Rock n Roll Half New Orleans race report

ChristaH

ChristaH

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Warning! This will be a mushy, cheesy race report, but it was just that kinda race! I was weepy pretty much beginning to end.

After fizzling at the end of the WDW Half, I just couldn't let it go. The Rock n Roll Half in New Orleans fell at the end of my husband's 50th birthday week so we made a celebration of it and didn't tell anyone what we were doing.

Training has been spotty since WDW due to my sore hip flexor. If felt fine after WDW, but started acting up when I did 11 miles the next weekend.

I broke away from hubby on Saturday to hit the expo by myself. Sooooo glad that I did. I picked up some topical pain reliever samples from the makers of Biofreeze,and bunch of other freebies and then I found Nirvana in The Stick booth. That thing is amazing. Running it up and down my quads, my IT band, inner thigh and hip flexor gave immediate relief. So much better than the foam roller. I had to have one.

Race morning and our hotel is just two blocks from the starting corrals. I wasn't checking any gear, so I did not visit the starting village. Found my spot in Corral 17...next to last corral. I really need to work on my time and get out of the back!

There were some military guys in my corral, planning to run with their packs. They were amazing.

Being a few blocks from the start, we could barely hear the music and not the announcements so nobody was paying attention. There was this beautiful moment when the Star-Spangled Banner was sung where people started realizing what was playing and gradually it got still and quiet. Being beside the military guys, it made me weepy. And proud.
 

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ChristaH

ChristaH

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
So we finally made it to the start line almost 30 minutes after the elites. They did a great job of pumping up the excitement for every corral. The atmosphere at the start line was awesome....dare I admit better than Disney? And we were off!

It was foggy and humid and threatening rain. My strategy was to run until the 2nd water stop and then start walking through the water stops so I could get a good refill. That worked really well for me. I also switched from Gu's to Jelly Belly energy beans. Dumb to try them for the first time in a race, but oh what a difference they made. No upset stomach at all! Yay!

Support from the locals on the course was fantastic. There were several groups of kids from local private schools who were cheering and waving signs. One particular group was young girls who were wearing their school uniforms with race tutus over them. They were on both sides of the out and back section. They were so enthusiastic and encouraging. Yep, they made me cry.
 

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ChristaH

ChristaH

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
About halfway and the Lone Ranger theme song (William Tell Overture) came on my playlist! I just started laughing and smiling. I was saving the world! I know at this point that this was definitely different than the Disney.

On into the French quarter which was eerily quiet and foggy. Grabbed a squirt of Biofreeze for my hip flexor that was getting a little sore.

Rounded the curve to the 3mile straightaway to the finish. Or so I thought....

Last water stop was at 11.5 so I filled my two little bottles with water/Gatorade mixed. Good thing. Right at 12 miles, my calves and feet started cramping. But I was not stopping. I kept sipping from my bottles and that seemed to help.

We get to the end of the straightaway and into a park but there is no finish line in sight! People keep saying " just around the corner!" But we would round the corner and not see it! FINALLY after the 13 mile marker, it appears out of the fog. Yay!! I know I'm going to do this!! In tears as I cross the finish line!!

I get the bling and the food and went to find my husband.
 

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ChristaH

ChristaH

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The finish chute was a little crowded with people on both sides handing you food and drinks and Mylar blankets. By the time I found my husband, my arms were overflowing! We found the shuttle bus that took us back to the start area. That whole thing worked really well and was very organized. Lots of busses lined up.

I have a few more pics I will post later. The Rock n Roll New Orleans will forever have a place in my heart. There was a sign held by someone in the course that said, "Run like you stole something!" This is where I stole my confidence back. Where I learned that I don't quit.
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bethram

bethram

Well-Known Member
ChristaH said:
I have a few more pics I will post later. The Rock n Roll New Orleans will forever have a place in my heart. There was a sign held by someone in the course that said, "Run like you stole something!" This is where I stole my confidence back. Where I learned that I don't quit. View attachment 45066
Click to expand...

That's awesome, congratulations!!!!!
 
Sumrdog

Sumrdog

Well-Known Member
Awesome! Congratulations! So happy you found something that works for your stomach with the beans. I am telling you, I honestly think its the maltodextrin in those Gu's and gels that don't sit well with some people (myself included).
 

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