tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post319338673934611630..comments2024-03-19T02:13:10.045-05:00Comments on Out and About: Shamrock Shuffle 8K race recapemmers712http://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comBlogger28125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-17734357666696477412015-04-02T18:02:05.373-05:002015-04-02T18:02:05.373-05:00Thanks so much, Irina!!! KNOCK ON WOOD, indeed! No...Thanks so much, Irina!!! KNOCK ON WOOD, indeed! Now, if we could just keep this non-rain streak going. =) Yes on how the Shamrock Shuffle is an amazing experience running through the streets of Chicago! I started thinking about how you can only do that with the Chicago Marathon, Shamrock, and Rock N Roll Chicago. Pretty special!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-51718664267123175602015-04-02T17:51:11.919-05:002015-04-02T17:51:11.919-05:00I am so behind in commenting but CONGRATS on final...I am so behind in commenting but CONGRATS on finally running this race!! And no rain = winning! The streak is over *knock on wood* :) I loved running the Shamrock Shuffle, it was my second ever 8K and the only time I got to run through the streets of Chicago. Crazy about the wind tunnel though! All those tall buildings are at fault... And I'm super jealous that they give out medals now! We all know how much runners love the bling ;)<br /><br />-IrinaUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17545760262219901776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-47392402626748437832015-03-31T11:20:15.604-05:002015-03-31T11:20:15.604-05:00I wish you could have run Shamrock this year, too!...I wish you could have run Shamrock this year, too! It would have been so great to see you!!! But it's certainly understandable that scheduling didn't work out, given that you just got back from your amazing European vacation!<br /><br />Yes on scoring with both the medal and the shirt this year! Indeed, the green shirt you saw in the promos was what they gave out. I am amazed that past years' shirts weren't green. That should be a violation of race shirt rules in 25 states!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-74381366374238950992015-03-31T10:16:16.769-05:002015-03-31T10:16:16.769-05:00I'm incredibly jealous that I didn't get t...I'm incredibly jealous that I didn't get to do this race again in 2015. Last year it was a ton of fun!<br /><br />I'm also jealous that you ran it the year they finally gave out a medal and a decent shirt. Did you see the shirts they gave out last year?! Figures I'd run it the year they gave out the worst possible swag - it wasn't green and didn't even have the race year on it. Was this year's shirt the green one they used in the promos?Shinianenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15340969239524875329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-1866089946732573062015-03-31T09:32:36.802-05:002015-03-31T09:32:36.802-05:00I hear you on how city races can be cumbersome if ...I hear you on how city races can be cumbersome if you don't live nearby. They definitely have their pluses and minuses.<br /><br />You are absolutely right that it's almost impossible to compare races like apples to apples! There are SO many variables at any given point. I think that's why racing is so addicting - there can be so much strategy involved and so many things to consider!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-14250078931404335792015-03-31T09:22:47.740-05:002015-03-31T09:22:47.740-05:00Ahh, great! I am happy you really enjoyed it! I do...Ahh, great! I am happy you really enjoyed it! I don't see myself running it - city races generally aren't my thing :)<br /><br />That IS a tougher comparison! Although, really, when can you compare races like apples to apples? Different seasons, different weather, different training... you never know what you will get! :)Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03201592937889358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-17467147069095282172015-03-31T09:19:41.666-05:002015-03-31T09:19:41.666-05:00Congrats to you too Zenaida!!! It was so great to ...Congrats to you too Zenaida!!! It was so great to see you both at the expo as well as pre-race. It sounds like the CARA pre-race area that you got to partake in was really nice! It does suck that the weather wasn't good, but at least it didn't monsoon like it did at Chinatown or at Wine and Dine!!! Here is definitely hoping next year will be better, too!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-85340946997697743222015-03-31T09:18:25.912-05:002015-03-31T09:18:25.912-05:00Congrats to you too on notching yet another PR in ...Congrats to you too on notching yet another PR in really tough conditions!!! You are amazing - you bag PRs even on hilly courses and in crazy wind. Just imagine what you could do on a flat course in ideal weather!?!?!? You'll be giving the Kenyans a run for their money!!! =)<br /><br />So great see you this weekend, too!!! Let's go for Mediterranean tapas and Greektown food ASAP!!!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-33235892370399427262015-03-31T09:17:11.792-05:002015-03-31T09:17:11.792-05:00HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. YES, you have no idea ho...HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. YES, you have no idea how completely relieved I am that it didn't rain. I was already mentally preparing myself to shoulder ample blame if it did rain. Whew!!! And I will do all of my anti-rain dances for the Lakefront 10 for sure. Some of us were saying that if it has to rain, the shorter races are much more tolerable than the 10-milers or the half marathons. But obviously, we'd prefer that the rain hold off until AFTER the race, regardless!<br /><br />Congrats to you too on your race!!! Way to push through with a SUPER solid performance despite your knee issues. I wish you a speedy recovery!!!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-52107157161390679432015-03-31T09:14:43.630-05:002015-03-31T09:14:43.630-05:00Congrats to you too on NAILING the course!!! It wa...Congrats to you too on NAILING the course!!! It was so great to see you and all of the other CRBs pre-race! I can't remember the last time we had such a large gathering for a pre-race photo!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-78929213175540032142015-03-31T09:13:51.829-05:002015-03-31T09:13:51.829-05:00I do think I'd enjoy running Shamrock every ye...I do think I'd enjoy running Shamrock every year! It's so festive and the location is so convenient. Xaar described it as a mini version of the Chicago Marathon, and I agree with her! The course start and finish brought back a lot of memories. =) Do you think you'd ever run Shamrock yourself?<br /><br />Thanks for the kind words on my time! My 8K PR is from the PAWS Run For Their Lives in 2012 (which, speaking of the Chicago Marathon, took place in September of the year that I was training for Chicago - guess that makes it a tougher comparison, right?)emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-45625011349530005572015-03-30T21:42:00.376-05:002015-03-30T21:42:00.376-05:00Congrats Emily! So glad you finally experienced t...Congrats Emily! So glad you finally experienced this awesome race. But it sucks that we had crappy weather. Hopefully next year it will be nicer.Zenaida Arroyohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18137949290555784656noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-63010877918426586992015-03-30T14:32:23.370-05:002015-03-30T14:32:23.370-05:00Congrats on a solid race in crappy conditions! To ...Congrats on a solid race in crappy conditions! To be so close to your PR in that weather definitely bodes well for a knock out performance when the weather is friendlier :) so nice seeing you this weekend!! Xaarlinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09103441780159368391noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-1058096315853727082015-03-30T13:43:30.116-05:002015-03-30T13:43:30.116-05:00You're lucky it didn't rain -- I had every...You're lucky it didn't rain -- I had every intention of blaming it entirely on you if it did :P You better not make the weather suck for the Lakefront 10, since I plan to run that as well! Hahaha.<br /><br />Congrats on your race! It was definitely a different vibe out there this year with a smaller field, but (aside from the wind) I think it was a pretty enjoyable day. I really think the Shuffle is a top notch race and I'm glad you finally go tot do it :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-91553484905424542982015-03-30T13:13:58.399-05:002015-03-30T13:13:58.399-05:00Congrats on the strong race despite the conditions...Congrats on the strong race despite the conditions (and the fact you had to use the bathroom)! Yes, the best part was seeing so many friends out there! :)Pete Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09655789227670205830noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-58347469633853322052015-03-30T11:51:58.276-05:002015-03-30T11:51:58.276-05:00So what do you think, now that you've done it....So what do you think, now that you've done it... will it be added to your regular rotation?! :) This is one I have never done, but did volunteer at, once. And man, there were TONS of spectators then. I wonder what's changed?<br /><br />And that is a great time, especially with how much you pushed through that nasty wind! From which race is your 8K PR?Kimhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03201592937889358953noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-50658158958284782102015-03-29T20:51:36.640-05:002015-03-29T20:51:36.640-05:00Thanks, Wendy! I was very pleasantly surprised to ...Thanks, Wendy! I was very pleasantly surprised to get the finisher medals, too. I think they were saying that Special Olympics was the mastermind behind the medals this year? When did you last run Shamrock yourself?emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-65436719579550792292015-03-29T20:50:26.270-05:002015-03-29T20:50:26.270-05:00Thanks Hoho! Yes, I tend to take the running too s...Thanks Hoho! Yes, I tend to take the running too seriously a lot, and get caught up in the numbers. It's always nice to have the reminder that running is a hobby and should be ENJOYED. Completely agree that an 8K is so much more enjoyable than a 10K! That 2K really makes such a difference!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-58121479433825475552015-03-29T20:44:50.223-05:002015-03-29T20:44:50.223-05:00Thanks, Sara! The runners and all their energy def...Thanks, Sara! The runners and all their energy definitely made up for the less-than-ideal weather and the sparse crowds. Runners are the best. =)emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-38849724074909418262015-03-29T20:43:59.265-05:002015-03-29T20:43:59.265-05:00Thanks so much, Amy! Normally I would have complai...Thanks so much, Amy! Normally I would have complained about the cold temps and the wind, but you are absolutely right that it was a nice treat to be dry for once. =)<br /><br />I do like the 8K, too! The pacing is obviously more laidback than the 5K, and I find it easier to maintain the pacing than at a 10K. It's nice that the race is over fairly quickly, but not so quickly that you blink and it's over!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-25201748796108217722015-03-29T20:41:18.086-05:002015-03-29T20:41:18.086-05:00I was surprised how much time there is between the...I was surprised how much time there is between the two waves. I was in the final corral of Wave 1, and my wave started around 8:50. I don't think Wave 2 started until 9:15! Then, as I was Divvying home, I saw plenty of folks still on the course around the Mile 2 marker. The organizers REALLY spread things out!emmers712https://www.blogger.com/profile/15865493476823978890noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-86790329964623002962015-03-29T19:24:46.116-05:002015-03-29T19:24:46.116-05:00That's interesting about limiting registration...That's interesting about limiting registration. It is a crowded race, but I never felt like it was too crowded or unsafe - I always felt they handled logistics pretty well. However, I always started in corrals A or B, so I don't know what it's like for folks in Wave 2. Maggie Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13403171228033713629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-83005296042287802342015-03-29T18:45:16.114-05:002015-03-29T18:45:16.114-05:00Great job! I'm so surprised they give finisher...Great job! I'm so surprised they give finishers medals for this one. Of course, I haven't run it for a long time. The weather was really bad today...Wendy at Taking the Long Way Homehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09934786207724059919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-86895072796792749842015-03-29T18:30:37.478-05:002015-03-29T18:30:37.478-05:00Adam is right! We do this for fun, right? You ha...Adam is right! We do this for fun, right? You had a great finish time. And wind? Blech! I enjoy an 8k so much more than a 10k!HoHo Runshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01986964581984440945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3081872231855122210.post-68695562421341298012015-03-29T18:18:04.840-05:002015-03-29T18:18:04.840-05:00Sounds like a great race, but the weather definite...Sounds like a great race, but the weather definitely wasn't ideal. Still a really great time! Sarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09219737912315601922noreply@blogger.com