Shamrock & Roll...

Today was the first truly warm day of the year...mid-upper 60's by gun time at 9:30 and rising fast. My body was by no means ready for this weather since all of my outdoor runs had been in 30-degree weather the past month. Blech.

But after Nicole met us at our place, we all piled into a cab and headed toward the start line.

Right up front, I'll give you my splits...
1: 10:11
2: 11:07
3: 12:27
4: 12:22
5: 12:13

So let's analyze what happened...

Mile 1...started out a little too fast and tried pulling back just before the first mile marker. I knew I was in no shape to be running faster than normal right outta the gate, but it still felt pretty good despite my body being on the slightly overheated end.

Mile 2...I'm still trying to slow down but enjoying the company of my fellow runners along State Street. I think this is my favorite city street to run down. Not sure why...there's something about being so tiny and free while running on the typically busy streets below the towering skyscrapers. Not saying that the street wasn't busy today, but it was packed with 30,000 runners rather than 3,000 cars.

Mile 3...Finally...the one and only water station on the course. And considering how hot it was, everyone was veering off to get something to cool down. Enter mayhem. Folks were slipping and sliding all over the place, volunteers couldn't pass out water fast enough, and somehow I managed to get gatorade down my my legs and into my socks. Gulped a gatorade, doused my head in water and kept on running. And because I downed the gatorade too fast, I ended up with a "sloshy stomach"...but kept on truckin'.

As I made the turn I spotted leah and jason, so of course...I had to cheer right back at them. This duo seriously deserves the spectators of the year award. They were by far the loudest out of everyone watching...and with signs to boot (GO CRU!!!)! Talk about getting a charge! So of course, I push myself...perhaps a little too hard...because a few short blocks later, in true Barb fashion, I had breakfast again. It wasn't pretty. I'm just destined to be a puking runner I think. Worse things could happen though, right?

Mile 4...it couldn't come fast enough. I kind of went into survival mode at this point for fear of puking all over again. I took it down to a nice, light, easy jog. The sunlight was brutal in parts and the shade, along with momentary light breezes, were a godsend. Ran into leah and jason again and got that final charge I needed.

By the fifth mile I was just ready for this damn race to be over. There was no shade and I didn't want to push myself too hard and do more damage, so I took it nice and slow incorporating a few walking stretches. I kept a close eye on my watch and convinced myself that a sub-hour finish would be fine be me.

And it was.

58:19. Not my best. But given the circumstances, I'll take it...and hell, even say that I rocked it for a vomiting chick. And it certainly not my slowest 8k time.

After the race we met up with Nicole, Leah, Jason and Christine and walked home (just under 2 miles) to get showered up and introduce L & J to the wonderful world of Wii. Then, in true Shamrock tradition (at least tradition for us), we rewarded ourselves with a group brunch at one of our favorite places--Rockit. Six omelets, some mimosa's and a bloody mary later...the group consensus leaned toward nap time, which pushed our afternoon errand plans until tonight.

With this race, the Chicago training season has officially kicked off...and once again, we begin our journey to the finish line of the Chicago Marathon on October 7th...with a few triathlons, a couple half marathons and a even a 190-mile relay race along the way. It'll be an exciting few months here in the Jayhawk/OOSG casa...

...let's just hope it all goes down with minimal yaking... :)


Quick addition--Congrats to Rae & Brent who ruled Atlanta this morning!!