State Number 8...Mississippi

 

On March 27, 2018 I ran a half marathon in my 8th state!  I had signed up for this race in January and planned my trip in order to also see my niece play in her college soccer game.  My sister and her family were also going to come to the game, so I was excited to see everyone.  

But 3 weeks before the race, the city of Jackson forced the race to be postponed to October or be run virtually.  Let me say, I do not see the point of virtual races!  But October was not a month in which I could add more travel and I didn't want to miss seeing Ashton play. So I decided to show up on March 27, run 13.1 miles somewhere near Jackson, MS and count it as my half in that state.  Not knowing the area, I posted to my FB running group and asked if anyone knew of places to run.  I was very fortunate to get the answer that the Mississippi running club was hosting a "virtual" race at a park and anyone was invited!  

My virtual race bib

The race was to take place anytime between 7 and 11 in the morning....you could start whenever you wanted.  So I arrived around 7:20.  Most of the runners had already started, but there was an older gentleman who helped me figure out where to start and he offered to run with me.  I was skeptical at first as I usually run alone.  But I figured I should be friendly and try something new.  He said he would run a 12 minute mile and even with my IT band issues, I figured I could do that.  We started running a 10ish minute mile and kept that up for the first few miles.  I was nervous that I was making him run too fast so we slowed down.  At the end, however, when there were some hills, he was the one who left me!  At least until he waited for me at the top of the hill!  He was a very nice man named Jim and we had a lot of values in common.  I was able to meet his wife at the end of the run and she took our picture.

Amy and Jim

The race itself started out around a lake and ended on a running/biking path beside the Natchez Trace Parkway.  The club provided water, pizza, donuts, and cookies for after race food.  It was as good as any real race!  Then I was able to get my medal and shirt, both of which were very nice!  

My sister, Jennifer, and her family met me where I got my medal.  After cleaning up at the hotel, we went to lunch and visited Vicksburg National Military Park.  

Lunch at Lenny's 

Josiah

Lincoln

Amy and Jennifer

The entrance to the drive through Vicksburg.  The park was full of monuments from different states that fought in this battle.

Ashton, Jennifer and Amy

After seeing the sites in Vicksburg, we went for a good after-race meal.  Ashton suggested a restaurant named Aplos where I was able to get pizza and French fries!  In the shopping center there was also a soap store, Buff City Soaps, and I was able to indulge in buying nice soap!  And Jennifer surprised me with a little birthday party!  Can't miss celebrating 50 years!!

Jennifer, the birthday princess in her new race shirt, and Ashton

After a good night's sleep, we got donuts at Shipley's and they were totally worth the calories!  And the lemon filled donuts had lots of lemon filling!

After a lazy morning and lunch at a Mexican restaurant named Los Parrilleros, we headed to Jackson to see Ashton play soccer.  Since she is not always guaranteed to play, she was nervous that she would not play when she had people who had come to watch her.  But she went in towards the end of the first half and played the rest of the game.  And they finished right before it started to rain!!  

Ashton is #16.  She plays for Mississippi College and they won!

Five hours later, I arrived at my hotel for the night and then got up the next day to hurry back to Chareston and work.  It was a fast, but fun trip and I am so glad it worked out!!  I am especially thankful for the Mississippi running club.  It was a great virtual course!