...Just when you think you have your race strategy and technique down pat, you've trained on the course, you've run hill sprints on that looooooong
bitch of a ramp leading up to the high school, you've monitored the melting on the streets and trail over the past week to gauge whether or not to run with spikes on...... Mother Nature spanks your ass with a dumping of the white stuff. We woke up to 10 to12-ish inches of new powdered sugar snow. This put me in a mood. I got online right away to see if there were any updates as to whether or not the Shamrock Shuffle 5k was still going to take place and to commiserate with fellow disgruntled runners. Usually we're bright eyed and bushy tailed on race day morning....but all this snow?!?! Fek.... And racetime SO early for just a quick 5k....whaaaaaaaa....poor tay tay. Just traveling down the mountain and into town was gonna be a bitch. Everyone was on the internets kvetching about what to do. Close to 7am, the word came out that the roads were plowed and wouldn't it be a lovely day for a race!? The accompanying photo of a clear street on the course sealed it. We'd go for it. Fueled up and dressed, spirits lightening, we headed out to slip into town, drop off the kiddo at our friends and running brethren, the Ruiz's house and carpool with them to the race.
Thankful that the temps where MUCH friendlier this year(17 degrees) as opposed to last year when it was only a very cruel 2, we dropped off our gear and jogged around the crowd decked out in all things green, Irish and leprechaun-y to warm up. The start of the race went well enough despite the fact that I was slipping a bit, lots of kick-back, despite my spikes.
 |
| It WAS lovely...with the sun peaking in and out |
I took full advantage of the downhill portion of the race through the residential area, more then making up for the lost "slip" time...U2's Beautiful Day booming through my ear buds...soul quickening...and when we hit the trail on Westchester LagooWHAT THE FUCK IS THIS?!?!? They didn't plow the fucking trail?!!? How the hell...... HARSH. And trixy of those in charge of the race to FB post that misleading photo! Adios, chance to beat the shit out of last year's race time like I'd planned! The rest of the race was spent in a slow schlog through that deep snow
praying that I wouldn't snap another ankle. All grace and form lost as I stomped ox-like in the cattle line past the lagoon. And The Ramp? A breeze on account of how SLOW we were all going.
 |
| OMFG. Mooooooooooooooo. |
It was a hard race in a way I hadn't yet experienced or expected but still satisfying, after the finish line, ankles intact, with my new Shamrock Shuffle pint glass filled with IPA. Just like any time I go outside to play, I NEVER regret it!
 |
| Miles crossing the finish |
 |
| Trying to summon a smile of accomplishment on the finish line. Hey, I beat those young dudes!!!! |
We all met up and hung out inside the Bear Tooth theater while ribbons were handed out to top finishers-NOT me, lol!- and the raffle winner was awarded with her weight in beer. Plans were made -I frigging LOVE the Ruiz's-for replenishing our tired bodies that evening with tostadas and margaritas at our place.
 |
| They giant scale use to weigh out the beer against body weight! Lean BACK, honey!!!!! |
 |
| <3 td=""> |
While I came in 4 minutes SLOWER then last year, I placed pretty well for my gender and
old age group!
