Sham Rocked VI
On March 17, 2013 by David H. With 14 Comments
- Race Reports
Cold. Windy. Too out of shape to race this course like I know I can.
The best part of today may have been the awesome finishers blanket to stay warm.
Today’s Shamrock Half Marathon in Virginia Beach was the slowest of my 6 on this course. There’s no shame, though, in setting a personal worst on this course in 1:49:32.
It wasn’t for lack of testing what I had in the tank though.
I hit the first 3 miles in just a little more than 8 minutes each mile. I was feeling really good, so I pushed it.
7:36 for mile 4.
I knew, though, that kind of pace would just be too difficult to maintain. While it was fun to push it, I decided a couple of miles later when I couldn’t get back to that pace to ease up.
It was around that time that the cross wind off the ocean just kind of cut through everyone like a knife. It was kind of funny to see everybody put their head down and try to fight through it.
As we hit mile 9 and headed down Atlantic Avenue, the wind eased off and I kept the pace cut back. I kept thinking to myself that if it’s not going to be a PR day, it’s still going to be a sub 1:50 kind of day. No need to push it any harder than that.
Coming down the final stretch on the Boardwalk, the race kind of lacked the same feeling it usually does. It was dreary, the ocean was rough, the sand was packed down after overnight rain, the wind was nuts again and the crowds just didn’t have its usual intensity.
I threw my hands up at the finish just happy I didn’t let the weather defeat me this time around. I fulfilled my goal of feeling good about what I did on the course. I really don’t care about this being my slowest of my Shamrocks, but it will also be a fairly forgettable morning.
Today’s race was just a small part of a great weekend that I’ll save for another post later this week. For now, I want celebrate half marathon No. 17.
14 Comments
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You still had a great race, so congrats for that! Glad you’re making the most of it and the weekend!
It was awful weather out there today and all the runners were commenting how there bodies were not functioning the way they wanted. Proud of you. We will have to order up some warmer weather for next year.
Glad you enjoyed your race..because really that is what it is all about..having fun.
I’m sure this is just the first of many this year so there are always more races to try and improve! Great job!
17th on the 17th? Not bad!
As obsessed as I get about numbers sometimes, I didn’t even realize that!
Finisher’s blanket? First I’ve heard of that…sounds awesome!
Shamrock (J&A Racing specifically) started a surprise finishers item in 2010. That’s on top of a finishers hat. In ’10 it was a long sleeve shirt; last year was a sweatshirt for their 40th anniversary. I missed 2011. The blanket and sweatshirt are awesome!
Congrats on #17! A finisher’s blanket? What a great idea and sounds perfect given the weather conditions!
I’ve been putting that fleece blanket to good use all week!
Still a fantastic finish! Well done! The weather can be such a drain and it’s great that you were able to power through and overcome the elements. Congratulations!
What a great attitude you have, way to not let it get you down and embrace the day. Congrats on another half in the books…great job!
That’s a hell of a finish time for not feeling in shape for it! Awesome in the conditions too. *high-five*
Awesome race but I’m still awaiting my final time. It was a 5 min PR for me so I’m going a little crazy! That blanket was so clutch. Definitely will make this an annual tradition.
If you haven’t yet, email them. They’re good at getting that straightened out pretty quickly.