[LSU_Fan_Tiff]

<span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">I am wondering just how many people ran the Crescent City Classic today and who in their right mind let the walkers line up first! I have no problem with anyone walking any race, that is perfectly fine, but please line up where you are supposed to. I know I can’t run five minute miles, so I don’t stand on the starting line, if you’re gonna walk please don’t start first. To put it lightly it took the first half mile and takin’ it to the sidewalk when we were using four lanes on the road in the first place to get past people who lined up at the start and were walking. I started where my color tag should have started and I can not tell you the number of not so happy phrases that were flying as we waded through that first half mile. So I clearly was not the only one who was Po’ed about this. By the time I broke free and got going I was so mad I ran way too fast thinking I’ve got to make up some time. It goes without saying, that was not smart. Looking back at my Garmin history there was a time that Garmin registered my fasted pace at 5:21. I am pretty sure it had to have happened at this time. Again, not smart!</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Here’s a shot of where I started because I thought it was funny when I looked up and saw Madison on the street sign.</span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicmadsign.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicmadsign.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">And the guy in front of me…</span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicshirt.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicshirt.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Going into the second mile I slowed to a 9:30 pace and all was going okay until I got into the third mile and felt a wave of nausea (thinking at this point you had to go and do something stupid and make up time didn’t ya- yeah I like to yell at myself in my mind) so I slowed my pace and ran 10:15 that mile. Started feeling a little better into the fourth mile and had a pace of 9:35. Then I made the mistake of drinking some water right after the fourth mile, welcome back nauseas and hello stupid 10:42 mile. Still wasn’t feelin’ great going into the sixth mile but I checked my time and realized if I could push it just a little bit I could at least PR. Pulled a 10:03 out of the last mile and a 9:50 out of the last .2 to finish at 102:27 which I will gladly take.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">My only other complaint is it was hot!!! I am going to have to get use to running in the heat and next time remember to wear sunscreen. Yep, slightly sunburned, make that getting worse by the minute sunburned.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">At least the advantage of a Louisiana race is there is good beer at the end.</span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=abitabeer.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=abitabeer.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">I entered Tad Gromley Stadium and found myself standing in an end zone looking out over the sea of people hanging out on the football field. I noticed these two guys stretching- did I mention the good thing about the heat was all the shirtless guys? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"></span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=endzoneccclassic.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=endzoneccclassic.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';">But I was watching those two guys do stretching together and hearing them talk about their race to each other that caused me to have a moment of being sad that I didn’t know a single person in that stadium. I was dying to discuss the race with someone at that point. My friends think I’m insane when I start talking about running and they just don’t get it. Then I thought about you guys and I wanted to take a minute to tell you all how much I appreciate having a place where I can come and talk about running and you understand my passion for it. That means a lot to me, thanks.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">Walked around a bit in the Stadium and found the Easter bunny….</span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=Easterbunnyccclassic.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=Easterbunnyccclassic.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">And went up in the stands to get a crowd shot that really didn’t even do justice to how many people were there.</span></span><br><br><a href="http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicTGfield2.jpg" target="_blank"><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;"><span style="color:#800080;">http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u186/lsufantiff/?action=view&current=ccclassicTGfield2.jpg</span></span></span></a><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">The race did not loop back to the French Quarter so I either had to go back on foot or take a shuttle. I didn’t want to wait around for the shuttle so I started alternating walking jogging back. I got a little lost and took the long way back- 7 miles all together. So basically I turned my 10K into pretty much a HM. Go figure!</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">There’s a pic of me somewhere lost on my mom’s camera after I joined my parents back in the French Quarter but my mom has not sent the pic to me yet.</span></span><br><br><span style="font-family:'Times New Roman';"><span style="font-size:medium;">***Gave up on trying to resize the pictures cause I just can’t figure it out with my half asleep self and put some links up instead. Yeah, that’s lazy but I wanted to post this RR sometime before my next race and I’m really over resizing pics at this moment! <img alt="huh.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/huh.gif"></span></span>

 

[phdatc]

Great Job Tiff!!!

 

[theia]

Congrats on your race!

 

[eccabex]

Great job Tiff!!!!!! The pictures are great! I cannot believe the size of the crowd.<br>
Congratulations!!!!!

 

[Opie]

I know what you mean because I've had this experience many times. Sometimes I just look for a friendly face and start talking to them anyway! Sounds like the race needs some marshalls to line people up where they should be.

 

[Frankie71]

Great race and report <b>Tiff!</b><br><br>
Thats definatley a ton of people at that race. Congrats on the PR! You are going to rock Madison!

 

[Maples]

You go girl. Tiff you never cease to amaze and inspire me my good friend. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[Nettie]

Expending energy trying to get around people that lined up incorrectly is the ultimate suck. You're definitely going to rock Madison!

 

[Korbel]

great job tiff! bastage of a race in terms of organization and still a sweet PR!! need to find yourself a better organized 10K and really find out what you got in ya!!

 

[missy1102]

tiffanie, i also can relate to going to races by myself and wanting to jump in on a discussion about the race or course or just running. ((((tiff)))) and yes, you always do have us here <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> congrats on a great race!

 

[mmoonptdeux]

<b>Tiff</b> - I can totally relate to you on the not having to talk to someone feeling. It's one of the reasons why I really appreciate you folks so much.<br><br>
And it's amazing how some of the same mistakes keep cropping up in races. The San Francisco Marathon once let the walkers go first so that everyone could get across the Golden Gate Bridge by a certain time. Let's just say that idea was squashed pretty quickly after mondo complaints.<br><br>
Congrats on what seemed like a pretty crazy but fun day overall, and WTG on battling thru your GI issues.

 

[Alemma]

Tiff - WTG sweetie! And congrats on your PR! Yay! I hope someday we can do a race together. You would be so much fun to hang out with. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[JJJessee]

Sorry the race didn't pan out as well as it should have.<br>
Just write the RD a nice letter explaining how great everything was except the part about how important it is to get people lined up in a logical fashion, seeings how we train for months and months for these races, but its really hard to train for running through a wall of people politely.<br><br>
At least they had beer.<br><br>
Do they still make that Dixie Blackened Voodoo Lager down there?<br>
I use to drink that when I could find it.<br>
Better luck next time.<br>
Thanks for the report and pics.<br>
We'll listen,<br>
jjj

 

[LSU_Fan_Tiff]

I am going to have to catch up on responses to all your comments when I have time, but I can't tell you all at this moment how much it means to me read your replies I swear I am blinking back tears at work! Happy, you guys touch me tears.

 

[LSU_Fan_Tiff]

Thanks again for all the comments.<br><br><b>Alemma</b> would love to race with ya one day! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Would love to race with any of you guys. Of course some of you would just leave me in the dust!!!<br><br><b>Dom</b> I was hoping the 10K coming up in a couple of weeks would be more organized, but I'm thinkin' I might have to cancel that one. Another time.<br><br><b>JJJ</b> I'll have to check with my friend Ronnie on your question. If anyone would know, he would. I'll get back to ya on it.

 

[Strawberry Runner]

Great Job Tiff! I love all the pictures. I would have been ready to start throwing elbows in the backs of heads if I had to wade through that many walkers!

 

[bard73]

Congratulations Tiff! I missed your RR while on my vacation, so I'm glad it popped back up to page 1. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> Great job, especially given the things you could not control (weather, walkers, etc). I agree with the others, you are going to rock Madison!