St. Patrick's Day Dash Recap

Woah woah woah.  Where in the world did this race performance come from?  Geez!  I went into today's race just looking to enjoy myself and take it easy.  Well, I did just that...but then...I also PR'd from last year.  WHAT???  I can only imagine how I would've done if I actually raced this thing today!  My time last year (same course, but snowing) was 34:17...this year, a 2 minute PR of 32:06.  EEK!  Then again, today's weather was absolutely cooperating with the race and it was so gorgeous out.  But with my feet/hip being wicked mean to me, I wasn't going in with high expectations.  Turns out, I felt great!  No pain!  In fact, I felt amazing, and I think it was all because I just needed to run in a race (it's been 3 months since my last one!).  Ahhh yes.  It was splendid.

Some nice dude wearing a funny outfit offered to take my photo.  Rockin' the dailymile tech tee!  A woman actually commented to her friend as I walked passed them before the start: "Look! Dailymile!"  It was cute. ;)

Travis and I nearly missed the start of my wave (the first) because the traffic coming off the freeway was horrendous.  He dropped me off a couple blocks away from the start and I jogged my way to the crowd.  It was quite the nice little warm-up too.  Oh, and when I say crowd, it was just that and more...I could barely maneuver to get into the street for the start and kind of mini-panicked with a little claustrophobia induced attack.  Wow.  Not somewhere I wanted to stay.  But when the horn sounded and we crossed the timing mats, it was a free-for-all...but this time, I didn't care.  I wasn't racing.  I wasn't jockeying for the best position or figuring out my next move.  I was just smiling, listening to my tunes and just enjoying the ride. :)  The whole time I was smiling and  saying to myself: THIS is why I run.  I love races. It's so much fun!

Races like this 3.7 miler (or 3.87 per trusty Gus) are even better for people watching.  There were the usual green wigs and socks, but there were also three men wearing just green "tighty whiteys" and Sharpied backs that read "For a good time call 206-XXX-XXXX" and "Gay and proud!" and "I'm easy."  There was also the usual Masters runner who dresses up like the devil--complete with red face paint & pitchfork--and totally kicks ass in the race.  Two super buffed up non-runner looking dudes were wearing these horrible green patterned boxers, bow ties and big hats...nothing else...and the ladies passing on the other side of the out-and-back course were squealing and high fiving them along the way.  I made sure to beat them to the finish.  Mission accomplished.  OOOO!  And there was this KID who looked no older than 10 just keeping up with the elites.  Looked him up, sure enough he IS 10 and he came in 68th overall (7,800 runners!!).  WOW.  That is so awesome. :)

Anyway, I kept a steady pace the first half (all at a steady incline), which meant the second half was downhill...and I couldn't help myself but run fast.  (I know, I know)

My splits are funny:

Mile 1 - 9:10
Mile 2 - 8:39
Mile 3 - 7:46
Mile .87 - 6:31 (7:28 pace) 

To my luck, Travis actually caught me at the finish!  Coordinating my dailymile tee with my Nike Lunars. And of course, I have to wear my hair ribbon. Such a girl...

 

Final Stats:
Mileage - 3.7
Time - 32:06
Overall - 1210 out of  7,823
Division Place - 57 out of 796 (F26-29)
Sex Place - 278 out of 4318
Pace - 8:27

Per Gus: 3.87 miles for an 8:17 pace.  Gus is always right...

Post race happy face!

 Mt. Rainier on the way home...beautiful.