3...

The race this weekend is in Nashville, so naturally the theme is "country". The Country Music Marathon features over 40 bands/singers along the race route as well as a post-race concert.

The concert headliner, Billy Currington (seen here in his undershirt), follows opening bands The Carter Twins and Ashton Shepherd. I know nothing about country music and don't particularly care for it, but I feel like I should pick out a tune or two before we run to get in the "mood". I WANT to like country music, so this may be a good start.

Regardless, having music along the race route is a great distraction. In fact, anything that's entertaining during the run is so helpful in terms of keeping your mind off of how many miles are between you and the finish line. Spectators are a great help as well. Even though you may not know them all, it's energizing to have strangers cheering/yelling at the runners. Derrick and I have our own personal cheer squad - my sister Em. She's is kind enough to travel all the way to Nashville, wake up early, drop us at the starting line, and will probably be propping me up during the concert that night.