Tuesday Topics: 2019 Shamrock Shuffle Race Recap

Disclaimer:  I received a free entry to the Bank of America Shamrock Shuffle as part of being a BibRave Pro.  Learn more about becoming a BibRave Pro (ambassador), and check out BibRave.com to review, find and write race reviews!  

This week’s topic is “What are your favorite non-running or non-fitness hobbies?”  I ran a race on Sunday so I am going a different route and writing my race recap.  I hope I don’t don’t bore you!

On Sunday I ran one of my favorite races!  Love, love this race!  This was also my first race of the year.  This year was also the 40th Anniversary.

I’ve been running this race since 2006, but missed it in 2009, 2012, and 2013.  

I picked up my bib on Saturday morning along with my race shirt and a bright green hat just like last year.

The forecast on Saturday morning was that it was supposed to rain.  I was debating between shorts or tights.  I also had a jacket for the rain.

I woke up Sunday morning at 6am and quickly checked the weather.  No rain!  I got up, drank coffee while eating a Clif Bar, and got ready.  I left my house at 6:45 and drove to the train station.  Luckily I didn’t have to wait too long for the train.  When I arrived downtown I stopped at the Congress Hotel to use the restroom and then went to drop off my gear.

I had planned to meet up with a few BibRave friends and as I was running towards Buckingham Fountain, I heard my name and saw Wendy.  Then I realized Marcia was also with her and Stephanie (Wendy’s friend).  We chatted for a bit and also took a picture.

I then saw my BibRave friends!  We chatted for a bit and then went to our corrals.  We were in Wave 1 and had to be there by 8:20 to start at 8:30.

My goal was to have fun and finish in under an hour.  I had my watch on manual lap because I knew the building always mess up the satellite signal.  I also set my watch to just see the current time because I didn’t want to stress out about my splits.

Time to run!

I took my time with this race.  I stopped at the water stations and also walked.  I soaked it all in because I rarely go downtown anymore and it was nice to be there.  Also, I did get tired, not sure why but my legs just wouldn’t run faster.  🙂  I did warm up a bit but then would also cool down and warm up again.  Still it was much better than being too cold or too hot.  And definitely better that it wasn’t raining.

I was surprised to see my time for my 1st mile because I didn’t realize I was going that fast (I also had to stop before mile 1 because one of the shoelaces came untied).  I then just made an effort to slow down because I knew it was going to bite me later on.  Yep, it did.  I ended up with positive splits.  🙂

This race starts and ends in the same place as the Chicago Marathon.  While the crowd support isn’t like the marathon, there is plenty to cheer and support you.  

Once done I had planned to meet up again with my BibRave friends at Buckingham Fountain, but as I was walking towards gear check, I saw Stephanie and Wendy again.  Then I saw Marcia.  We wanted a picture of our medal with The Bean.  It took us a while to get there because some streets were still closed and we had to find an alternate route.  Anyway, by then I was hungry and cold and then decided to head home after the picture.

In case you didn’t know, I love this race.  My plan is to keep running it every year unless there is a reason that I cannot do it.

This week’s Tuesday Topic:  What are your favorite non-running or non-fitness hobbies?  You can write about this topic, or feel free to post any running related blog post.  Remember to Link-up with Kim and Zenaida!  Visit at least two of the other linked posts – the more the merrier!  Remember to come back for later linkers!