shamrock shuffle race report- 2010.

My goodness, I'm slow. I ran the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle 8K over a week ago and I still haven't written a race report. For a race I was so psyched about! Things just get busy or I start writing and get side-tracked...that's what happens. Life is busy! So let's rewind...

Sunday, March 21, 2010- the Shamrock Shuffle!!

I woke up that morning with a start. Race Day!! For the first time ever, I was so excited to run this race. I usually dread race day. I don't know why. I guess I'm scared of pushing myself, or not pushing myself hard enough, or being too hot/cold, or getting injured...who knows. But on this morning I couldn't wait to get running! I woke up at 5:30, got dressed in my cold weather gear...black running tights, a compression mock l/s top with a cotton l/s tee over it and a green fleece sleeveless vest. I threw my gloves and skull cap in my bag, poured myself a cup of coffee and was off! The weather sucked though- cold and rainy the whole way to the train station.

I was meeting my best friend Eunice and we were taking the train in. She got on at the Rt. 59 stop and I met her at the Fairview stop. She looked all nice and cozy in her brand new Vancouver 2010 Olympic gear!! We chatted and caught up and then we made it into the city with over an hour to spare. We made a pit stop in the bathroom (I didn't go) and we headed outside. No rain!! We started walking to Grant Park and the start of the race and stopped in Starbucks for some coffee. The crowds began forming as soon as we turned down Michigan Avenue and was vibrant with excitement despite the cold, dreary day. We started walking looking for gear check for our backpacks. We found it, deposited our bags, decided on a meeting place for after the race and went to find our spots at the start line somewhere in the sea of 25,000 other runners! The race started at 9:00 and about 24 minutes later we were finally walking toward the start line. Stepped over it and we were off!

Mile 1: 10:01
The first mile was quick. It always seems to be! And I ran it a little fast (for me). But at least I was keeping up and not jumping in and out of people's way! I felt pretty good. Eunice took off- but she is speedy that way and I knew we wouldn't be sticking together long.

Mile 2: 9:08
Holy moly. The second mile was even quicker! I started getting a tad out of breath and I did start cramping up but I pushed myself through it. I started strong and I was going to keep going strong, no matter what!

Mile 3: 9:18
I guess I slowed down a little bit somewhere along the way, but I was searching out the 3 mile mark, that's for sure. I was running fast, but I couldn't seem to slow myself down for some reason! I guess it was all that adrenaline pumping. :)

Mile 4: 8:35
As soon as I saw the time on my 4th mile, I knew I had a chance to beat my previous shuffle time. So I went all out. I started trying to encourage people around me to keep going- it was the only way I could encourage myself!

To the finish line: 8:34
Toward the end of the race I was a little directionally challenged. We made a right turn onto Michigan Avenue which signaled that the finish line was within reach. The one last stretch, and then the dreaded hill and then the finish! I made the left turn onto Roosevelt and just gave it all I had. Then I found out I should have gone to the bathroom before the race on the way down the hill. *blush* That's okay- things happen! I crossed the finish line strong at 45:38- I shaved over a minute off my previous shuffle time!! I was so proud and it gave me confidence that I can run quick if I want to!

After the race I was searching for Eunice and she found me at gear check. We grabbed our post race beer and drank up! We were going to go in search of a bar for celebratory bloody mary's, but we decided to go shopping instead, so we headed to Nordstrom. Typical girls. Eunice and I have decided to make the Shamrock Shuffle a tradition. Here's to next year!

yesterday- 60...today- snow?

Only in Chicago is it completely normal for the weather to fluctuate so drastically. Yesterday my husband, boys and I took a trip into the city where the weather was gorgeous...and today- it's freezing and blowing snow. Absolute craziness!

I've completed my training for the 2010 Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle- which is TOMORROW!! My last training run was Thursday. I ran 2 miles late in the afternoon with my boys in the jogging stroller along the streets in a small subdivision behind my house. Goofy me- I forgot to time myself, but I know I ran those 2 miles in under 20 minutes. Yay for me! The extra weight and resistance that the jogging stroller provides, not to mention 50 pounds of kids inside, makes for one tough workout for sure. I'm slowly but surely building my endurance.

The only possible obstacle to obtaining a personal record in the 8K distance tomorrow will be the weather. Which is supposed to be more snow, wind and chill. Yuck. Mind over matter, I say!

Packet pick-up at Navy Pier was yesterday and as I mentioned above, we made a family trip out of it. The energy of the expo made me so excited for the race- I can't wait! I wanted to pick up a 13.1 sticker for the back of my car yesterday and I found one. I gave it to Logan to hand to the cashier- good move, because the man he handed it to was the marketing director for the race and thought Logan was cute and gave him the sticker for free! We tasted apple samples and I got some information about the Team in Training program for the Chicago Marathon. I'm going to head to an informational meeting and possibly join that team. We'll see! We headed out of the expo, grabbed burgers for lunch and Logan got to ride a train- the highlight of his day. And then it took us an hour and a half to get home thanks to traffic. The joys of suburban Chicago living!

So the plan for tomorrow is to be up and at 'em bright and early. Eunice and I are running together- and we're meeting on the train around 6:45 tomorrow morning to head into the city together! It's Eun's first Shuffle- I'm sure it won't be her last. I'm hoping to make this race a yearly tradition for us!

And then Monday commences training for my next race- 13.1 Chicago on June 13. BRING IT!!!

time's a flying.

Looks like twenty-ten is already beginning to become a blur. It still amazes me that time seems to pass so slowly when we are in the moment and then becomes a distant, precious memory to look back on way too quickly. Just another reason to live life to the fullest and to appreciate all that I've been blessed with. The passage of time has also made me so aware of all of life's small and large blessings. Goodness...how serious have I become lately? :)

Onto what's been happening the past several weeks since I have posted. I have been training for my 2nd Shamrock Shuffle 8K here in Chicago. This is such a fun race and my best friend is running it with me so I'm super excited. I also just found out that I somehow qualified for a corral start- so that got me extremely pumped. Maybe I have some running potential after all! Right after the race, I start training for my 3rd half marathon. I've found that I'm so much better at being disciplined at my running if I have a goal set. Hence, my decision to run the 13.1 Chicago on June 13. And then after that...drumroll, please...

I start a 17 week training program to get ready for my very first marathon!

That's right, I've decided to give 26.2 miles a try and participate in the Bank of America Chicago Marathon on 10/10/10. Wow...how about that date??? I never thought I'd be a marathon runner, but I want to prove to myself I can do it. I have not yet set any goals for this race- I'll be happy with just finishing. And then no more marathon running for me. I guess never say never though. I did say I'd never run a full marathon and here we are!

My boys and I just spent 10 days in Marco Island, Florida. We had such fun and it was incredible being able to give the boys new experiences. Logan has found a love for building sandcastles, finding seashells and swimming with Grandpa Shawn while Meyer discovered he loves eating sand. Tasty. :) I had some wonderful experiences myself...blackened grouper sandwiches and rumrunners at the Snook Inn, watching the gorgeous sunsets while hugging my boys, late nights of wine and rummikub with my parents and long runs along the beach. It was paradise and the only thing missing was my husband. We missed him so much but he'll be able to come next time!!

Now I'm planning Meyer's 1st birthday party, enjoying time with my kids, redecorating my house and getting ready for a kid free weekend in Las Vegas for my beautiful cousin Kim's wedding. I can't wait!