Blister in the Sun Marathon

...and who doesn't love a hot mess of race? I agree with all my new friend RR said in his comment (yes, we are now friends, you gave me ice and we swapped maniac numbers: we're on the way to becoming old friends)and would add this: in addition to the heat and all, there are hills! Seriously, there is not a whole lot of flat; you're either up or down. And I am a flatlander these days, so by the 5th time 'round, they were the Rockies. So much fun, really: I was smiling through it all. Seriously, the loops mean you see volunteers and supporters often, the other runners are your new chums, and the aid stations are beyond wonderful. Everything good about running is here. And might I mention, Cookeville is charming. Scored a great deal at the Library book sale, got some fine Joe at Charlotte's and wandered around the Depot and downtown area with delight. Don't worry about the RD; his wife is really running the show, and she's the real deal. My only regret is that there were no monkeys. I thought we were going to have monkeys over from the Harpeth Hills......

Do you like marathons run in perfect weather, with tons of on course entertainment, an aid station at every mile, and a scenic course? Then sign up for Disney or Rock N Roll. If you want exactly the opposite of all that, then this is the race for you! The Blister in the Sun marathon is designed for one purpose only. It is there to make you suffer. It is run as 5 'figure 8' loops through a small park and a lot of shameless parking lots in Cookeville Tennessee. The first week of August is, statistically speaking, the hottest week of the year in this area and conditions are brutal. It is hot. It is humid. It is hilly. In other words, this is not a PR kind of course (unless it is your first Marathon. If it is, then every marathon from now on will seem relatively easy.) This race will push even veteran marathoner's to the limits of their endurance. This is an event about toughness and facing adversity. It is an accomplishment to just finish! What about the swag? Well... The finishers award was a jar of peppers. Last year it was a bottle of beer(my favorite) and the year before it was a frying pan. My son won the race outright and was awarded a somewhat larger than average bottle of peppers. There is no shirt, but the shorts/skirts given out are top notch and adorned with the monogram BS Marathon (for Blister in the Sun, of course.) I now have 3 pairs of these unique shorts and they are among my favorite running clothes ever. If you are really cool enough to want to run a race like this, then as a three time veteran, let me give you some advise on how to finish. Train for BOTH heat and humidity. You will face both in abundance. Bring your own aid station. You will pass the center of the figure 8 course 10 times. It is a great place to put at least a cooler filled with ice and cool drinks- fuel. Bring lots and lots of ice. You will need it. I also bring a sponge or wash clothe soaked in the ice melt to sponge myself off when I get hot (every lap.) It really cools your sweat soaked body and makes your misery tolerable. Also bring electrolytes and several changes in shirts. Sunblock for fair skinned runners is a must.,.you will sweat it off several times over. This is a tough race for tough people. I love it! It is also a ton of fun, the people are nice and understand what you are going through. Misery loves company, so it helps when you co-racers are friendly too. There is a lot of humorous tongue in cheek commentary from the RD that will make you smile. He's a lot nuts, but so are you if this races appeals to you. I'll be seeing you there next year!

Running 'the Rock' 5 loops around the Lake and in sunny 90-degree Tennessee may sound tough, probably stupid - but think of the bragging rights! Seriously, this race could NOT be better organized, and in a nicer atmosphere. Every person I talked to in Cookeville knows this race and encourages you, I got a late checkout at the hotel and free advice at the gas station. But on the course itself, never seen more friendly folks and a professional RD who runs with us, that is pretty cool. Aside from a beautiful course in a pretty park, you get very nice goodies, personalized Brooks shorts and your Bib is CUSTOM-MADE FOR YOU! Enough said, the RD calls himself 'the Sadist' and offers his secrets to feel bad, but you never do. Instead it is a great atmosphere of camaraderie and challenge, yes, still a challenge mentally to run 5 difficult loops. Register for the challenge, and finish for the kids you are sponsoring! Thank you Martha and Josh.