Jan.18, 2006
"Laughter is an instant vacation." Milton Berle

Congrats to all those from Louisiana who completed last weekend's
Houston Marathon and the New Orleans Jackson Day race. Way to go. Now
it's time to get ready for New Orleans Track Club's event called The
Wall. Get the details via runNOTC.org.

<<Kenny's New Orleans Adventure Tour Set Jan. 28>>
From Kenny Bellau
(Editor's Note: If anyone knows New Orleans and the vicinity it is
Bellau. He is a true hero from Hurricane Katrina, though he'd quickly
reject that label. This will be a ride like you've never seen or
experienced.)

Come to Audubon Park at the Magazine Street. entrance at 8 a.m. sharp
for a tour of New Orleans like you've never experienced.

On Saturday, Jan. 28 I will be hosting a tour of New Orleans' most
impacted areas, including Chalmette. This will be an easy ride of
about 60 miles with several stops along the way, expect 4 hours or
less. The pace will be typical (or what is supposed to be typical)
for a winter ride ... strictly small ring. We will stop at several
significant places, levee breaks and a couple of flooded homes with
commentary by myself and others that have first-hand knowledge,
personal loss or riveting stories. People from outside the area are
especially welcome and encouraged to come. I can promise that
this will be educational and unforgettable to anyone who
participates. Even if you live(d) in New Orleans, you should join us
for this memorable ride.

This ride is guaranteed to give you a greater understanding of the
scope of Hurricane Katrina and you will see and touch things that
some bus tour can't offer.

What you will need for this ride:
1. Good tires! I've been riding in these areas a bunch lately and
have yet to get a flat, but my tires are brand new. There is a lot of
glass on the roads. Tube, pump, etc. highly recommended.
2. A camera.
3. Scruffy shoes: We will get off the bikes and walk up to at least
one levee break. It is rocky and rough and your best shoes and cleats
might make you think otherwise. This is really something you should
see up close.
4. Entry fee: Write public officials from other states. Forward your
pictures to out of state friends. Get the word out how bad our
politicians screwed up and how they continue to screw up. Just go
home and talk about it.

Time and Place:
We will meet at the Magazine entrance to Audubon Park across Magazine
from the zoo. There is plenty of parking and bathrooms there. We will
leave at 8 a.m. sharp! We should be back to the park before noon.

*This ride will be in the city on city streets. We will be expected
to obey all traffic laws. Basic bike handling skills will be useful.
No one will be left behind, but you should be able to ride
comfortably in a pack. We will also be going over a very big bridge
with expansion joints and we will need to be careful. At least one of
our stops will have drinks, Clifbars and bananas and we hope to have
at least one follow vehicle (that position is still open).

Also, anyone is welcome to follow in their car and join in with the
discussion. This is a "ride at your own risk" event and is not
sanctioned or sponsored by anyone or any organization. Please set
this date aside on your calendar and come to New Orleans for a
truly memorable experience.

Hope to see you at the park...

<<41st Mardi Gras Marathon Set Feb. 5>>
Sunday, Feb. 5, 2006 is the date of the Mardi Gras Marathon, half
marathon and 5km events. Everything is staged from the Louisiana
Superdome. Check out www.MardiGrasMarathon.com

All race net proceeds are being donated by the New Orleans Track Club
to the New Orleans Hurricane relief fund. Hotel information is
available on the website www.MardiGrasMarathon.com

<<Mardi Gras Mambo 10km Offering Prize Money Feb. 18>>
From Ben Cherbonnier
It's time to Mambo -- running style. The sixth annual Mardi Mambo
10km is fast approaching. The date this year is Feb 18.

In the past years the Mardi Gras Mambo 10km has been on the Saturday
prior to Mardi Gras and the same day as the Spanish Town Parade in
Baton Rouge. This year the race is one week prior to Mardi Gras
weekend as not to conflict with the Spanish Town Parade.

If you have never run the Mambo you have been missing out. Great
course, $3,400 in cash prize money, long sleeve t-shirts, Budweiser,
Jambalaya, Power Aid and much more. Go to www.MardiGrasMambo10K.com
for complete details. You can also register at Active.com.

<<Adventure Race Details Emerging>>
From Dave Poleto
We've placed a copy of the 2006 "Race to the Atchafalaya" adventure
race entry form on the www.LaAdventureRacing.com website. We've got
an exciting series planned for you with plenty of adventure along the
way. In fact, we have three new course locations for the 2006 season.
Be sure to sign up early for the first event in the series, the Baton
Rouge Adventure Race on Saturday, March 18th at Hooper Park.

This was a very popular race in 2005 where we had to turn away some
teams. Send your entry in early to not miss out on the adventure.

<<Open-Water Swim Workout Options?>>
From Melissa melissa.hillman@...
I am a triathlete looking for open-water swim areas near new Orleans.
I am competing in Ironman Arizona and need a place to try my wetsuit
out. As Lake Pontchartrain does not seem to be the best lake since
the storm, I thought False River may be the next option. Do you have
any recommendations?

<<Tri-Specialties.com, MyTriCoach.com Offer Training>>
From Diane Tarver
Happy New Year! Are you overtraining? Would you like to be faster?
More efficient? Do you want to complete your first triathlon or is an
Ironman your goal? Mark Tarver has over 17 years of triathlon
experience and is certified to not only coach the sport of triathlon
but the various disciplines of the sport as well. Online coaching
also available.

2006 T-Gator/Opelousas Training Plan
The 2006 T-Gator/Opelousas Training Plan is now available for
download. Once downloaded, you will have the workouts you need to
complete these events knowing you did your best. This plan is a one
time charge of $90. That is less than 50 cents a day!!! This plan is
not an interactive plan with the coach but a plan designed for
athletes in our region wishing to train smart for these events.

If you are interested in an interactive plan that includes coach
feedback, a plan designed specifically for you, your schedule and
current fitness level, please let us know. Our Price: $90

Learn More
Mark is the official coach of Tri-Specialties.com. He currently has
openings for individualized clients but space is limited. Now is a
good time to make that New Year's Resolution to train smart this
year! Contact me at diane@... or phone 888.316.4214.
web: http://www.tri-specialties.com

This is the fine print text where you might tell your customers how
the item will be shipped and, for example, if they are overseas that
there will be additional shipping charges and must contact you.

<<FCA Endurance Getting Organized>>
From Trippe Hawthorne gthawthorne@...
Do you ever wonder why endurance events get your attention? Do you
ever wonder what really makes you participate or compete in endurance
events.

Check out this new site that focuses on the spiritual side of your
endurance interest. It's www.FCAEndurance.org.) I've spoken with
Chris Anderson (the executive director) a few times and I'm excited
about the possibilities for groups setting up in Louisiana. I'm
hoping we can get enough interest to start a huddle in Alexandria.
I'd really like to hear your thoughts on ideas on this.

The group is a part of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA). The
purpose of FCA Endurance is to further the group's vision and mission
of impacting the world for Jesus Christ through athletes living and
competing for God's glory. Whether you do 5kms for fun, cycle in a
local series, or triathlon for a living ... if you're doing it for
Christ, we want you on our team!

Our Ministry Objectives
How we are going to make a difference:
1. Minister to the Endurance World
We want to tell the Endurance World about
the Love of Christ
2. Unite Christian Endurance Athletes
We want to form a National Team, United in
Purpose, Celebrating Our Blessings.
3. Spread the word about FCA
We want others to know how FCA is changing
lives, and help them in their cause.

This ministry gives adult Christian athletes and all who support
endurance athletics the chance to tell the world why they do the
things they do and why they are the people they are. The ministry's
goal is to unite people competing for a common goal (to glorify God)
and create a stronger front to influence others and defeat spiritual
warfare going on in society and sports. It also serves as a way for
believers to recognize each other and share in a closer fellowship
with one another while enjoying endurance sports. Please feel free to
browse our site. Look it over, pray about it, and join us. Learn and
then tell the world why you race!

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That's it from here. Bless God America.

Kenny Dunaway
2325 Weymouth Drive #D
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1481
USA
225/296-7490
Isaiah 40:31; John 3:16