1st Annual Alligator Stomp 5K

My lovely little town is great, quiet and laid back. But that means we have to drive in to the city if we want a little excitment. Most of the time. That's why I get jazzed up when a race or a festival is close to my house.


Luling's big deal of the year is the Alligator Festival at the Westbank Bridge Park in St Charles Parish. Like everything else in St. Charles Parish, the festival is fun without a big fuss. Of course, there's festival food, beer and music. But the food is Cajun food and mostly made with alligator. That may not be a selling point for you. Take my word for it, alligator meat is awesome. Like chicken but better.

This year the 31st Annual Alligator Festival is hosting a 5K for the first time. The route will either be atop the Mississippi River Levee or along River Road. This the route I run or ride every Wednesday and Saturday with Pacers Fitness. 






Details:
Date:
Start: Saturday, September 24, 2011 @ 9:00 AM

Address:
West Bank Bridge Park
Under Hale Boggs Bridge Luling, LA

Registration:
Online or In Person
$20 pre-registration by September 17
$15 for youths under 17 by September 24
$25 after September 17
$20 day of race, no t-shirt

I can't wait! Hopefully, the heat will break by then.

Y'all come join us and pass a good time

Catfish Festival 5K

What do normal people do on a Saturday morning in July in NOLA? The sleep in their beds, in nice air conditioned rooms. What did the girls, the Big Man and I do this morning? We got up early and headed out to the Catfish Festival 5K in Des Allemands.

Even at 7AM, the heat was brutal. But running thru the heart of Des Allemands, the catfish capital of the world, reminds me why I love South Louisiana. All of the shrimp boats parked on the bayou, people up early fishing and the Cajun cottages people still call home.

Saying this is a small race is an understatement. There were about 50 people running this morning. But a small race is a fun race. Not too many people getting in the way of the double jogger. And no line for the beer and food. I was a little disappointed the post-race food wasn't fried catfish but it was some of the best jamablaya I've ever had.


At least half of the runners are from my local run group, the Pacers. I really need to blog about running with the Pacers every week. It is one of my favorite things I do.

Post Race with the Family

Run on the Bayou

This morning I participated in the Run on the Bayou in Bayou Segnette State Park. I usually run races without the girls. But Lilly and MM woke up before I left for the race. The weather was nice and this was a short race, I decided to bring the girls. You can see my awesome jogging stroller in this picture.

I had a good run, finished faster than I expected. Guess the treadmill/elliptical training at an incline has been paying off. This is my last race in March hopefully St. Patrick's Day Parades and birthday celebrations won't slow me down too much.

MM, Li, and I after the race

Race Season

Spring is nearly here. And in NOLA that means race season. This morning I ran the Elmwood Classic 5K. My friend Zack ran the 5K, as well.

Yesterday, a front moved in and the weather went from high of mid-70s to 35 degrees this morning. And it was windy. I hadn't really prepared for the cold. I put the race shirt over my running jacket and had to wear my weight lifting gloves to run in. As I write this 2hrs after completing the race, I still haven't warmed up yet.

We ran the first part of the race against a head wind. It was sooo hard to breathe I didn't think I could finish. But as soon as the course turned, the wind was against our backs. We had to fight the head wind for the last section of the race but it was only 1/4 mi. Plus, I can push through anything if I can see the end. I finished with my best time yet, shaved a minute off my last race time. Zack and I didn't stick around to enjoy the after party. You know it's cold if I pass up free MGD and food.

Zack and I after the race

Up coming races:

• March 7th - Run on the Bayou - this race is through the the Bayou Segenette State Park

• March 28th - 24th Annual Ochsner Run - Erin says the after party is a lot of fun. This is also my 30th birthday.

• April 4th - Mississippi Bridge Run - I'm excited about this one. Its just up the road from my house. And it's going to be tough. This is also Corey's Birthday.

• April 25th - March of Dimes Fundraiser - More to come on this

Mardi Gras Marathon

No sleeping in for me this morning. I got up early to pick up Erin. We were headed out early to go run. We made our way down the Super Dome for the Mardi Gras half marathon/5k. The atmosphere of the morning was very Mardi Gras. A little chilly, excitment, and lots of people milling around.

Erin has been training for a half marathon in Miami with our Aunt Carolyn. Part of her training Erin is running the Mardi Gras half Marathon. Carolyn is training for the Boston Marathon in April. So on top of the 13.1 miles she ran she ran an additional 3mi this morning. It's quite an accomplishment to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Erin and Carolyn ran the half marathon. I ran/walked the 5k. At this point in my training, 5k is my limit. I don't know how they do it. Even though, I do 3+ mi on a regular basis my feet hurt and my right hip hurts. Maybe one day I'll decide to train for a half marathon. We'll see.

As always, I had a little bit of anxiety this morning. Erin assures me this is normal. But I had a good race. Rihanna Good Girl Gone Bad kept me moving forward. As part of our race package, we got medals and race shirts. Nice! I'm super excited about the shirt. Way more useful than a cotton t-shirt.

Erin right before the finish line. She looks good. Not too tired.

Carolyn, Meg, and Erin after our race.