Walking In Memphis

Elvis Poster – near Beale Street  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

I know, I know, you’re probably thinking “Running in Memphis” would be a more accurate title since I went to Memphis to run the St. Jude Memphis Marathon, but I always liked that song by Marc Cohn  … then I’m walking in Memphis, walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale …..

I’ve never been to Memphis, but always wanted to go and I’d heard the marathon there was nice.  So, nearly a year ago, when I saw a crazy airfare of $130 for LGA-MEM on Continental Airlines, I grabbed it.  Apparently, at the time, the sale was Continental’s attempt to infiltrate a Delta hub.  The joke was on both of them:  a year later, Continental Airlines no longer exists and Memphis is no longer  Delta’s hub.  Looks like I was the sole victor with a cheap ticket.

So, while many of my frequent traveler friends were traversing the airways going to Frequent Traveler University (a seminar/party for frequent flyers) in Los Angeles, I was going to Memphis.  My flight was originally supposed to go through Houston (Continental’s hub) now was routed through Chicago O’Hare (United’s hub).  Lucky for me, I have a membership at United Club, so I stopped in at the lounge right near my gate for a civilized cup of coffee.

My flight arrived around 2 pm on Friday.  Rather than pay upwards of $35 for a taxi, I scoped the taxi line for people I thought might be in town for the Marathon.  I found two women who fit the bill (who else would wear Hoka One Ones?), and I shared a ride with them to downtown.  Turned out they were both staying at the Crowne Plaza too, which is close to the Convention Center and about a ten minute walk from the famous Beale Street.

I checked into the Crowne Plaza Hotel.  The Crowne Plaza is part of the InterContinental Hotel Group, which includes Holiday Inn hotels.  I booked the room nearly a year ago, so I was able to take advantage of the government rate (for which I am eligible) of $93 per night.  Had I waited a few months, the special rate would have been gone, and the price would have been nearly $100 per night more.  I’m a Platinum Priority Club Rewards member, so my room was an upgraded room on the Executive Floor.  I didn’t bother to take photos – it looked like any other room: clean and organized, two beds, just fine, not memorable. Nothing particularly executive about it, but it was fine.  However…. (ah, there’s always the however)… I found it  rather freaky that ALL of the drawers were open.  The desk draws, the dresser drawers and the night table drawers.  I called the front desk and was assured it had been a housekeeping inspection. Oh, OK.

I went over to the Convention Center to pick up the marathon gear – including my shirt and number.

Expo – St. Jude Memphis Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

There was nothing much to see at the expo, so my plan was to head back to the hotel, drop off my stuff, wander down to Beale Street, and then meet up with friends for dinner.

I looked at the back of my hotel room door.  It was missing part of the lock. Very odd.  Not the best assurance of security to see what looked like a door with a lock that had been ripped from it …

Something’s missing from the lock on the door at Crowne Plaza  Memphis  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

I did two things.  First, I tweeted about it. Second, I called the front desk and told them about this.  The hotel responded immediately.  A very polite employee appeared with a drill and installed the missing lock piece in the door.  Even with their courteous and prompt response, I was left wondering how the hotel had not fixed this in the first place before they’d checked guests into the room.

I went to Beale Street, looked around, met friends for drinks (at a Beer establishment called the Flying Saucer) and then to dinner with about 6 friends at a cute restaurant, Rizzo’s Diner, which someone had thought would have Pasta, but didn’t.  The website describes the menu as Southern inspired upscale diner food. The seared scallops with grits were dreamy and delicious, but not quite the same as the traditional carbo-load pre-marathon spaghetti with meatballs (I paid for this the next morning in ways I will not describe here).

The marathon itself was nice. Its main sponsor/charity is St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.  It was all about the children we were helping.  The crowds and local support was amazing.  Sometimes, especially when we ran by the hospital itself, and past the mile markers which each had pictures of the kids, I started crying.  even now.  Such beautiful, brave hero children.

Mile Marker – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Mile Marker – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Mile Marker – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

    
The marathon went through some nice areas and passed by some landmarks ….  such as Sun Studio, of Elvis fame (but in Memphis everything is of Elvis fame).

Sun Studio – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Sun Studio – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Sun Studio – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Landmark sign- Sun Studio – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

I met a lobster at a water stop:

great volunteers at St. Jude Marathon – the lobster volunteer was my favorite  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

I liked this sign:

favorite spectator sign  – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

A few hours later we finished on the field of a stadium.

finisher medal – it twirls – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

We rested and ate a little pizza, but didn’t want to fill up too much because I was looking forward to BBQ later on.

26.2 miles later – will run for pizza – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

A group of about 10 of us met up later on at Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous BBQ restaurant.  I had the brisket. Oh, my god, it was great!

tired, happy and hungry friends at Rendezvous BBQ  – Memphis – St. Jude Marathon  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

YUM  – Memphis – Rendezvous BBQ  (photo: www.WillRunForMiles.com)

Since I was leaving the next day, I stopped by the front desk on my way back to the room.  I asked if I could see the bill and mentioned that there had been a slight  problem with the lock.  The night manager semi-sneered at me and mumbled something about not liking it when people tweet about hotel problems…..

The next day, it was time to check out and head to the airport.  I asked for the bill.  The day manager was professional and friendly and offered me $50 off the bill on account of the problem with the lock – or lack – thereof.   I thought that was fair and I accepted that.

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to go see Graceland.  Perhaps next time.  Next week…. marathon in Rehoboth, Delaware. –>