Destination Run: Paris

One of my favorite ways to quickly take in the sites of a new place and figure out the lay of the land is to take off for 7-10 miles and just see what I can see.  The plus side to this is that the miles breeze by and I rarely realize how far I’ve actually gone until post-run.

Day 1:  Notre Dame, Louvre, Jardin des Tuileries

I took off headed East along the Seine following the path that Crystal and I had walked the evening prior.  I made a big loop around Notre Dame, switched to the other side of the river, wrapped around the Louvre, cut through the Jardin des Tuileries, and finished up back at the hotel.  Total distance of 7.6 miles, pace didn’t matter.

Day 2:  Jardins des Luxembourg

Crystal joined me as we headed south towards the Luxembourg Gardens.  Although not far from the hotel, we were able to get about 3.5 miles by doing loops within the actual gardens.  Beautiful morning and the trees and plants were marvelous.

Day 3:  Eiffel Tower, Arch de Triump, Lost

This was my big run to catch the Eiffel Tower and the Arch de Triumph.  I got a little lost when I missed the turn for the Arch, but was able to back track and saw everything I wanted.  Total distance of about 9.5 miles.

I was really impressed by the running culture that seemed pervasive throughout the city.  Not only were there running paths everywhere, but there were people running all the time throughout the day.  Crystal and I are already talking about planning another trip around the Paris Marathon.

Crescent City Classic

Distance:  10k

Overall Time:  40:16
Pace:  6:30
Age Group:  28/1305
Overall:  182/18,592

Pre Race Dinner:  Shrimp and Grits at Pat-O's in NOLA
Pre-Race Music:  George Thorogood - One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer

Controlled chaos is the best way to describe this event.  Race results show that about 18,500 registered runners crossed the finish line, but estimates were that there was at least another 12,000 unregistered runners were on the course.  So even being near the front of the pack at the outset didn't prevent me from having to "bob and weave" for position for nearly two miles.

The course itself is beautiful and flat, conducive to very fast times.  I was disappointed that I didn't break 40 mins, but I was pleased to be under my half-marathon pace of 7:00/mile...having a newborn living with you hurts training.  I've done this race a few times before, but this was the first time I actually registered.  After fighting the crowds this year, though, doubtful I will waste money registering again.

The sea of humanity aside, Crescent City Classic is a good, fun event for the family (Samuel's first 10k) and the course is beautiful.

Louisiana Marathon: The Half

Distance:        13.1 miles
Overall time:  1:30:05
Pace:               6:53
Age Group:     10th
Overall:           40th

Pre-race Food:  Pizza
Pre-race Music:  Cypress Hill - I Ain't Going Out
                                                  Like That

Again, hats off to the race staff...exceptionally well organized race.

Controlling that urge early in a race to sprint off is something I really struggle with, so maintaining that self-discipline this morning and purposefully forcing myself to stay between 6:30 and 7/mile pace makes me extremely happy.

Training has been lame as of lately.  I've been fighting a persistent cold and my work schedule has been brutal...but these are poor excuses that I would not have tolerated in the past.  I'm going to lay out a more detailed training and race calendar for this year.  I miss being fast like I was in my early-twenties (sheesh, am I getting old?).