it's marathon weekend!

My favorite Knoxville weekend of the year is almost here! It's Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon weekend!

This always ends up being a big weekend for Knoxville with tons of activities going on. This weekend also happens to be First Friday and the Rhythm N' Blooms festival, so there will be lots of fun goings-on in the Downtown-ish area. My personal favorite is the Marathon, because I am an avid runner and because I truly love to see people succeed at such an amazing goal.

Committing to run any of these events--whether the 5k, relay, half marathon or marathon--is such an amazing feat for so many people. This event is what fitness and goal-setting is all about. For some people, this will be their first time ever running 3.1 miles, and others will be experiencing their first 26.2. To me, running is a metaphor for perseverance and dedication; and I am so proud of each and every runner who gets out there and goes for it.

I was planning to run the marathon this year but a foot injury is keeping me booted up and on the sidelines. So I will be manning a water station at around mile 7, excited to see all the half marathoners and marathoners whiz by me.

If you are running, good luck. If you aren't running, please consider attending the fitness expo on Saturday the 2nd, cheering on the course, or volunteering. There are still plenty of volunteer opportunities available, and believe me, the runners and the hard working folks of the Knoxville Track Club will be so thankful for your help. You know what they say - it takes a village. The races begin at 7:30am on Sunday at Knoxville Convention Center and will cover Fort Sanders, Campus, Neyland, Sequoyah and the 3rd Creek Greenway, North, East, South and Downtown Knoxville. Information about the race and events can be found here. Information about all the awesome volunteering opportunities still available can be found here. If you're looking for a fun place to cheer, my neighborhood Island Home, always puts on a spectacular party for those marathoners on their last push to the finish line. Just be advised of road closures that day.

Run your heart out, Knoxville!

with love, from us

Are you loving this weather? It is a special Valentine's Day treat arranged just for YOU from all of US at the wigshop. There's something just so yummy about the combination of sunshine and wind. I can't get over it.

If you're like me, which to say you are making yourself sick from eating too many candy sweethearts at your desk, then it's time to give yourself the gift of love and get on outside. (Tangent: did you know that they now make a candy heart that says "tweet me"? What a sad, strange thing).

Need some inspiration? Here are a few fun things you could be doing on this lovely, sunny, windy Valentine's Day:

1. Take your sweetie on a walk around some unexplored territory over at Ijams in South Knoxville.

2. Meet up with some friends (I love friends!) for happy hour and snacks. How about the outdoor patio at Calhoun's on the Tennessee River? I love a windy day on the water.

3. Grab a Frisbee or a football and play a quick game out at World's Fair Park. Then see number 2, and do that.

4. Jog a lap around Lakeshore and time yourself to see how long it takes you to run up that monster hill. You know the one I'm talking about. Then see number 2, replace Calhoun's with Casa Don Gallo, and proceed from there.

5. Check out this reading by Kevin Wilson at UT at the Writers in the Library Series. It's at 7, so first you can stroll around campus and remember the good old days (or, if you're a current student, ponder the good now days).

Enjoy your sunny, windy, love day. We sure do love you.

storycorps, knoxville edition

If you've been downtown lately, you may have noticed an airstream stationed on the south end of Market Square. That, my friends, is the StoryCorps recording studio; and it's pretty awesome that it's here in Knoxville.

Most people who are familiar with StoryCorps are so because of NPR, which features a StoryCorps segment every Friday morning during Morning Edition. While it's awesome that NPR features the segment, StoryCorps is actually its own entity. From its mission:

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit whose mission is to provide Americans of all backgrounds and beliefs with the opportunity to record, share, and preserve the stories of our lives. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and archived more than 30,000 interviews from more than 60,000 participants. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to share, and is preserved at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind.

StoryCorps tag line is, "Every story matters," and I think that's such a sweet sentiment but also one that's often overlooked. In the ever transforming media age, I think we're beginning to overlook ourselves; and we forget about what a joy it is to sit down and just listen, just connect. Oral history is somewhat lost, and that's a shame.

I've been a fan of StoryCorps for a long time; and when I found out the traveling recording studio (The MobileBooth) was coming to Knoxville, I was hoping I could snag an appointment...and I did. So last Sunday, Halloween, my dearest and headed to Market Square to tell our story.

The process is simple. You think of the person you most want to talk to and then think of the story you want to tell. You need to go online to the StoryCorps site to reserve your slot. And then you just show up and...talk. A producer is there to guide you through the process and to take notes during the conversation, but for the most part it's just this really cool opportunity to sit back and talk to someone you love.

I talk to Scott every day and, yes, there was a producer in the booth listening to our conversation; but I found this to be an extremely intimate and personal experience. We talked about things that we haven't talked about in a while. We had a chance to review our personal history. And I will cherish it always. At the end of the session, we received a free CD of our conversation, and our story will be archived with the thousands of others at the Library of Congress. Forever. That's really, really cool. We were told that only about 1% of the stories are chosen for radio or podcast, but that doesn't even matter to me. This was one of the most valuable things I have done.

As I mentioned, you can talk about anything. But StoryCorps does have a few special initiatives to ensure certain stories are being told...and heard. I linked to the full list, but among them are September 11 stories, stories about Memory Loss and stories by and for the LGBTQ community.

It is completely free to tell your story, but of course the program survives on donations. Totally a worthwhile investment in my book. StoryCorps has already been here in Knoxville since the beginning of October, but the good news is that they'll be here for another week. If you'd like to participate, get online to see if any appointments are still available. Go archive a part of who you are.

knox-o-ween

Halloween week is upon us and I'm hearing lots of buzz about the festivities going on around town. This list from WVLT is pretty comprehensive. Lots of family friendly activities.

If you're looking for not so family friendly activities, the Old City is probably my favorite location for Halloween debauchery. Lots of bar hopping and unique costumes.

I'm gearing up for trick-or-treating on Sunday. This will be my first year as a Knoxville resident that I'll actually get trick-or-treaters, and I'm hearing rumors that my neighborhood gets something like 700 of them. That's scary enough right there.

What are your Halloween traditions? Favorite bars? Best trick-or-treating spots? Better yet, what are your (or your kids) plans for costumes?

nourish skin studio

I recently turned 30, and I've noticed some big differences in my skin over the past 8 to 10 months. I guess it really is just like clockwork: My face realized it was 30, and it was time to freak the heck out. I see a dermatologist whom I love, but I go to her for more medical skin issues as opposed to cosmetic ones. Her offices do own a "medi-spa," but the rates are out of my budget beyond the occasional "special treat." I've always enjoyed facials and truly believe in the benefits of customized skincare, but I have a difficult time rationalizing the expense; and most of the facials offered by Knoxville spas are around 75 to 100 bucks. That's just not something I can do every month when I've got hair to maintain and running shoes to buy. So now that I'm 30 and want to make facials a part of my normal routine, I've been wondering what the heck I should do.

I cannot recommend highly enough the fantastic services at nourish skin studio in Bearden. Nourish is a lovely little boutique spa located at The Shops at the Orangery. It's owned and operated by Amanda and Sydney, who have a philosophy I can really stand behind: "Our philosophy is a simple one...we believe that with regular care of your skin, you will see a difference." With that in mind, nourish offers custom facials at an unbelievable price. When I say custom facial, I mean that they'll analyze your skin and devise a treatment based on what your skin needs. Sure, that sounds pretty much like any facial you'll ever get. However, what I really like about nourish is that they make the plan for you. Every time I look at a spa's list of services I get overwhelmed by which service I'm supposed to pick for myself and if it really makes a difference to book the 95 dollar service as opposed to the 70 dollar one, and if I need the collagen mask or the chemical peel, etc. At nourish, they customize the facial for you, and all you have to do is sit back and relax. And the kicker is that each one hour custom facial is only fifty bucks!

Beyond the price, which really is unbelievable and amazing to me, there's the atmosphere. Nourish is a quaint, clean little space that's fun to visit. Amanda and Sydney are both so pleasant and knowledgeable, and visiting nourish is like taking a little escape. From my personal experience, they're willing to work with your scheduling needs, too, and are extremely accommodating and welcoming. The product lines they carry are also affordable. After using some of the products for only a few days, I can already tell a difference.

I travel all the time and lately it seems like I've been home a fleeting few days among 6 weeks of steady travel. I came home from a work trip and had one day to prep for a family wedding out of town. Everything in my life had been neglected, and my day was jam packed with errands and to-dos before I took off again. Amanda completely accommodated me on a short notice and gave me one of the most relaxing and enjoyable hours I've had in 6 weeks before I got back on the road. And, of course, my skin looks amazing.

In addition to the 60 minute custom facial, nourish also offers a number of services including waxing, spray tan and the "ultra nourish" signature treatment, which I want to try next time. It's a place that understands both your skin and your budget, and like I said, I just can't recommend it enough.

nourish skin studio
the shops at the orangery, second floor
5412 homberg drive, nw 37919
865-454-3035

karma month at the glowing body

I hope everyone had a safe and fun holiday weekend. I went with some friends out to the Ocoee and had a great time. I love being able to take full advantage of a long, holiday weekend. It's hard to believe it's already July 6th. Then again, I guess I say the same thing every summer.

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to The Glowing Body. They are hosting their annual "karma month" throughout July. This is really a wonderful gift to the community, as the majority of the classes on the month's schedule are being offered at donation rates. From the Glowing Body's website:

Glowing Body has instated July as our annual Karma Month. “Karma” directly translates as “action” and is typically associated with performing service as Yoga, while letting go of attachment to any preconceived outcomes or results. In an effort to make yoga accessible to a wide range of potential students without requiring predetermined compensation, the Glowing Body’s instructors offer selected classes as “Karma” or donation-based classes.

I really like what they say in regards to value: "It is requested that you place value on the classes offered, meaning that you give even just $1 if that is what you can afford..." I truly value my yoga practice but can't always budget for the class rates on top of my gym membership, running gear and race fees. July is the perfect opportunity to take advantage of the amazing instructors and courses at the Glowing Body, at even just a few dollars off the regular class price. If you have never been to the Glowing Body, this is the perfect time to check it out. Of course you should definitely swing by Magpies after your class for a delicious cupcake or dozen.

Information and schedule on the Glowing Body's website. The Glowing Body is located on Central Avenue downtown, just west of Broadway.

pilot fireball 5k

One of the most fun races of the year is this weekend! It's the Pilot Fireball 5k, and it's this Saturday (the eve of our 4th of July) at 9pm. This is the only night time run associated with the KTC , and it really is a fun one. The race begins and ends at the UT Vet School, so you're running out and back on Neyland. This strip of Neyland = flat as a pancake, so it's a good race if you're looking to get your best 5k time. It's a GREAT race if you just want to go out and have some fun. The crowd is big, and everyone is happy and energetic. A lot of people choose to wear 4th themed attire. It's July in Knoxville, so it's going to be a hot one. Drink water before... and plenty of beer after. You can register for the race or find more info here.

I hope our readers have some fun plans for the holiday weekend. Whatever you do, drive safely and call a cab or spend the night if you need to. Happy Fourth!

black market square

Black Market Square opened over the weekend, but I was out of town so I stopped by last night to check it out.

The concept of Black Market Square is really cool. Owner Michelle Simpson wants a boutique that sells trendy, unique and fashionable clothing at an affordable price point. I think all, or nearly all, of the pieces she sells are priced under 60 bucks. That's pretty great considering that the majority of the other boutique stores in Knoxville are a lot pricier. The difference is, I guess, that Black Market Square does not offer designer labels. Think H&M or Forever 21, but more individualized and thoughtful. You can definitely nab a great outfit at Black Market Square and not feel like you're wearing what everyone else is wearing at the moment.

It's a cute place to pick up a party outfit or something to wear out to drinks with friends. Last night I noticed a few fun nautically inspired tops and dresses and some really great cuff bracelets. Simpson said that new arrivals come in constantly, so it's going to be a good place to check out frequently. I should have spent more time looking at the Men's side of the store, but I didn't. So I am sorry I don't have much to report for the guys. For the girls, there is a great selection of tops, dresses and jewelry. My favorite items in the store are definitely the cowboy puddle jumpers that greet you as you walk in. I think I need to go back and get myself a pair.

The store itself is spacious and clean. Simpson did a great job with the renovation. It definitely has a Market Square vibe, and I hope it does well there. With the Bliss shops and Reruns and the addition of other new to the square shops like Rala and Swagger, it seems like Market Square is finally becoming a destination with more to offer than just food. I am excited to see so many new options downtown. Black Market Square is open 10 to 9 Monday through Saturday and 11 to 5 on Sunday. I definitely recommend that you stop by and check it out this First Friday, or sooner. It's at 23 Market Square, over near La Costa.

flying biscuits, fast feet and wild and wonderful whites

Today is First Friday, so there's bound to be a bunch of fun stuff going on in and around Downtown. And out in Bearden. I stopped trying to keep up with First Friday a long time ago, since it has grown so much in the past year or so. I just go with the flow; and that way I don't feel pressure to follow an itinerary.

But there is one very fun event I'm planning to attend this evening, and that's the City People Second Annual Downtown Dash. If you haven't heard of City People, it's "a group made up of residents, business people, elected officials, preservationists, activists, and artists working together to address issues concerning Knoxville's center city." It's a group of conscientious citizens who work to make downtown a better, more fun place. Key word: fun. If there's one thing I know about City People, it's that they know how to have fun. (You should consider joining. Membership fees are really low, and benefits are listed at their website).

The Downtown Dash is a very fun 1 mile race that takes place, obviously, downtown. If you haven't already registered, you can still do so. Just show up at Pete's restaurant at 540 Union Ave. between 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The race begins at 7pm for elite runners, and then the rest of us will get started at 7:35. After the race, there is an awards ceremony in Krutch Park. Now hold on to your hats...If you dress in your best biscuit related costume and run the race, you are eligible to win an award for the best biscuit bolt costume! Because, that's right, this weekend is also the highly anticipated International Biscuit Festival!

We mentioned the Biscuit Festival a while back and sure are excited that it's finally here. So Biscuit Festival gives you extra incentive to head downtown for either First Friday, or a fun Saturday, or both. You can visit the website I linked above for a full list of events.

Also, I would be remiss if I did not mention the East Tennessee premier of The Wild and Wonderful Whites of West Virginia. That's tonight, Friday, at 8:30 at The Shed out in Maryville. If you don't know anything about Dancing Outlaw Jesco White and his wacky family, then you sure are missing out. Dancing Outlaw is a cult classic documentary about Jesco and his family, and this new documentary, produced by Storm Taylor, looks to be awesome. You can get ticket information, directions, and view a film trailer from our buddies Knoxville Films. I think that after I do my dash, I am going to dash on over to Maryville to catch the premier.

Happy weekend, y'all.

Update: Lo has just informed me that his lovely wife is showing biscuit-inspired art at Coffee and Chocolate as a part of the International Biscuit Festival art competition. After you run or stuff your face with delicious biscuity treats, head over to Coffee and Chocolate to check it out!

thank you for being a friend - metropulse best of knoxville 2010

Yesterday we learned that for the second year in a row, our readers have voted us Knoxville's best local blog.

Thank you, sincerely, from all 9 of us. This little recognition means quite a lot to us. What began as a joke between a few friends has, over a few years, turned into something that actually makes us proud. Knoxville inspires us, and we all want to do it justice. Our little blog is growing up, and we are happy to know that a lot of you out there enjoy our ramblings and our musings.

We are working every day to make this place even better. Hopefully we've got a lot of good and fun things in store. You may have noticed that 8 became 9 when Wild Bill joined us a few weeks back. We're always on the lookout for new-to-us spots and old favorites to cover; and I am going to go out on a limb and say that 2010 is shaping up to be our year. So please keep reading and commenting; your thoughts, accolades, and even disdain are what keep this place going.

Congrats, too, to the other honorees in the category. If you haven't checked out these blogs, consider adding them to your list: Blue Streak by Cynthia Moxley (bluestreak.moxleycarmichael.com), Frank Murphy Dot Com (frankmurphy.com) and Frugalissa Finds (frugalissafinds.com)



A few weeks ago I snapped this picture when the majority of us met at the headquarters (Sunsphere bar) for happy hour. It's a lot harder than you might think to get all of us in one (physical) place at one time. When we can pull it off, we always have a good time. Cheers to you, Knoxville. Thanks again from the 9 of us weirdos.

take me out to the ball game: opening night for the smokies

Oh man, do I love baseball. I am from the Detroit area, and one of my all time favorite activities is attending Tigers games with my dad or with friends. Nothing better than a summer night, a cold beer, a delicious hot dog and a great ball game.

I have been super jealous of all my friends around the country as they've updated their Facebook statuses bragging about which home openers they're attending - Detroit, Chicago, DC... In fact, my friend Hillary is at a Tigers game as I type this, and I would just love to be there too.

Well, call me an idiot because while we don't have a pro team here in Knoxville, we do have the Tennessee Smokies, and yet I have NEVER been to one of their games. This is the summer that I will remedy that problem. It just so happens that tonight is their home opener, so you could still get yourself some tickets and head out to that game. It starts at 7:15, and it's a beautiful night for baseball.

If you can't make it tonight, there are about a million other games to attend this summer.

I think it's time for a wigshop field trip.

cades cove will re-open one month early!

Have you ever been to Cades Cove? It's one of my favorite places in the entire region, and I think that if you haven't been, you need to get on out there. It's been closed for a few months for a re-paving project, but so much progress has been made that it's set to re-open on April 24, about a month ahead of schedule.

If you haven't been, don't know, or live under a rock, Cades Cove is the most visited location in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Over 2 million visitors hit the spot each year. It's a beautiful preserve near the Townsend end of the park, and the drive to get there is, in itself, pretty beautiful. I like to leave nice and early, 6am-ish, on weekend morning. I get my hot Americano and then head out Alcoa Highway, through Maryville, Walland and Townsend and into the Park. Once you get through Townsend, you can just follow the signs to Cades Cove. There's an 11 mile loop surrounding the cove, and it's open to automobiles, cyclists, walkers and runners and horses. The re-paving project was actually to widen the road (I think), which should make it a little easier for the non-driving visitors to get around. I'm really excited for that. Personally, I don't know why you'd choose to drive the loop. It seems kind of counter-intuitive to me. Let's drive out to this nature preserve and then pollute it with our automobile while we sit in traffic on the 11 mile loop for a few hours. This has never made sense to me, but I don't call the shots.

The way to do the loop is by foot - whether you're using them to peddle a bike or they're actually hitting the pavement. It'll take you a few hours to complete, but it's definitely worth the energy. The valley is expansive, and the scenery is breathtaking. To use an overused word but apply its actual meaning, it can be a sublime experience. Running Cades Cove loop with friends is one of my all-time favorite activities. I can't wait to do it again when the loop re-opens.

May through September on Wednesdays and Saturdays, the loop is supposed to be closed to auto traffic until 10am so that runners and riders can have free reign of the road. This may change due to the re-paving project, and the last time I ran Cade's Cove was a Saturday in September and there were definitely cars on the loop before 10am, so I am not sure what happened there. The good news is that there are plenty of resources to keep us all informed. You can always check with the GSMNP Or another resource that you may not know about is Pigeonforge.com. This is an awesome wealth of information about our neighbor PF and its surrounding areas. It's a really well maintained website, so I definitely recommend that you check it out from time to time. In fact, that's where I first found out that the loop was opening early.

The exciting news is that there's going to be a race to celebrate the re-opening - the Cades Cove Loop Lope. It's scheduled to take place on opening weekend, April 24th. I don't have many details yet. The link above says pretty much all that I know at this point, but I've heard that KTC will eventually post more information as well. What I have heard is that they are asking people to carpool (not a lot of parking up there) and that the registration fee may be a little hefty but that proceeds go to the park, which is, after all, a good cause.

So if you're looking for fun weekend activities in the area, my suggestion is that you add Cades Cove to your list. Holla.

blue steel on a bus

Or is it Magnum?

This guy is everywhere. Just waiting to get on 40 and up rolls this gem. Amazing.

Coincidentally, anyone heard that a Zoolander sequel is in the works? I bet it will be really really really ridiculously good...looking.

happy saint patricks day!

Whether you celebrate Saint Patrick's Day as a religious holiday, a drinking holiday, or just an excuse to wear green and eat corned beef, it's generally accepted as a fun and festive day.

I know from experience that Knoxville loves to celebrate Saint Patrick's Day. In fact, I can imagine the the Downtown Grill and Brewery is open and serving as I type this.

Did you send your kids off to school in green outfits? Did you wake up and immediately take a car bomb or green jello shot? Are you craving that glass of Jameson?

There are some fun Saint Patrick's Day shows tonight, including Four Leaf Peat at the Square Room and Cutthroat Shamrock at the Valarium. Four Leaf Peat will be a more mellow sit-down show and Cutthroat Shamrock, I imagine, will be a bit rowdy. The Coveralls are also playing at Barleys, and I believe that the Old City bars are having their annual Old City Saint Patrick's day bar crawl. Fun times.

Be safe and responsible and get your green on.

(My green on)

Marathon Time!

My favorite time of year is nearly upon us! We're just a little over a month away from the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon, Half-Marathon, Relay & 5k! The races take place on Sunday, March 28, with the Health and Fitness expo the day before, Saturday, March 27.

Just wanted to give you a heads up that tomorrow is the last day to register at regular price. After tomorrow, the price jumps 10-bucks per event. So commit early to the race and register now at the Marathon's website!

I'll be running the half again this year. It's a beautiful, challenging course. So is the full marathon. Lots to see and do throughout the weekend!

I should convince my fellow Wigshoppers to make a relay team - it's only between 5 and 7 miles per race leg!

new year/new you

Happy New Year, all you lovely little Knoxvillians!

You know how as soon as January 1 hits, those incessant fitness and diet commercials start up in full force? Annoying, isn't it? Yes, we ate cookies for a month straight, so what!?!? In the words of Chris Farley, "LAY OFF ME, I'M STARVING!!"

In all seriousness, though, those commercials are out there for a reason. By and large, after the holiday "bulge," we do have some work to do.

It's been a while, so I just wanted to remind you that the fabulous, local program Operation Boot Camp is out there for you! The new camp starts next Monday, so you still have time to sign up! It's a special 3 week INDOOR camp to help us all ease back into the routine (camps are usually 4 weeks long).

Last month, WBIR's "Darin Erin" was brave enough to try it out. Check out her report and then head to the website to sign up (and get all the details)! You won't regret it!

some upcoming fun for market square

If you haven't heard, tomorrow is the last Market Square Farmer's Market of the year. Head downtown tomorrow between 9 and 2 to enjoy some local goodies in one, convenient location for the last time year!

Also tomorrow, Imogen Heap will be playing a sold out show at the Square Room. While the show has been sold out for some time and I'm not sure you'll have any luck scoring last minute tickets, it's really great to see such a superb act come to Knoxville. I bet that even if you can't attend the show, the square will be busier than ever tomorrow night. I'm so pleased that the Square Room continues to work hard to bring us unique acts like Imogen Heap. And good for them...they've got several sold out shows on the books in the next few weeks!

Finally, next Friday we'll see the return of Market Square's ice skating rink! What a fun way to celebrate the holidays!

"rave runs"

Rave Runs is a regular feature in Runners World magazine, which allows readers around the world to send in photos and descriptions of their favorite running locations. It's one of my favorite features in the magazine, and oftentimes when I am running here at home in Knoxville, I think about all the cool routes that would be worthy of Rave Runs write-ups. (In fact, maybe I should get Max to come and shoot a submission with me).

I had the wonderful opportunity to run in Washington DC last week, and I spent a great deal of time running along the Mount Vernon trail from where I was staying in Rosslyn, Virginia to however far I could get in the amount of free time I had. It's a beautiful trail along the Potomac and there you go one-by-one past the monuments on the other side of the river. I don't think that I am overly patriotic but there's something sublime about running right there; it's a feeling I am grateful for every time I get to run in DC. And so last week I was feeling jealous of the local DC runners, and I felt very much that we had nothing so great here in Knoxville.

But yesterday I happily reminded myself that I was quite mistaken, and I was once again truly inspired by beautiful Knoxville. I felt 100 percent lucky and blessed to be a runner who calls Knoxville home. Knoxville has over 40 miles of paved Greenways for runners, walkers and bikers; and besides those Greenways there are tons of amazing running spots throughout the city and surrounding area (don't even get me started on the National Park!). And it's fall, and the colors are amazing, so running now is even more beautiful and inspiring.

My Rave Run:

I set out from home somewhere on Gay Street and run south to Hill Street. A lot of the time, I will keep going along Gay, since crossing the Gay Street bridge is probably my most cherished running activity in Knoxville (especially during football season--it provides an incredible view of the river, the stadium and the Vol Navy). But I need a quick way to get down to the river, and taking Hill east by Blount Mansion and James White Fort provides that transition. I run down the hill and into the Ruth's Chris Parking lot, and from there I connect to the Greenway along the river. From there it's a few miles along the river (including the smells of yummy goodness coming from Calhoun's), on and of Neyland, and the Greenway. There are 2 different spots where you get to cross under the road, and you toggle between being adjacent to the river or across the street. Of course this route includes passing Neyland Stadium and Thompson Boling Arena. Then you hit campus, the gardens and the vet school. I like to turn East up Joe Johnson because there's a challenging hill going up to campus, and then I head down Volunteer and back uphill to Lake Louden Rd. That connects back to Neyland. From there, depending on how I feel, I have a number of small routes that take me home through downtown. Depending on the minor turns I choose during any given run, this route can be anywhere from 6 to 8 miles, and, to me, is the perfect way to spend a lovely fall morning.

What are you Knoxville "Rave Runs?"

tennessee shines tonight at the bijou theatre

We Wigshoppers are super excited to be attending this evening's installation of Tennessee Shines down at the Bijou Theatre on Gay Street.

If you don't know...Tennessee Shines is a AC Entertainment's monthly concert series. Every last Wednesday of the month, Grammy winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale hosts a two-hour music event featuring the best and brightest Americana and folk musicians from around this area.

I mean this as a very high compliment: Tennessee Shines reminds me of Garrison Keillor's A Prairie Home Companion. There's just something down-home and feel-good about an opportunity listen to live American roots music. This is the kind of music that just makes you happy.

Tennessee Shines has an impressive roll call of alumni acts including Erick Baker, Scott Miller, The Black Lillies and the everybodyfields. Tonight's acts are Mike Farris, Tim Easton, Randall Bramblett and Amy Speace. It's going to be a lot of fun.

Tickets are 15 bucks in advance and 20 at the door and well worth it. I definitely suggest you head downtown tonight and check out this Knoxville gem. You'll see some of the Wigshoppers swaying along to the music.

Bistro at the Bijou - 2 day fix

So last week I posted about KTC and all of their cool races. It was awesome getting all the comments about races and triathlons that you lovely readers plan to participate in. While I was a competitive swimmer all the way through college, I do not do triathlons, so I am sorry that they are left out of my fitness-related posts. Many thanks to those of you who comment and fill the void.

On Sunday I ran the Wears Valley 15k out in Townsend, and I have to say that if you are a runner you MUST plan on doing this race next year. Do you ever have one of those moments where everything makes sense and all is good with the world? I had one during the race as I was running along a lonely road with fields on either side. It was a foggy morning and the scenery was lush and saturated and green. To my right were two beautiful old barns, and to my left were some cows grazing. It was a perfect moment. The Wears Valley 15k is now my favorite race that I've ever done, and it has inspired me to seek out more scenic races. We certainly have ample locations around here for that.

Anyway, the point of this post is that when I got back to Knoxville at about 11:30, I was HUNGRY. I texted my friend J that we should meet for lunch or brunch and she replied that The Bijou at the Bistro now has SUNDAY BRUNCH. The Bistro has long been one of the only reliable Knoxville locations for Saturday brunch, but they've never been open for Sunday Brunch...UNTIL NOW! I was so excited to hear this fabulous news, and so we headed to the Bistro.

Like I said, I was hungry. So I got the Pork Tenderloin breakfast with eggs, potatoes and toast. It was phenomenal. I mean...amazing. And the thing about the Bistro is that it's SO AFFORDABLE. Some of the more upscale joints in this town charge upwards of 15 dollars for a brunch entree, but at the Bistro you can get SO MUCH FOOD for 10 bucks or under. (Actually, my favorite brunch plate is the homestyle eggs, and it's only 4.99 or something like that). And their mimosas and bloody marys are HUGE and only 2.50. I had two mimosas. And a lot of food. It was a day for celebrating - a great, beautiful race (under my goal time) and the knowledge that there is now good, affordable brunch at the Bistro on Sunday.