New Orleans Marathon -- AWESOME new course!!

Run through the CBD, Garden District, St. Charles Ave., Audubon Park, the Quarter, up Esplanade through City Park, to the Lakefront... man, that's hitting all the great hot spots in NOLA -- at least the ones that don't serve adults. Check it out: New Orleans R&R Marathon course map. The race is all the way in March but I am already so psyched for it. By then I will have finished the Houston Marathon and Rouge Orleans Ultra Relay. Boo-yah! So psyched!

Café Ole’!

... for those living in the less civilized world outside Louisiana, "Cafe' Ole'" is a play on the favorite New Orleans caffeinated beverage cafe au lait. Clever, no?

Normally, morning runs begin for me with a glass of Gatorade. It's just a little something to charge my system, which is otherwise relying on an empty stomach to power up the old machinery.

Today's run was preceded by said Gatorade and complemented with an unplanned cup o' joe. I resisted today's alarm clock call to hit the street, and before I knew it, the kids' morning routine (breakfast, prep for school, brush teeth, etc., in which I play an important role) and my jogging time collided. One thing led to another and, whoops, there I am drinking a cup of coffee before my run.

Some frown on coffee, some cheer it. I for one enjoy it... occasionally. It is not part of my normal routine, but sometimes when it finds its way into the routine, I won't resist. This morning it actually proved quite useful as I was pretty damn tired. Indeed, this morning was a good run.

There are those who are less concerned about coffee's positive stimulant effect than they are about the downside potential of losing control of one's continence.

Studies show caffeine is linked to better performance and that it won’t likely contribute to more urine production.

Caffeine reacts differently during exercise than at rest. According to Ellen Coleman, R.D., author of Eating for Endurance, the effects of coffee consumption prior to exercise depends on the runner too.

If you normally drink coffee, a little coffee before the race won’t likely hurt. If you are not a regular coffee drinker, it’ll relax your plumbing, so if you try it before the race be mindful of the nearest exits.



That is a good cup o' joe.

What have I done?!?

Have you ever run an Ultramarathon relay? I signed up for one today. In the words of David Byrne, "My God, what have I done?"

You may ask yourself,
where does that highway lead to

On the weekend of Feb 10-12, 2012, my team of 6 will run 126.2 miles from downtown Baton Rouge to Audubon Park in New Orleans. As the crow flies it is a 68-ish mile, hour+ drive on I-10 from hither to yon. But the meandering path on the Mississippi River levee along River Rd. is a marathon + 100 miles.

Our team will include a bold starter and strong finisher. Somewhere between will be me, the Clydesdale who will lope along like someone is pushing me from behind.

The ultra is a pretty thrilling concept, I must say. It is quite intimidating. It will probably present the most phyically demanding test of my life. And like all major decisions that I have been peer pressured to make, I am gradually warming up to the idea.

The ultra is a Big Thing. You've seen me refer to the Big Thing before. It is something intimidating, "impossible," beyond my reach and capabilities, but the thought of conquering it gives me butterflies. It is scary and exhilerating all at once. Training for a successful finish will require planning and strategy. Lucky for me I am already training for Houston and New Orleans, which should totally prepare me for the ultra.

Wow. My first ultra. I will celebrate with a beer.