Name: Shamrock Run
Date: March 12, 2011
Distance: 4-Miler
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
Course: Fairly flat (Click here to view course.)
Time: 33:19
Pace: 8:20
Place: 277 of 1322
Division: 14 of 153
Results Link: Click here.
Weather: Sunny, 50°, windy
Notes: The 2011 Shamrock Run was my favorite-ever running of this race. My training and race time had been steadily dropping before this race, so I felt confident that I could come close to a PR. Race day was near-perfect with sunny skies and 50° temps. Jessie and his family had come along for the race, too. The start of the race was congested, as usual, but I wove my way through and managed to start what I thought was about an 8:45 pace. If I held that pace, I would get a 35:00 finish. The first mile and beginning of the second mile felt great. When the leaders passed, I started counting. Jessie was near 40th place, and I told him so when he passed. He looked strong. I continued to the turnaround located in the last half of the second mile, which unfortunately put me into the wind. I found it difficult to maintain pace, and figured I fallen to around 9:00. However, it was difficult for me to judge because I couldn't find exact mile markers. I regained my pace in the third mile, then really turned it on in the last mile to start picking off people. Jessie came back for me and ran with me for the last few blocks. When I got to the circle, I was surprised by a finish line that was closer than I thought. I was even more surprised with my time: 33:19! Are you kidding me? How did I do that? That's an 8:20 pace! I was equally excited to learn that Jessie finished in 26:56 (6:44 pace), won his age group, and finished 42nd overall (out of 1,322). Our friend Joe finished in 32:22, good for 18th in his age group and 218th overall. I was 277th overall, and 14th (of 153) in my age group. Great day! This race left me feeling like a sub-2 hour mini was in reach.
Photos: 5 — See below.