Marathon Day

Today was the Mardi Gras Marathon here in New Orleans. I went out in the cold early morning drizzle to meet Robin at the Superdome, where the race begins. Robin organizes the "lead bicycle" contingent for this race, and a number of us help out each year. It's been quite a few years since I did this, but I clearly remembered how cold you can get riding for three hours at 10 mph, especially when wet, so I dressed as if I were heading for a ride in 35F weather rather than the 50+ weather we actually had. It was a good decision.

The race broke up quickly with a 3-person group that included only one full-marathon runner opening a pretty big gap. The other two were half-marathon runners, as was the next rider who I ended up leading. Once I got to the half-marathon finish, I waited around for literally minutes until the second full-marathoner appeared. I helped Brian lead that guy the rest of the race. It was easy work until we got to the park where the course doubled-back on itself and we really had to work to make sure this guy didn't get run into by stray joggers or other racers going in the opposite direction.

We were really lucky with the weather. It had been storming most of the night but by the time the race started the rain had stopped, so at least I didn't have to wear my non-breathable rain jacket very long. It was rather amaing to be riding back home nearly three hours after the start and seeing runners (or walkers to be more accurate) wearing full marathon numbers who still hadn't gotten to the half-marathon point. They would be out there for maybe six hours today.

I don't know if I can count 30 miles at an average speed of about 10 mph as training, though!

The Herring Gas riders had a pretty good day in Texas yesterday at Walburg with Troy taking 4th and Frank 6th in the Pro,1,2, race. I think they may be doing the Pace Bend RR today in Austin.

The Iowa GymHawks had a good meet last night in Milwaukee, and even though they didn't quite win the meet, they had their highest team score so far this year and were pretty stoked about it.