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!