Eads Bridge Du and Trip Pics

Last weekend I volunteered at the Eads Bridge Duathlon right down by the Arch in St. Louis. 

The Eads Bridge, for all you history buffs out there, is the first bridge built across the Mighty Mississippi River. I'm still waiting for someone to suggest a Tri in the Mississippi as it is probably dirtier than that dirty water someone loves so much in Boston. Although, I'm not sure how many people love this dirty water as I'm wouldn't swim in it to save my life...unless I were actually thrown in or fell in to the river and would have no choice. It would definitely be a point to point swim as the current is fast.


If you look closely you can see the finish line at about the left third of the picture. Since my post was in the opposite direction, I never saw the finish line up close.

I believe this was the first time the bridge was shut down for a race and it's also the first time I've seen a covered transition.

To set the scene for the part of the city the bike course goes through (North St. Louis) a bit of background is needed. St. Louis is somewhat of a Post-Industrial Wasteland in most parts. (As I heard yesterday) The city proper is very old but the majority of "South City," where I live, has gone through the gentrification process. The north part of the city has not and holds the title of "The Bad Part of Town." It should also be noted that the City of St. Louis is very greedy. There is a 1% income tax for residents which is calculated on your gross income before Federal taxes, State taxes, Medicare, SS and even 401k deductions are taken out. I need to look into how they're spending this money as the only benefit I see is the streets being sweeped on a monthly basis. Trash removal isn't even covered by this tax.

 Later that day when I was over the g/f's parent's house for dinner I had to joke about it when asked what I did this weekend.

Her Mom: So Brian, what did you do today?
Me: I stood on the street corner in North St. Louis for about an hour and a half this morning.
Her Mom: You What!?!
Me: Ha, don't worry I was volunteering for a race.

Surprisingly, my post was right next to an adult video store/peepshow. Even more surprisingly there were people going in at 9am on a Sunday. I guess they aren't regulars at church. (See the Blue Awning?)

Here are a few more pictures of my post...lovely

I didn't take any pictures of the race as it started raining and I didn't feel like holding an umbrella and a flag. I can't find any pictures online but, I'll post some if I find any.

Also, in my travels back from Florida, I stopped in the tiny town of Metropolis, IL...which looks nothing like the city in the comics. Regardless, the town decreed 6 months after the Superman comic came out that it was "the home of Superman." It's worth about a 10 minute stop if you need gas or something to eat and you're traveling through Paducah, KY which is just on the other side of the Ohio river.

The claim to fame is the "giant" Superman statue.

There is also a Superman soda machine

And you can be Superman if you so desire

In case you're wondering, there is a store and a museum and no I didn't feel like going in since I'm not Jerry Seinfeld. 

Sadly, I didn't get a copy of the Metropolis Planet newspaper. I thought about it but couldn't find one easily and we just wanted to get home. 

In Triathlon news, I'm tapering this week and next while I gear up for the REV3 Knoxville Half! I'll also be participating in a beer mile this weekend at the club picnic...timed by a race timing company. I've always wanted to do one so it should be fun.   

If you don't know what a beer mile is, it's actually a pretty big deal for some people and has a semi-official website, here are the normal rules when done on a standard outdoor track...it's pretty simple...

-Get 4 beers in a can

-Drink a can of beer

-Run a lap

-Repeat until beer is gone

Vomiting requires a penalty lap after the 4th lap. 

I keep meaning to run with the HHHers but I never do. Hopefully my skills acquired from running 1.5 miles home from the bar after kickball in DC are still around. We shall see.