Running 13.1 Miles for the Kids of St. Jude With Joanna Smith

On Saturday, April 26th, I ran the St. Jude Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville, my fourth distance challenge to date.

Although I drove up alone, that was not the case on race day as I lined up with 24,000 other runners, taking on either the 5K, half or full marathon.

You could not have asked for a more beautiful day for a race. The temperature was just right from start to finish, the music strategically placed along the course was refreshing,  our friends at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital got a ton of exposure, and it seemed to me that everyone was having the time of their life, at least up until their last mile or two.

Well, for me, the last two miles were the toughest. My sight line slowly dropped from straight ahead to straight down as my legs joined my feet in a chorus of, "AHHHHHH!" After the first mile we all started a slow but steady trek uphill for about the next nine. I even joked to a Nashville Police officer, "Don't y'all have any hills that go down?" He laughed and I championed on.

Honestly, I'd go back and do it again today if I had my running shoes with me.

Jogging alongside me on the streets of Nashville were New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and my friend and probably the sweetest country singer ever, Joanna Smith and her fiance Tripp!

I actually finished two minutes quicker than Coach Belichick and let me tell you about Ms. Smith. The day before the race, I texted her to see if she was playing a gig Saturday night because I'd be looking for something to do after the race. She responded and let me know she was running the half marathon. I knew she had competed in the same race back in 2012 but didn't know she had continued running.

I joked with her and said something to effect of, "I'll make sure and look for you as you pass me in the crowd." She responded and I quote, "I highly doubt it sir!!! I am slow, slow!!"

No, Joanna Smith, you are not slow when running with me. By summoning up every ounce of energy I had, I managed to finish in 2 hours and 34 minutes while she coasted across the finish line in 2 hours and 6 minutes. We won't even talk about Tripp's time of 1 hour and 50 some odd minutes. I am the slow turtle here.

Anyway, it was a great day and I even got a shout out on Joanna's Facebook page. Go on over there and congratulate the lucky couple!

Another race down and more money raised for the smiling faces of St. Jude kids.