| Author |
Topic: Shamrock Shuffle RR |
SueT48
Cool Runner |
 posted Mar-26-2007 08:16 AM
   
DH and I drove to Chicago in the fog Saturday morning - first stop was the Fitness Expo at Navy Pier. We munched our way through the free samples and then had lunch at Joe's BeBop Cafe at the Pier. Checked into the hotel, took in a movie and then scarfed down a salad and a very good stuffed pizza at Giordano's. Turned in early after putting out the intended attire for Sunday morning - green and black Asics long-sleeved tech shirt, black Race-Ready shorts, black jogbra, and red Nimbus VII shoes. Up at 6:00 Sunday morning, and the weather forecaster says that it is almost 60 degrees. At that point I put away the long-sleeve shirt and dig out the lime green singlet (of course, I packed both cold- and warm-weather attire). I ran down to the Corner Bakery and had the best oatmeal I've ever eaten. They add currants, cranberries, raisins, brown sugar and toasted walnuts and almonds. By far the best pre-race breakfast I've ever had (literally, because I usually don't get up early enough to eat much of anything except a Clif Bar or banana). DH and I headed for the starting line at 8:50. It took longer to get down the elevator in the hotel than it did to walk to the line. There was another convention at the hotel, and everyone decided to check out at the same time. We finally resorted to riding the elevator up in order to get down. I dropped DH off at his Corral A, and then headed for my C corral It was in the 60's by this time - not exactly what I was expecting. I knew I was in trouble when I looked down at my heart rate monitor and noted a 130 heart rate before the race even started. My heart rate was in the 170's by the time I was a minute into the race. I really didn't feel like I was going out too fast, but I definitely didn't have negative splits. I was hitting 190+ on the bridges. My heart rate average for the race was 187 which I don't think is too much higher than the rate the Oregon Pace Calculator indicates. The last two miles were a struggle - I think the heat was a big factor. I finished nearly a minute slower than last year, but I moved up in my age bracket - I placed 45th out of 437 women in my age group, so I'm happy with that result. After the race I grabbed goodies and water and headed back to the hotel room to see how DH had done. I was surprised to find an empty hotel room and was worried that he was either lost (he's exceptionally directionally challenged) or injured (he's been out for 7 weeks or so with a stress fracture). I was finishing my shower when he finally arrived. He managed to run a mile or so before his quads shut him down and he had to walk much of the rest of the race. He wasn't a happy camper. As a consolation, we stopped at the new Bass Pro Shop in Indiana on the way home. ------------------
Sue
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DaveinAA
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 09:10 AM
Nice race Sue, sounds like you were hammering hard! I ran this race once when I lived in Chicago, maybe in 1990 or so... it's a blast, isn't it? Sorry about DH's leg cramps--hope it's nothing a nice new rod and reel won't cure.
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ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 09:15 AM
Sounds like it was a challenge from the beginning with the fog, hotel, high temps, and etc. Glad you both persevered and got thru your race. I enjoyed reading the report.ksrunr
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Karl Rysted
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 09:20 AM
I always like hearing about Chicago. Lived there in the mid-80's, and mention of Giordano's stuffed pizza brings back good memories. Hope your hubby heals up well, and congrats on moving up in your AG!------------------
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smpankowski
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 10:28 AM
I want pizza. We love RRs Sue. Thank you. It brought back memories of the only crazy large race I was in. I finished 134th in my AG and there were whole bunch behind me. It sounds like a good time.------------------
Never regret anything that made you smile, SteveP My User Profile
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pfriese
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 10:33 AM
SueT48, I am signed up for the Chicago Marathon this fall, so I very much enjoyed reading your RR on a race there. Sounds like a challenging race for you. BTW, I am now very hungry for pizza, wonder why? Paul
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rochrunner
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 10:39 AM
Good race under those conditions, Sue. Who woulda thought that it would be that warm in Chicago that early on a March morning? The only thing you left out was the length of the race -- I Googled it and see that it was an 8K (aka 5 miles). What was your actual time?------------------
- Runnin' in Rochester Rochrunner
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SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 11:24 AM
Dave - yes, the race is a blast. I get so engulfed in the slow runs during the winter that it is refreshing to get out there and really hammer one (even if it does hurt ;-)). Actually, DH is looking at boats again (we sold our bass boat when we moved to Michigan). A little more costly than a rod and reel, but well worth the enjoyment. Gotta love that Chicago pizza (or any pizza for that matter). We didn't make it to Connie's pizza, but that is another favorite Chicago pizza place (and Gino's East, Pizano's.....). I'm hungry again for pizza myself! Paul - congrats on signing up for the Chicago marathon! Is it your first Chicago? If so, you'll love it. DH and I are registered and plan to fly back for it. It's the 30th anniversary, so I'm hoping it will be special. Dave - I had 45:10 time. I'm pretty slow. I was hoping to knock a couple of minutes off of last year's time, but I wasn't expecting the heat. Considering I haven't done any training faster than around a 10 minute mile pace, I'm OK with my time. ------------------
Sue
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tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 11:48 AM
Nice race, Sue. It sounds like the Chicago experience was great except for your husband's quad problem. Congratulations on a speedy race and high AG finish.TomS
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hollys4874
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 02:10 PM
Nice race and report, Sue, and it sounds like you had a good time, except for your husband's quads. Crazy how the heat and excitement can affect your HR, isn't it? That pre-race oatmeal sounds yummy! I think I'll have to try that.------------------
Holly
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cajohnson5
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 03:43 PM
That's one of the good things about aging -- moving into a different age bracket. I'm thinking perhaps by the time I'm 100, maybe I can qualify for Boston... But 45/437 -- that puts you in about the top 10% of your class. Nice. Sorry your husband's experience wasn't better for him with his injury. Of course, besides being "directionally challenged", yesterday's fog in this part of the country could have challenged anyone's ability to navigate. Glad you were able to soothe his spirit with a trip to the Bass Shop. Thanks for sharing your experience. cj
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Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 04:12 PM
Hey, great run Sue! I can just imagine training in cold temps all winter and suddenly jumping into at 60 degree temps. Anybody's HR would probably escalate under those conditions. Nice report by the way. I like the food parts!
PJ
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hally
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted Mar-26-2007 04:22 PM
So much pizza so little time!
Sorry about hubby's quads but at least one of you did well.
And got away together for the weekend. What did you buy at Bass Pro?Fun report to read, healing vibes to DH. Barb
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Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-26-2007 10:20 PM
Well that convinces me not to wear a heart rate monitor in a race; that would scare me too much seeing high numbers like that. Great job in tough conditions, and it sounds like the food is heavenly there. Congratulations! 
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vista129
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 05:10 AM
Thanks for sharing a neat RR. It sounds like you had a good day despite all the nuances that were around to force you to adapt to them. Your time sounds good to me. Hope your husband is okay. That is a VERY frustating experience to go through. Now I will have pizza on my mind all day. Wonder what I should have for supper? ------------------
vista129
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SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 07:21 AM
Thanks all!CJ - I'm with you on moving up to another age bracket. I'll be moving up in July, and I'm looking foward to it. There are too many fast ladies in my current age bracket. I'm hoping to qualify for Boston when I'm 60 or so ;-). I'll have to get a lot faster to even make it then. Barb - we found some discounted shooting vests at BPS. DH gave me a double barrel shotgun for Christmas, and we're going to start shooting clays when the weather moderates. DH is pretty bummed about his legs - he's having hip issues in addition to the quads. Trying to run a 7:00 minute mile pace after laying out for nearly two months was probably not the best idea. We both have a history of running to the point of injury, recovering and then repeating the cycle, but I've learned that I can keep running year round if I go easy for the vast majority of my runs. Wisdom sometimes come with age ;-). ------------------
Sue
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MarkGuy
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 07:36 AM
Sue, sounds like you had a nice weekend. Sorry to hear about DH's problems, but your race went well in spite of the heat. It really does require some time to adjust and we didn't get that this year (yet!).Mark
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Labduck
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 10:38 AM
Great report Sue. I think you did pretty well in the race given the unexpected high temps.You get bonus points for having both your cool weather and warm weather race clothes in green. Any race with 'Shamrock' in the title should be raced in green attire!
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JulieH478
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 10:43 AM
How 'bout that humidity!
I couldn't believe how hot it felt!------------------
"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." - T.S. Eliot
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SueT48
Cool Runner |
posted Mar-27-2007 11:13 AM
Mark - I was thinking about the usual spring acclimation period yesterday morning at 6 am when it was pushing 70 degrees. While I enjoyed the weather, I was sweating profusely and yearning for that more gradual transition period. Julie - you are right about the humidity. That definitely contributed to the overall heat. I felt like I was trying to breathe through water by the end of the race. Labduck - thanks for the bonus points. I can use all I get ;-). Gotta do green for the Shamrock! ------------------
Sue
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