RnR Mardi Gras: Race Report, Blogger Meet Up, AND food.

Date: February 13, 2011
Time: 7 a.m.
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana

This girl is ready to run her first race of 2011

It was a tad chilly in the morning (about 30s) as I hung out in my corral, waiting for the race to start. I had one of those "Hot Hands" in my hand, but try "lukewarm hands" instead.

I was in Corral #19, which was waaaaay in the back.  We finally started a little after 7:30ish a.m.

And we were off.

Mile 1 and 2: 

Splits: 11:04/mile and 11:25/mile

My toes were kinda frozen and numb. But I was feeling pumped and good. I kept my "lukewarm hands" until past Mile #2.  

Mile 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Splits: 11:21/mile, 11:06/mile, 10:40/mile, 10:47/mile, 11:05/mile
Warmed up and getting kinda hot. I contemplated taking off my half-zip but that would require me to take my race bib off and tie that half-zip around my waist. Too much trouble. Takes too much time. Even though I started getting something like a side stitch but it was more in the front of my belly, I kept a good pace. I think the entertainment (the bands) were good along this stretch. I don't know any of those bands that played though, but the music was upbeat. :) 
 

 Pretty trees provided a pretty canopy

 Probably my favorite cheerleading/spirit group throughout the entire race.

Mile 8, 9

Splits: 11:12/mile, 11:44/mile

I remember needing to stretch my belly very badly at Mile #8.  But I decided against it when I stopped to take a sip of water.

 Joan of Arc.
Give me some power.

Mile 10, 11

11:36/mile, 11:32/mile

Finally stopped at the drink station to stretch. Ahhhh! I am starting to feel tired too. But I wasn't quite ready for this to be over. Maybe I do. I don't know. Seriously love/hate relationship going on right there!

Mile 12, 13, 0.1

Splits: 11:56/mile, 11:25/mile, 9:16/mile

Still tired on Mile 12. I also realized that this is the last chance I have to get a PR. Did you notice that I didn't set a time goal for this race? The only thing I wanted was to run this for the bling. But, I have a shot at PR. So I sped up and kept going.  

What I thought about my RnR experience?

I expected a big big expo and a big big race. So, that's what I got. I would love to hang out at the expo a little longer, but the boyfriend had just dropped me off to go grab my race packet so I didn't want him to wait too long.  I got lost trying to find the exit the expo.

Race morning: The vibe was awesome! Excitement definitely filled the air. I thought to myself, this is one big party and I am part of it. I love it! There's no other party I want to be in.  

The route: It was a pancake flat route. You gotto be careful on some parts of the road because it was a little uneven/bumpy. But it's not a big deal.  You go through some nice residential area and their Mardi Gras decorations were just splendid. Love the purple, gold and green. Love the Fleur-de-lis. 

The RnR Experience: This is my first RnR race ever, so I can't exactly compare it to other RnR. Going into this race, I thought there would be enough music to carry me through the 13.1 miles.  I was a tad disappointed because it felt like there were a few stretches where there was no music at all. Maybe I was in a run-coma? I don't know.  I remembered a band playing those big band music - that was good.   I also remembered another band doing a cover of Lady Gaga's song. Other than that, I didn't know what was going on. 

Drinks: A station was out of water. Go figure. The volunteers did their best. Some were better than others. But overall, it was adequate. :) 

Bling: The bling was worth it! It's pretty! Love it! 

Will I do it again? 

I'm done with New Orleans now. Moving on to another RnR in another state? Definitely will do another RnR race just for comparison sake.  I think I would do RnR Las Vegas at some point in time because running down the Strip seems like a great idea. 

I met up with a blogger, Kelly, from Houston. She finished fabulously with a PR in 1:59:02. 

She texted me and patiently waited for me.

I am sorry I didn't get to stay longer. A combination of needing to go find a bathroom, getting back to the hotel to check-out, finding a college friend who encouraged me to registered for this race, and looking for the boyfriend kinda made it difficult for me to stay and hang out. In fact, I even forgot to take a picture with her.  ARGH! Check out her blog and congratulate her for her accomplishment! 

After a quick shower and check out, we went to Deanie's seafood restaurant in the French Quarter for lunch. Yummo! 

 Shrimp bisque. Very good flavor.
Probably made with shrimp stock. 

Not as good as Pappadeaux but still very good.

Crab meat salad with very good remoulade sauce

 

Salad with blue cheese dressing

Very good dressing. Tastes like it's made with real sour cream.

 Crawfish etouffee. It's a good standard crawfish etouffee.  

It needed some "magic" 

Half seafood platter: Fish was fresh, hot and not overcooked/dry.

Soft shell crab was good. 

Fried oysters were fresh-tasting.

The crab ball thingy was excellent!

Batter was crispy with little flavor other than cornmeal.

Deanie's is definitely worth a stop when you are in town.

*****

In case you missed it .....
What Was Ahead: Rocking and Rolling in New Orleans - The Day Before
 Coming Up: Looking Back.

Rocking and Rolling in NOLA - The Day Before.

I woke up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed on Saturday morning. 

I haven't packed for the half marathon trip! Gasp! 

It didn't take too long - about 1 hour for me to get ready and get all the packing done and ready to get on the road.  The boyfriend surprised me by telling me that he is coming with me! 

After making a detour to his office, we were officially on the road to New Orleans, La.

The drive was good. He drove and I enjoyed the ride.

Approaching the Mississippi River bridge

On the Mississippi River Bridge

We got into town and headed straight to the race expo that was held at the Convention Center. 

After that, we headed to what regular tourists would do ...

driving around looking for the Lower 9th Ward.

We saw a lot of "TFW" spray-painted on some of these destroyed houses.
"TFW" stands for "Toxic Flood Waste." 

Then, we drove down the French Quarter. 

We poked around and got hungry.
So we went to Cochon for dinner. 

 Fried alligator in a really good spicy, creamy sauce.

 Hot rolls with butter.
Hello!!

 Mac and Cheese.

 Catfish over a bed of rice with a tomato-based kinda sauce.

Beef brisket with horseradish potato salad (yummo!) 

We didn't finish all the food! 

Took it back to the hotel to relax and get all the race gear ready.

 Sock in shoes.
Tag on shoe.

 Race bib on shirt.

Somebody is ready to rock and roll this first race of 2011!

Don't forget to check out my race report, a blogger meet-up and more food over here!

Runner's Shopping Spree and Shout-outs.

Happy Sunday! 

I was glad I got my long run out of the way Saturday morning because I went to a wedding last night and had an extra glass or two of wine. Today, I don't exactly have a hangover. But I just feel a little blah. 

To undo the blah ... Here's what I did.  

I went a little crazy with my online shopping spree.

I signed up for the Soaring Wings Half Marathon that's scheduled for next Saturday. 

This might be the Running Gods' wishes anyway. This is the race that I had been eyeing since April 2010 when logistics didn't work out for a race I had wanted to do. 

And if that hasn't got the blood pumping and the heart racing, I also took the plunge and committed myself to .....

That will be on Valentine's Day eve next year. I will be running with two friends from J-school. And hopefully, I will finally get to meet up with a bloggy friend - Megan. Don't forget to stop by her blog today to check out what's cooking over in Luling, LA. :)

Stop by this Running Man Wannabe's blog to check him out and give him some virtual hi-fives.
I don't think he is a "wannabe" anymore.

And with all the Christmas decorations items up in stores before Halloween is here, I kinda started making a "wish list."

Wish #1: Three half marathons next year  (2011)

Wish #2: One 10K race

Wish #3: Start feeling it for a full marathon. 

Stop by Christine's blog to give her some tapering assurances and soothe her taper jitters.
She will be running her first full marathon in 14 days! YOU GO, Christine!

My virtual running buddy, Aneta, is running her first marathon today. Do check out her blog and congratulate her. I figured she will post something after she rested a little.