Military museum, fire taxes approved by Terrebonne voters
November 25, 2015
Boil water advisory for North Lafourche
November 30, 2015
Houma native and racing enthusiast Cory Bourg is at almost every local race, but he’s almost never on the track as an active competitor.
“My wife and I time probably 90 percent of the local 5K events in the Houma-Thibodaux area,” Bourg said. “That’s something we love to do and do fairly often.”
But two weekends ago, Bourg traded his stopwatch for running gear and was an active participant at the Houma Heart and Soles Half Marathon and 5K.
It paid off. Not only did Bourg compete, but he competed well – running a faster time than anyone in the densely populated field at the well-attended local race.
The Houma native won the half-marathon portion of the annual event, posting a time of one-hour, 19-minutes and nine seconds over his 13.1-mile trek.
Bourg said he’s pleased with the win, calling it one of the best achievements in his several years as a runner.
The local race is an annual November hit in the Houma-Thibodaux area – an event put on by Terrebonne General Medical Center and the Cardiovascular Institute of the South. Its proceeds aim to give cardiovascular screenings and education to the community.
“It was great to be able to run and win a big local event,” Bourg said. “I lead a training group in Houma, so it was nice to race against some of my training buddies. It was a great day.”
That it was.
Racegoers said the 2015 race was one of the best yet because the weather cooperated throughout. Temperatures hovered at the upper 50s as the race started, but then rose to the mid-60s and lower 70s by the time things got into high gear.
“We had a great 2015 event,” TGMC Director of Marketing Rhonda Alfred said. “The weather worked out and people turned out to support our worthwhile cause. It was great to see.”
Michael McNabb, who finished third in the half-marathon, said that he was very concerned about the weather during his training because of how warm this autumn has been in Louisiana. He said that higher temperatures and humidity are nightmares for marathoners, but that the Houma Heart and Soles race was given Mother Nature’s blessing.
“We were very lucky,” McNabb said.
“It was almost perfect weather to run a half-marathon in,” Bourg added.
McNabb and Bourg were two of the runners who led the pack throughout the entirety of the 13.1 mile race, which both begins and ends annually at the Houma-Terrebonne Civic Center. The event also featured a 5K, as well as food and entertainment throughout the day – even for people who didn’t participate.
McNabb said his biggest focus throughout the race wasn’t on finishing first, but more on racing against himself and his own history.
McNabb said his goal going in was to finish the half-marathon in under an hour and 30 minutes – a time he earmarked before the race because it’d have been his personal best for a race of that length.
The local runner said he started strong and was easily ahead of the pace he needed, which was 6-minutes and 50-seconds per mile.
“I was banking about 10 seconds per mile early on,” McNabb said. “I ran closer to a 6-minutes and 40-second pace.”
McNabb said he carried that momentum all the way until about mile 10 when his legs started to hurt and he had trouble breathing.
“At mile 10, you’re just thinking, ‘All that’s left is a 5K, so I just have to hold on,’” he said.
McNabb did hold on, conquering his goal and crossing the finish line with a time of 1-hour, 27-minutes and 13-seconds.
About eight minutes before McNabb’s finish was when Bourg came across first, outlasting runner-up Jace Benoit by almost a minute for the win.
Bourg said he’s proud of finishing first, but said anyone who participated and did their best is a champion in any race.
McNabb agreed and said the event featured several personal-best times among runners. That, both agreed, is what it’s all about – progression and inspiring one another to continue to chase goals and long-term good health.
“I am looking forward to next year’s event already,” Bourg said.
“Me too,” McNabb added. “I’m happy with my time, but I can’t wait to see what I can do (in the future).” •
