The Road to the Ironman – The Shamrock Shuffle

Hello all,

The unofficial start to the Chicago running season happened this past weekend. The annual 8k Shamrock Shuffle in downtown Chicago (8K =4.98 miles). This is where 36,000 brave souls state enough with winter and let’s get onto bigger and better things. I have lost count how many Shuffle’s I have done over the years, but that doesn’t really matter. What matter’s most is winter is over! Wait did I say winter is over? Well the last two races we actually ran in winter. This year wasn’t as bad as last year’s race but is was pretty cold, windy and damp, cutting the field down to 25,000 hearty /foolish souls. In 2009, 13,000 ran this stupid thing in a March blizzard, in 6″ of snow! So all in all this year was paradise compared to 2009.

OK the results, drum roll please…I finished 4,950! Whoo Hoo! Well considering there were 25,000 people that really isn’t too bad, top quarter if I am doing my math correctly. I ran close to a 8:15 minute miles which I am pleased with since there were so many people to run around and avoid. The bad new, forgot the iPod and the heart rate monitor didn’t work (probably too many heart rate monitors around me). The good news without these techno things I simply ran, I ran hard and enjoyed the experience, listening and observing more.

I was trying for 8 minute miles and had a shot, but I forgot about the hills. Yes, Chicago has hills, well at least Chicago size hills (mostly bridges over the Chicago river).

I ran free, with enjoyment which means I am on track for the big date in September.

A side note: I knew a few of people running the race and I like to say congrats to Toni as this was her first step (in many) to reaching her goal of the Chicago marathon in October! Ah training for a marathon, that is so cute! Oh is she going to punch me for that one. Not to sell training for a marathon short, it is really tough on the legs and the human experience, so if there is anything I can do to help Toni I hope she understands I will be there for her.

On the injury front - My left big toe is suffering from a bit of tendonitis. Not so much as an injury but something to take care right now or it could get worse. So no running for a week and ice/heat for a week.

Running totals:

Running miles treadmill: 175.55

Running hours treadmill: 26:15

Running miles outside: 36

Running hours outside: 5:07

Biking miles: 511.60

Biking hours: 26:00

Spinning hours: 5:30

Swimming laps (25 yard pool) : 1,838 lengths or 919 laps

Swimming distance: 48,950 yards or 27.8 miles

Swimming hours: 15:30

Weight lifting hours: 13:45

Stair Master miles: 38.42

Stair Master hours: 4:45

TOTAL HOURS – 96 hours and 45 minutes