50@50 Project - Event 10 - Shamrock Run 8k

Well, hello there!  Last Sunday was St. Patrick's Day and you know what that means:  green beer, loud obnoxious drunks in our neighborhood (okay, I wasn't that loud) and the running of the Shamrock Run in PDX, this the 35th year.  This event is the first big happening of Portland's running season so, needless to say, the turnout was huge.  Over 35,000 people took part in one of the offered races - 5k, 8k, 15k.  We chose the 8k, a good distance for us at this point in the 50at50 Project. 

A fun little story for ya: 
Six years ago when Camera Crew and I were first dating, we had decided to run the Portland Marathon.  Most new couples make a commitment like 'Let's go away to the beach for a weekend' or 'I'm going to leave a toothbrush at your place'   Us?  We decided to run 26.2 miles.  It's an October event so we had started 'training' at the first of the year.  This consisted of running in cotton sweats and t-shirts; shin splints so bad I could hardly walk; labored jogs/walks around Lloyd Center and the Eastbank Esplanade; always knowing which businesses had a defibrillator and what hours they were open; cursing the saying 'no pain, no gain' - which is BS, by the way. 

It was rough.

Well, it eventually got better.  I bought actual tech clothing appropriate for running; real running shoes for the task; the shin splints subsided so that Boy Scout's wouldn't offer to assist me in crossing the street.  And we got stronger.  And faster.  And better.

In March 2007, our very first event as a couple, and in our season leading up to the marathon, was the Shamrock Run 5k.  Here it was 6 years later - married, happy, doing this crazy 50at50 thing and we were running the 8k together - as our TENTH event of the year!  That was a good feeling! 

Okay, put the tissues away.

We walked from our place over to the MAX stop by Jeld-Wen Field.  Soon enough, it came 'round the bend as trains tend to do (according to Johnny Cash) and we were heading to the waterfront.  Lots of Shamrockers on the train, eager and ready to run!  Except for those pesky 15k runners whose race had already started, causing the street to be blocked.  Train no go.  So we hopped off near Pioneer Square and hoofed it down to Waterfront Park and the insanity that is Shamrock.  There was a chill in the air, mostly cloudy but sunshine trying to break through.  On the occasions that it did, the warmth was nice.  Of course, there was warmth from the sea of bodies, too.

Remember, 35,000+ people in this event.  It was by far the largest number of participants, waaaay more than the first 9 events combined!  Even so, the race organizers did a fantastic job and we were able to get through the crowd to the clothing check, shed our warm ups and meld with the other 9,000+ people doing the 8k.  They let us out in waves to control the start, giving us room to run, avoiding people having to walk the first mile or so.

We had a good pace going and before I knew it, I saw the 3 mile sign.  Never even noticed the Mile 1 and 2 markers, which was kinda nice, actually.  We got separated somewhere near the halfway point, but I knew she was right behind me, back there somewhere, waiting to make her move.

At around the 3 mile mark, I passed a couple who were not enjoying their outing together:
Him:  I think I'm gonna throw up.
Her:  Well, I told you to stop drinking last night.
Him:  Really - I'm gonna vomit.
Her:  You knew we had this run today and you just had to keep having 'one more beer'.
Him:  I need to stop.
Her:  Blah blah blah
I picked up the pace so I could get clear of the splash zone and didn't hear the rest of the convo.  And they lived happily ever after.

The route started on Naito, out and back in the NW industrial area, then cut up through town.  We went right by brother Bob's apartment then south on Broadway toward PSU.  Once I cleared the gradual climb that is Broadway, it was all downhill from there.  I 'let the dogs out', taking longer strides, passing people left and right.  The finish line was literally right around the corner on Naito!  Just after passing under the 'Finish' banner, I heard "Dave!" - turned around and there was Camera Crew - right behind me.

She claims she got held up by a streetcar or she would have caught me.

Which is probably true!

If you recall, two of the earlier events in the project were 8k's.  One we did in 1:04; the other in 1:01.  We ran Event 10 in the 50at50 Project sub-hour!!  I finished in 58:33 and CC got a 59:something.  We were THRILLED with this!

After post-race smiles and a beer, we walked across town and had brunch at (location withheld due to it being one of the few breakfast joints that doesn't have a line out the door every weekend) and boy was it fantastic!!  The ________ was perfect and the way they mix their __________ makes them so refreshing.  And the _________ - to die for!
Check them out at www._____________.com - you won't be disappointed.

We're taking this weekend off.  We have some dear friends coming in town for wine tasting, which could be an event in itself!  But - alas - it isn't.  Lambchop and Cuddlebuns are celebrating their first anniversary and since I performed their wedding ceremony, we get to celebrate with them!  Saturday wine tasting, followed by a nice dinner out.  Can't wait!

Next up in the 50at50 Project - the Spring Classic Duathlon.  A 5k run followed by a 15 mile bike ride wrapped up with another 5k run.  Oy.  Any of those on its own would be fine.  hell, even combine the two runs into a six miler.  But you haven't lived until you've run, ridden your bike, then TRIED to run again.  That second run feels so weird, your legs don't want to work correctly.  Stay tuned for the hilarity!!