This year E and I celebrated early with the McGuire's St. Patrick's Day 5K. A 5K may seem harmless to most but not this one. It is basically a huge party but in order to gain entrance you must run 3.1 miles first. The McGuire's run is a really big event here in Pensacola. This year ~ 14,000 ran it (or at least registered for it- that's what they said at the start line). They claim it is the largest prediction race (meaning the winner is the person that comes closest to the time they predicted at registration - also meaning no watches or timing devices allowed) in the country. It starts at 9am and when you cross the finish line the party is already underway. Heck, the party is already underway before you even begin running. The post race festivities include live music, beer, Irish wakes and Irish stew. There is also water, soda (including McGuire's own root beer), bananas and oranges for the people, like me, that want to attempt to rehydrate before they dehydrate.
We had an amazing time running this 'race' together even though navigating the crowds and the groups of walkers that at times spanned the entirety of four lanes (nothing against walkers- I am pro walkers- but I do have something against those that don't follow race rues) during made it quite the cluster. If I had a GPS watch I guarantee I ran closer to 3.5 -3.75 than 3.1 miles. But it's all in fun. We weren't out there to race it- we were out there to enjoy ourselves and that is exactly what we did.
We spent the after party hanging out with old friends and new and then as things wrapped up at the after party we headed out to grab some lunch and enjoy some more beers. Oh, and then we hit up the local running store that always has a big winter clearance sale the day of the McGuire's run where I scored me some new Newtons for 75.00 that were originally marked 155.00. Not gonna lie, that was one of the best parts of the day ;)
All in all we had an amazing time at the race and the after party. Next year we will prepare more in advance and try to be a bit more festive and come up with some fun costumes or at least a bit more St. Paddy's gear. Also next year we will be sure to bring the sunblock. E and I are both still red from the sunburn. Typically we know better but we are just out of the slathering ourselves in sunblock before we go anywhere habit. Lesson learned. And noted for this week's half marathon.
Had to represent Fitbloggin'!!!
Did you do any St. Paddy's themed (or Pi Day themed) runs this weekend? Do you celebrate St. Patrick's Day?
Love and hugs,
Dacia
xoxoxoxox
No comments:
Post a Comment