Kilted Run

This year seems to be starting out as the season of themed runs for me. Last month, I ran the Krispy Kreme Challenge for the second time and this past weekend, I ran the 2nd Annual St Patty's Run Green 8k; also in downtown Raleigh. Though St Patty's Day isn't for another week and a half, many of the runners and participants were dressed in the appropriate holiday attire. I went with a stylish Irish kilt borrowed from a colleague who often wears them as normal daily wear. Some of my friends participated as well; the weather was simply perfect. 

Running in Raleigh, downtown in particular, means hills - lots of them. The 8k (roughly 5 miles) course was all hills actually. I was familiar with the course from previous runs and bike rides and I knew we would either be running up or down hills for the full distance.

At the start, one friend and I started together and stuck together the first 1.5 miles but she quickly left me going into mile 2 and never looked back. I simply didn't have the legs to keep up with her and another friend in this race - the two running friends I have that are nearly identical in pace to me. They finished a few minutes ahead of me and a few others finished right behind me. I ended up racing a leprechaun to the finish as we both sprinted to the line together. I am sure some spectators got a good laugh at the that sight.

At the end of the day, my 8k time was 42:14 or an 8:30 mile. While its certainly far off my 8k or 5k PR, 8:30 is consistent with my pace times from the past couple years of running. In fact, its the fastest race pace I have finished with since the 2007 VA Beach 1/2 Marathon where I ran an 8:29 pace. Prior to that, I ran a 5k in downtown Raleigh with a 7:30 pace. Focusing on distance running over the past couple years certainly has slowed me down in the shorter sprint races or perhaps its age, beer and those friggin' hills. Gotta love 'em!

Next up: the Old Town Draught House Beerrun in Greensboro - another 5 miler with finish line brews.