It has been one mighty busy weekend for me. Saturday I had a
18 mile run scheduled and Sunday The Shamrock Shuffle 8k. I’ve had sometime to
reflect on my log run and my race. So I think I am best starting with Saturday
and talking about the long run. So the plan was originally to run 18 miles and
to be honest I was feel good for most of the run. Then on the way back I passed
Navy Pier, and that is where the Shamrock Shuffle Expo was being held. I saw
the line of cars trying to get in and thought “You know what I’ll run in and
grab my packet real quick.” I paused my watch at basically Mile 14; I was maybe
.20 from 14. I was all the way across navy pier and then walked the entire expo.
As I was heading out I ran into my brother Leo so I decided to walk the expo
one more time. By the time we got done and to the front of Navy pier my watch
had stopped and was no longer paused. Thankfully it saved my run data though.
So I started up again figuring I’d just run out the last 4 miles caring my bag
from the expo. I had been mentally debating all day should I cut my run short
for the sake of the race. In the end I did cut it short because I just felt
like it was the right thing to do and with the walk I covered good 16 or so
miles.
Sunday morning was a very nice and semi perfect day for a
race. Was a little colder then I’d of liked but still a beautiful day. I got
into my carol with my cousin Pete and said my runner’s prayer as I always do.
Interesting fact was this was my second race to go without my headphones (I’ll
touch on that subject in a later post). I want to say this; I will certainly
run the shamrock shuffle again despite the large crowed (40,000 people). As the
horn went off we all took off running, now being part of such a large race does
offer many challenges since you’re more likely to get stuck behind slower
runners. I’ve been working out starting a little slower and then speeding more
at the half way point since I knew that things would clear up the deeper into
the race I got. So I started to do what I normally do and zig zag in and out of
other runners buy still trying to remain calm and keep my breathing steady. I
will admit there were points during the race I did get a little overly zealous
and speed up too soon but I did work on dialing it back. As the end was near I
started to speed up more because I wanted to finish strong. Now the one issue I
had at the end is that right before the finish there is a hill! I powered up
the hill and refused to walk.
In the end I think cutting my miles down but 3 was truly a
benefit for me during the race. Also I am very happy to report that for the 8k
I did set a PR! The last time I ran this distance my time was 45 min, so I
knocked off almost an entire min off my pace. I do have some reflections from
this weekend and it has helped me lay out my future goals. 1. Lose this weight.
I can’t help but think if I can do this pace being over weight could you image
what I could do being in shape? 2. I am more determined then ever to pick up my
pace and make my comfortable training pace an 8:30 min mile. Time to keep training
since I do have another race on Sunday.
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