RUNIN NOLA

Katrina -- Remember this Day

2010-08-29T07:36:00.001-07:00

I remember vividly that desolate summer morning when Katrina slammed ashore and turned this once vivacious city upside down.

   Since my endearing college days, when I would embark on an yearly pilgrimage to N'awlins for Mardi Gras, this vibrant city of Cajun, Creole and Crawfish pie has stayed mythically close to my heart, soul and cuisine.

Just like many cataclysmic events of grand enormity, Katrina is rifed with tragic controversy. Surely evacuation could have occurred earlier. The Convention Center and Superdome where hundreds of thousands of refugees stayed had a severe shortage of food and water. According to Senator Landrieu, Katrina was not the worst natural disaster in the US, it was the "worst man-made disaster." Where in the matter of mere hours, New Orleans had slipped from a popular tourist hub to third world decadence livid with homeless people, missing children, damaged homes and destroyed lives.

   Earlier this year, I had the golden opportunity to meet with some of the survivors as I ran along Mirabeau Avenue during the New Orleans Marathon. One inspiring gentleman, Noel, even invited me to his house where he showed me the incredible renovation he has done over the years.

   So as I pushed on, the realization sinked in that the pain that I was feeling paled in true comparison to the pain that these victims of the most devastating natural disaster in the US felt -- the remorseful pain that seared our collective images as we clicked our remotes -- the storm that Louisianans had always known would come, but forever feared it desolately.

  Today, New Orleans is in the midst of rebuilding. This summer's Gulf oil spills has added a difficult facet to its comeback. But as the New Orleans Saints found a way to come back from being the worst of the NFL for many years to a Superbowl Champion, there is much hope for a city that resonates with a large dose of spirit and hope.

National Marathon and Half 2010

2010-03-21T12:03:00.001-07:00

2010-03-07T09:38:00.001-08:00

Stories of Inspiration

2010-03-06T22:37:00.000-08:00

The whole concept of an aftermath is as strong as what you are yourself. If you just sit there, and cry about it, you won't get anywhere.

Reflecting

There are very few things in life that is as physically painful that actually produces so much joy that it's something I LIVE for.

Understanding

Running is the quintessential sport because it brings so many people together and you are given a priceless opportunity to listen to so many precious stories.

Negotiating

Running is also about making decision and many of the people I've met have made some amazing decisions in their lives.

Innovating or Inspiring

These are the inspiring stories of Noel Carter whose house several blocks from where the levee breached was flooded nearly to the roof. He eventually evacuated to Memphis and considered moving there permanently, but his love for New Orleans was so immense that he decided to come home and rebuild.

Here is a house just several feet from the levee that was totally destroyed.

The amazing stories of Melissa Landry a wheelchair athelete, in her first marathon. The following is an excerpt from the blog: www.gorunla.com:

Even though the race day started out typical this was not going to be a typical race. This race was going to be very special. For Gene and myself were going to push Melissa (a wheelchair athlete) in her first Marathon! Three people coming together as one on a journey of inspiration. As the miles went by Melissa continue to thank us but we thanked her and explain that she was giving us a gift! She was giving the gift of courage, strength, and a reminder to not give up on your dreams not matter what! And she was not only giving us this gift she inspired the crowds, the walkers and the runners. She gave them energy to keep going. She was a lighthouse of guts!

Melissa, Gene and the rest of the Go Run Team from Lake Charles, Louisiana.

The inspiring story of Rob Lowe, a 69-year old man who ran his first marathon despite having Parkinson's. These stories go to show that even with adversity and disability, you can still push on, overcome and excel.

Navigating

Noel Carter captured it so succintly and with compassion:

"The whole concept of an aftermath is as strong as you yourself. If you just sit there and cry about it, you won't get anywhere."

Running through the French Quarter

2010-03-04T16:27:00.000-08:00

Making Friends Along the Mirabeau

2010-03-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

Miracle on the Mirabeau

2010-03-03T21:25:00.000-08:00

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Push on Survivors! We will never forget, will always praise, and will one day applaud your revival.

Reflecting


I remember vividly that desolate summer morning when Katrina slammed ashore and turned this once vivacious city upside down.

Understanding



Since my endearing college days, when I would embark on an yearly pilgrimage to N'awlins for Mardi Gras, this vibrant city of Cajun, Creole and Crawfish pie has stayed mythically close to my heart, soul and palette.

   But for the last ten years until now, I had failed to make my trek even after the levees catastrophically failed and after my heroic hospital ship COMFORT steamed ahead full speed to deliver aid.

Negotiating
   Just like many cataclysmic events of grand enormity, Katrina is rifed with heated controversy. Surely evacuation could have occurred earlier. The Convention Center and Superdome where hundreds of thousands of refugees stayed had no food and water. Where in the matter of mere hours, New Orleans had slipped from a popular tourist hub to third world decadence livid with homeless people, missing children, damaged homes and destroyed lives.

Inspiring


   That is why this purposeful run was so inspiring. It wasn't the trot through Bourbon Street or the French Quarter that was so mesmerizing. It was the long 26 mile run that took us through Mirabeau Avenue that gripped my heart and gilded the inner reaches of my soul.

Navigating



   So as I pushed on, the realization sinked in that the pain that I was feeling right now, paled in true comparison to the pain that these victims of the most devastating natural disaster in the US felt -- the remorseful pain that seared our collective images as we clicked our remotes -- the storm that Louisianans had always known would come, but forever feared it desolately.

   Putting things in perspective, the last five miles became a dreamy cake walk and I look forward to remembering and revisiting the nice people (Noel, Joelle, Oliver) who so magnanimously invited me to their homes and gave me a slim but sensational taste of the sights, sounds and sorrows that echoed from the deadly eye of the storm.

   Push on Survivors! We will never forget, will always praise, and will one day applaud your revival.

   The rest of us will always support you.

Collage of Colorful NOLA

2010-03-03T17:20:00.001-08:00

Runners pose with a Costume of a Mardi Gras parade queen as we wrap up the final stretch of the Inaugural Rock-N-Roll Marathon.

One of the neat things about running the race a week after Mardi Gras is the plethora of beads and oranaments hanging from the trees and wrapped around power poles. In many ways, I felt that Mardi Gras just happened. The air was definitely festive, and people were out and partying. New Orleans just experienced a three-part venue smash -- the amazing Superbowl championship, the annual Mardi Gras celebration and the Inaugural Rock-N-Roll Marathon.

Bagpiper in the park. There was lots of eclectic music in the air ranging from the obligatory Rock-N-Roll, the local jazz and even Scottish Bagpipers in the French Quarter.

Water, Beer of Martini:

Only in New Orleans, is there beer and martini almost as plenty as water and cytomax. Here the author had to sample the local watering hole. Meanwhile the BBQ pits fired up in the background serving up delicious dogs and burgers. The aroma itself was mouth watering and tempting.

Cheerleaders cheering "GO RUNINDC" gave me all the inspiration I needed to finish up my last mile.

Great Support Along the Course

2010-03-01T22:10:00.000-08:00

Receiving water from Elvis himself.

Team in Training, San Francisco

2010-03-01T18:10:00.000-08:00

"USA Fit"

2010-03-01T18:06:00.000-08:00

The Local Skanks

2010-03-01T18:02:00.000-08:00

Melissa's First Marathon

2010-03-01T03:48:00.001-08:00

Cheerleader Support

2010-02-28T21:51:00.001-08:00

The Last Straw

2010-02-28T20:53:00.000-08:00

Although there were over 50 bands in 24 stages, very rarely is the music so good, that it makes you stop in your tracks and just rest while enjoying the peaceful tunes. In this case, "The Last Straw" an amazing Dixieland jazz band that plays great tunes from the 1950's and has been performing since 53 years old, kept me riveted and relaxed. This amazing, iconic band played beautiful orchestral sound from their banjos and sax that richened my run and inspired me to push on.