Leprechaun Chase 2021

It was a jolly good time, indeed (and we're not just talking about that sub-9 pace LOL).

There was plenty of green to be had. Oodles of sunshine kept our hearts warm and our smiles bright. Let's not forget the numerous twisty hills to navigate. And, a new location for all the lads and lasses.

Sound familiar? Those were just some of the makings of the 2021 Leprechaun Chase!

Ironically, last year's race happened just a few days prior to COVID-19 hitting the fan. This year's race had a very hopeful vibe to it, as the world (or, at least the vicinity of Omaha, NE) slowly opens back up. The 2021 Leprechaun Chase was every bit as fun and festive, as in years prior, but there were a few changes.

image from Leprechaun Chase 

The weather gods definitely smiled upon the morning, blessing us with temps in the low-40F's at start time. Due to COVID-19 protocol, staggered start times were implemented with the addition of waves (based on projected finish times). The official start time was 8:00 for the first wave of lasses, and the elite/first wave of lads began 4-1/2 minutes later. I was in the second wave (8:10 start time), and the hubby had an 8:40 start time.  

Now in it's 11th year, the traditional location (the SAC Museum, in nearby Ashland) also had to be modified for 2021. The venue got moved to the SumTur Amphitheater (Papillion, NE), which allowed for a more open area for the pre-race and after-race. Unfortunately, with all the excessive snow melt and mud, a portion of the race course (between the 4th and 6th miles) had to be detoured, shortening the route to an 8K distance. 

ready for some serious chasing!

Prior to 2020, there also had been a Des Moines-based Leprechaun Chase, which the hubby and I had run numerous times  (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).  When the sponsoring company decided to discontinue the Des Moines Chase, we ventured to Omaha in 2020 (I had won a free registration from the previous year's Des Moines event). Last year had been our first time "racing and chasing" on Nebraska soil (recap HERE), so we eagerly returned this past weekend to give it another go.

The format of the Leprechaun Chase is such a fun and unique concept. As the name implies, it's a chase. The Lasses (all the gals) get a 5:30-minute head start (modified to 4:30 this year) before the Lads (all the guys) are released across the start line. Whomever crosses the finish line first earns a free green beer for all their fellow teammates (Lads OR Lasses).Totally fun!

Since the hubby had a good hour before his wave started, he stayed in the car (as we were instructed to do, until 10 minutes before our respective waves' start times). I headed out, for a quick 1-mile warm-up run, and then made my way to the line-up.

My first Leprechaun Chase in a mask

In all honesty, it felt very much the same as in years past (both in Omaha and Des Moines). Most of the runners were decked out in green (as they should be LOL), there was Irish music playing, and the announcer was razzing the Lads about the Lasses having won more chases in the previous years. The only major difference was the spacing out of all the runners (and all of us were in masks until crossing the start line).

Even without being elbow-to-elbow, the excitement was crazy! Since there were implemented start waves this year, and I was in the second wave, there were lads and lasses both starting at the same time. No big whoop...the faster runners were already on the race course anyways. As they counted down, and then released us to go, the adrenaline was already flowing. I could feel a lump in my throat, and the sting of tears, as I pulled off my mask after crossing the start line. The feeling of not only being back in a race, but also coming back from my stress fracture, was pretty intense.

right outta the gate!

Right outta the gate, we had a good hill. Since we didn't have a huge herd of runners crowding the road, though, it wasn't difficult getting around each other. It was a nice treat to NOT have to do the usual weaving through the crowd.

Unsure of just how cold (or warm) I'd be, I started with a base layer (with a tank underneath), arm warmers, and a light 1/4-zip jacket.  Well, the gloves came off just after the first mile mark. A short ways later, I slid the arm warmers off as well.

...about to shed the gloves...

I'd noticed my first mile clocked at 8:14. That was a big oops. It didn't feel that fast as I was running (and there was a good downhill following the big climb, just after the start line), but still. That's way too fast for this gal, especially when there's four miles remaining.

As part of the COVID-19 precautions, we were encouraged to bring our own hydration, if possible. There was a water stand, near the 2-1/2 mark, with canned water. I had never seen that on a race course, but it made sense. I only wish the cans would have been much smaller. These cans were maybe 10 oz., which was way too much for me to slam in one gulp, and too cumbersome to carry (with the open top). I walked for a few seconds, and drink a few swallows, and (regrettably) tossed the can (and remaining contents) in the trash can.

numerous races done, and I still cannot pin a race bib on straight

I have done a lot of races, many of which have seeded line-ups (by pace or projected finish time). It's no secret that many runners line up where they choose, and don't always honor or respect where they should be. I got to say, this was the first race where it felt like everyone was where they needed to be. There wasn't much passing, by others or even myself, which was a nice change. I guess that's a huge perk of the staggered start times that I had not realized.

This race course had a lot of curves and twists and turns, and numerous rolling hills. There certainly wasn't any time, or opportunity, to be bored. There was a brief segment, where the 4-mile and 1-mile marks almost ran parallel for a brief distance...and that's where I spotted the hubby! Ironic that he was barely one mile into the race, while I had less than a mile remaining.

Original 10K route on the lower right, modified 8K route on the upper left

Almost immediately after seeing each other, the route turned to (somewhat) muddy gravel. It was near this area that the race course had been altered. The last stretch, to the finish line, was on this gravel surface. It wasn't slippery, but it was a bit unstable underfoot. 

I could hear the music and fanfare, for the final 1/4-mile or so, as we made our way around (yet) a few more curves to the finish line canopy. It felt so good to see the finish line, and even better to cross it. And, best of all, it felt great to be back, doing what I love.

I honestly do not have much of a "racing" mentality, but I do love the feeling of running steady and strong. It's hard to read my Garmin under the glare of sunlight, so I don't pay much attention to it while running or racing. The advantage of that is the "great reveal" when I stop running and can actually scrutinize what said Garmin shows me.

Official time: 44:52.3

Splits: mile 1 - 8:14

           mile 2 - 8:44

           mile 3 - 9:07

           mile 4 - 9:03

           mile 5 - 9:01

 remaining .10 - :52

Stats: 466th out of 1321 (overall)

          154th out of 760 (women)

            10th out of 58 (age group)

Not bad for having rallied back from a stress fracture (with a 2-1/2 month sabbatical from all things on-foot)! There had been ZERO speedwork (other than those seven continuous treadmill runs a few weeks prior). I'd also kept my mileage on the low spectrum, so I'm grateful how well that all had worked for me. Quite grateful, indeed.

Whew! That felt great!

Once finished, I knew it would be awhile before the hubby crossed the finish line, so I took my time stretching, rehydrating, and people watching. I grabbed my snack bag and walked back to the car (about 1/2-mile away) and returned just a few minutes before the hubby finished.

no finish line pics because he'd taken off the sweatshirt, so his bib didn't show LOL

So, how about five fabulous features of the 2021 Leprechaun Chase:

**The change of venue made for a fun adventure! It was a new race course, but still had all the familiar St. Patrick's Day-themed nuances from previous years. 

**I ran the entire race sans music, and honestly didn't even miss it. This is still a pretty new thing for me, and it's been a lot more enjoyable than I ever anticipated.

**I am so proud of the hubby! He did not train at all, in regards to running, but finished much faster than he expected. He was able to run the first 3-1/2 miles before taking any walk breaks. 

**The COVID-19 precautions were easy to follow, and did not hinder the race experience at all (for me, at least). Even the masking was easy to accommodate (I just slid my mask onto my wrist while running, so it was accessible immediately after finishing).

**Finally, the swag is top-notch. The shirts are a cotton/poly blend. The koozies have the event logo. Instead of a medal, all runners receive a glass pint (also with the event logo). And, this year, we also received a pair of socks. 

As I've said, many times, this race is a fun one. Even with the drive to Omaha (3ish hours), it's a worthwhile adventure. I mean, where else can you dress in green and chase one another, on a quest for green beer? By the way, the lads won this year.

Have you ever dressed in green for a St. Patrick's themed race? Would you? Have you done any live races with COVID-19 protocol?

 I'm linking this with Michelle, Renee, Darlene, Jenn and Zenaida for the Fit Five Friday Link-up.

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