Get Lucky 7K

This is the second year that I have run the Get Lucky 7K race.  It is a huge race(8,663 participants)with the best people watching, decent course and exceptional after party.  The best part of this years race was the fact that it was on St. Patrick's Day.  You can't get much better than that...well, except for the fact that it was 80 degrees on March 17th in Minnesota!  Boom! 
Since I did the race last year I knew what to expect.  A ton of bobbing and weaving around people who corralled in the 7-10min/mile pacer sections.  I started in 10 min/mile last year so this year, my crew of 7 and I were sure to elbow our way up to the 8min/mile section.  I am SO glad that we did this.  My running experience was incredibly different than last years.  Apparently this year they stopped runners at the gate in batches so there were less people on the course at a time.  I had to bob and weave for maybe 1/4 of a mile and then it was pretty much smooth sailing the entire way.

I finished this year 4 minutes quicker than last year.  I was shocked!  I did know that I was going to be faster, but 4 minutes?  Wow.  Maybe running is for me after all.  Did I mention that when I crossed the finish line I felt like passing out or throwing up I had given it my all?  Thanks to my friend Jen Dolan for holding me accountable and helping me shut the little voice in my head telling me to slow down, you can't do this up. 

We waited at our designated meeting spot afterward for our entire crew to gather.   They handed out banana's, muscle milk, nut rolls(my fav and totally not primal), water and chips(what?).  While we hung out, we got a lot of after the race photo's.

See that shiny thing in my hand?  That was my wig.  I did get a photo before the race with it on, but it is on my phone which is now out of commission.  That wig lasted about the first two seconds that I ran and it immediately flew off.  I ran the entire 4 plus miles looking like I had a pom pom in my hands.  Remind me no wig next year ok?  My two neighbors, Kristi and Kristian and I all made our own tutu's to run in.  I saw a ton of people wearing them last year and thought it would be fun to go all out and dress up this year.  We knew that we would probably only use it for this race unless we decide to do the Monster Dash half marathon in October and then we will be Tinker Bell! LOL!

Once we were all together, we headed in search of our free beer.  The line at Kieran's was ridiculous but I was able to meet up and say hello to my sister who also ran the race.

So, off to the Local our crew went where we again ran into a gigantic line.  So we walked another block further and planted our butts at Brit's pub on the outdoor patio.  The sun was shining and it was 70 plus degrees on March, 17th in Minnesota.  You cannot get much better than that.

We had a few drinks and at some lunch and we were off to The Local again, where there was no longer a line and free beers were calling our names.  We ran into these two guys who ran the race in speedo's and swim caps.  They were pretty funny.  We also saw a bunch of giant leprechauns and a bag piper.  I love the bag pipes.  It is such a cool sound and it really gets you in the spirit of St. Patty's day. 

I will definitely sign up for this race again next year.  I'm only bummed because it won't be St. Patrick's day, but I am sure the experience will be just as unique and interesting!