Two days, two more runs

Before I get to my Monday and Tuesday runs,  I want to go over a few of my goals as I go forward.  If you check my running profile (link on the sidebar), you can check out my current goals.  Right now I have an official goal of running ten miles this week.  As far as the blog goes, I want to start taking pictures of historical places, New Orleans landmarks, and other fun things I run across.  I am trying to be able to insert my interactive running routes here, but it doesn't seem to be working.  Now on to the runs.

I set my alarm for 5:30 Monday so I could wake up and get in a nice run before work.  Well my body took offense to that and I overslept.  No problem, I went for a run after work.  Since I wanted get all of this set up last night, I decided to grab Beau, he's my awesome dog in case you were wondering, and just do an easy lap and a half around the apartment.

View 7/30/2012 Run in a larger map

This is a very easy run with good even sidewalks and only one street to cross.   Beau decided he wanted to stop running and play with every dog, person, car, and patch of grass we passed.  Not sure if he is ready for any long runs, but I will run with him on my short/tired days.  I took this picture after our first run.  I think its safe to say we were both hot and tired.

This morning I actually woke up in time for a nice run before a long day of accounting.  I decided to give Beau a break and struck out on my own.  I really didn't have a plan on where I wanted to run, so I just started towards Magazine Street.  At this hour, its not too hot and the traffic isn't bad.  The sidewalks on this route are consistent and flat.  On my run, I saw four other early bird runners and several dogs out for a walk.

View Run 7/31/2012 in a larger map

As I started down Magazine, I noticed an old church peeking out from a block back so I ran to it.  I snagged this picture and went on my way.  Now I am no New Orleans historian, but I am pretty good at using the internet machine.  The church is St. Mary's Assumption Catholic Church.  It was built back in 1860 for the growing German catholic population.  It has (barely) survived both Hurricanes Betsy and Katrina.  Its also noteworthy as the home of the shrine honoring Blessed Fr. Seelos who was the pastor of church.  

I decided it would be best to take Jackson down to St. Charles and back home so I would not be late for work.  But as I crossed Magazine, I noticed one of my favorite new additions to New Orleans -- The Brigade Coffee food truck.  Why do I like it so much?  It combines two of my passions in life, coffee and cars!  They converted an old Citroen H Van from WWII, and it looks great!  Check them out here.  

As I was returning home, thoroughly sweating at this point, I could not keep my earbuds from falling out.  So I have purchased a new pair of running earphones.  I'll do an unboxing/review of them when they are delivered.  Do you have a preferred pair of running headphones?  Speak up in the comments!  

See you on the road!

Where I am so far

So as I said I have started this little journey into New Orleans running on Saturday, so I have some runs to catch you up on.

On Saturday I took the first step, and so far, my longest step.  As I sat on my couch watching the Olympics, wishing I was half as in shape as these athletes are, it hit me.  I like running.  I always have.  The spark was lit.  But I often lose motivation when I get in a fitness kick.  So I called up a buddy who lives in my apartment complex and we were off.  I decided to follow my buddy in his normal CBD route.

View 7/28/2012 Run in a larger map

We started off pretty strong and headed through Lee Circle and ran past the old Maserati dealership (I'll have to post a picture next time I run this route) and we motivated each other to run strong to Poydras.  We jogged our way down Poydras, getting odd looks from some tourists, and parted ways at Tchoupitoulas.  I was feeling a bit over confident and decided to run down a bit more to Convention Center Blvd.  That was a mistake, and I was pretty gassed about a block later.  As I jogged a bit, I enjoyed some views I normally pass without a second thought such as the Katrina Memorial.  I felt my second wind and picked up the pace two blocks from home.  I didn't keep track of my time, so I'm not sure how bad I did.  It is just a start and I will post better data in the days to come.

On Sunday, I decided to keep it up.  I grabbed one of my best friends, Beau, and ran two laps around my apartment complex.

View 7/29/2012 Run in a larger map

I was feeling tired from the previous day's run, so we decided to take it easy.  We decided that we would rest up and get in an early morning Monday run.

Let me know what you think about the blog so far in the comments below!  What would you like to hear more about-- running routes, running stories, what I see on the runs?  I want to make this something you enjoy reading and want to come back to.

See you on the road!

A little about me.

My name is J.T. and I am not a running professional.  In fact, I have not run with any consistency in 3 years.  So why do I have a blog called NOLArunning?  Well, I haven't always been a lazy accountant.  I grew up here in New Orleans running Sunday NOTC races with my dad.  As I grew up, I have casually enjoyed a run here or a race there, but I have never taken it seriously. This weekend as I sat around watching the Olympics, I  remembered the enjoyment I always got from running.  I called up a buddy and we went for a run in the CBD.  I got home and that was it.  I want to run.  Really run.  I want to go to the races on Sundays again.  I want to feel good again.  So here I am, sharing my adventures as I start on my way running through New Orleans.  I plan on doing more road running than track running as well as covering as much of the city as I can on foot.  I will be posting stories, pictures, goals, and achievements here.  If there is any interest, I want to hear from you.  As I said, I am no professional runner, so I have questions for you.

Follow my runs here:
http://runkeeper.com/user/JT532/profile

See you on the road!