Race Reports/Encouragement/Kudos for March 29th and 30th!

[Sandy321]

(fingers crossed I can get this posted!! Computer and Weather problems!)

SHAMROCK SHUFFLE Report - Chicago - 8K

The draw is running down State Street - and around and over - Begins and ends at Grant Park! The goodie bags include a free Potbelly sandwich, the shirts are the drywicking Nike Shirts (womens were so small my XL fit my 11yr old dd - they let me keep that one and gave me a man's large!) as well as a free pair of running socks, and a FREE BEER!! Michelob ulta!! (IF only it had been warm!)

We pricelined a hotel, suissotel and it was closer than I figured, we got there way too early - and it was darn cold!!

Since I've only run the Disney Half, I have no idea what to expect, but my fdil (future Daughter in law) is my coach and friend - and she ran this last year - she runs 11 - 12 min miles, I run 16 - 17 min miles - but she was determined to coach me thru this!! I knew there was another WISH team member running this race so I wore all my layers (1 underarmer, 1 WDW half marathon long sleeved shirt, 1 polartech coat) and got my WISH team shirt over it all!! I figure I need all the help I can get, and hope it may inspire someone else - (its always heartwarming to hear the encouragement) and I hoped that Aurora would find me!! SHE DID!! Around mile 3 I believe - she is such a bright star, and encouraging heartwarming person!! I couldnt keep up with her!! She was so enthusiasitc!! And she waited for me at the finsh line so I could get pictures!!

Chicago has a few bridges over the River, they covered these with runners which helped - not really any hills, and a good run if it was warmer imho!!

I stayed ahead of the "sweeper" barely!

People behind me were asked to run on the sidewalk as they opened up the streets to traffic - but I stayed on the street - just barely, I thought I was the Dead Last Finisher!!

I took a picture at the top of the hill heard the beep turned around and took the picture of the police/ and pacer" car - it sure seemed like quite a ways to go yet!!

But guess who was waiting for me to finish??

Meagan and her mom!!

Thanks so much for waiting for me!!

 

[lenshanem]

Awesome Sandy! You look so happy!

 

[Sandy321]

The race started at 9:30 - but by the time we got up to the front it was closer to 10:00 -

Also there were signs all over the place that were HUGE and Green that said "LOW" apparantly its in response to the horrific conditions of the Chicago Marathon - they will have 3 signs - Green, Yellow and Black - Black will indicate race shut down - So all the water stops and time centers had the signs - They even had one shower station!!

It was ironic in that it was so cold!!

Also John Bingham and Jenny were at the Navy Pier Expo - the Chicago Distant Classic should be great!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Hey Sandy!! Congratulations! Glad you were able to get back on here and post and your computer not blow in the meantime.

Glad to "see" you again, my friend!

 

[deekaypee]

Betsy: Congrats on your tri, especially since the running segment was so painful. I think your taking 7th in your AG is so cool, and you just dominated the biking segment! I hope your hip flexor gets better soon.

Ed: WTG on your first race, finishing strong and with a great time too! But you know what impresses me that most, maybe? (Okay, not the most, but it impresses me nonetheless.) That you were able to finish your race & remember so many details for a RR. Me, I think I lose massive amounts of brain cells when I run. Good luck in your next events--you're really packing them in!

CarolA: Once again, thanks for volunteering--and in the cold. And woo hoo to Randy and your cousin. What a great day for you all!

Cecilia: Wow. That's a terrific pace, and I'm so glad you were able to compete. And I think your race sounded extra special because you were surrounded by friends. It's those details that made me smile. I hope your regular racing partner did well. And thanks for the follow-up; your reaction to your race & to being able to do so well despite the obstacles...that's a Penguin moment. (I say this as a compliment.)

Shan: for you and your DH! Congratulations on making your goal--because I really do think you did it, despite the wonky race clocks. You just take the entire race as your victory over adversity, because that's what it was. And now you can be (even more) competitive with yourself for next time! And I would follow Scott's lead on taking the 1st time--because it's correct.

Allie: WTG with your 5K & a PR. You crack me up, entering your split time in your phone--while on the course. That's using a 5K as training for your 10, so I just know your 10K is going to rock!

Scott: Yay for a great finish, but boo! to the event's organization--especially the timing & signage issues. It's really too bad, because it sounds like the kind of race that could & should do well. It has a lot going for it in the location, the volunteers, the course, and of course lots of WISHers... And your personal note, just like Cecilia's post, made me smile.

Lisa: WTG with your PR and for being able to keep pace & a RW so consistently. It sounds like the ING is a good way to gear up for the Minnie, too!

Sandy: I love Grant Park, so I loved reading your RR! Especially because you're such a good storyteller--that whole bit about the WISH shirt & meeting Aurora. Awwww. Thanks for sharing your pics, too; it made me feel like I was right there. And I agree with Shan; you do look happy! What a great race!

In case I missed anyone, or don't get back to the thread as more WISHers post--

CONGRATULATIONS to ALL!

 

[ScoJo15]

My chip time for the ING Half has changed again...1st it was 1:54:10...then it was 1:56:07...now it's 1:54:11

 

[Sandy321]

Congrats Scott, Shan and Cecilia!!!! Y'all ROCK!!

Well, I finished my 5K yesterday. It was a bit cold, and I woke up with stomach issues. Let's just say, it wasn't pretty. I made it to the race fine, and was fine on the course, but I've felt like crap ever since. I don't know if I caught something from Princess Puke(my dd who threw up on Friday) or not. She never got sick again, and never ran fever so I thought it was just nerves. She has standardized testing this week and had double header season opener softball games yesterday. Anyway, I finished my race in 36:34! A PR for me!! Imagine how much faster I would have been had I felt 100%. Also, I slowed at the mile markers, to enter my split times in my cellphone notepad, so I could remember. I almost got off the course after the first mile 'cause of messing with my phone. I also had to walk when I got my gatorade because I can't seem to drink and run at the same time (and I did crease my cup to make it easier. So that makes it that I can't do math or drink while running.

I can't wait for my 10K in May! I can SO do it! I have another 5K in the meantime, but my 10K is what I have my eyes on.

Adding my Congratulations!! To all!!

Allie you are so funny!! Just grab a photo (does your phone have a camera?) of the times - (or maybe call your dh or ds to write down the times?!!) those things totally confused me since I couldnt remember my start times - but fdil kept figuring for us!! We did a great first mile of 12 min - but the 3 1/2 mile to 4 1/2 was way slow - it was so cold my power blox were frozen!! the water was COLD - hard to swallow cold water!! on the 10K - you will do AWESOME!!

 

[aldisneygrl]

Shan - I'm feeling your pain. I entered all my splits into the notepad on my cell, and the finish time they reported is off by a whole minute! I know I missed it by a couple of seconds because I didn't enter the time until I got out of the chute. But I thought I remembered that clock with the BIG red numbers saying 35 min., and now my cell confirms it. I don't know what to do. Oh well, I did better than ever before, so I shouldn't complain, but I would like to throw a two year old tantrum right now.

 

[gatorphipps]

WOW Scott! What an AWESOME run! The chip thing would be frustrating! Is this a PR for you? My fastest 1/2 time is 1:54 so that is cool! The course was hilly too.

Shan! YOU ROCK GIRL! What a great job you did...I know you are mad b/c of the 1 second...sorry...but you did it...you ran!

Sandy, WTG on your race. You rocked. I know you are proud.

Betsy - I hate your run was painful. Hope you feel better.

My race report is posted on my Race blog. The link is b/low. I am too lazy to retype it and I worked so hard to get the pics on the blog b/c my computer would not work with me. The times are in bold if you want to skim.

Congrats to all...I know I missed many people...but my children are hungry and I must feed them.

 

[BamaEd1]

Congrats to all! I was thinking about doing the ING but after so many "issues," I think I'll try to find another 1/2 this time of year and do the ATR again. It was my first race so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I think it was really well done.

Anyway, Congrats to all. Keep pickin' 'em up and settin' 'em down!

 

[lenshanem]

THANK YOU SCOTT!

I went back and looked and they have changed my chip time back to the 2:29:58!!!

I am so happy!!!

 

[WithDisneySpirit]

They took 3 seconds off mine too, Shan

I have really loved all these race reports