St. Patrick's Day 8K and A Bloggy Meet Up!

Before the race start -the Capitol in the distance

This was my fourth race of the year.  Guess how many have been in Vermont?  A big fat zero.  Two were in New York, one in New Hampshire and now one in DC.  Yeah, I travel for races.

The weather on race day was the nicest one of my days here in DC.  I hadn't brought a lot of clothes so there wasn't too much agony over what to wear.  Capris, short sleeve shirt and a long 1/4 zip for before and after the race. I tied it around my waist to avoid a bag check which worked just fine.

Before the race start 

First problem though- I stopped to use the Port a let as soon as we got there and got separated from Emily.  I never found her again before the race started.  She was looking for me too but no go.  I did see her when we met when the race wound back on itself  which was great. I didn't check my watch a whole lot and just tried to keep pushing. I was tired from all of our running, walking and fine dining but hoped to get in the 9s, lower being better.  We went by the Capitol many many times.  I didn't realize how many times we would meet the faster runners.  I was feeling great about how many people were behind me when I found out they started in waves and therefore after I did. I confess I was in the first wave as I was trying to find Emily.

Meeting the other racers

One of many times we could see the Capitol

When we got to the 5K point my time was okay.  As always it seems  better if you go by Garmin then the race stats but here goes. Of course I have never done an 8K so that would be a personal best.  But my Garmin clocked it at 5.03 so no personal best there.

My race pace was 9:40 (Garmin 9:33).

Splits were 9:26, 9:47, 9:29, 9:41 and 9:27

I was getting tired as the race was near the end but I could see the finish line.  There were the balloons.  Wait, wait, Noooooo, we made a turn and went down a little side street to turn around and come back and then head to the balloons.  That was not a happy feeling once I realized that.  But I made it to the end and quickly reconnected with Emily.

Em and I at the end - our first race of the year together

Cute entertainment

After the race was over I got to meet DASH!  I loved meeting her and her friend, Liz.  Both of them know Emily so there were lots of connections here.  We chatted for quite awhile over coffee (in my case) at Starbucks.  Dash and Liz might be heading up to Maine to do a really fun half in the fall.  (All Women and One Lucky Guy) It is a great course and I highly recommend it. Bar injury I will be there this year.  Anyone else interested?  

A bloggy meet up with Dash!

Having coffee with Dash and Liz

Walking home from the race - my first time walking alone,

I am very good on the Metro BUT.....

I got lost twice and man am I tired when I get home.

But we went out to eat - a great brunch and then just laid low before I went to the airport ridiculously early - that's me!  I slept most of the way back before landing and returning to................snow, snow, snow.  Yes, a lot melted this weekend but there is still plenty around.  Last night it was cold, dark, snowy, cold, dark, snowy, cold, dark. snowy. I just wasn't feeling my usual love for Vermont.

Today I did a lot of yawning at school, I do much better on more sleep than 4 hours.  After school I was going to head to the gym but it felt rather spring like out so I came home and ran outside.  As tired as I was it seemed like it would be much less painful outside...........and I was right.

Yes, DC was great but Vermont's not too shabby either!