When I started training for my first full marathon in fall of 2008, I worked in the New Orleans CBD. I would pull a Superman (change in my office, not the Soulja Boy reference) and bolt out the front door faster than a speeding bullet for runs on St. Charles Avenue. I could crank out an 8 mile loop from the office to Audubon Park and back without a problem, then run home to shower before tackling the rest of my day. This course was ever changing, and I would never get bored with the scenery. St. Charles Avenue and the streetcars were my in-flight entertainment, albeit obstacles when I wasn't paying close attention.
I changed jobs shortly after my first big race, but continued to work out of downtown. The new job came with a free membership to a gym where I could change without the potential of an awkward work situation, and shower without a long commute home to Metairie. I also started cross training at the gym, and my fitness improved along with my finish times. It was the ideal situation.
A little over a year ago, the company I work for was purchased by new owners. We temporarily moved offices to just outside of downtown, and the easy access to the gym was limited. Even more recently, our offices moved again for a final time to the suburbs. Don't get me wrong, the offices are awesome and its in a super convenient location for my commute. However, the only place I can adequately run outdoors in the area is Lafreniere Park. The park has a great 2-mile asphalt track for runners and walkers (its closed to anything with wheels), and is in a very safe environment. However, I can't bring myself to run more than two loops at a time.
This week, I'm going to attempt getting back out to the larger parks around the city and exploring more long-run options. I'm sure I'll revert back to the standard St. Charles Avenue path frequently, if I can ever convince myself to drive uptown for reasons other than to eat or imbibe. City Park also has more options now than ever before. I'm sure there are more options out there, but I'm currently at a loss for where I can go that won't get old fast. Suggestions are welcome in the comments below!
NOTE: Congrats to all of the competitors of the RocketChix Triathlon / Duathlon in Baton Rouge yesterday! Fellow blogger Nicole completed her first Duathalon, and has a recap of the race that you can check out HERE. Nice job everyone!
lol!! Thanks Fred! I was not expecting that when I saw your blog update ! I was about to think about my comment related to the heat when I saw your shoutout :)
ReplyDeleteI ran 3 miles last night and the feels like temp was 99 degrees at 7pm. I always hate to rush time but I am ready for cooler temps.
I am still working on my goals for Fall/Spring races. You have DumboDare to prepare for so YES get off the Couch FRED!!!!! :)
Dumbo Double Dare is the least of my worries, Nicole. I am fairly certain I can trudge through that race seeing as how Anaheim's temps are significantly cooler than NOLA's, and its a runDisney race with friends. Time will certainly not be a goal that weekend. Its all of the full marathons that I want to do in the fall / winter that worry me! Got to live up to my Marathon Maniac status!
Deleteugh. I wrote this long response and it got wiped out!!!! Any who. I know Dumbo will be a BLAST. May still be warm so having FUN is definetly key. I cant wait to hear all about it.
ReplyDeleteMarathon Maniac status is a lot to keep up with it which is why I have not signed up for Half Fanatic.
As far as all your FULL's you know what Katherine would say "Do what you enjoy". I constantly go back to that statement. (love her) Like I mentioned before I am trying to work on my Fall/Spring schedule and not make "running" a priority which is hard. It quickly seems to take priority in my life without meaning too. I am trying to pick which Half's will be my 9th and "10th" (Looking like BR Beach and LA Half) and STILL considering changing RNR Nola for my 1 & only Full even I have to jog, walk or crawl to that 26.2 Finish due to my limited training time :) Good luck and yes you still have to get off that couch! :)
Aww, thanks for that, Nicole! Not only do what you enjoy, but make sure you ENJOY what you DO. Fred, I've been struggling on a similar basis this summer. I'm not sure where my drive to run went, but it's just not there right now. The last time I logged miles was in May, if you can believe it. I'm fine with this, though, because I'm starting to feel the anticipation and excitement for the Louisiana Marathon half in January 2014 and that anticipation is something I NEED to get me through training. I'd rather take an extended break from running and be 100% ready to run than push through something I'm not enjoying at the moment and feel even 80% ready to train and race. I'm not sure how either of us will get back to that happy running place—sometimes I think it just sort of happens—but we will get there.
DeleteWell, what I enjoy is running. Specifically distance running. Just working back up to it is what's torturing me right now. I think cooler weather would help, but the running in circles is definitely a main concern. It'll all work out. I'm looking forward to the fall and winter a lot.
DeleteI think we are all suffering from "run regret". We all know that we should be getting off the couch and going for a run but the thought of leaving such a comfy place is hard.
ReplyDeleteI know that I should be "religious" with running and stick to a schedule but sometimes a weeks work of DVR'ed shows and my couch sucks me in. It is only when I go to bed that night I suffer from "run regret". I regret I did not run. However this only lasts for a few minutes before I nod off to sleep happy I caught up on my shows :-)
Run regret really isn't my issue. I'm running, just not up to my distances that I should be doing as part of my training. Building stamina and endurance back up should be a goal right now, but the issue with where I'm running combined with the heat is making that next to impossible. You'll be fine come fall. You're lucky that you'll get better weather for running before I do!
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