Surprise in the Mail

Last week: 30 total miles

Saturday: 7 miles

Back at the end of March we ran Chicago's Shamrock Shuffle 8k, 30,000 runners. Friday's mail brought a big surprise – an engraved medal. I had forgotten that I placed in my age group. After all my struggles with running over the past 2 1/2 months, seeing my name on it made me feel pretty proud.

On Saturday morning, I met the group for a 7 mile run and went out for breakfast afterwards. That started my day perfectly. My high-ham was really bothering me around 4 miles, but I pushed through, trying take short, quick strides.

Saturday afternoon, I don't think I sat down once – I cleaned my entire house which truly needed it and realized standing and walking helps my hamstring. Sitting makes the pain and tightness worse. It doesn't help that I sit all day long at work :(

My friend suggested I sit on one of those balls which made me laugh pretty hard. I'd be falling off that thing all day! I'll leave you with that thought . . .

Make it a great day!

Shamrock Shuffle 2014 - 8k

Fun time with friends. Can't beat having a free beer after the race, lake front with the sun shining.

Beautiful day in the city. Perfect weather for a race. 38° and sunny, no wind.

 Great race. Didn't think I could run faster than last year, but I did it.

8k on Sunday - Weather Forecast Looking Good

chicago shamrock shuffle 8k

The weather is most unpredictable for this race. Will it be 20° and sleeting or 80° and humid? One year it was freezing cold. Another year we got sunburned.

Either way it's loads of fun, packed with people wearing green and of course, a free beer at the end.

A bunch a girls from the neighborhood are heading to the city together Sunday morning.

I'm bummed RFM will be missing the ladies and the free beer this year. Every runner's nightmare — he rolled his ankle off the curb on a routine 4 mile easy run and fractured it! 

6 weeks, no running.

Last week, my 16 miles felt great. Fingers crossed, I will have a strong run tomorrow. I'm starting in Wave 1, Corral A - undoubtably a fast start. Who knows if I can beat last year's time 35:00. 

I will certainly try :)

Have a great weekend!