St. Paddy's race results

It was my first race of the 2011 season, first time running the St. Patrick's day race and first time running with my friend Vicky.  Normally Vicky and I get together with a few other friends to eat... in fact we nick named our group the Excellent Asian Eating Team, of which Vicky and I are honorary Asians (obviously).  So it was a nice change of pace (pun intended) to hang out with Vicky for a different activity.  I like it when happy times don't have to revolve around food... yanno?

Anyway, on to race stuff.  Patricia from the Merivale Running Room took this adorable picture of Vicky and me waiting for race to start in the High School gym where it was toasty warm.  Vicky and I look like pimps... ready to pimp out some leprechaun hookers hahaha

Weather-wise we lucked out.. it was a bit chilly and damp, but the route was ice free and mostly puddle free. The High School that was hosting the race had lot's of ice and crud in their parking lot, but we managed to not  slip and fall.

Our race was delayed 15 minutes due to technical difficulties, aka they hadn't put up all the barricades in time.  So we trekked back to the car to get some forgotten earphones and on the way back I fawned over one of the guys representing the Perth kilt run... he had long hair and was decked out in his kilt with a sword, a shield and a jacket with studs on it... *sigh*

Anyway, *focus reset* we trudged back through the ice and got in line for the race.  Yet again, I did not hear the race gun go off... (The Army run really knows how to do that part with a canon... KABOOM!) and started moving a long like sheep when I saw the crowd surging forward.

Vicky and I are not at the same fitness level .. so we decided in advance that we would run each our own race.  I'm cool with running my own race (no need to talk while panting), besides i'd feel guilty to hold anyone back  and possibly cause them injury from running too slow.  Hey it is possible.

I was totally expecting my first 10 minute chunk to be stiff and uncomfortable like i'd been kidnapped by aliens and all my organs have been put back in the wrong order (the alien thing is Vicky's description which I stole because it totally describes that feeling perfectly)  So despite my fears the first 10 mins weren't bad at all and they seem to pass in a flash.  Must have been the adrenaline of race day because it feels like the1km marker flew by really quick.

Not too long after the 2km marker Vicky passed me on her way back and with a quick high 5 we were both back on our way.  I took a quick pause at the turn around point to drink some really great cold water... but I shouldn't have... I should have just kept going and drank water afterwards... slowing down for the water probably cost me a minute or two not to mention the fact that water makes my tummy ooggy.  It felt great going down, but afterwards... not so much.... yuck

I really pushed hard after the turn around to try and gain back my lost time and I think I did well... caught up with some people that seemed to have been on the same pace as me.  Then the energy level seemed to have dropped down, I pushed through it and kept chanting in my mind that it was all "mind over body"

I finished with my fastest race time yet... 44:29!  WOOOHOO!  It's not a whole minute faster, but it's still faster!  Vicky finished in 34:47 and she'd been hoping to break 35 minutes... YAY!

I'm quite happy with our race day results and to celebrate after we were done we did what all Irish do, we went out for Korean BBQ with friends hehehe... :P  Dave and Amy, two other members of the E.A.E.T. team took Vicki and I for some very welcomed protein and it was very good and just what we needed.

After our eating Vicky and I went back to my car and DOH parking ticket... *sigh* oh well the joys of parking downtown... paid for some time on the meter and then we went to Rideau Centre to meet up with my friend Alex.  We perused Lululemon and I decided it will be several more dress sizes and salary raises before I can buy stuff there :)  Vicky had to run away and catch a bus so Alex and I went back to my car to put more cash in the meter, spent some time in a really cool kitchen store and then got a diet pop at a local Subway and hung out for a bit until my yawns became very pronounced hehehe  "Sorry Alex!"  

Drove home, had a nice hot shower, my honey made me soup and grilled cheese and then I lay like broccoli on the couch slowly falling asleep dreaming of breaking the 44 minute barrier at my next race :)

Good times, good times :)