The midwest is mighty cold in January, so the idea of a winter race in the South seemed like a good plan. Joke was on me – we ended up with a very chilly weekend, at least by Baton Rouge standards.
The day before the Louisiana Marathon, my husband Louie and I tried to run a quick shakeout run along the Mississippi. I wanted to watch the boats and barges, which take me back to my childhood home along the Ohio River. We lasted about 30 seconds before 20 mile per hour gusts sent us to the other side of the levee for a bit of protection. Never have I faced such a headwind.
Race morning registered in the low to mid-thirties, and still windy, though only 10-15 miles per hour and not quite as persistent. Not blow you over levels, just enough for a little wind burn.
It was a very crowded start, with the half and full marathoners all together. I actually saw one guy fall, and got pushed and bumped several times myself. One fellow drafted off of me so close he actually kicked my feet. It didn’t really thin out until the half runners split off after mile 10.
The course itself is largely residential. The best part of the route snakes around University Lake. Picture charming houses framed by trees, swings hanging from boughs. Southern trees are dreamy – especially the oaks, with their impossibly wide canopies. Another highlight is a quick jaunt through LSU’s campus, where a real tiger prowls in its cage.
This was the first race I put pressure on myself around my time goal. Back in October 2018, I’d run a 4:13:57 for the Baltimore Marathon, and initially targeted a sub-4 for Louisiana. During training, I kept gaining speed and begin to suspect I could do much more. Perhaps 3:50, which would give me a guaranteed entry qualifying time for Chicago Marathon in 2020.
For the first 10 miles, I ran with the 3:40 pace group, which was averaging 8:15 minute pace per mile. When I needed a bathroom break at mile 11, I doubted I’d be able to catch them again. A quick surge got me within sight of the group, and for the next 9 miles, I hung on about 30 yards away from the back of the pack. I could never quite close the gap, but trying to chase them kept me focused.
At mile 21, I started to fade and let the group slip away. By 22, fading turned to tightening up. I figured I could slow down to a ten minute mile pace and still make the 3:50 goal. I probably shouldn’t have done that math, because it basically gave me permission to go slow.
The most challenging part of the course comes late, exiting the neighborhoods to a desolate stretch of road and a highway overpass around the end of mile 24. Despite the wind and crowds, I’d enjoyed most of the race up until that point, but facing that barren road with heavy legs, feeling like I was slogging through molasses kind of slayed me.
I had to play some mental games to turn things around. I thought a lot about the people who sent me pre-race well-wishes (thank you all!) and reminded myself that I was still on pace to smash my previous best. There was no reason to despair.
Louie surprised me on the course with about a half mile left to go. He’d already finished the half marathon himself, but he ran that last bit with me. He gave me that extra boost and the emotions of finishing took over.
I crossed the line with a big smile and a 3:48:27 finish time.
This was the first race where I finished in time to catch the awards ceremony, which was especially cool because Des Linden won the half with a new course record. After accepting her award, she hung around the side of the stage for a while to meet fans. I’m not normally one to geek out about celebrities, but her Boston win was so inspiring for me. When I got to say hello and take a photo with her, I wanted to say, “I cried watching your victory!” but instead said it was gracious for her to spend time with fans.
Louisiana really nailed the post-race festival. It felt like a finish village, with a full band on stage and rows of booths and food trucks with more local fare than I could handle. I devoured shrimp gumbo, alligator stew over cheese grits, and jambalaya (all part of registration for runners) before I called it quits.
After all, I had to save room for the king cake Louie got for us. And round two of lunch–because post-race pizza is a must.
The details:
Louisiana Marathon in Baton Rouge, Louisiana
January 20, 2019
Marathon #11
Weather: 36º and overcast, 10 mph winds
Finish time: 3:48:27