What a great trip (Mostly), but the race itself was a 5 star event, and Highly recommended. The Inaugural Louisiana Marathon was Jan 15th, the same day as the Houston Marathon. I signed up for it because I was looking for a race option other then Houston. The Houston race has gotten really big and you must go though the lottery process to enter it. Houston has raised their prices up way high and they have shown disdain for the local runners. Therefore,I don't want to participate. Luckily,I found the Louisiana Marathon. It was not only another state off my list, it was an outstanding event, and most likely will be my January race in the future. First time races be one of two things. Either their very good, as they would go way out to make a great Impression, or their unorganized, unprepared and just an over all catastrophe. (can any one say.....Rock and Roll San Antonio) It was the first option as they put on a spectacular event. A week before the race, I got an email saying they had created the Crewe of 1812 which consists of all the runners who participated in this, their first year. If they ever begin to sell out and start requiring the lottery system, then the Crewe of 1812 has guaranteed entry for life. In fact I already got an Early Bird offer to sign up next year, only 35.00..I am in, and going back to Baton Rouge next year.
The trip started out a little shaky. I wasn't sure if I was going to have to work the Saturday before or not. I was going to have to be in Baton Rouge by 7 pm for packet pickup and if I had to work, would not have been able to do that. I managed to find a back up plan, in that a friend who was going too, said she would pick up my packet for me, if needed. Well, it turns out I didn't have to work and managed to get to baton Rouge without difficulty. It worked out well for me, as it was on MLK weekend. I always have Monday off of that weekend and was able to stay in Baton Rouge Sunday night and drive back home on Monday.
The BCS Championship game for college football was played the Monday before the Race. It was LSU (Baton Rouge's hometown team) vs Alabama. I was hoping that the LSU Tigers would win and that the party would still be Raging in Baton Rouge for the weekend of the Race. They didn't...(Damn the luck). Furthermore, the New Orleans Saints played their playoff game in San Francisco and lost. So much for a Big Party. Thankfully, however the marathon experience was not dampened by the disappointments of the football games.
Packet pick up was in one of the casinos located by the I-10 bridge over the Mississippi River, the Belle of Baton Rouge. Since I was there I decided to take a turn around the Crap table, and only made it through one roll. The shooter got HOT and reeled off a number of points, 20 minutes later he was done, I was 93.00 up and out of there. That paid for my meals while in the city and most of my Gas to get there. Nice Little surprise.
Race day brought in absolutely perfect weather for running. Clear and cold at the start and it warmed up nicely for the after race party. The course was very scenic, we started out downtown and wound through the LSU campus and several old and distinguished neighborhoods. There were not a lot of spectators, but the ones out were very supportive. Several of the LSU sorority's and fraternities were out in full force and were quite vocal. I lost count of the number of "Unofficial" Aid stations along the way, set up by people who just wanted to be of service.
As much as I liked the race, I did have some personal difficulty. The Plantar fasciitis in my feet woke up about mile 10 and I had a painful run the last couple of miles. It hurt if I ran, it hurt if I walked, so I continued running. I started out the day with a goal of under 3 hours. I had just bought a new Garmin, and according to it, I hit the exact halfway mark (6.55 miles) at 1:22. I was 8 minutes ahead of a 3 hour pace. About mile 10, I had a new experience in organized marathon running. There was a train track we had to cross, and myself and the other runners around me had to stop for a what seemed like the Longest train ever. There were quite a few of us who got caught by the train. We were all stretching and wondering if we could get credit on our Final Times for the stoppage. Even with the delay, and the pain in my feet I was able to finish at 2:58:44. A successful race, at least in my humble opinion.
The after race party was one of the best I have been to. They were celebrating the Louisiana culture and there was some fantastic Cajun food. All my favorites any way.I had Seafood Gumbo, duck gumbo, Red beans and Rice, and Jambalaya. There was a lot more there but that is what I got. It was all really. They also had the Best Beer Tent Ever!!! There a number of beers offered but I took the Southern Pecan Ale. I have had it before and it is a really micro brew from somewhere in that region. Despite the pain in my feet, I managed to make to the beer tent 4 times.
This is going to be one a Popular race very soon. Within the next few years, I will be taking Full Advantage of my Guaranteed entry status. Of that, I am sure. Definitely put this one on your list. If you are doing all 50, then you cant go wrong with Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge.
