Magnolia Meltdown Melts Memphistanista

I left the familiar environs of downtown Memphis for Jackson, Mississippi to visit my nephew on his birthday (Happy 16th Birthday Andrew!) and to participate in the 2nd Annual Magnolia Meltdown 5K. I swear Jackson must be considered a semi-tropical climate as it was so very humid at race time which was 8a.m. In addition there were hills and the worst one was at the end, of course. Humidity + Hills = Slow. It was a great race anyway with something like 550 registered participants. Proceeds from the race went to the Mississippi Alliance for School Health; curbing childhood and adult obesity is one of their initiatives. The race started and ended at St. Dominic's Hospital, one of the race sponsors. As it turns out I will be back tonight in time to see the Sunset Symphony fireworks and round out a truly great Memphis in May.

Team Diamond (2 runners in the middle flanked by 2 supervisors)

Paul Lacoste, former NFL, CFL and XFL football player, pictured above (in red) with some of his devotees. Paul is a personal trainer and trains people at all levels, from professional athletes to those just trying to get into better shape. Visit http://www.paullacoste.com/ to find out more. My sister trains with him and she tells me he is indeed, as his T-shirts proclaim, "tough as nails".

Kids running in the post 5K One-Mile Fun Run.