The “Truckin’ Runners” Facebook group’s “Virtual 5K” is ongoing through Saturday. My results follow, a great run out on the former airfield/runway in my Nashville neighborhood by the river, now part of the big Greenway system the Park District here oversees. You never know what you’re going to see out there — the wide-open field around the 1.3-mile runway loop is utilized for hay by an adjacent farm that raises cattle (yes, even in inner-city Nashville), and given the woods and residential neighborhood bordering the area as far as the eye can see, it’s a great spot to catch a variety of open-field birds I never see at the house.
Snapping turtles, too, indeed, not to mention the occasional mink, groundhog, great blue heron or great (white) egret and copious deer. For those of you who cycle, too, this area is readily accessible from both the downtown TA and the Love’s on Trinity Lane, miles from each but in good weather easily doable. Though it says “CLOSED” on the map at the prior link, the Cornelia Fort Airpark, as it’s known, is only closed for flights, as it were. The loop connects via other paved trails to the likewise paved Shelby Bottoms Greenway along the river.In any case, yesterday it dried out enough here after three days of steady rain to get the 3.11-mile/5K run in around lunchtime. There was a steady headwind on the South-facing portions of the runway loop (I went about two and a half times around), and (yes!) a corresponding tailwind on the North resulting in, all in all, about the best time for this distance I’ve had in a while at a 8:11 pace.
If you’re participating, how’d you do? If not, there’s still time if you can fit it in before end of day Saturday. Just email [email protected]. Let him know your full name, age on this race week, and whether you plan on competing against runners or walkers. When you’ve done, document your results with a picture of your GPS watch or a smartphone app screenshot (I use the RunKeeper app on Android).
There is no cost to enter and you are not required to make a donation to enter, but the Truckin’ Runners Facebook group encourages your support in any amount to benefit the St. Christopher Truckers Development & Relief Fund.
Or donate when you buy your race shirt (also not required) at this link.
