Where the rhythm of the bayou meets the beat of the runners’ feet. Running shoes? Check. Local flavor? Absolutely.
From jazz to jambalaya, this is one event you don’t want to miss!
When Two Giants Clash: Confronting Dementia and Cancer Together
Last year, I could hardly keep up with the whirlwind of events that made it feel like everything was happening all at once. Personally, I was juggling a lot, but I stayed focused, taking things one step at a time, and planning out the races I wanted to conquer in 2024. Then came April. A lunch with my good friend Jeramy at a sushi spot quickly became a turning point. As we sat down to catch up, I noticed something was off, but I had no idea what was coming. The news hit me like a wave—Jeramy, a man who’d never touched a cigarette and had a beautiful family, had been diagnosed with throat cancer. I was speechless. It didn’t make sense.
When lunch finished, Jeramy and I had made a pact: he was going to face cancer head-on, and once he was cancer-freer, we would find a race to run together. For months, he endured the grueling radiation treatments, pushing through the tough days and side effects. But in January 2025 (only 10 months later), the news we’d all been waiting for came—Jeramy was cleared of cancer! True to his nature, he wasn’t one to sit back and relax. He was ready to run, and that’s how we found ourselves in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, eager to race the half marathon.
Saying Hello to the Bayou, and ‘Wait, It’s Cold? (Miles 1-3)
Though the race didn’t start until 7:00 am, we were up and at it by 5:00 am—pushing through the grogginess to get ready for the day ahead. We had to be at the venue by 6:15 am for a pre-race interview with Channel 9 on CBS. While race interviews aren’t new to me, I couldn’t contain my excitement for Jeramy. This wasn’t just another media moment—it was his first time speaking on camera sharing his personal journey with cancer.
The way his story intertwined with our mission to run 50 half marathons in 50 states for a cause so close to our hearts made it all the more meaningful. It was a moment I knew he’d never forget.
You can’t tell from the picture, but it was FREEZING. Low 40s? More like mid-20s in how it felt! But we didn’t let the cold slow us down. We crossed the start line, hit 4th Street, and powered through to Mile 1 on North Boulevard and Mile 2 on Park Road.
As Jeramy quickly disappeared into the distance, a wave of nausea hit me unexpectedly. I missed running alongside my friend, but more than that, something felt off in my body. I’ve never DNF’d a race—except for Boston 2013, but that’s a story for another time—and I wasn’t about to let this be my first, especially after what Jeramy endured to be able to show up today. So, I pushed through, telling myself I’d figure out what was going on afterward.
At least I knew mile 3 would take me parallel to City Lake Park, and the peaceful sight of the water was exactly the kind of calming vibe I needed to regain my focus.
Mike the Tiger’s Gaze + University Lake Panoramic Views (Miles 4-8)
As I ran aroud Stadium Drive, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to stop by and say hi to LSU’s most famous resident—Mike the Tiger. Was he friendly? From a distance, yes! But if we really wanted to test his hospitality, I’d suggest inviting an Ohio State fan to step into his territory and see how they fare.
I’ve always wanted to witness the intensity of LSU football under the lights, and I’ve decided that the next time I’m in Baton Rouge, I’ll be there for the first Saturday in November to see LSU take on Alabama.
With the stadium fading in the rearview mirror, I made my way through the neighborhoods of Baton Rouge, where the supporters brought plenty of energy and expressed their sarcasm and joy in their own special southern ways!
The route around University Lake was beautiful, with the glassy water and majestic Creole homes offering some relief to my mind, but my body was telling a different story. Each mile felt harder and my body temperature was slowly dropping, but I kept pushing, determined to finish.
Bayou Finish Line or Bust: Running to the Capitol to Celebrate with Jeramy (Miles 9-13.1)
Since I don’t run with music, I rely on my body to guide me, but today, my body had its own agenda — and it wasn’t cooperating. As my body fought back with waves of nausea, I was reminded of Jeramy’s fight against cancer and the daily struggles of families dealing with dementia. In those moments, I realized the true meaning of endurance — it’s not just about the race, but about the strength to keep going for others.
With my focus solely on the road ahead, I reached Mile 9 and spotted a sign that made me laugh out loud — and I’m still chuckling every time I think about it!
By Miles 10 and 11, I was on a second (or maybe even fifth!) wind, high-fiving spectators along the way. When I spotted a woman with amazing energy, I couldn’t help but pause and ask if we could snap a selfie. She saw I was struggling and said, “I watched you and your friend on the news earlier, he is way ahead of you!“
I swear, no race day is ever the same. You can never predict what you’ll see, hear, or experience. And that’s what keeps me coming back, no matter how many races I’ve completed or places I’ve gone to raise awareness. Every time, there’s something new that catches me off guard in the best possible way.
The final push up that incline bridge felt like the last test of my stamina, but when I saw the Capitol building rising behind the finish line, everything else faded. I crossed that line with pure relief, my body just about done, stumbling through the receiving line, grabbing my medal, and turning down a post-race interview (I was convinced I was about to pass out!).
But then I saw Jeramy — standing there, patiently waiting for me — and all that fatigue just vanished. I felt an immense pride for him and his comeback story is one for the ages.
Despite the crisp chill in the air, we made our way back to the hotel; our bodies were practically begging for rest. But before I could fully give in to the exhaustion, I couldn’t end this blog without the traditional obligatory snapshot of the medal, right?
A few days later, I managed to see my doctor. The verdict? Norovirus.
What’s next? State #40 — we’ll be running somewhere over Kansas, and Little Miss Truvy is tagging along as a special doggie celebrity.
Amplifying Our Story: How the Media Helped Us Connect with Baton Rouge
I was especially determined to grab the media’s attention on this trip — not just for myself, but to surprise Jeramy and give him the chance to share his own ‘why’ behind running in Baton Rouge. I knew his story deserved to be told, and what better way than to have him on camera? A huge thank you to WBRZ Channel 2 (ABC) and WAFB Channel 9 (CBS) for helping us magnify our message and spread the word across Baton Rouge!
Key Takeaways from an Unforgettable Weekend
Pro tip: Keep those eyes wide open at the expo—you never know when you’ll meet Gumbo the Gator! I’ll admit, I was a bit hesitant… but hey, it’s Baton Rouge, anything can happen!.
Clear Communication = Happy Runners: The Importance of Getting It Right
In the lead-up to the race, we found the communication from event to be a bit lacking. Despite reaching out via email and on social media, there was no mention of a gear check. This would’ve been a game-changer, especially on race day morning when it was absolutely frigid. For any future Louisiana racers, here’s the heads-up: they do have a gear check near the finish line.
Looking to Shop Local? Varsity Sports Has You Covered!
They are a Louisiana-born running and fitness specialty store that you won’t want to miss. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful, and they live and breathe their motto: ‘run hard, live easy.’
Stop by Mike the Tiger’s Habitat — He’ll Be Happy to Say Hi!
No trip is complete without stopping by Mike the Tiger’s habitat. While the sculpture of the Bengal tiger is impressive, it’s Mike VII himself who steals the show. He’s usually just doing his thing — roaming around and maybe showing off those teeth if you’re fortunate enough to catch him in a playful mood!
