2016 BUFFALO SHAMROCK RUN
(Posted 2016-03-13 22:00:27 by corey_reichle)

I'm stoked after yesterday's Shamrock Run!

The Buffalo Shamrock Run [ http://buffaloshamrockrun.com/index.html ] is an
8K run, which is quickly turning into my favorite race length.  Not because
it's easy (The last 2 miles kicked my ass), but I feel it's the length of
race that truly tests my ability.

So, the atmosphere of the Shamrock Run is really fun, to say the least.
 It's gotta be, why else would people go and race with snow on the ground,
and bitter cold temps?  Thankfully, the weather was beautiful.  A bit
colder in the corral (Man, I should have worn gloves), but once I warmed up
(About a mile into the run), all as good.

There were some folks handing out water along the course, and a surprise to
me:  Handing out beer too (Told you it was a fun run)!  I didn't grab any
beer, but I thankfully grabbed a cup of water.

Up to mile #3, I was feeling damned good, just like my afternoon runs
(Which, shockingly enough, are ~3 miles long).  However, I was going at far
too fast a pace out of the gate (~7 min/mile) [
https://www.strava.com/activities/514951577 ], which I started to pay for
once the hills hit.  Dem hills!  Holy hell.

I thought I trained enough for the overpasses, boy was I wrong!  Those
things are killer inclines, and long.  I got my hill mantra going during
the ascents (I like it, I love it, I want some more of it!) which pulled me
through them.

I even kept a killer pace [ https://www.strava.com/activities/514951577 ]
on the hills (Didn't go over 9:10 min/mile for the hills), compared to
training, where it's usually a 10 or 11 min/mile.  I was feeling good.
 Until mile #4...

Hit mile 4, and that's when I lost my wind.  Had to take periodic breaks of
about 5-10 seconds every 1/2 mile or so, which killed my time a bit.  Next
time, I'll pace myself better...

Last 1/2 mile stretch...  Hurting, but I have a bit better of a pace down
now.  At just over 1/4 mile left, I came across another run who just dead
stopped on the course.  Yelled as I passed,"Last 1/4 mile!  Throw
everything into it!"  She picked back up, passed me at 10 ft left.  Once I
hit a 1/4 mile left, I kicked into a sprint, throwing every last bit I had
left in me.

Speaking of which...  That sprint brought to light an error I made at about
8:30AM:  Eating a Special K breakfast pastry.  Figured I needed some fuel
for the race, so figured it wasn't a bad idea.  At 10:42AM, I found out it
was a bad idea.  I dumped my breakfast after getting out of the corral.
Another runner passed me, and said,"You'll be ok man, just let it go."  I
chuckled, and replied,"Yup, just gotta walk it off!"  He laughed too.

Walked a bit to just get my heart rate and stomach down and under control.
 Made over to the beer tent, and let me tell you:  This beats out the
Turkey Trot.  Sure, the Trot is bigger, with live music, and everything
else.  But, the post-race party at the Trot is packed, and you can't get
around at all.  This party is crowded, but not overly so, as it's all
outdoors, which lets people spread out a bit.

It's good fun.  Wish I brought some cash with me, because they had some
cool schwag for sale outside.  Def bringing some cash next year for that.

All in all, I'd suggest this run for anyone.  Even spectators.  Yes, the
spectators seemed like they were having a blast, kicking back some beers,
and enjoying the race.  I even handed out free high-5's along the route,
and the spectators loved it.

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