"No matter how old I get, the race remains one of life's most rewarding experiences." ~ George Sheehan
Running log (past week)
Sunday: 3.53 miles (9:04)
Monday: no running
Tuesday: 4.11 miles (9:05)
Wednesday: no running
Thursday: no running
Friday: no running
Saturday: Grey Ghost 5k 3.1 miles (8:48).
Week Total: 10.74 miles.
It was a beautiful morning, sun shining, birds singing, hardly any breeze, 53 degrees, 95% humidity. The Grey Ghost 5k starts and ends at the historic Oaklawn Plantation, a pre Civil War mansion in Spring Hill Tennessee. The race is a pleasant run in the country surrounded by pastures. Along the route there are trees, a few houses, a pond, barns and silos. This race is relatively small. Whereas the Franklin Classic had more than 2,500 participants, this race had only 565 entries.
My goal for this race was to finish in under 26 minutes. The race begins on a dirt driveway. We ran approximately a quarter mile to a paved street. From there it was up and down rolling green hills along a winding road to the turn around point and back to the start. I finished with an official chip time of 27 minutes 19 seconds—not even close to my goal. I did get third place for my age division so I'm not too disappointed.
Why is the race called the Grey Ghost? This is from the race website:
Quote:
The Grey Ghost is named for General John Bell Hood. He was the commander of the Confederate troops stationed in Spring Hill (at Oaklawn Plantation) and charged with not allowing the Union forces to get north to Franklin and eventually Nashville. Many say he had been wounded in battle and was either intoxicated or delirious from pain medication, but the Union soldiers crept within 200 yards of Oaklawn and got past his soldiers. The next day the Battle of Franklin took place, which many say was a huge pivotal point in the war.