Best Wednesday of the Month...

It's pint night at NRC.   So come join us for Run #3, and head down to Nashville Running Company afterwards.

6 am or 6 pm at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.    Remember, if you are a walk/runner, the Lasty Nasties meet at 5:45 pm.

Note:  The seasons are changing, and the days are getting shorter - meaning its time for reflective gear.   This week is a longer run, so many folks won't be finishing until after 7.  If you don't own any reflective clothing don't wear black, and then buy something from NRC on Wednesday.

Marathon World Record

It took Dennis Kimetto under 2 hours and 3 minutes to finish the Berlin Marathon last Sunday (2:02:57).   Amazing.  Check out some highlights here.   For you track people, he average under 70 seconds per 400 meters.   Imagine, 105 laps of the track at 69.9 seconds per lap.   And this from a guy who was not a serious runner until 2008.

This is one thing I love about running: we can be amazed by the elites, without trivializing our own accomplishments.  Here's the reality: we will never beat elite runners in a footrace.  In fact, most of us couldn't even join them for an easy jog.  But each of us can have our own personal victory every day by just getting out there and running.   That's a beautiful thing.

“It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.” - George Sheehan

See you on Wednesday!

 Mark

Run #2

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

Route #1

Meet at the corner of 11th and Holly at 6 a.m. or 6 p.m.   This week, we are back to run #1.   As we run into Shelby Park, you'll notice that there are some big changes coming.   Maybe next time we run this course, we'll be running up the new greenway!

Also, you'll notice some new faces making announcements over the next 12 weeks.  Be sure to say hi to Leah and Taylor.

Chicago Marathoners

If you are getting a shirt printed for the race, you need to bring your blank shirt and $10 this week!   Email Kim Stokes (kst1005403@aol.com) for more details, or just bring your blank shirt and money and find her at the beginning of the run on Wednesday!

Earn Your Sticker...

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

Remember the Lasty Nasties leave early (probably around 5:45).

Hoka Running Shoes/Pint Night

Have you ever wondered about Hoka shoes?   If so, go to NRC before the run and take a pair of Hoke Clifton shoes out for a wear test.   (A "wear test" is just that: you get to wear the shoes for your run!)   After the run, head back to NRC for their monthly pint night.

Run #11

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

Route #10

Route #10.   It's a warm up for mount nasty!  6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.

This week at East Nasty

Watermelon from the Snellen Farm.   Thanks Ryan!   (Who knew that a farm kid could run that fast...)

Tomatoes from Immaterial John.   I think he'll be there with tomatoes...I'm never told when they're actually coming.  Just keep in mind that if see a bunch of tomatoes at the Wednesday night run, feel free to have one or six, and then grab a bunch to take home!

Heroes in Recovery 6k.  It's a great race for a great cause.   And we have a discount code: EASTNASTY2014

3 Crow Bar.   Yesterday was 3 crow bar's 10th anniversary.   They have embraced the East Nasties since 2008, so make some time tomorrow night to go help them celebrate!    (Bring an extra dollar or two and tip well!)

I Dream of Weenie

Wednesday is I Dream of Weenie night.   So stick around and enjoy a hot dog and a beverage post run.   The hot dogs are $0.50 off, and it's BYOB!

Route # 9 (Drew's second favorite)

6a.m or 6 p.m. at the corner of 11th and Holly.  I love the view of downtown from the backside of LP Field.   We live in such a great city.

Note: We pass through several intersections that have stop lights, please obey the signal.   Remember, the people running behind you are probably going to do whatever you do...

Route #8

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

This week be sure to welcome any new potato to tomato graduates!    Remember, if you are not quite ready to run without walking, you may want to join our Lasty Nasty group that starts at 5:45 (pm only).

This coming weekend is one of the great weekends in East Nashville: the Tomato Festival.  Now, the Tomato Festival really starts on Wednesday night at the East Nasty run, because we'll have a lot of great stuff going on. (1) Meet the new Nasties.   Our group will be quite a bit larger than normal, because this is the day that we meet our graduating couch to 5k runners!   Since early June, they have been meeting three times a week, to begin their journey to fitness, and on August 9th, they'll run the Tomato 5k.  (We also get to welcome back the 40 coaches who have been helping them along.)

(2) Pint Night.   After the run, head down to NRC to officially welcome the new nasties with a pint of Yazoo.

(3) Try a new pair of shoes.   On Running will be at NRC if any of you are interested in a wear test.   ("Wear Test" means just that - you get to wear a pair for the run!)   Starting at 5 p.m. go to NRC and take out a pair for a test run.  If you decide you like them you'll get 20% off.

The Run

Normally, on the Wednesday before the Tomato 5k, we run the race course.   This year the course has changed pretty significantly, (check it out at the bottom of this page), and it would be unwise for us to run it on Wednesday night.  (Just too many busy intersections.)   So we're just going to continue our rotation and do run #7.  (Update: the 6am morning run WILL do the Tomato 5K course.) If you are racing on Saturday - you may want to jog the course at some point to get a feel for it.  It seems easier than in the past…

Volunteer

First, I want everyone to realize that East Nasty is a totally volunteer driven organization.   So I want to take a moment to thank everyone for all their help, we're humbled by the amount of effort people put into this organization.   Next, we need a couple of needs, and I would love to encourage some new folks to get involved!

First, we need more people to work the graveyard shift (4 till 6 p.m.) at the East Nasty booth this Saturday.   It's an easy gig, the festival will be winding down and you'll get a good dose of people watching.  Volunteer here.

Next, we have the ongoing need for volunteers to wash the cups.   If we could have everyone volunteer just one week per year, people would only have to wash cups once every 4 years!    Please consider taking on this thankless but necessary task.   Volunteer for the cups here.

The Tomato Festival and the accompanying East Nashville Tomato 5k are just around the corner (August 9).   (1) We want you to run and (2) we could use your help at the festival, so please take a moment to read below. First, Wednesday's Run...

Route #6

Remember, you can meet us at 6am or 6pm (or both) at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.  (If you meet with us in the morning, you need to bring your own water.   We'll have water and some treats at the evening run…)

Tomato Festival

I know we're biased, but the Tomato Festival is the best street festival in Nashville.   And this year there are more bands, more vendors and if this 80 degree weather keeps up fewer people in the medical tent!   East Nasty is a big part of the festival, and we want you to get involved as well:

Run the Race

The race benefits the Margaret Maddux YMCA, which shares the vision of making healthy living available to everyone in this community.   You can sign up on line here, or you can sign up Wednesday night at the run.   (You will be able to pay by credit card.)  Just remember, if you don't sign up, you will suffer the wrath of Drew Jones, who will have access to a microphone that morning...

Sign Up Here For the Race

Volunteer for the Festival

Every year, East Nasty has a booth right in front of 3 Crow Bar where we offer free water, and we sell our t-shirts.  First, the festival is usually scorching hot, so providing a "water stop" is a great way for us to add to the festival.   Next, we sell East Nasty t-shirts at the booth.  This is our big fund raiser for the year.    (I'm sure you've noticed that everything we do is free - but that doesn't mean we don't have any expenses…)    We need 12 volunteers who are willing to work a 2 hour shift to help out at the booth.   Would you consider helping us out?

Volunteer Here

Run #5: The Walking Bridge

6 am or 6 pm Wednesday, July 23rd.    (Yes, if you are a morning runner you can join us at 6 a.m.)    We always meet at the corner of 11th and Holly in East Nashville.

Remember, if you are more of a walk/runner, join the "Lasty Nasties".    They start the run at about 5:45 pm.    Check out their Facebook page for more information.

This week is one of the "exceptions to the rule" as far as running on the left side of the road.   On this route, we run on the right side of the road as we go up first avenue, across the Woodland Street Bridge and up Woodland.

Tomato Fest 5k

Remember, this is our "home" race and all of us need to run!   If you haven't signed up yet (Register Here), Wednesday's the day.   Between 4 and 8, go to Yazoo Brew, sign up for the race, and get 2 free beverages.    (We are also going to need some volunteers to help out at our booth during the festival, more details soon…)

Yazoo Brewing Company Sign-Up Special

What: Sign up for East Nashville Tomato 5k

Where: Yazoo Brewing Company 910 Division St, Nashville, TN 37203 (in the Gulch)

Why: Get 2 FREE adult beverages when you sign up for the race.

When: Wednesday, July 23

Time: 4-8pm

Photo Shoot

On Wednesday, a marketing representative will be recruiting runners for a photo shoot, and it's a paid gig!   Seems like a fun way to get paid to run.   You are especially desirable if you run with your dog.

Here are some quick details:

When: Aug 3rd (11am-7pm) and/or Aug 4th (6am-9am)

Where: Opryland Area

Who: Seeking approximately 18 runners, 6 or more with dogs who are experienced runners to serve as brand ambassadors.

What: Runners will be running, jogging, and walking during this time frame in groups of 3 or 4 to raise awareness of a pet food brand that is focused on balanced nutrition and health. There will be plenty of breaks to stay cool and be able to run in intervals during this time frame. For those with dogs that run frequently, each group will have at least one dog running with their group to keep the theme and add to the awareness.

Compensation: Approximate $16-18/hr, and more for those with a dog.

Why: This is an exciting marketing opportunity for our brand, and it is also a great opportunity to earn some extra money doing something you love to do.

Before the Run

One unfortunate reality is that when buying a pair of shoes, you have to choose a pair after jogging up and down the block.   I don't know how to solve that problem, but one helpful trend is that shoe companies have started wear tests.   A wear test is where runners can take a pair of shoes out for a run.  This week Mizuno is having a wear test.   Drop by Nashville Running Company before the run on Wednesday to wear a pair of Mizunos during the run.

The Run

Run #4: The Big Shelby Loop.   We're going to be sharing Shelby Park with our couch to 5k group, and with the East Nashville farmer's market.    There's probably going to be more traffic in the park that usual, so even though we typically run on the left side of the road, this week, run down the right side of the road on Davidson.

After the Run

This week is I Dream of Weenie night.   Every hotdog is $0.50 off, and it's BYOB.   So bring some cash and plan on staying after the run to enjoy a dog and some time with your fellow East Nasties.

It looks like we are going to have a beautiful night for a run!

ENFL

Mark