Shamrock 8k Recap

I'm still riding a happy runner's high from this weekend and am so excited to write my recap for the Shamrock 8k.  (The half recap will come soon, I promise!)  I signed up for the Dolphin Challenge months ago and was so excited to be running in the Shamrock weekend races again.  Last year I had a great time at the half marathon and was a little bummed that I didn't go for the challenge!

My best friend and I woke up early on Saturday ready to tackle the 8k.  I ate a Quest Bar along with a crappy cup of hotel coffee, got dressed, and we made our way to the start.  We stayed on Pacific Avenue and it only took us a couple of minutes to get to the start.  We met up with Jennifer and tried not to look super cold in our pre race pics!

Yikes, coffee hadn't kicked in quite yet!

The 8k had corrals and I felt like I had a good amount of space the entire race.  I actually feel like I went out a little too fast, but I felt so good and since I wasn't crowded I figured I would just go to it.  I really wanted to ring the new PR bell, and I wasn't quite sure how the half was going to go.

The race was basically an out and back around the board walk and Atlantic Avenue and I loved every minute of it.  We got to see a ton of the beach and ocean and I can't think of many other places I would rather run!  The course was flat and after I warmed up a little I thought it was a perfect running temperature.  There were two water stops with plenty of volunteers.  Thanks, guys!

I finished the race in just under 43 minutes and was handed a water bottle, banana, pretzel, granola bar, and shamrock cookie.  I really love post race snacks.  We also got a fun shamrock coozie!  I hung out around the finish area (and never felt like I was in the way!) and waited for my best friend to finish and then we headed to the beach to ring the PR bell!

I really loved this bell.

After ringing the bell we went into the tent and got our celebratory beer and stew.  We hung out for a little bit and then headed back to the hotel to rest up until it was time to volunteer at the expo.  Thanks again to J&A for another great race!  I had a fantastic time!

Check out Bart Yasso--I mean our awesome 8k shirts!

To keep our Shamrockin' celebrations going, I'm linking up with Jennifer, Nan, and Sarah!  Feel free to join in the fun!  We all LOVE reading about our beloved J&A races!

• If you wrote a 2015 Shamrock Race Recap  (spectator and volunteer recaps are also welcome) feel free to add your blog post to the linkup.
• Link back to the blog host(s) in your recap so your readers can find the list.
• Love reading recaps? Here is a one stop shop for some Shamrock goodness!
• Not a Shamrock related post? Linkup hosts have the discretion to remove your link.

Note: This linkup will be open until April 22, 2015.

Disclaimer: I was given a free entry to this race because of my affiliation with J&A as an ambassador.  All opinions are my own.  (Honestly, I have such high expectations of the race that I feel like it makes it harder for them!  They haven't failed me yet though!)

An InLinkz Link-up