathoners.

Here's a map of the route:  http://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/384486200

 

There will be some water/gatorade on the course, but bring your own water/gatorade and nutrition for in-between. 

 

*Also after the run, Results Physiotherapy will be there to check out any lingering issues you may have with running injuries.

 

Don't forget about: 

• Last Brunch of the season at Lauren Caswell's on the 20th (in two weeks!)
• Post-race party the 26th at East Pavilion at Fatherland and 11th - Edley's, Yazoo, and good times from 6pm-10pm

 

See you this weekend, and as always, ENFL!!

The return of Drew Jones

April 2.  6 a.m. or 6 p.m.

Run #1

After the run, stick around because it is NRC's monthly pint night.

Thursday Workout

Can you believe that there are only 4 more Thursdays before Country Music?   And really this week is the last hard workout:   3 x 1 mile at 5k pace.     After this week, our workouts are at goal pace.

Thursday, 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.

Post Race Celebration

Each year, East Nasty has three big celebrations.  Our annual Christmas party (because it's Christmas…), the Tomato Fest 5k (because we train 150+ people to run their first 5k) and our post-marathon party.   So whether you are running or not on April 26, plan on joining us that night from 6 - 10 p.m. down the street at  Pavilion East (11th and Fatherland - we run by it all the time)   Edleys, Yazoo and fellow East Nasties.  What more could you ask for!

ENFL

Mark

Weekend workouts! Be sure to read below as Saturday and Sunday are different this weekend. However, the half and full workouts are identical (unless you're really craving running 20 miles, which you are more than welcome to do). Since you'll be running the race distance, the pace should be very easy. Just cover the miles and visualize how awesome it will be race day to show off your skillz. Yep. With all your East Nasty friends.

Everyone meets at 8am Saturday:  Marathon and Half marathon training

Where:  Starting at East Park - 600 Woodland St. (Saturday Only) meet in the playground area

Workout:  Standard plan: 14 miles (the half course plus a little to and from east park) Advanced plan: 16 miles (the 14 plus 2 extra in East Nash)

Everyone meets at 8am Sunday: Marathon and half marathon training.

Where:

We'll still meet at the same spot as last week - Lot R at LP field (Sunday Only)

Workout: Standard Plan: 14 miles (Warm-up around the stadium, then run the entire half course)

Advanced Plan: 16 miles

Coming up soon!

1. Brunch is happening again after the run on the 20th and will be our final brunch of the season. Be inviting your fellow runners, thinking of food to bring, have one last injury check-up, and talk race-day strategy.

2. Pre-race group dinner. Details are still in the works. This will be Thursday the 24th.

3. We have a really awesome after-party planned the night of the race, April 26th! It will be at East Pavilion again this year at Fatherland and 11th. EVERYONE is invited - so bring those coming into town to race, spectator friends, and yes, East Nasties who didn't run the half or the full (I know, they exist). There will be Yazoo Beer, Edley's BBQ, and more! Yowzah! We will have a rocking time, and it stands as one of my favorite events of the year.

See you this weekend! ENFL!!

-Daniel

Even though it's hard to tell, we're 12 weeks into 2014.  That means a couple of things: (1) It shouldn't be snowing, (2) The Country Music Half is right around the corner and (3) It's time to run The Nasty.

This is a great run that takes us through the "Rolling Acres" neighborhood of East Nashville.

6 a.m. or 6 p.m at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.

Important: Right after the 2 mile mark (this is rolling acres by the way…), we turn left onto Eastland from Skyview.   Make sure that you stop at that intersection, and cross to the North side of the Eastland to run on the sidewalk.

Post Race Party

April 26th is a big day for Nashville runners: Country Music Half/Full Race Day.   It is a great day of running, water stops, and celebrating.   There's going to be a waterstop/yard party somewhere around the 19 mile mark (more details later), and that night is East Nasty's annual post race bash.    We've rented out The Pavilion East on Fatherland and 11th for our yearly celebration.   You'll get more details later (think: 7  p.m.,Edley's BBQ, and Yazoo…), and whether you run the race or not, put this event on your calendar.

Weekend Long Run

Speaking of the half marathon…this Saturday or Sunday our training groups are running the entire half marathon course.   (The advanced group will continue on and complete 16 miles)  Just like Wednesdays, our weekend long runs are free and open to anyone.   So if you are looking to run the new course before race day, plan on joining us either day at 8 a.m. at the base of the pedestrian bridge.  (By LP field)

Thursday Workout

6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.   This is how you get faster.

Mexican Anyone?

If you're going to come to East Nashville to run, we encourage you to stick around and enjoy the neighborhood.   3 Crow offers 2-4-1 beers of course, the Pizza at Five Points is great, in the summer I Dream of Weenie offers specials for East Nasties and now the new Five Points Cocina Mexicana is offering $2.99 margaritas and buy one get one free numbered meal combos for any East Nasty on Wednesday nights.   Just tell them your an East Nasty, and enjoy a great deal on some great food.

We've got a great workout this week! This may be one of the most important weeks in training. It's hard to believe, but we are only 5 weeks out from race day. There's also Brunch Sunday, so be sure to plan ahead, and sign up on the google doc bring something:  Here

When: 

Saturday/Sunday

Full Marathoners @ 7:30am

Half Marathoners @ 8am

Where:  Base of Pedestrian Bridge - East Side

Parking is available in Lot R

The Workout:

Half Advanced:  10 min easy + 8 Miles @Goal Pace + 10 min Cool-Down

Half Standard:  10 min easy + 8 Miles @Goal Pace + 10 min Cool-Down

Full Advanced: 20 miles (10 moderate + 10 @goal Marathon Pace)

Full Standard: 18 miles (10 moderate + 8 @goal Marathon Pace)

Fueling during long runs:

Some of these runs (especially next week) may take you more than 1.5 hours to run. Be sure you bring calories of some kind - granola bar, Gatorade, GU, chomps, etc. to keep your workout going strong. It's also good practice to use what you'll have during the race when training. I recommend if your workout will take you over 2 hours, have between 50-100 calories every 30 minutes, starting after about the first 30-45 minutes of the workout.

We will provide Gatorade and water on the Saturday and Sunday runs. You may want water/Gatorade more often, so you may want to bring your own water bottle, too.

See y'all this weekend! ENFL!!!

Daniel