TUNESday: "Mmm Yeah" by Austin Mahone

I started the TUNESday feature in July of last year, and the original intention was to provide at least one current or upcoming hit that fits well in a workout playlist. Something up-tempo that really gets the heart pumping and blood flowing. While that's been consistent over the past 8 months, another constant has been the reoccurrence of one artist in particular.

#SmashTheHalf Speculation

Sunday morning was the Princess Half Marathon in Walt Disney World; however, runDisney couldn't let a race weekend go by without adding some extra magic to the mix. This time, the excitement surrounds an announcement tomorrow about what's in store for runners in the coming months.

Going Green in 2014

We've barely scratched the surface of the Mardi Gras parade season, yet it's already time to start thinking about the Patrick's Day celebrations that follow right on the heels of Fat Tuesday. In New Orleans, that means even more parades, more beer, and as of last year, brand new races.

TUNESday: "I'm A Freak" by Enrique Iglesias ft. Pitbull

I got home from work yesterday and had to perform a task I haven't had to do in months; I turned on my air conditioner. I don't think my AC has operated once since November, which tells me that for the first time in memory, New Orleans experienced an actual winter.

504K: The 2014 Recap

After a January full of 5:30am Sunday morning alarms for marathons, I looked forward to February being a down month in racing. NBA All-Star Weekend was the only thing standing between me, Mardi Gras and guilt free consumption of Popeye's. One thing I didn't consider when making these plans was the addition of the 504k to the local race calendar this past Saturday morning.

Several friends decided to participate, including one who was traveling to the Crescent City for All-Star festivities. I knew I had to get in on the action, especially since the race benefitted the Youth Run NOLA initiative.

TUNESday: "Thinking About You" by Calvin Harris

With the Grammy's having their annual awards ceremony a couple weeks ago, it's become obvious how trends in music are becoming more cyclical. Hip Hop awards are going to more mainstream artists like Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, retro artists like Metallica and Paul McCartney are getting plenty attention with new albums, and current hits heavily sample classic tracks to make their mark. Basically, in the music world, everything old is new again.

504K Inaugural Event

Tourists will take over the CBD starting Thursday as NBA All Star Weekend converges on New Orleans; however, locals know that the real charm of NOLA lies beyond the French Quarter. Just past the end of Bourbon Street sits the Marigny and Bywater neighborhoods, home to the best music venues, artists, brunch spots, and now the newest race on the Big Easy's running scene ... the 504K!

First Time Finishers

In the week post Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, I've been doing my fair share of reading Facebook groups, blogs, tweets and other social media to see how people feel about the completion of their race. I've seen tons of complaints about the weather on race day, but those are always balanced out by positive comments about the adrenaline felt after crossing the finish line.

TUNESday: "Take Me Home" by Cash Cash

During Sunday's Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Marathon, I broke one of the cardinal rules of distance running. Everyone knows that on race day you don't do anything different than what you're used to in training. I decided not to heed this mantra, and I paid for it dearly.

Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon & Half: The 2014 Recap

As the local saying goes, if you don’t like New Orleans weather, stand still for 10 minutes. It’s bound to change. No one knows that better than those runners who participated in yesterday’s Rock ‘n’ Roll New Orleans Marathon and Half. Less than ideal conditions greeted participants who rolled out of bed to face damp, rainy and humid conditions on race day.