New Orleans Saints Season Kickoff 5K

With the exception of the heat, my training is going really well. I still can’t believe I’m actually going to run a half marathon in less than 4 months. Cah-razy.

I also can’t believe that going out and getting 3 miles in on any given day is no big thing for me anymore. So when I found out about another fun 5K race happening this month, I didn’t hesitate in signing up.

On the morning of Saturday, September 10, Jeff and I participated in the New Orleans Saints Season Kickoff Race. It started in Champions Square, went down Poydras to Decatur and back, and ended on the 50-yard line in the Superdome. So awesome.

We arrived early on account of my needing to get 4 miles in that day and saw a really pretty sunrise on the way. We parked at Jeff’s office and ran over to the square so I could get my extra mile in. As we were walking up, we spotted Sir Saint and Gumbo on their way to the stage. Fun!

 

The race officially started at 7:30am, but everyone was assigned to a wave based on their estimated finish time. Jeff was wave 3; I was wave 14. No surprise there. We wished each other luck and went to our respective corrals. Shhhh…..I cheated a little bit and started with wave 10; I just couldn’t wait anymore!

Jeff finished with a time of 22:50, rolling into the Dome just before 8am. He chilled on the field while he waited for me.

I actually did better than I thought I would, coming in with a time of 41:16, five minutes faster than I estimated. Check out my ridiculous finish line picture. Obnoxious.

I met up with Jeff, grabbed a water and a Gatorade, and sprawled out on the field to stretch and relish in where we were. And of course take photos. It was really freaking cool.

We eventually left the Dome and headed back over to Champions Square to get some free beer, crackers, and jambalaya. At 9 in the morning. Gotta love it.

This was a really fun race and I’m so glad Jeff and I did it. After all, it brought me one step close to 13.1!

Still can’t believe I’m doing it.