The messages were flying on Facebook. Runners were dreading the forecast for Sunday's 'unofficial start of the running season'. It was supposed to snow. It was supposed to be cold, and windy. In other words it was supposed to be a continuation of winter on the first full day of spring.
Of course, we were spoiled in the days leading up to the weekend, by beautiful, early spring-like weather. I was able to run in shorts and short sleeves late in the week, and enjoyed it so much I got amnesia about the winter weather that was still in full force just days earlier. I was among those who wanted no part of putting the winter running gear back on for a race!
The vast majority of runners in the Chicago area who were planning on a race this weekend were among the 36,000 entrants in the Shamrock Shuffle. With the exception of last year's slush, that race has generally been blessed with good weather. The March Madness half marathon in Cary is traditionally just the opposite. Rain, wind, cold and even snow are all traditional elements for that race. Typically it is a week or so earlier than Shamrock. This year, however, they were on the same day. Something had to give.
With a marathon to prepare for in a month and a half, I opted for the half marathon. So regardless of the weather, I laid my stuff out the night before and resolved to run. And wouldn't you know it? Once I made it out to the small northwest suburb of Cary, I realized it was pretty close to ideal running weather! It was a little chilly, and a tad windy, but nothing like the winter storm I was mentally preparing for.
Yes, I and most of the other runners wore jackets and running tights, but there were also some runners in shorts and singlets. And I did see the one 'crazy guy' who was shirtless. I think I've seen him at Bears games too when the temperature dips below zero.
Anyway, the Cary half marathon is a race that's got quite a tradition. They limit the field to about a thousand runners, or masochists as the case may be. It is very hilly, and as I mentioned, usually attracts bad weather. Yet it sells out in a matter of hours. This year you had to get up early on New Year's eve to sign up when registration opened. The race was filled in five hours.
Many of the runners are preparing for the Boston marathon, and the hills are just what they need. I am training for the Wisconsin marathon a few weeks later. The course is much more flat, but the hills of Cary are still great training.
I ran easy for the first half of the race, before loosening up and surging a little bit. My friends Tom and Kelly Jo are right behind me in the picture, taken by Tom's wife Colette. My only goal for the race was to run a little faster than my goal marathon pace. I mostly wanted a good workout, and hoped to get a good idea where my fitness is at this point in training. Tom is focusing on the Soldier Field 10 mile race in May, while Kelly Jo is preparing for Boston.
We all finished within a minute or two of each other, and were all happy with our time and effort. My pace, 7:36/mile was well ahead of the 8:00/mile pace I need to run for the full marathon to qualify for Boston. I finished just under 1:40. So I'm looking forward to a few more weeks of good training, and then hoping for everything to fall in place on race day.
Meantime, the Shamrock Shuffle set a record for the most starters, despite the chilly weather. 25,000 or so people lined up at the starting line. That means 11,000 others decided to take a pass, but it's still impressive. I plan to write much more about the Shuffle in an upcoming entry. A friend of mine lined up with a lot at stake. I'll tell you about the stakes and how he did.
Congrats to everyone who ran Sunday. I'll see you on the roads....
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Posted by: Ajf 4 | June 28, 2010 at 09:01 PM