Shamrock Shuffle

This Sunday I will be running the Shamrock Shuffle 8k in Chicago with 30,000 other people. I can't imagine that this is going to be a great race for me considering the lack of running that I have been doing since I was cleared to run back in mid-January.

Frankly, this winter has NOT been conducive to running outside with the freezing temperatures, the snow, the ice, etc.  I probably should have started with a 5K to ease back into running, but it's too late now! In addition, before I went back to work the only time I could run during the day was on the weekend so that CP could watch Izzy (now I have the ability to run at lunch on Weds and Fri while I work from home).

Here are my stats since Jan 11th:

January

1 run, 2.4 miles

14:53 average pace

(note: lots of ice on the ground and trying not to push it TOO much since I was just 6 weeks out from Izzy's birth so lots of walking here)

February

2 runs, 4.98 miles total

13:22 average pace

Longest run 2.8 miles

March

6 runs, 18.37 miles total

12:09 average pace

Longest run 4.5 miles (last Sunday) with a 11:50 pace

I was never speedy and I certainly won't be breaking any records, but at least I'm seeing my pace come down.  I do my runs with Buster so there are always pee and poo breaks as well.  

Goal A is to finish the race in under an hour.  I think that it is possibly doable- that means a 12 minute mile pace.

Goal B is to not get taken off the course because I'm running too slow!  I can't take longer than 1 hour, 15 minutes....so basically 15 minute miles.

Goal A might be a bit of a stretch if I am having to run around all of the other participants, but we'll see.  If I don't achieve it then I will be okay and just be happy that I finished 4.97 miles!  :-)