Thoughts from the Shamrock 8K

I participated in the Shamrock 8K race as a Parent runner for the Middle School Challenge. Area schools competed for a cash prize - which our school would like to use for a recyling area - and the winner will be the school with the highest percentage of participation. We don't know who won. I hung near the back of the race to make certain we didn't lose any kids. I opened a draft on my phone and took notes - which were deleted while I was attempting to update them about mile 3. So here's what I can remember. Dooood - my knees ache.

7:30, at the starting line: It's awfully dark to be running.

7:35 It's a good thing I brought my sweatshirt, even though I had to loop back for it. My daughter was desperate to get to the group - even though we were early - so I dropped her off and went back to the car for the sweatshirt. I'm glad I did, because it's chilly and sprinkling.

Apologies for the evil look...

I ended up leaving my sweatshirt with a parent spectator.Oh, well.

And, we're off! I crossed the starting line just shy of 7 minutes after the race began. My daughter, who jumped up two corrals to number 2 - I was in number 4 of 6 - was nowhere to be seen. I wasn't worried - she's incredibly self sufficient, she had her inhaler, and was running with a group of friends with tons of parents around.  

Running, running, running - at about a mile in, I said to myself, That's it. I'm giving up vodka and french fries.

There were people dressed in all kinds of fashions - green was the predominant color, with tutus, wigs, tights, kilts and body art of every imaginable design in sight.

I ran. I ran. I walked. I ran. I saw two of our girls, who were slow runners/walkers, and caught up to them. "BOO!" I said, scaring the living daylights out of them as they were strolling ever so slowly. "You are being schooled by an old person. Pick up your feet and move!" They ran, and I stayed with them for most of miles 2 and 3, cajoling them to keep going! and Don't give up! and Ok, walk for 30 seconds, breathe in for two and out for four - Now run again!

I also stopped to get the paramedics to help a boy who'd been riding his bike - on the bike path that runs parallel to the boardwalk - and fell off the bike directly onto his elbow. Um, ow.

It was a really beautiful race, even though running down the boardwalk for the second half meant running INTO a really stiff wind.

There were people as far as the eye could see, both ahead of me and behind.

As is my custom in races, I picked out a runner a bit ahead of me and tried to keep pace. I usually pick someone who is running with intervals of walking, and try to either keep up or get ahead - and then fall back. In this race, I picked a gray haired woman wearing a shirt that said TEAM CLAIRE. There were shirts of all types, but there were several who sported the same one. As we rounded mile 4, I caught up to her and told her that she'd been my pace person. I was passing her, and she said, I'll follow you and pace off you now! We both laughed, but at the final half mile, I caught up to her once again and learned that she was a grandma, whose youngest child was MY AGE. We laughed and ran it in, and I tossed up and hands and yelled "WHEW!" as I crossed the finish line.

Coolest thing EVER - seeing the Principal of our school - a nun in her HABIT and sneakers - cross the finish line. She walked it and I'm so impressed. I love administrators who support the school with their actions.

I did the race in just about one hour and 6 minutes - I don't have my exact time, but the final clock said 1:12, and I know I started about 6-7 minutes late. I am - ok - with that time. I wanted to hit under an hour, but we've had so much sickness lately that I can't remember the last time I ran. Other than ran someone to the bathroom, lol.

My daughter, however, did it in something like 47 minutes.

Wow. I've got SOME HAIR happening.

Everyone who finished got a super cool medal.

Mackenzie wasn't even tired after - but she did ask to stop at Sonic. She proceeded to order - and EAT - a footlong chili cheese hot dog, mozarella sticks and a rootbeer float. I ate a ton of plain cake - I'm making a layered cake for a close girlfriend's birthday and everyone knows that the uneven tops you cut off don't have any calories. She's currently been sleeping for FOUR hours.

The next race I'm running is the Autism 5K. It's a cause that's near and dear to my heart, and as much as my knees hurt right now - I'm thinking it's a nicer distance on my body.

 

Comments

[Kelly H]

NICE WORK CARMEN!!! Is 8k five miles? What a cool medal and how sweet is it that you got to run it with your daughter. Very cool.

[Headless Mom]

Love the medal! Good for you!

[kyooty]

YAY!!! most awesome work!! Way to go Masses!

[Megan]

Good for you and MacKenzie! I have a lot of respect for runners. I absolutely hate running and am pretty sure I couldn't run a mile without stopping.

[domestic extraordinaire]

you go girl!!

[LisaK]

Yay!

[Sabz]

Awesome! I'm making a cake tomorrow so I'll just _have to_ eat the tops now. ;)) It has pineapple so I'll get my fruit for the day .. heheh...
What kind of shoes do you wear for running?

[Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith]

Run like a girl, my friend!

[Brandy]

You did great! My hubs is currently signed up to participate in a walk/run for the Special Olympics. He hasn't even started to train. *sigh*
Wish I could run like you!

[Jenn]

Awesome Job!!! You know Autism is near and dear to me too. I'm running the NYC Marathon in November for Autism Awareness.

Go Carmen!!!

[Bethany]

Wow, great job!!!