Country Road Runner

Well, I have now run the Bell Ringer 6 times. The 50k three times, 25k twice and 15k once.

The race is well organized, the trail is challenging and the scenery is great.

We stayed at the hotel this year since we were running the 50k, I did not want to drive the hour up that morning and then run the race.

It is always fun to see which friends will show up and what distance they chose. Even had some mostly road running here this year.

This year I ran the 50k with my 2nd oldest and my youngest ran the 15k with a goal of getting on the podium.

I decided to wear my grinch shirt and socks along with a Santa hat. I even let my youngest put glitter on my face and on my hair.

Although a storm had come through the park and knocked down over 300 trees, they managed to clear most of the trails. There was some rerouting from prior years, but not much.

The race starts on a park road then moves to the golf course path before moving to the trails of the park. The trails include both single track and jeep.

Although it started out pretty cold, it did warm up nicely. Eventually took off the gloves and rolled up the shirt sleeves.

I believe the finish line was a welcome site for both of us. Excited to see what distance we all choose next year and who else will join us.

@bellringertrail @montgomerybellstatepark

The Natchez Trace trail run had a 50 miler, marathon, half-marathon and half-marathon ruck.

I signed up for the half-marathon to run with a buddy doing his longest trail race.

The race is done by Hardwin Adventures who puts on several great races here in middle Tennessee. I have to admit, I was hesitant as I have gotten lost at his Music City Trail 25k in the past.

My fear was not unwarranted as we all had to wear ankle trackers.

We all met at the Garrison Post rest stop and were bussed to the start line about 10 miles down the road.

We ran down the road a short distance and entered the trail in single file. We started out fast to get ahead of the slow conga line.

Yes, I am carrying a small plastic water bottle. I could not decide on wearing a vest or just carrying a flask, so I ended up just carrying the small bottle. Which was great for 5 miles until it was empty. There were a couple of aid stations, but we did not stop.

The course was well marked. A couple of road crossings slowed us down a little bit, but did not make a huge difference in our time or experience.

The trail was beautiful and challenging. The creek crossings added to the fun.

The Run Nash Half was October 25, 2025 and was another great race sponsored by First Horizon Bank.

We did packet pick up the day before and had some fun.

It was an early morning. Waking up at 5:00 to make sure I had plenty of time to find parking and get to the start line. Found Emma and we made our way to the starting line.

Emma and I had a goal of a couple hours and found a very comfortable rhythm.

Overall, the Run Nash Half is well done from the packet pick up to the end of race experience. However, I feel that there are one to many out and backs to make the race more enjoyable.

#halfmarathon. #runnashhalf. #skratchlabs

The race director for the Mad Mallard is also a member of the scal-a-wag trail run club. As a long time member of the group, I had to sign up to support him and the Henry Horton state park where the event was held. The money also goes to the Fallen Warrior Foundation in honor of Sgt. David Hierholzer raising money for the less fortunate in Marshall County Tennessee.

The race takes place at the Ronnie Bowers Wetland Trail at the Park. The trail consisted of about a mile of grass through the wetlands and two mile of trail as an out and back lollipop shape.

I signed up for the 24 hour race and 3 of my daughters signed up for the 6 hour race.

I took Friday off to help get our group ready for the start of the race that evening at 7pm. we packed two coolers of ice, all sorts of snacks and hydration as well as bug spray and suntan lotion to run through the next day. The chairs were also very important.

The race started at 7pm we had the National Anthem and then a brief word from the race director.

The girls and I all had different running strategies, so we did not stay together. However, we did see each other several times on the trail.

My original strategy was to run the wetland and walk the trail, but with my longest training time at 6 hours, I decided to walk the entire time.

Running through the night was an awesome experience on the wetlands with only the headlamps of the other runners out on the trail. Each lap that I finished I made sure I ate a watermelon on the way in, refilled my hydration and grabbed a quesadilla on my way out.

I managed to run 48 miles in 17 hours. I ended up having to stop due to some pretty nasty blisters. My daughter lanced the two on my heel, but I over compensated and ended up with a few on the balls of my feet. Great race and awesome time.

Did manage one change of clothes for the race.

Will come back next year and make it the full 24 hours. Will definitely be sure to take care of my feet before the race.

My employer had tickets to the #rocknrollnashville marathon and offered them four weeks out.

Not the normal amount of time needed to train for a race of this distance, but was curious to see what my base training would get me.

Took my youngest with me to the race expo and we had a lot of fun.

Getting ready for race day. Decided on the running vest to ensure I was able to use my favorite electrolytes (#skratchlabs).

With no corral number given and a goal of not DNFing, I started in the back.

This race was interesting in that I did not stick to the plan of walking gnome mile every six. Started out strong and kept going. ended up walking the last ten miles and that was rough.

Faster for Foster Trail Race 5k and 10k is a great event to raise funds for foster care in middle Tennessee. The race is sponsored by New to You and if you have an opportunity to support them or participate in an event, you should.

The race is held at Preservation Park in Thompson’s Station which is not too far from my house. This allowed for time to train on the 5k course. I started out with one loop and built up to 4 loops with a turn time of 30 minutes or less each.

The original race last year was just a 5k, so the 10k addition was two loops.

Some pictures from race day.

Yes, crazy! First place overall and as of 2025, current course record holder.

This was my first time running the #Moosiccitydairydash 15k, but it was my second corporate challenge race of the year. We ended up with second place.

Saw some trail and road running buddies from various groups I run with from time to time.

The course was an out and back along the Cumberland River.

This was my fastest road 15k in quite awhile and good enough to place as the overall male grandmaster m.

Was not planning on running the Tom King Classic. Initially thought this year was going to be a little different coaching a girls HS soccer team from mid-February through the beginning of May. However, my training seems to be enough to participate in some shorter distance races.

The company I work for participates in the Corporate Challenge here in Nashville and an email offered a discount on the race to run for the company. I thought it would be fun to meet some fellow employees that also enjoyed running (The bank had 7 employees participate in the different distances). Plus, I last take the Tom King at the 20th anniversary and thought it would be fun.

Decided that it would be fun to run in the shirt I received when I last ran the race. Plus my bank did not have any shirts suitable to wear while running.

The race starts at the old Cornelia Fort Airpark and runs along the greenway for an out and back. I was focused on time as I was not sure how they scored the corporate challenge.

Side note, I bumped into a trail running buddy at a road race who was also participating in the corporate challenge. We started the race together.

Just a few pictures I took around the starting area. It was a little chilly, but turned into a nice day. There were quite a few runners and walkers along the greenway that were not participating in the race. I really enjoyed the scenery.

A couple pictures from the start. With only 300 runners, thought there may be a few more of me, but did not see any.

Strava showed me that this was my 3rd fastest time in the half marathon, but it was fast enough to be 1st in my age group and in the top 10%.

Apparently I was hungry. I ate about 5 everything bagels after the race.

We won the corporate challenge for our division.

They let me keep the trophy for having the fastest time for our company.

Great race and great time. I actually signed up to do the next race in the corporate challenge in April.

#TomKingClassic. #halfmarathon. #notatrailrace. #teamnuun

From different running groups to new accomplishments, 2024 was a year to remember! As my grandmother would say, “This was the best year yet.” And there have been 53 of those so far!!!

2024 The Word

The word for 2024 transformed over the first few months. What started out as Quiet quickly became Rest.

Before we dive into the word Rest, I think it is important to look at the word for 2023 and see what started it all. In 2023, I was in need of a change and a discussion about running over the New Year holiday led me to picking a word for 2023. The word was Intentional. It began as being intentional in my training. Well the more I thought about it, it was to be more intentional at work, with my family, with my faith and in reading. Being intentional is definitely hard to measure, but it can easily be seen in the category of reading where I went from one book read in the last 5 years to reading/listening to 22 in 2023. Hopefully those around me can speak to me being intentional in other areas.

Back to 2024 and the word Rest. As stated above, it started out as quiet, but that did not seem right. Then it became peace, but I really felt that I had that. So the word became Rest and that is what I felt I needed. Rest may not look the same to all of us. For me the Rest was found on the trail listening to scripture (All 66 books by June) as well as sermons from several different pastors I enjoy. The Rest I needed was not physical, and I was able to find that peace and quiet while I ran.

My Year in Running

Over 2,525 miles ran. Ran for over 400 hours. Climbed over 175,000 feet of elevation. Ran over 300 times.

Listened to all 66 books of the Bible. Listened to the Ultrarunners Mindset Podcast and the Rest is History Podcast. Listened to sermons from Downtown Presbyterian Church and lots of music.

Races

Each year, my wife and I agree that I should do two races. One that is a half-marathon distance and one that is an ultra distance. And although I do my best to stick with the plan, I am not sure I have been successful in the last five years.

Faster for Foster 5k

This was a fun race to start the year and was for a good cause. Loved running with so many friends from so many different running clubs on the Preservation Park trails near my house.

Sgt David Hierholzer Memorial Day 50k

The second race of the year was not one that was on my radar and my training was not where I felt it needed to be. It was a Memorial Day Race/Run to support/honor a local military individual who gave all.

Little Dog’s Backyard Ultra

The next race was my “Big Race” of the year, Little Dog’s Backyard Ultra. A race format I was familiar with, but had yet to try. With four trail running friends competing, I thought I would give it a go. I was hoping for 24 hours, but due to some pain that would not let me continue settled for 12 loops (12 hours; 50 miles).

Nashville Tough Mudder

The next event for me was a Tough Mudder. Why? Because my employer gave me two free passes. Who does those kind of obstacles? Crazy!! Managed to complete all but two of them. Great time with my daughter. Will not do that again!

RunNash Half Marathon

Well, when your employer offers you a bib for a half marathon, it is hard to say no. The RunNash Half was a great race, but I learned I would not run another road race alone. Missed the camaraderie you experience on the trail or having someone to share the experience with when it was done. It was my 2nd fastest 13.1 miles though.

Harlinsdale Hustle 12 hour

A friend of mine put this race together for several of his trail running friends. We started at 6am and ran a 3 mile loop for 12 hours. I loved running with the different ultra runners and then with three of my kids. Longest distance over 12 hours at 53.65 miles.

Bell Ringer 25k

I have run the Bell Ringer five times (2x25k, 1x15k, & 2x50k). Last year was great running with two of my daughters and this year trying to finish the 25k before my youngest finished the 15k was a crazy challenge. She finished faster by 20 minutes.

Some additional pictures from the year:

2024 was amazing and I am excited for 2025. I know that it will look different but that is a part of the journey to learn and explore new things and teach others along the way.

#honeystingerhive #teamnuun #squirrelsnutbutter #trailrunning #ultrarunning #skratchlabs