Race Recap: 2017 Shamrock Half Marathon

I considered a catchier title to this blog post, but to be honest, it’s already taken too long to write & my brain is currently in a sugar coma {Hummingbird Macaroons for the win!}. Hence creativity isn’t my friend at the moment, but I will try to recap the amazing-ness that was last Sunday. Sure, there were some ugly moments for many {all?!} of the runners, but I am still sticking to the mantra that any day in which you can run, is a good day!

If you’ve kept up with my training, or lack thereof, you may recall that I originally had intended to run the full marathon this year at Shamrock. A moped crash on a Bermuda road 11 weeks earlier had different ideas. In comes a tibial plateau fracture & I was out of commission with running for the first 6 weeks of 2017. As race day approached, I was a bit sad that I wouldn’t be accomplishing my original goal; but I remained optimistic that the weekend would still be fun. Everything happens for a reason! My family & I still enjoyed a 3-day Virginia Beach staycation!

Much like another local race having a reputation for its’ weather {Rock n’ Roll Half Marathon}, Shamrock does too. Either you love this March racing weekend, or you hate it. I am on team “Love It”! Each year, regardless of the weather or conditions, I have PR’d at the Shamrock Half Marathon—5 times to be exact. This played a major role in my choice for it to be my #BQorBust race.

In 2016, the weather was epically AWFUL for the half marathoners… but improved by the time the full marathoners began their race {full marathon starts 90 minutes after the half marathon}. This year, I would say the opposite happened. While it wasn’t sunshine & dry for the half; we didn’t experience the temperature drop, sleet, & ridiculous wind that arrived just in time for those conquering the 26.2 distance. Mother Nature, you suck. Friends who tackled the full marathon last Sunday—I am in AWE of you!! Kudos! Not to mention, I think the TRUE heroes on race day were the spectators, volunteers, & community service folks! They stood in the wind, cold, & rain… FREEZING their butts off, without a medal awarded at the end. THANK YOU, to each & every one of those people!

As for my race, there was never a plan to “race”; & I would say in general, I followed that agenda. With the race approaching, I had no set plan. I would let race morning dictate my fate. I would likely be either with my running partner {plus friends}, who was pacing the 1:52 group; or, stick with other friends who were shooting for sub-2:00. Either option would be fabulous & fun!

After a 2 mile pouring freezing rain walk from my hotel to the starting line, we only had to wait a couple minutes in the starting corrals. And off we went!

I stuck with my friend Kerry, seeing friends Julie & Cindy up ahead. After a mile or so, we caught back up to Cindy & stuck together for the next 2 or 3 miles. We were closing in on Julie’s pace group, so I sped up to go chat with her, leaving Cindy & Kerry slightly behind. Close to mile 6, a water stop separated me from the pace group, with them all behind me now. I looked back for Cindy & Kerry at the turn into Fort Story, but there were too many people impeding my view… plus I am clumsy & didn’t want to trip & fall! HA! I decided at this point, to stick with the solo jaunt, continuing to run what felt good to my body. I thought if anything, I’d be “banking” time for when the girls caught up/I slowed down… if/when the knee/IT band began hurting, so I could stick with them at that point. Luckily, that never really happened {not that I wouldn’t have loved some company}! I ran solo, music-less, & free—truly enjoying the experience. The body cooperated & never really hurt—sure some discomfort to my “off kilter” right leg—but never any pain. Fort Story brought some amazing tailwind; next came the countdown from the North End streets to the Boardwalk. Then was the finish line. All in all, it was an incredible comeback race for me—physically, mentally, & emotionally! I loved spending the day with friends, seeing both smiles & sadness. Races like last Sunday truly build character & major racing cajones! The nice thing about running though, is that there are always future races… should you get handed a less than stellar day! Shamrock still gets my love, BAD weather & all.

Splits if you care… which I am seriously proud of this negative-split-post-injury-race!

Mile 1 – 8:43

Mile 2 – 8:31

Mile 3 – 8:35

Mile 4 – 8:19

Mile 5 – 8:28

Mile 6 – 8:23

Mile 7 – 8:25

Mile 8 – 8:03

Mile 9 – 8:01

Mile 10 – 8:05

Mile 11 – 8:12

Mile 12 – 8:09

Mile 13 – 7:49

Final 0.16 miles to the Finish – 7:37

Official Time: 1:48:53 {8:19/mile}

To achieve a sub-1:49 with minimal running & no real “training” is a big accomplishment for me. Not to boast, but I have come a long way in the past month. Running doesn’t define me, but it is a big part of what keeps me ticking. My longest runs were a single 8-miler & a single 10.2-miler. No speed work & no tempo runs {unless you count the One City Marathon relay leg}. A huge confidence boost for The Running Blonde! To those close to me, I have b$tched plenty about being certain that I had lost ALL of my fitness during those 6 weeks off. This makes me realize that my dramatics was unnecessary. I am sorry girls… I’ll simmer down now!

I am optimistic about the future of my running, as well as many of my close friends’ running journeys. First plan of action is to get my right leg straight {ART, check. Chiropractor, check. Next up, a well-needed massage}. I am not in pain, only occasional discomfort, so I will continue with easy running—just nothing “fast”. After all, I have a marathon in October to begin preparations for, very soon! Get ready, CHICAGO! That race is shaping up to be quite the epic experience, with many of my closest running friends {real life friends} attending!!

Thanks for reading!