The Ups and Downs of the Louisiana Marathon

Boston Marathon's Heartbreak Hill
(Courtesy Stewart Dawson @ Flickr)

Yesterday, the Louisiana Marathon at Facebook posted an interesting graphic depicting the elevation change over the course, something less than 50 feet from highest to lowest points. By almost anyone's standards this amounts to a pretty flat course. But one marathoner's 'flat' might be another's Heartbreak Hill, especially at or near the finish of a long race. Admittedly, it's a stretch to claim that Baton Rouge has any hills to speak of. Folk from other areas of the country with real elevation change experience would label our dips and swells as 'bunny hills.'

North Boulevard Overpass - Out

Let's take a closer look at what awaits us on the Louisiana Marathon course in the way of obvious elevation changes. Though there's a shallow drop as we leave the starting line, the first obvious elevation change is the North Boulevard Overpass just short of the Mile 2 marker. The course website has some excellent footage of last year's race as runners cross this overpass. It looks intimidating to the uninitiated but with adrenalin at high levels early in the race, it's not likely to discourage anyone.

Decline by City Park RR Underpass

The longest descent along the course is adjacent to the City Park Golf Course, where a train trestle spans the rode about the Mile 3 marker. If downhill runs are your nemesis, this is the most pronounced one you'll encounter in the Louisiana Marathon. I find downhills a bit scary because they almost provoke a speed increase with its higher risk factor or the use of breaking steps to keep the descent in check. True, you feel fast going down the slope, but if you're not adequately warmed up, you run the risk of pulling or tearing something if you descent too fast.

LSU Tigers march down this hill

Tiger Band coming down the hill
(Courtesy G. J. Charlet III @ Flickr)

The most exciting descent is the run down to Tiger Stadium - Death Valley, as it's called. There's a lot of campus significance and tradition wrapped up in this little jaunt, situated between Mile 6 and 7 markers. This is where the LSU football team gets rousing cheers from the faithful as they walk to the stadium on Game Day, followed later by the Tiger Marching Band. The band stops right on the hill (see photo left) just before striking up the pre-game anthem amidst the enthusiastic fan support. As you approach this hallowed ground, you might imagine that you are there, on Saturday afternoon, at LSU. That ought to get the juices flowing.

Reclaiming elevation on S. Stadium

Well, what comes down, must go up - as it turns out. After running around Tiger Stadium, we travel back up South Stadium Road, gaining some altitude as we go - somewhere between Mile 7 and 8. It's a gentler slope than the two previous downhill runs, which is nice since it's uphill. On Saturdays during football season, this street if filled with fans, lined with tents and chairs, and seasoned by the aroma of great Cajun cooking. Some folk simply park here, cook, eat and watch the game on satellite TV!

Long stretch by City Park Golf Course

We're not quite through regaining the altitude you've lost during the early miles of the race. Here, near Mile 13, along the other side of the City Park Golf Course, is the longest and steepest rise in our marathon route. It's gradual, but definitely noticeable, but with all the beautiful scenery you will have just passed (around the LSU Lakes area), you will be charged up to conquer this rise. After all, you're nearly at the mid-race point. It'll be early Sunday morning, so you might have to dodge an errant golf ball or two.

North Boulevard Overpass - In

You're in the final stretch now, between Mile 24 and 25. Unfortunately, you've got to negotiate the North Boulevard Overpass on the return route, this time with legs that are a bit more tired than they were near Mile 2. Just pop out a few gummi bears from your running shorts pocket and charge up for the remaining short stretch. You'll be crossing the finish line in no time, amidst the cheering throng of friends, fellow runners and locals there to greet you. Joy to you! You have prevailed!

TODAY'S WORKOUT: The first 'long run' - if you call 3 miles long. Average pace of 14:26 (planned 14:45) per mile, using run/walk intervals of 0:30/0:43, with the run pace nominally at 13:31 per mile. No soreness or other issues, though we went out a bit late in the AM - temperature averaging 77˚F.