I always have such a hard time recapping a race weekend but I am going to do my best. Rock N Roll New Orleans was a weekend long, fun filled adventure with friends, food, wine and running.
Rock N Roll New Orleans
Having never been to New Orleans before, I wanted to make sure that I was able to soak it all in. Whenever possible, I like to have a few days built around a racecation. I am glad that I was able to do that for New Orleans because there is always stress about flight delays.
The French Quarter
I had heard stories about the French Quarter and they were pretty spot on. People are definitely enjoying themselves all day and all night with lots of alcoholic beverages. Groups of friends, bachelorette parties-you name it they are there celebrating. One thing that did surprise me was how much the city has rebounded since Katrina 15 years ago.
Friday we headed to the expo at the convention center. So much walking! Packet pickup was a breeze but the expo was not that exciting. I did love the giant shoe though. We went on a 2 hour walking tour of the city and learned a ton about the history and architecture.
Saturday we all did a fun Segway tour through the city. Such a fun way to see a town while saving your feet. One of the cool things about the city is that there are so many talented musicians performing in the streets all day and all night long. We had a delicious Italian dinner to fuel up for the race.
Race morning!
Early 5:30am wakeup and early visit to Starbucks (in my pajamas). Race temps were going to be warm with 58 degrees at the start and around 70 at the finish. I opted for a tank and light capris with a throw away blanket for the start.
Race goals
My only goal of this race was to finish upright! As you all know, I have been working my way back from a running injury and really was in no shape to be running a half marathon. The longest I had run was 8 miles (using 4:1 intervals). I had no idea how race day would go but I had prepared myself to walk as much as I needed to avoid re-injury and make it to the finish.
The first few miles kind of flew by and I settled into my 4:1 intervals. I noticed many runners using this strategy. I entertained myself with some people watching and some of the live bands on the course. There were a few Mardi Gras themed floats and selfie stations on the course.
Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by the race course itself. I found it kind of boring, albeit flat. The course did not go through the French Quarter which I assume, was because the streets are too narrow and crowded. I was surprised that I was able to run as much as I did. Using my run walk intervals for the first 8 miles, served me well. I started to get a little tired in mile 9 and walked for about 5 minutes straight. My body starting asking me why we were doing this around mile 11. I took some longer walk breaks in mile 12 and 13. Knowing the finish line was near, I pushed ahead. I have never been happier to see a finish line!
Final thoughts
Rock N Roll does a fantastic job at organizing and running large races. Water stops were well stocked and their were lots of volunteers on the course. Finish line was well organized,
I am so very thankful that I was able to complete the whole 13.1 miles with way less walking than I expected. 13.1 miles is a long way when you are not trained for it.Heck, it’s a long way to go anytime! I am happy to report that nothing hurts (except for one toe nail). I can’t believe it really! While I don’t condone running a half marathon without training, I believe that my Peloton classes kept me in great cardio shape.
Thanks for sticking here to the end and joining the Runners’ Roundup today. Thanks for helping to make the Runners’ Roundup a huge success by visiting all of the hosts: Debbie, Rachel, Smitha, Jen and Lisa.
Well done, Deborah! Yes, 13.1 miles are LONG, especially when coming back from an injury. It was smart to do the walking intervals. Looks like you and your friends had a great time in New Orleans!
Did your husband do well in his team supporting role?
Ha yes my husband was a great mental support to have along. We had a really fun weekend down there
Way to go Deborah! I’ve always wanted to run that race but Feb is such a dicey time here weather-wise to fly out, it hasn’t happened. Bummer the course was nothing special but I do love that Mardi Gras vibe! Isn’t Bourbon Street something else?
February can be iffy! The Mardi Gras vibe is fabulous and Bourbon street is like no other. A fun race weekend
Nice job Deborah! Those run/walk intervals have saved me many times. I’m so glad you were able to finish so strong. Congrats!
They sure are a life saver! I think I may continue them for a while. Thanks! I am so happy I could finish upright 🙂
Great job!! I’m so glad to hear how great you feel. Yes, all of that Peloton work has served you well 🙂 I’ve wanted to do this race for awhile…someday.
It’s a really fun city to visit and play in
Congrats. Great city to run in. I heard the 5k goes through the French quarter.
I agree. I biked and it let me finish 13 miles without all the long runs.
Glad you feel good.
I know you can do it too!
Well done! I’m glad you’re feeling great 🙂 Yes, all of that Peloton work has served you well. I’d love to do this race someday….
I really think the biking made a huge difference for me on this one
Great job! I love that you had some extra days to explore the city and have fun. I’ve only been to NOLA once but it was super fun!
Thanks it’s a super fun city to explore around in
Congrats on your race! Its awesome that you were able to do this so soon after returning from your injury. New Orleans is a fun city! I went once in college and again for a work conference a few years ago.
Thanks and yes it is a really fun city for a weekend race
Great job! Sounds like your strategy with the intervals paid off. Too bad the course didn’t go through the French Quarter but I guess that would have been too difficult.
Thanks yes the strategy worked as well as I’d hoped
WAY TO GO!!!! So so so awesome! I’m sorry to hear the course was disappointing. I’d expect an awesome one in NOLA, but oh well. Also…. your leggings are the cutest!
Ha thanks have to have cute leggings 🙂
Congratulations! That’s disappointing about the race course – I wonder if they can’t use the French Quarter because of the Mardi Gras festivities?
That was the only time I was in New Orleans, and I would love to go back at a calmer time to take in the actual city.
I think the streets are too narrow in that area. We had a fabulous time and it was a fun city for a racecation
Your pics on Insta were really fun to follow! I’m glad you had a decent race. And heck yes to staying in good cardio shape during rehab/recovery! Kudos to you!
Thanks so happy to have finished and not re-injured myself
Congrats on the half marathon! That’s a bummer the course did not go through the French Quarter – I would have hoped for the same thing!
It was still a blast of a weekend all around
So happy to hear you made it through upright and smiling! Congrats!
Too bad that the course wasn’t more interesting. Sounds like you had a fun weekend overall – I’ve never been to Nola but would love to see it!
WE really did have a great weekend. So glad I made it!
So glad to hear that you got through the race without injury. Congratulations on finishing strong!
Thanks so much Denise!
Congratulations on your race! Yes, it’s a challenge to run 13.1 miles without training but you did great!
Thanks! Happy to have finished without any injuries and plan to train for the next one!
Woo! You go girl. NOLA is an amazing place to explore. It’s definitely a world of it’s own. I’m glad you had so much fun!
It sure is a unique city. thanks!
I’ve never been to New Orleans but I’d love to explore it someday! It looks so festive! I’m glad you had fun! :]
It was my first time as well! We had a blast
Looks like such a fun race. I’ve always wanted to go to New Orleans.
It was a fun place to spend a race vacation
Congrats Deborah! Well done! I think I will be running Chicago in some sort of interval, I’m not sure yet. I need to first see how training goes and get the hubs on board (he wants to run it with me). Because my foot won’t actually get better I need to find a way soon to make it work!
Interesting that you weren’t too impressed with the course! I think RnR tries to make up for any lackluster courses with music and all the volunteers and water/fuel stops they provide. But, like, Las Vegas I personally found pretty awful. Once you leave the strip it’s like OMG please get me back to the finish! I know this may be an unpopular opinion but I won’t do LV again. I need at least a somewhat exciting course.
I liked the crowd support and people watching better in Vegas. I also remember them having more music there? The intervals really worked well for me hope they help you too
I really enjoy reading your race stories. You always have such a great time and you visit all these amazing places. Amazing! 🙂
Thanks it is fun to race and run in other cities
Congrats!!! I read your headline and was worried about you doing a half with your injury but sounds like you manged it well! Glad you were still able to do it.
I was worried too but managed to finish and still be upright!
This race looks so fun! I hope I get a chance to do it in the near future!
A really fun city to run and play in
13.1 is such an accomplishment in itself, let alone after an injury! You should be very proud!! Congratulations to you! This race sounded like a fun one!
Thanks so much Leslie!
Congrats, Deborah! Just like you said, 13 miles is a long way to go even if you trained. 🙂 I’ve done the half and the marathon. Happy to see you had a great race experience while coming back from an injury. I have 3 weeks to go for my half in Atlanta and am not as prepared for it. However, I know I will be better prepared than when I ran in Detroit.
Thanks! I stuck to my plan and did my walk intervals which really helped
Yay for New Orleans! My wife, friend and I went to this race back in 2010ish and LOVED it. We had so much fun and the race was flat and fast. Hope you enjoyed your weekend!
It was a really fun city to visit for sure
That peekaboo through the statue is just adorable.
and yes, yes yes on our bodies asking what we’re doing. I might have captioned one of the photos of Darlene, Marcia and I with that
So proud of and happy for you. WE DID IT
I am so happy for all of you as well! I knew you would make it
That peekaboo through the statue is just adorable.
and yes, yes yes on our bodies asking what we’re doing. I might have captioned one of the photos of Darlene, Marcia and I with that
So proud of and happy for you. WE DID IT
It sounds like you had a fantastic time! I’m glad you were able to run after coming back from your injury. Good job!
Thanks me too!