Pre-race Food: Chick-fil-a sandwich and waffle fries
Race Temp: 60-65, sunny
Race Time: 1:22-ish
The course is extremely curvy, few hills, and stayed within the LSU campus. I was thankful I only did the half (the full is just a repeat of the first loop). I did this run about four years ago and even then it seemed kind of half-heartedly put together. Turnout and effort was bigger this year, but the race is still lacking. The national anthem started playing about a quarter into the song (minor, but it upsets me), the course was poorly marked with arrows (the guy I was pacing with was constantly having trouble finding the route), and they had a huge controversy at the finish line. Half-marathoners were to finish on the sidewalk. The problem was there was a huge blow-up finish line in the middle of the street intended for the full marathoners, but that everyone naturally gravitated towards. There was no chute directing half-marathoners to the correct finish (and ultimately timing pad). In addition, the sidewalk was crowded with spectators. Race officials said that they had someone at the final turn telling runners where to go, but when you're exhausted, surrounded by screaming friends and family, and you see a giant blow-up finish line marker...it didn't matter.
I finished 6th or 7th, unsure of actual place and time because I missed the half timing pad. I was ok with my time, I predicted between 1:20 and 1:30. I felt great until I bonked between miles 10 and 11, maintaining a 6:10 pace until then.
All in all, not unhappy with my first performance in a year and a half. This race though, was a goat-rope. I don't anticipate I'll do it again, nor will I recommend it.
Run hard.
