Yesterday I ran the Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k. 4.97 miles. My official time is 48:46! I ran the whole thing. I did not stop for even one quick walking break. I had predicted I would run it in 55 minutes. That time I what I would have been happy with. I am ELATED with this time!
I had been running and running and I just didn’t feel awful enough to stop. Then eventually I got to mile 4. Why would I stop then? I knew if I stopped to walk with less than a mile to go I would be so mad at myself. I ran this far, what is .97 miles in comparison? It is nothing. So on I trucked.
I am not ashamed to say I am very proud of myself. I destroyed my original goal. I did not quit when I could have. I think today I still have some of that runner’s high you often hear about. I know for a fact I had it all day yesterday. I am so excited that I did it. I put my mind to it yesterday and I was not weak. I also walked over a mile there and over a mile home. On the way back I carried Jackson for quite a while. He is no lightweight either. I swear the kid is at least 23 pounds. I just ran that race and here I was lugging my toddler around the city. I felt like a strong momma.
I have been thinking about what other races I can sign up for. This race was huge. About 40,000 people. It was an experience. I am used to Jason being able to meet me right at the finish line. Literally taking a photo as I cross it. He could not do that yesterday. I had a lot of fun though. I may do a smaller race for my next one. I do want to keep doing the longer races. I am doing the Dirty Girl Mud Run in June. I am so pumped for that. It isn’t just a running race. I hope to be able to use the rest of my fitness skills.
Now it is time to go look up some other races in between now and then!
Sorry I have no photos really of the race. I couldn’t find my camera while we were packing up to head downtown and we had to get on the road!
I do have this one before I left to make it to my corral on time. Jackson was eating breakfast and he wasn’t too happy to be interrupted 🙂
Getting ready to Shuffle, he was eating
Nicole M. VandeBoom 
Awesome job!! So so so great! It is addicting isn’t it? Races? So proud! You did an awesome job, you are one awesome strong super awesome (I know I said that already, but you are) MOMMA!
Thank you! 🙂 I love races and I didn’t realize how much I have missed it until yesterday. I am happy to be getting back into my old hobbies. It only took me 13 + 9 months….haha
I’m SO PROUD OF YOU! You are amazing! Great Jobbbbbbb!!!
You know what, They also calculated what my 5k time would have been if it were a 5k. It would have been 30:48, which is my best 5k time ever! 🙂 All around it was a great self record breaking day.
Look at you, speedy! You should give yourself a double pat on the back! When is the next. I must say its gotta be SO NICE to have the condo, you will be able to take advantage of SO MANY awesome races. Have you ever visited CARA’s website? (http://www.cararuns.org/Racing/Find%20a%20Race.aspx is the find a race link) – they post some awesome races… ❤
I haven’t seen that site. I will definitely check it out. I am not sure what is next other than the dirty girl mud run. I have to find something in between.