So much to Blog, So Little Computer Time
Published Tuesday, November 20, 2007 by Carolyne | E-mail this post
So, Bob and I are now in down town Natchez on the Mississippi, in Mississippi.After leaving the beautiful, if cold (very cold) Asheville in the mountains of North Carolina, (think Bluegrass), we moved on to Chattanooga in Tennessee. A diversion or two off the parkway were some of the most interesting parts of the journey (travel being the joy of getting there rather than the destination). Poor housing, winding country roads and an incredible experience all around.
Of course, the sight of the water dripping off the rocks in great sheets of ice, looked beautiful, but just made us feel a little bit colder again.We arrived in Chattanooga in time to participate in a local fund raiser for the Mount Olive Church - the curiously named '10 Can 10k'.
We coughed up our entry fee of $10 a head - and 10 cans of food. As is usual for the States, this provided us with pre-race coffee (or a hot brown liquid that passes for that drink over most of the South), post-race bagels and rolls, and a T-Shirt. The field was small, only around 21, but there was a great attitude among the runners and helpers. After the knee op, Graeme the Physio had said that I may be up to running 5k non-stop by the time we return to Australia in mid December. I was confident about making the distance (although I was very stiff at the cold, early morning start), and expected to have to walk well maybe just a bit.
I started at the back and dropped further behind at the gun, as we run up a short hillock. After that I warmed up and settled into a comfortable, if slow pace. The rolling hills meant that splits were going to be very uneven, however it was an enjoyable run with me finishing it without stopping (Yay!) and feeling rather chuffed about that!
We met a fascinating guy at the start, socially and politically progressive, I really warmed to Ray and was delighted to see him leading the charge at the turn-around, ahead of Bob with a few others hot on their heels. They were able to maintain this, resulting in Ray's first winners bling, and a well deserved first M60 trophy for Bob (second overall). Despite the Garmin measuring the course a little short at 9.92km, I'm not complaining about my 62 minute time either.
Onward across the great state of Tennessee the slower way, skirting into Georgia and driving along the border of Alabama most of the way. Lunch (in search of an espresso . . . huh!) was at the Juke Box Junction, where we really did look out of place. Then a short diversion to DuckTown.
Ducktown, LOL.
Thumbs up to Bob !
We would all like to find THE place that feels like home. Great shot, I will borrow it!
You should have graffitied 'Flash' in front of Ducktown. Hot brown liquid! How we take good coffee for granted.