RnR NOLA (WW # 31)

Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!

This linkup is hosted by yours truly and my good friend Tricia at MissSippiPiddlin.    The purpose of this link is to connect with and support other active women.  

You can summarize your whole week or just a small portion of it.  It's up to you!  Race recaps are also encouraged!  {See rules}  We hope you'll challenge yourself to come back later in the week and interact with more women.   It's a wonderful way to make new friends!  Don't forget to comment on all blogs you read and remember to support your hosts. 

*******************************************************************

Rock N' Roll New Orleans

February 28, 2016

Half Marathon # 37
State # 8

It's Time to Rock and Roll!

I didn't have a chance to finish my recap last week so bear with me as I wrap it up here.  After stopping at the expo Friday night (read about that HERE) we checked into our hotel and then walked to Oceana Grill for supper.  It was slammed, but we were able to sit at the bar and eat. The Louisiana Crabmeat Cakes were delicious!  We met up with Tricia and Mr. Sippi later at Ole Saint and closed that place down (you know, in a geriatric kind of way --- but not you Sippis!).


PoPo and I hanging out on our first night!

Saturday was spent sightseeing including a carriage ride tour pulled by Gus the mule.  Surprisingly, all of the "horses" are mules.  We browsed in shops and art galleries, strolled Bourbon Street a few times, enjoyed the street musicians, checked out the local artists at Jackson Square, ate beignets at Café Beignet and supper at Oysters Divine.  En route back to our hotel for the night, we visited again with Tricia and her family where they had stopped for pizza.  {Thanks guys for humoring us!}



Our view behind Gus.  This was also what much of the race course was like.

Tricia met me at the hotel Sunday morning and we walked the short distance to the start line.  It felt wonderful to have a friend by my side at the start of a big race.  So many I've done solo.  The corrals were jammed and in silent agreement we lined up together.  The corral starts ticked off smoothly and our start was just after 8:00.  We stayed side by side for about 4 miles. Early on I asked if she wanted to know what pace we were running, since she doesn't look at hers.  She didn't!  But then curiosity got the better of her.  When she caved, I reported it was 10:11.

My plan was to use this as a long training run.  If I felt good later, I could always speed up. My first 4 miles were just that: 10:21 / 10:29 / 10:26 / 10:38.  The next 5 miles were faster: 10:02 / 10:19 / 10:01 / 10:13 / 10:08.  I still felt very strong and pulled down the last 4+ to:  9:46 / 9:50 / 9:53 / 9:22 / 8:28.  My official time was 2:13:11.  My Garmin pace was 10:05 (including that ever present extra length I always run -- darn you weaving).  Anytime I can run that coveted negative split I am thrilled.  I feel it's a great starting place as I work to get some speed back.

I'm on cloud nine to have felt strong for the entire race!

This is not the largest event I've participated in, but it sure felt that way.  It was crowded for much of the race.   Many streets are narrow and there was a lot of weaving required all the way to the end.  The bands were impressive and great entertainment for the wonderful crowds of spectators.  (Obviously, the runners don't hear but a few seconds of music as they pass by.)  I found the band of Scottish bagpipers very interesting.  Some of the water stops could not keep up with demand.  I  had to jump up on the curb and stop momentarily to help myself a couple of times.  I needed plenty of fluid since I was taking salt capsules, as usual.  However, the volunteers were working feverishly!  

Photo Credit:  MissSippiPiddlin

The pavement in New Orleans is not smooth.  I was prepared as we had experienced this first hand.  PoPo equated it to walking on the moon and had tripped several times during sightseeing, accompanied by many choice phrases.  I ran with my eyes on the pavement.  The scenery seemed much like Mobile and I forgot a few times I was in New Orleans.  By this, I mean the houses were very lovely with their ironwork and their grand oak trees magnificently draped over the streets.  We ran through the French Quarter and by Jackson Square, which the finisher's medal is designed after.



I hung out in the finisher's chute waiting for Tricia and drank a water.  Her friend Lea stopped by.  I had met her once before in Tuscaloosa.  After photos, we drank chocolate milk, ate a banana and a lemon pound cake Power Bar (yum!).  There were many vendors and the after party was a hub of activity. You could also have your medal engraved.  A rockin' band was playing and it would have been heavenly to stretch out in the sunshine and listen for a while. But, it was getting late and our already extended check out time of 1 pm was fast approaching.  After standing in line to catch the shuttle back to the start line plus the awful traffic congestion, I almost did not make it.  Next year, we will stay on Sunday night!

Overall, this race is very well organized.  Everything went smoothly.  It's also very reasonable if you can commit to extremely early registration.  New Orleans is a fantastic city to host a race.  The crowd support was amazing.  The bands were aplenty.  The weather was perfection -- well, except a little warm toward the end.  It is definitely one I would repeat.  Hmm...maybe the full marathon next time?

*******************************************************************

My Week of Training:

Monday - Physical Therapy
Tuesday - 5 Miles
Wednesday - Rest
Thursday - 5 Miles and Physical Therapy
Friday - Rest
Saturday - 3 Miles (5k Race)
Sunday - 8 Miles

Total Week - 21 Miles

As part of my "run more 5ks to work on speed" plan, I participated in Saturday's Footprint to the Finish benefiting families with children in the NICU.  I was thrilled to take 14 seconds off my pace from 2 weeks ago.  My splits were 9:01 / 9:06 / 9:03 / 7:34 for an average of 8:58 (<< see that 8 right there?  Whoot!).  The last half of this race hurt like heck!  But, 5ks always do.  I was very honored to receive 2nd place in my age group (the let's-lump-everyone-over-50-together-because-it-doesn't-matter group).

Oh, and I have another half marathon Saturday!  Tricia and I will be at it again.  And that's a wrap!

Have you ever participated in a Rock N' Roll race?

An InLinkz Link-up