Guess it's finally time for a race report, huh?
I was really excited about running this race with my friend Crystal, who had trained for her first half marathon! I flew into New Orleans on Saturday morning and after spending some time at my friend Andie's house, we headed Downtown. We picked our packets and then went to lunch at Commander's Palace. We had a great day and I was ready to hit the sack that night! I've been having some knee pain, so I was nervous about how things would fare during the race. Woke up several times throughout the night because of nerves and finally got up at 5:30 AM. Had half of an Odwalla bar and got ready. We headed to the Superdome where Andie dropped us off. I told Crystal we should hit the Portapotty lines immediately because they were pretty long. We waited in line and chatted about the race. After that, we headed over to the start line. It didn't seem like long before we were off.
We crossed the start about a minute after the gun, and I had a feeling we had started a bit too far up. Oops! I stayed out of people's way though and ended up running the first 2 miles straight. No walk breaks. Big Mistake! I went out waaaay too fast! Even when I warned my friend about it, I hauled it way too fast! Mile 1 split was 10:58. Yes, that is fast for me. A full minute faster than the previous year.
We turned onto St. Peters and then down Decatur along Jackson Square and the water. I loved running through the French Quarter and the music was keeping me pumped up. The route was nice and flat, which is a change from Atlanta. We passed the French Market and Cafe Du Monde, which was still quiet in the morning. There were a few people watching and clapping though. Mile 2 came quick as we turned onto Esplanade and got to the residential section. Mile 2 - 12:12
Miles 3 & 4 came pretty quickly as we were headed into City Park. Mile 3 - 13:04 & Mile 4 - 13:09
I did get pumped up after Mile 4 because there were people cheering as we headed into the park and you could see the faster runners heading back. Wow, to already be at Mile 10? That would be fantastic! We headed towards the overpass and I was determined to run all the way up. I normally walk the big hills, especially in Atlanta. This time - I charged all the way up! Big victory for me. Mile 5 - 13:12
This stretch was really boring. Mile 6 - 13:24 was heading down Mirabeau Avenue for a half mile then turning around. As you came back down and turned right back into City Park, you hit Mile 7- 13:23. My knee was killing me by now, very very stiff and I was just hoping that I could finish without doing any damage. This part of the race is really tough for me, it's soooo dead and seems to take forever!
Mile 8 - 13:35 was the turnaround where we headed back out of City Park and then back over the overpass. I ran it this time too! Woohoo for small victories! I was having a tough time with the numbers and just feeling like I wouldn't be able to beat my previous time. This is the first time that I have really struggled during a race and the chance that I wouldn't have a PR.
I was so ready for Mile 9 - 13:56 and I kept telling myself just to make it to Mile 10. Then we'd be leaving City Park and heading back to the Superdome. Finally the marker came! Mile 10 - 14:04
I love this section because the locals hang out and hand out snacks and stuff. Then it gets pretty quiet as you run along Jefferson Davis Pkwy heading towards Mile 11. For the first time during a race, I was just ready to be done. I completely ran out of gas. Last year this was where I got pumped. This time, I just wanted to be done. Now. Mile 11 split - 13:59. I started watching my average pace creep up as I headed down the road. I was getting really hot and thirsty too, the water stops seemed so far from each other. I realized that I had gone out way too fast and hadn't kept up my energy enough.
As we turned a corner to Banks Street, I was dying for Mile 12. Finally, I saw it. Mile 12 - 14:28. I really had slowed down during that mile.
We turned onto S. Gaviez Street and then I was so happy to finally be back on Poydras. This is where I really dug deep. I looked at my watch and pretty much knew that a PR was not in my future. But I wanted to finish strong. So I just started running. I didn't worry about my knee, I just started running because I knew that I wanted to finish and be done with it. I could see the Dome ahead and the downtown buildings past it. I felt like I was running in slow motion (and probably was). Mile 13 - 14:05. Run. Run. Run. Mile 13.1 - 1:30. And then I was done. I crossed the finish line. 3:00:02. 6 seconds slower than last year. 1:21 off of a PR
My Garmin says I ran 13.5 miles. I don't know if that's really the case. If I actually ran 13.5 miles, then I can take 5 minutes off of my time. But that would be if the Atlanta half is the correct distance. Oy. Maybe Garmin isn't always a good idea!
When it all comes down to it, I finished. 3:00:02.
799/922 Females
13:45 Average Pace
It's all good. And it will get better. I'm 100% committed to getting into shape for Maui. And I still haven't decided about the ING Georgia. Maybe full, maybe half. Either way, I'll be there.
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