Sham Rock On!

I love Virginia Beach on St. Patrick's Day weekend. This was the fourth year we have gone down for the Shamrock Sportsfest races. This was the fourth year I did the 1/2 marathon but the first time I did the 8K the day before. My husband did both races, too (it was his first 1/2 marathon so that was exciting) and my mom ran the 1/2 marathon with me. They also have kids races on Saturday. Last year my son did the 1 mile kids race and my daughter did the 26.2 yard dash--which is really hilarious to watch. But all the kids get t-shirts and medals so it is exciting for them.

The weather is really hit or miss in mid-March. This year it was gorgeous on Saturday for the 8K. It was sunny and in the 60's. Then it rained overnight and got really windy and cold. We're talking 30 mph winds and temps in mid 30's on Sunday morning. Luckily it stopped raining 45 minutes before the 1/2 marathon started at 7:00. Having never run two races back-to-back I wasn't sure how I would feel on Sunday. Surprisingly I felt pretty good. I think running Saturday actually warmed me up a bit so I wasn't so tight starting on Sunday. But I took it slow considering my training was more non-training and my long runs were nonexistent. My mom and I pretty much followed my plan though, which was run to a water stop, walk to drink water, then continue walking for about 1/4 mile then run to the next water stop. It made the race go by pretty quick since I was always focused on the next water stop and not so much the mile markers. I won't tell you my time since it was pretty slow, but I will say it was within 3 minutes of my time 2 years ago when I also ran this race pregnant. So I guess I am consistent!

So if you are ever looking for a good race to start the spring running season, I highly recommend the Shamrock races in VA Beach (www.shamrockmarathon.com). Every year it gets bigger and better. Since Yuengling started sponsoring the race last year, it is obvious they have put a lot of money into it. You get great Brooks technical shirts, medals, hats, and LOTS of beer (they give you tickets for FOUR beers after the race--that's a bit much at 9 am, but it's one of the perks of getting up early on a Sunday and running your butt off for 2+ hours!!). So as they say in VA Beach...Sham Rock On!

St. Patrick's Day run with my girls

Well, we completed our second annual Round Elementary School St. Patrick's Day Fitness Walk. Gina, my 7 year old, Julia, my 5 year old, my mom and dad and I all braved the cold, rainy morning to power walk a mile in Manassas. Julia surprised us all by taking off and running the last 1/2 mile unprovoked! I decided to join her and (regretted bouncing my 32week pregnant belly) but enjoyed bonding with Julia as we ran under the balloon archway. She was so proud of finishing and was grinning ear to ear. Then she noticed the runners finishing the 5K race and decided that next year she wanted to run by the clock in the "real race". When I explained that is was 3 miles and not just 1 she decided that we should probably practice for a while first. :) I guess I will have a budding runner to train this spring and summer! Gina was not too happy to have been beaten by her little sister so she decided to mope and say that she hated races. I had to remind her that some days are good and some are not so good for running races. In her defense she had just recovered from an ear infection and 5ths disease (a mild relation of chicken pox that requires no real treatment as it is a viral infection that has to run its course. The red cheeks are the give-a-way symptom, she looked like she had been slapped. Luckily the redness didn't itch or hurt.) Anyway after bribing them with some eggs and pancakes at IHOP and talking about how cool our shirts were and how much fun it is to hang out and race together I think they agreed that it was a fun morning. I am looking forward to running with them some more and "practicing for the real race".
I am proud of all the virgin BYB(Back Yard Burn) runners who did an awesome job this weekend! I will be with you in the fall, I can't wait!!! Great job!

First Race! Backyard Burn EX2 Adventure Race

I don't know why, but I was really nervous about this race. Maybe because it was the first race I've ran since I had my second daughter (who will be two in just a couple months). Or maybe because I've never done a trail race before and had no idea what to expect. Or maybe because it was the first race of this whole race team thing and I didn't want mess up. Actually, I think I was most nervous about tripping over a tree root or sliding on a rock and seriously injuring myself (anyone watch LOST?!). So I probably didn't run as fast or as hard as I would have liked to, but with all that said, I think I did ok. I really enjoyed the run. Christa and I stayed together the whole way and talked as usual, so it was just like any other run except for all those HILLS!!!! Nobody told me about all the hills! We run a lot of hills in Montclair. In fact you can't go for a run around here without hitting atleast two or three. But this race, it was one steep hill after another. It was hard! But it felt great to finish and even better to laugh with good friends before and after the race. Everyone did great, Christa, Michelle and Sherry. And our sister team, Speed Sisters, Jenny and Erin! Thanks for a great race.