Luck of the Irish: Shamrock Run 15K

4 years ago I ran the Portland Shamrock Run, without knowing exactly what I was getting myself into {its a rather challenging course} and it instantly became my favorite race {and my favorite route to run while I am in Portland}... 35,000 people {3 different races} in tutus, green body paint, beer hats, green wigs, etc fill the waterfront, to raise money for Doernbecher Children's Hospital.  The last two years I  ran the 15K solo {well with 9,000 other people, but no one I actually knew} and loved every mile of it! This year my race didn't exactly start out with the luck of the Irish! The night before, not sure why, but I had a small piece of pizza, which didn't quite agree with my stomach! So the night before I was dealing with stomach issues, but thankfully I woke up feeling ok. In the morning, I headed to the Lloyd Center, where I caught the Max to the waterfront, and as I was in the car putting on my number {note: this is THE FIRST time I haven't laid everything out the night before} I realized I didn't have a timing chip!!!! {ha! it actually appeared when I was unpacking my car, oops!} I frantically jumped out of my car and ran to catch the Max so that I would have time to head to the solutions tent. Luckily, it took less that 2 minutes for me to get in line and receive a new bib and timing chip {extremely well organized race}. I had time to use the porta potty and meet up with my friend {who was running the 8K} before the start of the race. 

It was GO time...I headed to the start, where they had people  line up by their projected pace, and did a "release and hold" start.  There were so many people that I couldn't make it back to the 9-10min pace {my goal was 9:30avg}, so I started with the 8-9min group.  My goal was to negative split the race, even with the hill climb, so I knew I had to start off conservatively {both pace and feel} so I could push the pace on the hill. I felt great the first two miles{flat} and was averaging around a 9:20, which was perfect. Mile 3 was a steady climb to the base of Terwilliger, and I brought my average pace down to a 9:15 and was feeling strong.  I hit the base of Terwilliger around mile 3.5, put in my headphones and powered up the hill. I started playing some mind games with my music...I would push the pace for a song, then back off for a little. I did this the entire way up.  I could tell that I was definitely  running among strong runners...they were all powering up the hill like it was nothing, and no one was walking {I have never walked the hill, but I am used to being surrounded by walk-runners,actually walk-sprinters, which is my biggest pet peeve}...and I was holding my own with them. I peaked the hill just past mile 6 and my average pace was a 9:25. It was game on! I was feeling great and ready to push the pace to the finish! This is when I knew I was running among faster runners...they all took off! ha! I spotted a girl in the distance who had pulled away from me on the hill, and I was determined to catch her. And I did! Then I had my eye on another runner, and I caught and passed her too! My average pace continued to drop and my current pace was in the mid to high 8:00s...I knew I had crushed my goal! 

2010-10:05 avg

2012-9:59 avg

2013-9:12avg

To be honest, I didn't believe it at first, and waited for the official results to be posted! With a 7 minute PR, I was on the biggest runners high ever! 

Following the race I met up with my cousins to Celebrate Good Times, Come On with a margarita and some mexican food {its a post race tradition!}

I've said it before, and I'll say it again, The Shamrock Run is one of my favorite races, and here are some reasons why:

-I love the course {challenging and beautiful}

-The shirts and 15K finishers bottle opener medal are always great

-It is by far the most organized and well ran race...35,000 people, 3 different races plus a fun mile for the kiddos, and it is a flawless event {I didn't even have to wait in line for a porta potty!!}

-They are very accommodating to the runners...its extremely easy to transfer your registration to another runner or switch events {even the day of the race!} 

-Everyone gets in the spirit of St. Patrick's Day

-Nothing beats running in Portland, especially on a beautiful day 

Already looking forward to 2014, and running sub-9s!