Jazz Fest 2015

You might not remember (because it was a really long time ago!), but I got to go to Jazz Fest this year.  I've been once before and it was a blast.  This year was no different.

We got to see some great acts and I got to check a concert of my bucket list - Elton John.  That's right - Elton John!  It was definitely a once in a lifetime experience and I loved every minute of it. 

Rather then do a deep dive into it, I thought I'd just give you a glance at the weekend through photo's.  Enjoy!

Day 1...

Starting the weekend with Bloody Mary's at the hotel (the pickled green beans are the best!).

Some fun artwork heading into Jazz Fest.

Yummy shrimp po'boy at Jazz Fest (seriously, they are the amazing).

 

The gang waiting patiently for No Doubt to come on!

No Doubt!

Fun marionettes spotted just outside the fairground on the way home.

Bourbon St at night

 Day 2...

Of course I went for a run Saturday AM!

We found this awesome street performers out on Bourbon

And beignets are a must (tried Cafe Beignet this time - so good!)

Elton John! Bucket list!

And the best photo opp of the weekend :)

 Anyone else go to Jazz Fest?  What was your favorite part?

Training recap week of 4/27 (Pixie Dust Challenge Week 17)

This week was pretty good.  I had to cut a couple of runs short due to time constraints, but I was still able to get them all in.  I even got a run in while in New Orleans, so calling this week a win!

I am not sure what happened - none of my runs from the week saved on my Garmin.  It was very weird - I have never had that happen before.  I knew my distances because I also write them in planner, but I don't have any of the details.  Type A Sarah is pretty annoyed by this!  Anyone else having issues with Garmin this week?

This weeks cross training included some Tai Cheng (one of the Beachbody on Demand workouts).  It' is Tai Chi, but I am also doing it because the first 15 minutes of every workout includes stretching and foam rolling.  Definitely can use more of that in my life!

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross Training: 21 Day Fix - Total Body Cardio Fix

Tuesday
Scheduled: 4 miles easy
Actual: 4.00 mi, 39:00, 9:30 pace
Cross Training: 21 Day Fix - Upper Body Fix and Tai Cheng

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork - 6 x 0.5 miles @ 10K pace (with 2 min recovery) + WU and CD
Total miles: 5.23
Paces: No idea :(  Stupid Garmin...
Cross Training: Tai Cheng

Thursday
Scheduled: 3 miles easy
Actual: 2.5 mi, 24:00, 9:36 pace

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Saturday
Scheduled: 6 miles easy
Actual: 5.04 mi, 44:33, 8:50 pace 

This is when it started to go a little crazy.  I definitely did not run an 8:50 pace (at least I don't think so!) so I think it didn't have my GPS right.  It was in the range of 5 miles though...

Sunday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest

Total miles: 16.77

Total April miles: 113.70
Total May miles: 5.04

Miles until goal (1,250): 863.13
Cross Training: 3/4

New Orleans Weekend

Spent this past weekend in New Orleans for the New Orleans Half Marathon.  Had a wonderful time with friends and really enjoyed the city.  I love trips that include races.

This is the second time I've done the New Orleans Half (although it was called the Mardi Gras Half then) and they have changed the course slightly, but it was still a lot of fun.  The course is very flat and takes you through most of New Orleans giving you a nice view of the city.  Officially, I ran a 2:20:59, but we did take an 8 minute bathroom break!  I didn't go down to the race to race it, went to spend a long weekend with friends.  Ran the whole things with my friends Amanda, Melissa and Michelle.  We had a great time.

The rest of the weekend was basically all about food!  We had some delicious food while we were ranging from low key places we found by chance to some of the nicer more "famous" restuarants (Emeril's).  Everything was delicious.  Definitely came home feel full.  For days (more on that later).

Overall, had a great weekend with friends.  We reverted to teenagers a little bit and laughed so much during the trip.

I'll be back in NOLA at the end of April for Jazzfest.  Can't wait!

New Orleans weekend

I went to New Orleans for the first time this weekend!  It was really great!  One place of of my list of places to go.  I went to run the Rock n Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon with my friend Marissa (she ran the full!), her brother, sister-in-law and some other friends.

The trip did not get off to the best of starts - anyone in the NYC area will remember there was a blizzard that left about 16" of snow on Thursday and Friday.  My flight was scheduled to leave on Saturday morning...but of course if got cancelled Friday afternoon.  After some dealing with Delta, I was able to get on a different flight that eventually got me to NOLA (via Atlanta).  Unfortunately, this meant I missed the race expo, but was still able to get my race number on Sunday morning.  It did mean however, I missed all the race gear to buy!  We all know I love my race gear, so this was probably a good thing. 

The race was Sunday morning and went really well!  I set a half marathon PR - 1:51:22 (an 8:30 per mile pace!).  I was very pleased with it!  Marissa also set a PR in her marathon - 4:12:00.  Great job Marissa!  The course was really nice - for someone who has never been to New Orleans, I thought it gave me a great overview of the city.  We ran down St. Charles Ave (and there were still beads everywhere from the actual Mardi Gras).  We also ran through some of the French Quarter and City Park.  It was very pretty and very flat.  Some races call themselves "flat" and definitely aren't, but this one was definitely flat. 

We had some great food while there - lots of gumbo, po' boys, oysters, shrimp, etc.  It was all very delicious!  I also had some beignots from Cafe du Monde.  The line was semi long, but worth it in my opinion.  They were just as good as I imagined (and made for some pretty delicious hangover food on Monday morning).

Sunday night (after a delicious dinner at Bacco), Marissa, Landon and I went to Bourbon St.  It was crazy!  I still can't get over that there are no open container laws (yep, everyone just drinks in the open and in the street).  Being a first timer in NOLA, Marissa insisted I had to have a Hurrican from Pat O'Briens and a Hand Granade.  They were both pretty dangerous, but delicious. 

Overall, a great time!  Can't wait to go back in May for Marissa and Landon's wedding!