Race 1 8:00 Baton Rouge,  The Race for the Deaf
 
The temperature was on the cool side, (just right for Charles!!) and the course very flat.  We spoke to the race coordinators before the race and was told the course was marked true.  This was a small race of aprox. 50 people.  There were about 3 other races in Baton Rouge but we chose this one because it was for a good cause.
 
Although I mentioned the course was marked true, there is no accounting for the course that the runners may take!!  The leaders took a turn that shortened the course.  Everyone followed!!  I was really excited when I crossed the line at 20:03!!  Charles was about a minute behind.  We were told we all shortened the course.  It was probably a 2.8 mile course.  Bummer cuz' I felt good, ran a "smart" race and passed my competition the last 1/2 mile.  I know this would have been my PR.  Anyway, I was first woman overall and got a real neat gift certificate for a 100.00 dollars to a local sporting goods store.  Charles was the 5th man overall and got a ribbon for first in his age group.  We felt good but wasn't sure how we would hold up to do a second run in the evening.
 


2nd run Oschner's in New Orleans

 
Wow!  Much bigger race.  I think I heard them say over 400 and something women and 400 and something men.  I think between 900 runners.    The weather was fine but a little on the windy side.  The course started up a gentle incline, then you had to climb a small gravel hill to get to the levy.  The course was marked well and splits were called.  I held back again, and was able to run a better pace.  I did do a personal best of 22:58, won the masters which entailed a 50 dollar gift certificate to a local restaurant.  I am more astonished at being the 9th woman overall out of 400 plus!!  That was very exciting.  Charles did a time of 24:00 and was the 82nd man overall out of 400 plus.  At the awards ceremony we ran into Aquilino!!  He did his PR at 26:40 after running in the Azalea that morning.  He was so excited!!  Anyway, this was an excellent race, but the after party can't be matched at any run I've ever been to!  There were at least 40 food  vendors, any kind of cuisine you can imagine, from hot wings, to gumbo, to salads, to hamburgers, etc. etc.  All you can eat!!  There were massage tables, and free giveaways.  Miller beer, (Not Charles's favorite, but he forced himself to drink it), and for me, there was free wine!!  There was a very good band who played a range of rock and roll from old to new.  All these goodies were included in the entry fee for the run, however, you could pay just to go to the party and there were a lot of kids present too!!  I highly recommend that we all go to this race next year!!  5 stars!!
 
© Audrey Jackson

The Oschner Run took place in the levee behind Oschner Clinic Foundation on Saturday, March 25.  There were 1,800 runners at 5:00pm ready to start the run. I went to visit some friends in New Orleans on Saturday afternoon and told them about the fun we had in Mobile.  They were ready to go to the Oschner Festival, so I joined them at the last minute.  I felt good and ran strong.  I could not believe it; I set a PR in the 5K, 26:40.  After the race I talked with Charley and Audrey Jackson.  Audrey finished in 22:58 and Charley in 24:00.  She broke her PR and won her category. The after-party was full of food and drinks, live music, door prizes, and games for kids. Proceeds of the run benefited the Oschner for Children Foundation. © Kili (Aquilino García)