Monday, March 19, 2012

Shamrock 15K - Round Two

"That was hell. I have no need to ever do this race again." I'm sure something to that effect came out of my mouth last March when I finished the Shamrock 15K on a cold, dreary, rainy day. So this March I found myself once again at the Shamrock 15K on a cold, dreary day. This time it was a mix of rain and snow and wind! And this time I finished and said something to the effect of "That course is still hell. Wait a while before you try to get me to do it again next year."

I started my weekend early with a short drive up to The Coach's ranch. After mothering him and making sure he had everything he needed we switched to his car for the drive up to Portland. *It was a nice ride until I learned on facebook that my "sister" (my mom's cat) died. Nothing like shopping and crying on the phone with your mom at the same time!* Soon we were at the expo which was 25 times bigger than last year. In and out, then I met up with Cilley Girl! The Coach went off to spend his afternoon with his son while I had more girl time with my favorite Girl. We went back to the expo, scored some free gym bags and ran into Lauren working the iFitness booth! The running world is so small!

Time for shopping, because duh! Why wouldn't we?!? First stop - TOTS!! It is now my tradition to have tater tots before big races. I'm pretty sure they are the key to running well. We have no stores in town that sell new books, so I was excited to hit Barnes & Noble. I stopped breathing and grabbed my heart when I saw a table of Titanic books. I couldn't let go because I'll never let go! I walked out with a couple to add to my collection!

 

Dinner was at the Old Spaghetti Factory and so yummy! I ate my weight in food that night, and I have no regrets! The men ditched us, so it was just Donna, Kim, Jules, Cilley Girl and myself. It was just lovely. Great conversation. Yummy food. And a lot of race talk! We are certainly a group of pushers!! My night got even cooler when Kim's "S" came in and he and I could have Titanic talk and I could finally give him his present -- it is a matted strip of the film reel -- great shot of Kate & Leo! Post-dinner, Cilley Girl and I did some slow motion running to Chariots of Fire while at the grocery store. We're pretty cool like that.

Sleep didn't happen. Somewhere in the hotel it sounded like rock stars trashing their room. Fighting? Partying? Drinking? Music? WWE type stunts? No clue. All I know is The Coach and I were exhausted and couldn't sleep and had to get up too soon to run.


Got to the race area with ease and was able to meet up with Jules and Cilley Girl in time to get a photo and squish into the corral. The 15K was delayed due to a train. Then after they started letting waves of people go we had another big hold, again because of the train. That let me spend time warming up and stretching out my calves. Must have worked because I ran pain free!! Once we hit the start mats I waved good bye and was on my way.

The plan was to run until I got to the BIG hills, and for the most part I did just that. I kept up with the pack fairly well and was feeling in the zone and having a good time. And then .... 3 miles in I started getting that off-kilter feeling. Hello, Vertigo. I thought I was in for a repeat of last year. I took some slow, deep breathes and tried to just calm down inside and not let it get the better of me. It must have worked because during the next mile I was able to get through it and feel okay to start running on the not-as-steep parts. My plan was to walk fast up the hills. I did just that, and even passed runners! Once I hit the top of the hill and knew I was making my way down I just let it go. I kept it steady so I wouldn't fizzle... like I did in last weekend's 10K race. I'm really happy that I mentally kept it together for this race and ran it smart. When I could see the finish I just started picking people off in front of me one at a time. At the last stretch I was so focused on the finish line, but I did hear The Coach yell my name. I stuck my arm up to acknowledge him and kicked into high gear not once, but twice. Pretty sure I finished with a long, fast Ryan Hall type stride.

And how did I do? I got my new PR for the 15K ... by 10 minutes!!  *Did I mention that PR was done on HILLS with rain, sleet and snow??

Post-race, The Coach, his son, Cilley Girl, Jules and myself spent forever trying to get out of downtown Portland area so we could go have the yummiest post-race breakfast ever. French Toast after a race is just divinity!! All in all, this was a great weekend and I am so happy that I got to spend it with some of my favorite people!

 

Where to next? The next race report you get from me will be from Boston. Woohoo!

21 comments:

  1. I can't believe the 15k started at the same place as the 8k. Us geniuses at dinner didn't quite have that figured out. I watched you start from our warm hotel room!!!

    So great to meet up, and I'm so proud of your PR. I'll post the pic of you and S on my blog tomorrow. Your hearts will go on.

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    1. I think I'm the ONLY one that thought it was the same. I should have spoken up! Que sera sera.

      Titanic ... I'm so glad you introduced S and I to each other. It's nice knowing I'm not the only one with the big Titanic obsession!

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  2. Wahoo! Way to go...2 PRs in your last two races!?!? Clearly you are awesome. Duh.

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    1. Guess what ... THREE PRs in the last three races!! I should feel pretty awesome now I guess. Go me! ;)

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  3. Oh, you *know* you'll be joining us once again next year. ;-D

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  4. Goofball. Next year you have to run up the WHOLE hill. It really isn't that big of a hill.

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  5. Y'all, she literally did stop breathing and grab her heart in the bookstore at the sight of the Titanic table. Really not making this up!

    And Julie is right, you WILL be back next year! Otherwise we won't let you have any cheesy bread.

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    1. I still haven't recovered from the Titanic table.

      Forget the cheesy bread ... now I want the French Toast!!

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  6. Congrats on your PR! I am super envious of that medal.

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    1. Thanks, ma'am! Move to Portland and you can get your own bottle opener medal, too!!

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    2. I know, right?! Soon. . .

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  7. Holy crap congrats on the PR!! I've been silently stalking since I've been so busy, but promise I'm still reading! :)

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    1. You're so funny! Feel free to silently stalk, that's been my M.O. lately, too!

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  8. Woohoo!! Congrats on the PR!! It sounds like you had the same crazy weather we were having - and add in hills? Mad props on the PR!

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    1. Thank you! And really - what the heck is up with this PacNW weather this year?!?!

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  9. That's a HUGE PR! Congratulations!!!

    I'm a big Titanic fan too. I have way too many books and movies!

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    1. See?? Titanic is addicting!!

      Thanks for the congrats! :-)

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Thanks for reading my little blog, your comments rock my compression socks!! ºoº