State #23 Mississippi Blues Marathon

State #23 Mississippi Blues Marathon


The MS Blues marathon is the 23rd pit-stop of my race around these beautiful 50 States of ours.  I've got to be honest, I had some preconceived notions about the South.  Certainly, images of southern hospitality and good southern cooking came to mind (and there were plenty, check out these dishes I inhaled after the race, yes in one sitting, yes by myself)

 

seafood gumbo

fried oysters

red bean and rice with andouille sausage

but so did the darker images from history books.  Was it going to be a fun, safe trip for this Asian boy down in the deep south?  The answer is a resounding yes.  I encountered friendlier people on the race course and during my stay in Jackson than I did in many other races in big cities across the country.  I did not see many other Asians throughout my stay in MS but I certainly didn't feel out of place at any given time.

Speaking of Asians, I did finally meet Mitch "Marathon Mitch" Chan on this trip.  Great guy who is a fellow MM from So Cal.  Here is a photo of all the Asians in MS gathering at the race!

(Mitch, Jaeson Winters, and me at the start)

The flight from Orange County to Jackson included a hop through DFW and one of those small planes which is not high on my preference list (the plane).  Here is a view of Jackson from the air.

The Blues Marathon is properly named as Mississippi is obviously the home of Blues music.  The race was also sponsored by Bluecross/Shield ...  (clever huh?).  It is a small race that included the full marathon, half marathon, and the marathon relay.  The expo was small but efficient.  The swag bag was OUTSTANDING as it included a short sleeve technical shirt, a blues CD (pretty good stuff), and even a logoed harmonica!

the 2013 race started at 7:00AM at a whopping 35 degrees.  bring your jackets and blankets boys and girls!

The full marathon completed 755 runners and was well organized.  The first portion of the course (miles 1-2) was a bit crowded as I tried to maneuver around many half marathons in the streets of downtown Jackson.  However, once the course opened up it was well marked and staged with water stations and spectators.  To be honest, the out and back course was not terribly exciting once outside of the downtown area where some historical buildings resided but I did appreciate the thoughtfulness of the organization.  The half marathoners separated fairly early during the course and did not impact the flow of the full marathon.  The course included NUMEROUS rolling hills throughout, however as advertised they were gentle and usually included a fair length of flat distance between the hills.  After my experience in Atlanta, these hills paled in comparison!  I was happy with my 3:55 finish...  felt strong after a big 4th quarter 2012 where I increased my overall volume significantly.  While I didn't PR, I was able to see the strength and confidence I've gained from last year.

The finisher medal is extraordinary.  I don't usually think much about the medals but this one is pretty special!
Thanks for a great time MS!  onward to Kansas in April and 1-0-0 miles in May!

one race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff

Battle of Will vs Hills - States 21 & 22

Will 1 - Hills 0

On Oct 27 & 28, 2012, I completed my second double marathon in Greenville SC and Atlanta GA. Having completed a double last year in NH/ME, I was fairly confident about a finish but was a little anxious about the logistics and time elements of the trip. I had the luxury of having Aud and Chris with me on the trip last year as well as a few extra vacation days scheduled after the races. Here is how it all went down this year.

Fri 10/26
  - 6:45AM Orange County
  - 5:30PM Greenville via Chicago

(here is a photo of Greenville from the sky)

  - 6:00PM Packet pickup
  - 7:00PM Dinner
Dinner at Soby's was just okay.  I was a little disappointed at the restaurant as there were no pasta dishes on the menu other than the kid's pasta...  which came over cooked and bland.

I really enjoyed the downtown Greenville area.  Very cool and everyone I interacted with were friendly and helpful.
  - 8:00PM Hotel checkin
  - 8:30PM buy breakfast for next day, prep for race
Its a ritual that I always set out all of my gear the night before and go over it item by item to make sure nothing is forgotten. For Greenville, I went with the Maniac set.  These two races are dedicated to fellow Maniac, Pete Mingwah who passed away earlier this year.  I had his number put on my wrist band as a small gesture.

RIP 4440

  - 10:00 Bed
It had been a long day.  I was glad to hit the bed...  damn thing was way too soft...  so much for "heavenly beds" at the Westin

Sat 10/27
  - 5:00AM breakfast, shower, race prep, pack
  - 7:00AM Mile walk to the start line
  - 7:30AM Spinx Marathon

I really enjoyed meeting a group of Maniacs and 50 Staters before and during the run.  I, like most Marathon Maniac/50 Stater tend to look for one another at the races.  While we all come from all different walks of life (location, race, ethnicity, gender, age), we all share this cult like love for running and marathons.  Every Maniac and 50 Stater brings his/her story and inspiration and I am blessed to be able to meet each on this journey.  I've learned a lot in the last few years about what these chance meetings mean in life.  Life is short and precious for all of us.  Sometimes you meet someone for a brief moment and you never know if you will have to chance to see them again.  For that, I treasure the memories of all the good people who I've crossed path  with along the way....

(pre race, Spinx Marathon 2012)

The course of the Spinx marathon was scenic and fairly easy.  There were a few rolling hills but nothing extreme.  The out and back course involved many bike paths through beautiful fall colored trees as well as a tour of Furman University.  Here are a few photos during the run

Instead of a timing mat at the 13.5 turnaround, the organizers handed out wrist bands to each runner.  You've got to have a wrist band to get your medal.  I guess its Greenville's anti-Kip Litton insurance!
I did see something that stopped me dead in my tracks.  Had to stop to take a photo of this...  SMH...  I guess I am just not used to seeing something like this in CA.  I've become too used to political correctness... this is the South after all.

(I'd love to meet "TR")

(Here I am at mile 25 with Pete)

The finish of the race was inside Fluor field (Minor League Baseball Team stadium) and rounding the baseball field.  Very cool experience.  Official time 4:11:40.  I got a little tempted to go sub 4 (was on pace) in the first half but pulled back knowing there was another race tomorrow...  Probably should have ran a little slower...

  - 11:45 ICE BATH, Shower, pack

(think running a marathon is painful?  try an ice bath)

Got back to the hotel room in time to sit in the ice bath I had prepared in the morning.  It only hurts the first few minutes and then you just kind of go numb....

 - 12:30 Lunch - Henry's Smokehouse

(Henry's smoke house.  As advertised.  Great pull pork sandwich.  Damn good.)

  - 1:00 Drive to Atlanta
This was an easy drive of 2.5 hours.  It gave me a chance to call home and relax on the road.  The bluetooth in the Sonata I rented worked perfectly with the iPhone for navigation, music, and hands free calling.  I was in the city before I knew it.

  - 3:45 Packet pickup, buy breakfast
  - 5:15 Hotel checkin
  - Relax!
  - 6:00 Dinner at the Spence (Richard Blais' restaurant)
Aud and I are big fan's of Top Chef and Richard Blais.  While Richard got robbed in Season 4, he redeemed himself in All Stars.  I couldn't miss the chance of dining at his new restaurant, The Spence which happened to be about a mile from my ATL hotel.

The restaurant sits near GT campus on a vibrant street with several businesses.  The dining experience was fantastic.  Dinner for the night was Oysters and Pearls, Bone Marrow/Tuna Tartar/Quail Eggs, and Beet Pasta with Duck.  That bone marrow dish should be outlawed its so good.

All the characters from Life after Top Chef were present in the restaurant...  very cool to see.  Too bad Richard was not in the place.  But I had a wonderful dinner.  As I was walking out of the restaurant, guess who I bump into at the door?  Top Chef Richard Blais!  It is very unlike me but I stopped him and introduced myself and asked if I can take a photo with him.  Without missing a beat, he said "of course, let me get someone to take our picture".  This was definitely one of the highlights of the trip!

  - 7:30 Prep for race, watch ESPN, packing
  - 10:00 Bed
You'd think that after running 26.2 miles, I'd be dead tired and be able to sleep like a baby.  I woke up at 12:00 and for the life of me couldn't fall back asleep.  not until about 2:00AM...  just right before the alarm sounded at 4:00AM...

Sun 10/28

  - 4:00AM three alarms on three devices go off at once.  I just had to make sure I got up...  long day ahead.

So you think the life of a marathon junky is glamorous?  Its all hotel buffets?  Think again...  this is a typical marathon breakfast for me...  Aleve is a must on a double.

  - 7:00 Atlanta Marathon

It was one of the toughest races I've experienced in recent past.  Especially tough on the second day of a double.  One word describes this race.  HILLS.  The entire course is laced with hills.  Think I am exaggerating?  See for yourself.  Follow the green line.

Insane.  Hill after hill after hill.  Just for a moment around miles 17-20 I thought about giving up.  I worried about not making back to my hotel in order to catch the flight back to Cali.  I cursed the course, I cursed the light rain, and I cursed the chill of the air.  Then I remembered why I was there.  I was there to challenge myself.  I was there to better my double time from last year.  I was there to finish these races with Pete4440...  I toughed it out.  It wasn't pretty.  Official time 4:52:09.  I had missed my goal time of 9 hours combined double by just three minutes.  But I wasn't upset.  I was happy to finish and to overcome those damned hills.

(at the finish line ATL marathon 10/28/12)

  - 1:00 PM lunch
In case you haven't noticed, besides running, I love to eat.  And I love good food.  After surveying the locals I found my way to Moe's Original BBQ.  It was a damn good find.  Honestly I can't think of a better post marathon meal than some deep fried goodness, mac/cheese, and of course some more good southern BBQ!  I got the cat fish platter for lunch and got the pull pork sandwich to go for dinner.  Forget airline food!

 - 3:00 at the Gate of my flight back to the OC
Exhausted, I can barely keep my eyes open.  I finally take a deep breath as this weekend comes to a close.  I look down at the new set of twins draped on my neck.  Aww, what a good feeling.  State 21 and 22 done.  Onwards!

One race, one mile, and one step at a time,

Jeff

10/30/12