Shamrock Shuffle 8K

It was a cold morning for the Shamrock Shuffle this year. This is the seventh time I participated in this run, which is the very first run I signed up for in 2012. This year Jo signed up and we both ran it together.

I was placed in corral H, so we didn’t rush as we usually do since our wave didn’t start until 9:00. The weather was reminiscent of the Disney races I did in January, so I was mentally prepared for the cold weather. I dressed in layers just in case I did get warm, so that I would be able to take some layers off if I got hot.

The course was pretty much the same as previous year. We started on Columbus and ran up to Grand and took a left and then another left on State and went back down south, past the Chicago Theater and shops on State street. We took a right onto Jackson Blvd. and turned Right when we arrived at the Board of Trade building and ran up Lasalle Street up to Randolph. We took a left and then another left on Franklin street and went south until we took a left at Harrison Street. We ran towards the lake and just after the four mile mark we turned right at Michigan Ave. We turned left on Roosevelt road and crossed over the little hill and then turned left onto Columbus drive towards the finish.

This year I was highly under-trained and broke in a new pair of shoes. I finished within my average time for this race at 1hr 3min 57sec. I didn’t take off any of my layers because the wind picked up when we were in the Loop between the buildings. It was a brisk morning for a run, but yet it was enjoyable. Even though I did the races back in January, this race is still considered as the beginning of the season. It was a rough start, but it was a start non the less, it can only get better from here. I just need to stick to my training and just get out there and run!