Monday, April 3, 2017

Before we get to April and all its shenanigans

I don't write here nearly as much as I should and that is bad because I like to look back and see what was going on.  But sometimes I don't want to write in complete, well thought out sentences with forward moving recap.

We are in that in-between weather where it isn't warm enough to go without a jacket or have the windows open, but it's not cold enough to run the heat high.  A lot of people got so use to the mild winter that they just expected summer to be here already.  To be sure, a couple of Fridays ago, I was able to sit on my deck while WFH.  Today it is too cold to be outside.

On Sunday I ran like my 20th Shamrock Shuffle, give or take.  Athlinks records go back to 1998 but I think the first time I ran the Shuffle was 1997. My best time was a 31:03 in 2006, my Awesome Year of Running PRs.  This year I came in a little under 42 minutes.  

This year the Shuffle did two things that were major improvements.  First, they did have the option of having your bib mailed to you for a nominal fee.  I did not utilize that option because I thought it would be fun to go to the Expo and see friends and get free stuff.  I brought Boris with thinking it would be fun to bring a two and half year old kid to an expo.  It was a good time but it was hard to enjoy all the booths or even do the little shopping I need to do (replacement sunglasses and a phone arm band). 



Unfortunately, it was more trouble than it was worth and the time could have been better spent. 


The second thing, which I did partake of, was they kept the corrals open longer.  In the past you ahd to get to your starting corral something like 30-45 minutes before the race.  In colder weather this was insane and stressful.  This year you had until 10 minutes before, which allowed me to take my time getting in line.  I checked a small bag with my jacket, a t-shirt to change into and my wallet and car keys.  They tell you not to do that but seriously what areyou supposed to do, run with those items?  it works out if you are wearing something with pockets but in warmer weather you would have less clothing.

I had also found a free legal parking spot not too far from Grant Park.  Good thing too because all the parking lots and garages were charging special event prices.  So I essentially saved the $25 I later spent on lunch. 



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