Louisiana Marathon 2019 tied to Martin Luther King Remembrance and Valentine's Day and Other Running Memories ...

Pic: Keith at 2018 Crescent City Classic with Who Dat? ... ran with Team (Steve) Gleason ...

With Valentine's Day coming up next month, why not make the Louisiana Marathon Weekend (January 18 - 20, 2019) run a romantic one with your loved one?

I recall when I worked at a local hospital back in the late 90s that a renal (kidney) doctor, Mitch Hebert, MD, I knew asked his wife what she wanted for her 40th birthday – she said, “To run a marathon!” I was impressed how that doc took her challenge seriously and after about 5 months, they both ran their first marathon together! They have done many more since then!

And with Martin Luther King Day being recognized the Monday (1/21/2019) right after the Race weekend, I can't think of a better way to foster his "I Have A Dream" than for all the wonderful diversity of our local community, the state and even nation to join together in the holistic health events at the Louisiana Marathon.

To add to his awe inspiring speech: "As we walk (and/or run), we must make the pledge that we shall always march (run) ahead. We cannot turn back."

I have loved running since being a kid. In grammar school, I used to always win the 100 yard dash but eventually got to like running in competition – particularly longer treks, like I started to develop in popularity with 10K Races and Marathons in the 1970s. Usually, I like to participate in the Baton Rouge community benefit races like the Alzheimer's Memory 5Ks and fun races like the Fat Boy 5K.

In the past, I have done therapeutic work with folks dealing with all kinds of addictions – I'll be the first to admit that I'm addicted to running. I have been running regularly since my late teens, so I surely know how to get them endorphins going! My routine is usually to run on Wednesdays and Sundays – one of my neighbors jokes that she can count on me to keep those days straight with her! Sometimes, I wonder if I'm more addicted to coffee or running?

My goal for a 5K running time lately is about 25 minutes. In my 20's and 30's, I used to do these races in about 20 – 21 minutes. In New Orleans, when I first started competition running in the late 1970's, I mostly ran 10Ks. Some of my fondest runs were the Crescent City Classic, as I ran in the first one and did it in around 38 minutes – that was when I was really serious about running.

But as I have joined the AARP geezer age group, my running has mainly been for maintenance fitness and not for reducing times. So “I Have A Dream” as approach this ¼ Louisiana Marathon with realistic ideas of just having fun with my friends and seeing other contacts to pass a good and healthy outing.

In some races, I'll start towards the front of the group, so as to not get stuck behind some “slow pokes” who can at times cause falls as people are trying to weave through others. After I pass the first mile, a friend will catch up with me and eventually pass me up. Richard, a few years older than me, usually gets the last laugh as he will usually flies past me at around the 1 ½ mile part of the 3.2 mile race.

Since I sometimes get stomach cramps from drinking water at the mile points, I take some quick swigs and pour the rest on my head as a great cooling down treat. As I closed in to the end of the recent Alzheimer's 5K, I thought that I would be close to 25 minutes but was bummed out when I found out that my finished time was 26 minutes even. But guess what – I came in 2nd for the 50 – 54 age category!

Recently, it happened that as I had been cheering on our others at the finish line, I met someone with the Senior Olympics, who was recognizing some members also in the race. Now that I'm 50 +, there are some benefits that seem to accrue with getting older – especially as more folks drop out of competition running and I have more of a chance to win! Watch out Senior Olympics – here I come!

So come one, come all – even kids have a marathon of a run (1.2 miles) for themselves, as well as other races for all (5K [3.1 miles], Quarter Marathon [6.55 miles], Half Marathon [13.1 miles] and Full Marathon [26.2 miles]) – to this great upcoming Redstick Louisiana Marathon weekend of fun, food and healthy living! “Laissez les bons temps rouler!"

BTW: the Upcoming Crescent City Classic in New Orleans on Holy Saturday, April 20, 2019 - join our "New Orleans Musician's Clinic Team:"

https://runsignup.com/KeithJohnPaulHorcasitasLCSWYatMusician?fbclid=IwAR1g0_3KEKChja-kplcOFumkMyYg3gm3yvs23Uq54KLNqB-XbRkixUDLPd8