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Bill_Sev
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Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 727
Location: Marietta, GA
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 Posted: 10/02/04 - 20:26 Post subject: Nokia Sugar Bowl Mardi Gras Marathon 2/27/05
Anyone planning on running this one? I am shooting for this one to be my first Marathon.
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GaRebelRunner
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Joined: 26 Sep 2003
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Location: Tucker, GA
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Posted: 10/03/04 - 08:37 Post subject:
I ran the half portion of this race in 2000 while preparing for my first marathon. It's well staffed and organized. The only "hills" you will encounter is a small bridge (and it's not as big as many of our hills here in Atlanta) around mile 6 at JFK high school. You will cross this bridge twice as there is a turn around point at the high school. It's a festive atmosphere. There will be beer and various other drinks passing through the lines from time to time. The weather usually cooperates very nicely for this race.
The route itself is well thought out. Starting at the Superdome you go through parts of the French Quarter, residential areas and parts of Canal Street before returning to the dome and then continuing for the next half. That will take you to the Garden District and by Tulane (I think) as you come back to the Superdome to finish. The year I ran the race we actually finished inside the dome but I believe they now finish outside of it due to the cost they were having to pay for an inside finish.
Just don't party too much in the French Quarter the night before the race.
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 10/03/04 - 10:10 Post subject:
Here's the website if anyone wants more info.
The map still has the finish marked as inside the dome, but it's possible they haven't updated it and GRR is correct.
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GaRebelRunner
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Posted: 10/03/04 - 11:44 Post subject:
Looking at their map, it looks like it will finish up inside the dome this year. They had revised their maps after the 2000 race to show it would not finish inside the dome. I sent the NOTC an email in 2002 inquiring as to why they no longer were using the dome itself as it is a very magnificent piece of architecture to finish up in, especially to see the concrete floor after watching several Saints games live in the dome. At they time they cited conflicts with other patrons using the dome as well as costs being a factor. It may be that there simply are no conflicts with any other visitors in town using the dome on race day.
New Orleans Marathon
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Bill_Sev
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Joined: 21 Sep 2004
Posts: 727
Location: Marietta, GA
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 11:37 Post subject:
Anyone planning on this one? Could use a running mate.
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elkid
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Joined: 18 Nov 2002
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Location: hiding out in Philly
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Posted: 11/29/04 - 11:39 Post subject:
Nope. I'll either be in Central Park or Williamsburg.
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Bill_Sev
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Location: Marietta, GA
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Posted: 01/08/05 - 16:50 Post subject:
One Last Bump! Anyone? Got my first 20 miler next weekend!
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MechEngDropout
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Posted: 01/09/05 - 15:22 Post subject:
| Bill_Sev wrote: | | One Last Bump! Anyone? Got my first 20 miler next weekend! |
Sorry Bill. I'm officially not doing this one. 
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Kimba90
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Posted: 01/09/05 - 16:30 Post subject:
We'll be cheering you in cyberspace Bill. Do you run with any groups in Atlanta? How many 20 milers are you doing before the marathon? Are you getting nervous/excited about the race yet? I went through all sorts of emotions before my first.
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Bill_Sev
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Posted: 01/10/05 - 09:30 Post subject:
Kimba,
I perfer to run by myself when training......I am planning on running 2-20 milers (jan 16th and 30th). Possibly a 3rd on Feb 13th....That would give me a 2 week taper and I dont know if thats a good idea or not. Any one have any suggestions?
As for the race, I am really looking forward to it. I have been doing a little long runs on hills....so that should help me on a flat course like New Orleans.
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GaRebelRunner
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Posted: 01/10/05 - 19:29 Post subject:
| Bill_Sev wrote: | | I have been doing a little long runs on hills....so that should help me on a flat course like New Orleans. |
Because you are going to be running a flat course, you would be better off running your 20 milers on the Silver Comet trail to better simulate the course in New Orleans. The problem with running your 20 milers on hills is that your legs will actually be expecting the changes along the route, and when they have to deal with 26 flat miles they will hurt worse than if you had some hills to break up the monotony of the flatness.
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Bill_Sev
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Posted: 01/11/05 - 11:41 Post subject:
Thanks GRR.....You made up my mind about were to do my first 20 miler. I was going to start at the Hooch and run up Johnsons Ferry into east cobb.
Should I add a 3rd 20 and have 2 weeks of taper or just go with 2 - 20's?
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GaRebelRunner
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Posted: 01/13/05 - 22:20 Post subject:
| Bill_Sev wrote: | | Should I add a 3rd 20 and have 2 weeks of taper or just go with 2 - 20's? |
You don't want to run a 20 miler and have only two weeks of taper, especially with no marathon experience to fall back on. The purpose of the three week taper is to get you to the start line with reasonably fresh legs. If you run a 20 miler two weeks prior there is a good chance your legs will still be a little fatigued even if you don't feel it.
If I was in your running shoes I would modify the schedule just a tad.
Option 1) Run the 20 miler on the 16, 13-15 the next two weeks, and then your final 20 miler on February 6 so you have your full three weeks to taper.
Option 2) Run the 20 miler on the 16th, and then 13-15 the following week and 18 on Jan 30, just depending how you feel, with your final 20 mile run still on Feb 6. Simply because this is your first marathon I would do option 1 but if you feel you are a strong runner option 2 is doable.
Although New Orleans is one of the flattest courses I know (Niagara Falls is almost as flat) under race conditions you need the full three weeks to taper prior to the race.
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