22/50 - St. Jude Memphis Marathon

This race will go down as a capstone to a successful running year: nearly 2,600 miles (a first for me), no debilitating injuries, and getting to know, taking inspiration in, and running with so many incredible new friends and runners after moving to the north suburbs of Chicago last year where I knew absolutely no one.

Coming off of the NH & ME double marathon weekend in October, I had 8 weeks to train for the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, my 6th and final marathon of 2014. I decided to increase my weekly mileage, averaging 65 miles per week and peaking at 90 miles per week (another first for me), keep running two long runs on the weekend, and incorporate more 6-12 mile runs at goal pace or faster, mostly because there was no speed workout option. In addition to running, I finally did a little cross training in the form of a Crossfit Endurance Class 2 times per week for the last 4 weeks leading up to the race.

I believe the change in form led to a new PR of 2:47:23 (9th/2,656 finishers overall) on a bleak course with rolling hills, overcast sky, and a windy and cool 50 degree temperature. I went out faster than I had planned to but was able to maintain an even pace throughout. This race is 4 minutes better than the PR I set less than 3 months ago at the Presque Isle Marathon in PA. http://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/646291340

So there are the running highlights. Now let's talk all things Memphis. 

My sister tagged along for what would become another delightful trip to Memphis. I've never not had a good time in this city. Unlike Nashville, it's got a gritty feel, even on Beale St. - the touristy, publicly-intoxicated, foot-trafficked strip of live music bars, BBQ joints, and glorious people-watching. Whereas Nashville generally plays host to the rank and file band covering Billboard Top 40 country music, Memphis digs into the honky tonk, soul, blues, rockabilly, and of course, all things Elvis Presley. And I love Elvis!

We hit the road at 8am on Friday for the 8-hour drive, a time that would have been about an hour less had I not stopped every two hours to eat. This, after I burned through all the car snacks! After a stop at the expo and picking up the wife at the airport, we ventured over to AM Italian Kitchen (http://andrewmichaelitaliankitchen.com) for an 8:45pm reservation. The accolades for this southern-style Italian restaurant and acclaimed chef are numerous and not off their mark. As fate would have it, we stumbled upon Gibson's Donuts en route to dinner after missing a turn. By now you know that I can't pass up a local donut shop and a maple bacon donut before a race is never a bad idea. NEVER. 

I was rather nonchalant about this race. I usually develop some psychosomatic injury. At worst, I thought I had a fever the night before the race; maybe that was the wine. I woke up on race morning feeling just fine. Of course, I don't often wake up down at the end of lonely street in the Heartbreak Hotel (http://www.graceland.com/visit/heartbreakhotel.aspx) to the sweet sounds of Elvis Presley alleviating what had me All Shook Up in the first place. 

This Saturday morning race is largely a half marathon race. The marathon gets lonely after the split. The finish chute corrals runners into the baseball stadium for what can only be described as cattle-herding through the ballpark to collect post-race food then spitting you out the exit. Afterward, we grabbed lunch at Memphis BBQ Co. (http://memphisbbqco.com) which contrary to its name, does not have a location in Memphis or Tennessee!

The rest of the afternoon was reserved for all things Elvis. Graceland at Christmas incorporates two of my favorite things: Elvis and Christmas decorations! Graceland is a place that you can't help but be captivated by the juggernaut that was Elvis Presley. The amount of gift shops along Elvis Presley Boulevard is a testament to his greatness...and Priscilla Presley's aptitude to exploit every marketable aspect of his legacy, posthumously. This of course resulted in a lot of unnecessary purchases, awesomely Elvis puns, and a weekend soundtrack that's bleeding into my weekly jams as I type this.

Vowing not to lie down for a much desired nap, we ventured to the only place in Memphis to go if you're looking for a beer, The Flying Saucer (http://www.beerknurd.com/stores/memphis/). To our amusement, it happened to be hosting the largest Santa Claus bar crawl we've ever seen! Next, we grabbed some chicken and waffles on Beale St. before settling into my favorite place in Memphis to catch a band, Blues City Cafe (http://www.bluescitycafe.com). Hillbilly Casino, a high-energy, tattooed, honky-tonk band were playing the tunes of Little Richard, Stray Cats, Buddy Holly and the like. 

You want a great southern breakfast while in Memphis? Brother Junipers (http://brotherjunipers.com) is a must! The place is packed but worth the wait. Grab a coffee and a copy of Guns & Gardens (yep, this magazine exists and is awesome!) at their coffee bar. 

Before leaving town, we had to introduce my sister to the famed Peabody Hotel to see the march of the ducks, a tradition for nearly 83 years. Every day at 11am a duck master leads 5 ducks from their penthouse (I know, right?!) on the 11th floor of the hotel down the elevator and into the fountain in the lobby. There they bask until being marched back up at 5pm.

Sometimes they catch me when I'm not all smiles...but look at that slit up the leg, yowza!