Women's Running Magazine Women’s Half Marathon
Nashville, Tennessee September 25, 2010
********** FEMALE TOP 3 OVERALL RESULTS ***********
Place No. Name Ag S City St Chiptim
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1 1006 JILLIAN MASTROIANNI 28 F NASHVILLE TN 1:24:46
2 1008 ASHLEY HANSEN 26 F SONOMA CA 1:29:36
3 1929 MOLLY BROWN-BOULAY 39 F FRANKLIN TN 1:29:50
After reading the WSJ article I posted on here last week, I was unsure of what to expect going into the race weekend. The entire weekend was amazing, beginning when I checked into my hotel in Nashville. I was completely surprised at how organized, friendly and fun the weekend was given my hesitation and the all women’s field of runners. I stayed at the host hotel in downtown Nashville where the Expo was held and only a few blocks from the starting line. All of the hotel staff had pink Women’s Running pins on their jackets and were incredibly helpful. Whenever I check into a hotel one of the first questions I ask is where I can go running in the morning. I prefer to run early in the morning, before most people would consider getting out of bed while on their vacation, and as such I like to ask the locals their advice on safe running routes. The guy at the front desk first recommended a path along the river that most people run but then admitted that it’s “only” 3 miles and he could see I would probably be looking for something a little longer than that. He was incredibly helpful with healthier dining recommendations and was able to tell me everything I needed to know about how to get to the starting line on race morning and was even willing to leave a room key for me for after the race so I wouldn’t have to worry about running with one during the race.
Coming off the inaugural Oregon Wine Country Half Marathon on Labor Day Weekend, I was also weary of this being an inaugural race. I saw the pitfalls and issues of a first time event firsthand in Oregon and those thoughts were in the back of my mind all weekend. The expo was great and there were some fun vendors and fun WRM gear for sale. I admit, I didn’t do much research about the race before getting on the plane but there were some questions I had that did not have answers on the race website so I asked the two girls working the information desk. I wanted to know about gear check bags (if they would be provided at the start and what size since we didn’t get any with our bib and packet pick-up). I was surprised that neither of the girls even know what gear check bags were and looked at me as though I was crazy?! I explained that the website said they would be provided but didn’t say if we could pick them up at the expo or offer any other details. They weren’t able to answer that question or find someone who could so it’s a good thing my friend at the front desk was going to have an extra key for me! Although these two girls didn’t know much about running or running events they were incredibly nice and friendly, as was the rest of the race staff.
On any race weekend, the hotels are packed with nervous, anxious and excited runners and this weekend was no exception. It was crazy to see so many women in one place, it was a little over whelming but I now understand an all women’s event!
Race morning was a little warmer than us runners would have liked but luckily there was no rain which had been in the forecast the day before. I usually arrive to the starting are moments before the gun goes off and I made sure to arrive a little earlier for this race (about 20 min. before start time). I hurried into my seeded corral in the front to find there weren’t too many ladies lined up at the starting line. I usually start near the front but never at the very front. There were only about 5 of us toeing up to the line with the other ladies a few feet behind us. This was like no race start I have ever seen and I was a little confused. I started chatting with an older woman next to me who said she had to be at the front because she needed to hurry to her daughter’s soccer game after the race. Unlike other starting lines where men and women are elbowing and nudging for room, I could do jumping jacks without even hitting another person. I was embarrassed to be toeing up on the line but had such an adrenaline rushing seeing the open course ahead and since no one else was lining up to the start I thought I should take advantage as I will never be in this situation again. It was awesome! When the gun when off myself and two other girls took off and never looked back. We were spaced a good distance apart to where we weren’t within talking distance. Along the course there was a short turn-around where we were running directly opposite other runners. The cheers and support from the other runners was unbelievable! They were cheering the three of us on as if they were spectators on the sidelines. It was unreal! Running is an individual sport but it’s also a competition and a race. Never before had I heard such loud cheering and support from the competition – it was an amazing experience.
I didn’t feel too strong the entire race but fought to hold onto second place. I think I could have pushed it a little more and I probably would have if there was someone in front of me giving me that extra push. The first place finisher, a Nashville native, smoked the rest of us and I was pretty much running by myself without the pull of another runner out in front. It was a great race and I’m happy with another sub-1:30 finish. Not all races can be PR’s and I’m excited with 2nd place!
A true testament to how organized this race was is how calm, relaxed and happy the entire staff appeared. Everywhere I looked, no matter who it was, what they were doing or what kind of chaos was going on, they remained calm with a huge smile on their face. Even event director, Dawna Stone was walking around congratulating runners and chatting with everyone. I was completely impressed at the personalized feeling and friendly atmosphere of the race organizers. I will definitely do another Women’s Running Magazine events for the great organization and fun atmosphere.
