I did it!!!!!!!!!!! 8K Shamrock Shuffle!!!!

dani21496

dani21496

Cathlete
I'm so excited. I ran my first race today. It was the 8K Shamrock Shuffle in downtown Chicago. www.shamrockshuffle.com

It's the largest 8K in the world! 22,500 runners today!!! I can't even describe how invigorating it was. We were running through the streets of downtown Chicago with hundreds of people along the sides cheering us on. It was so awesome! Everytime we ran under a tunnel, all the runners started hollering. It was really cool!!!

I finished in 54:30 (my Chiptime) which is my personal best for that distance!!! I was shooting for 55 minutes and did better than that even! My ag_pct was 43.9%. I think that's how I did within my age group. We had to tie this chip onto our shoelaces and it tracked our time from the starting line to the finish line. I actually started running way before the starting line because of all the people, but my chip was not activated until I crossed the starting line, and then people started to spread out.

OMG, right at the last stretch (before the last 200 meters) there was a HUGE hill!! I was not expecting that. I was all ready to start picking up the pace and then the HILL!!! When I got to the top there were 200 meters left but I wasn't quite ready to start sprinting. I needed a few seconds to get back to normal and then I ran as fast as I could. Why did they make the hill be right there at the end????? :p

Afterwards, right at Buckingham Fountain, there was an after party!The alternative/rock band Poi Dog Pondrering was there. They were so good! It was such fun!! :)

I can't wait to run another one!
 
Congrats Dani!!!!!:7 You did awesome...I have run my share of races, but never with 22,500!!! wow....I would have been scared of tripping...:) I have also run with chips before, I figure in a trail run it could be a good way of finding you if you get lost!

I don't have any clue why they put one of those hills at the end...x( just for fun I guess..:)

You sound like you have the race running addiction...I am just so proud of you...and alternative rock at the end....cool....:)...Carole
 
Way to go, Dani! Awesome time on your first race.:) :)
I ran in Chicago in 1999, with about 30 thousand other people --- talking about street partying...
Let the endorpins buzzing and happy recovery to you, Mari
 
Dani! Awesome job! I can feel your excitement!

I've run with 15,000 before but NOT 22,500! Woohooo! I'm so proud of you - great accomplishment! :) :)

Jo
 
Dani,
I am in such awe and offer you sincerest congrats!!!:7 :7 :7
I've just started running and I'm no where near you yet, but hope to be. My mile time is hovering right around the 8 minute mark and then I'm pretty much done!!
Again, GREAT JOB!!
Mattea
 
Oops, I meant Poi Dog Pondering! That band was great!

Thank you everyone for all of your kind and encouraging words!! It's so nice of you! :)

Mattea, that is an awesome time for one mile. I can maybe run an 8 minute mile if I'm just running one mile. 8K is about 5 miles.


Dani :)
 
Dani -
WAY TO GO!! That's so awesome! I'm so proud of you!! The weather here was perfect yesterday for a race and I've heard Poi Dog ROCKS!

Can't wait to hear about your next race!!

Angie
 
Dani~That is awesome. I am soo thrilled for you. I can just feel your excitement. I remember a couple summers ago I was training for my very first run, a 5-miler, and was up to running 6 miles and even ran 7 one day. A week before the race I broke my lil' toe! Waaah, talk about a letdown. Then, last year, I had my knee injury sooo wonder what this year will bring?? HOPEFULLY a RUN! :7 Anyway, I am so impressed because you haven't been training that long and you did marvelous! An 11-minute-mile is GREAT! Was Scott & Nick at the finishline? Thanks so much for sharing. This really makes me want to get back into it. YOU GO GIRL!

Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Awww! Thanks you guys!!! I've only been training for 6 weeks or so! Yay! My time was about 10:57 per mile and what I'm so excited about, is that I beat thousands of people! I like to look at it that way. TeeHee!!

Yes they were there at the finish line Debbie! It was so fun! Debbie, if you're in Chicago next year maybe you can run it with me??? How fun would that be??? :)
 
Dani, that's fantastic!!! Congrats! Sounds like you ran well, and had a blast and that's the most important thing! Having fun is what it's all about.:)
 
Dani, it would be a total rush! Who knows, maybe it WILL happen! Now, if this snow would just melt and let me get outdoors again. Grrrr! Expecting some nicer weather starting tomorrow.
Your-Friend-In-Fitness, DebbieH (AKA "Den Mother Debbie")http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gif[/img] If You Get The Choice To Sit It Out Or Dance...I Hope You DANCE!!!
 
Dani, back again to say great race. What did you do to train? Were you doing a formal training schedule. I have never tried to work on my speed. My first race was a 4-miler a week or so ago. I am running my second race, a 5k, again on the beach. It is to benefit skin cancer. I don't have much time, it is on April 30. I didn't plan on running in another race so soon but my friend has melenoma so we are all running for him.

Here is my pic from my last race. My bib number is 251. I thought I looked OK, but now looking at this pic, my shirt is too tight, and I am too fat. :) I thought my hair looked cute in the french braid I put it in, but it looks sort of bad. It was raining, but wow, you think you look okay, and then shocker!!
http://www.bbactionphoto.com/easterbeach2005/easter.asp

Are you planning another race in the future?

Lori
 
Lori -

I think you look great! Your legs especially look nice and muscular. And who looks their best after running long distances in the rain, anyway?!?!? :p I admire anyone who can run long races like that....I couldn't do it!

Take care!

Angie
 
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