race report: 100% irish for a day 10 mile

03/17/2013

After a few mentally challenging runs last week, it rounded out with a nice pick-me-up at Saturday’s TCM Events 100% Irish for a Day 10 Mile.

Fueled by gluten-free PB toast and a double shot of espresso, race morning started later than usual (a 9a race start). After a bit of fretting about what to wear, I made a last minute decision on a hooded Patagonia rain jacket. Probably not the wisest decision (don’t wear anything new on race day!), but it turned out to be a great choice for a soggy, windy 30-degree morning.

We got to Lake Harriet about 25 minutes early, and while Nick found parking a few blocks away, I stood in the middle of the crowd and shivered. Ten minutes before the gun, I added another base layer. So cold!

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There were a TON of puddles to dodge as we walked to the starting line near the bandshell – a theme that continued all 10 miles. Not kidding, you can barely run two steps around Lake Harriet without having to dodge a water-filled pothole. Let’s hope the city of Minneapolis fixes that before cycling season!

Anyway, the gun went off and the sea o’ green starting moving pretty quickly, and it didn’t take long for the crowd to thin out. Right away I found myself running next to a guy in an Ironman Canada finisher’s jersey because obviously that would happen. Super nice guy, and he’s racing it again this year.

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In a blink, three miles and lap one around Harriet were done. My legs felt great, and my heart rate manageable. I saw Nick right as I turned the corner to round toward Lake Calhoun and tossed him my mittens – and was wishing I wouldn’t have added that second base layer.

The lap around Calhoun was pretty uneventful (other than passing Ironman Canada guy!). Fewer potholes, a bit windy and around mile five my heart rate monitor started to chafe something terrible. (My ancient, almost-all-plastic Garmin strap was promptly replaced after the race with the premium strap, and the quarter-sized chafe scab is nearly gone a week later.)

As I rounded back to Harriet, there was my number one sherpa again, snapping pics. And, then I saw a cinnamon vizsla at mile seven, which was pretty awesome, too. (Even though we’re far too busy, I keep telling Nick we need – need – a vizsla!)

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The last three-mile loop around Harriet was decent, and my legs still felt strong, but I was ready to be done running, ready for dry socks and ready for a piping hot cappuccino.

About a quarter-mile from the finish, a girl passed me – argh! – and despite my kick, I just couldn’t catch her. Nonetheless, I was happy with my time, which was faster than I thought I’d run.

Official results // 1:18:16, 7:49 pace, 10th AG

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My mile splits: There aren’t any. I’ve been holding out on buying a new running watch (who am I kidding? I should just get the Garmin 910), so I currently run with my Edge 500. Super inconvenient for running because it doesn’t give mile splits, but this early in the season I’m not overly concerned with it. I looked at it once the entire race, and that was only to see my heart rate around mile five.

Of course my 500 missed the first 0.75 miles of the race (I swear this happens every single race), so my adjusted Garmin time was 1:18:17, just a second off my official time. My average HR: 169; and, max HR: 178.

Overall, a solid 10 miles, and I’m really happy with a 10th place AG finish. I had no idea there were 7:49s in me! I’m excited to see what some more hard work brings this season 🙂

A side note about race organizer TCM Events… they always put on a top-notch race, and this one didn’t disappoint. It was well organized, just $60 and had an easy packet pick-up and a good race day expo (despite the soggy weather), and from the looks of it, tasty post-race food (I only had a banana, bit of hot chocolate and a couple bites of a four-leaf clover sugar cookie… it’s always tough to eat post race). Plus, there weren’t 10,000 runners like Team Ortho’s Get Lucky 7K, so I crossed the starting line in less than a minute compared to 45 minutes it took some people at the 7K (which is a little ridiculous).

Even better, though, was TCM’s stellar customer service after the race. Because my last name was spelled wrong, my results initially didn’t show up in the official results. I thought my chip didn’t activate so I tweeted them and fantastic employee (and awesome runner and former G-Free Runner blogger!) Carrisa followed up immediately. She found my time and corrected the spelling of my name in the official results. You rock, Carissa (and, nice to finally meet you in person!)! Thank you!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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17 Comments

  • Reply Sharlene Klegstad 03/17/2013 at 7:16 pm

    Great job, Erin!

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:27 pm

      Thanks, Mom!

  • Reply Andria 03/17/2013 at 8:25 pm

    Speedster!! Well done!

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:27 pm

      Thank you! 🙂

  • Reply Luv What You Do 03/17/2013 at 8:39 pm

    Congrats! That does look like a chilly race but those pictures are excellent! I hope you recovered with a warm bath!

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:29 pm

      Thank you, lady! I have a good picture-taking sherpa 🙂 Yup, a cappuccino and a piping hot shower!

  • Reply ktfit 03/17/2013 at 9:51 pm

    Congrats Erin! That looked wet and cold…brrrr. I hope you all get some sunshine soon!

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:29 pm

      Thanks, dear! I hope we do, too… this winter has been SO long!

  • Reply Danielle @ I Eat Therefore I Run 03/18/2013 at 5:39 am

    Nice time! Looks like we wear the same running shoes, (mine were in a different colour though). I feel the same about getting a dog: we have the opportunity to get a Springer Spaniel pup, but I don’t think we can manage it with our schedules, (it’s not fair to the dog either).

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:31 pm

      Thanks, Danielle! You’re exactly right… it’s not fair to the pup if you’re never home. But, we’ll definitely get one as soon as there’s more free time! Hope you’re able to get a pup eventually, too 🙂

  • Reply hyedi 03/18/2013 at 7:42 am

    I always worry about wearing something new on race day, but I think I’ve only had bad luck with new things I’ve worn as base layers. Glad the rain jacket worked well for you!

    Congrats on the awesome AG finish!

    And three cheers for TCM races! I think I’ll be doing quite a few more of them in the future 🙂

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:32 pm

      Thanks so much, dear! I was worried about possible chafing on my neck, but it thankfully worked out!

      Yes, definitely more TCM races!

  • Reply Carrisa 03/18/2013 at 7:40 pm

    Such a great race for you Erin considering the conditions! Thanks for coming out and running with us and for the kind words 🙂

    • Reply erin 03/21/2013 at 10:33 pm

      Bah! I spelled your name wrong… so sorry about that! Will correct immediately 🙂

      Thank YOU for all your help, lady! I will definitely run more TCM races and recommend them to all my friends 🙂

  • Reply sarahfaithhansen 05/02/2013 at 6:59 am

    Very nice race (even if it was wet and cold) and a great pace and time! Thanks for sharing!

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