Leprechaun Chase 10K - 2023 recap

Lacing o' the running shoes. Wearing o' the green. Chasing and racing o' the lads and lasses.

Check, check, and check.

Such were the variables of the 2023 Leprechaun Chase. Let's just say I was jolly-good glad to be partaking in the fun.

Now in its 13th year, The Leprechaun Chase is a race like none other. It's a friendly competition between lads and lasses (in other words, guys and gals) all on a quest for that first place finish and celebratory free green beer for their comrades.

This was my ninth time taking part in the Chase. Prior to 2020, there also had been a Des Moines-based Leprechaun Chase, which I had run six times  (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019).  When the sponsoring company decided to discontinue the Des Moines Chase, I ventured to Omaha in 2020 (I had won a free registration from the previous year's Des Moines event). That had been my first time "racing and chasing" on Nebraska soil (2020 recap HERE). In 2021, as things were starting to open back up, the Chase was relocated to Papillion (which allowed for more social distancing practices). I took a  pass last year (2022), so I was eager to return this year and give it another go since it was back at is original location, the SAC Museum (in nearby Ashland).

With a 4:00 start time, Barb and I elected to make the 3-ish-hour drive to Omaha (and vicinity) just on race day (and than drive back home afterwards). We arrived at the SAC (Strategic Air Command) Museum around 2:30, giving us ample time to change into our "racing" attire, get our packets and briefly explore the displays and aircraft of the museum before the race.   

 The SAC Museum is essentially an aircraft hangar, so a unique feature of this race is the ceremonial opening of the hangar door, revealing the start line/canopy right outside.

  

As mentioned, the race is actually a good-natured friendly chase. The gals get a head start, then 5-1/2 minutes later, the guys are released to "chase" them. The first runner to cross the finish line wins a green sports jacket, as well as a free green beer for all of his (or her) fellow teammates.

Having spent several months rehabbing a grumpy glute/hamstring, I hadn't done much for "serious" training, other than getting my mileage back to the 5/6-mile distance. And, let's not forget my cranky back issues of recent as well. Needless to say, I didn't have any specific finish time goals for this 10K. Running strong and keeping my pace consistent were the main objectives. Also, I knew this particular race course was not a PR-friendly one with the nonstop rolling hills and constant wind.

Thankfully, the temps were decent (50F), though a slight bit cooler than I'd prefer with the 9mph wind (which felt much stronger!) hitting me from every direction. Thankfully, we had full sun!

Barb and I crossing the start line

Right out of the gate, we had a tailwind (yay!) ... which meant we'd be fighting a headwind on the way back to the finish line, LOL. The first mile took us around to the front of the SAC and through one of the parking lots before venturing, briefly, over some grass and crushed gravel as we made our way towards the twisting and turning path(s) through Mahoney State Park.

winding through the parking lot...no signs of any lads yet

I made it to the 1-mile mark feeling pretty good, but noticed the Garmin showed a split of 8:58 (#gulp #FacePalm). Obviously, that tailwind was pushing me, but a sub-9 is way too fast for the first mile of a hilly race course on a windy day. Just saying. 

The route had the second mile going mostly due north, so the featured headwind kept me quite humble. It was around the 1.27-mile mark the first lad passed me. It wasn't much longer before a herd of them caught up to their leader, and infiltrated all of us lasses. 

The third mile had us coming around the eastern area of the park. There were a few more curves and turns, and a few wooden walking bridges to cross. And, more of that crazy tailwind (ahem, 8:51 split #AnotherFacePalm). What can I say? I wasn't trying to push my pace, but the wind was pushing me along (as were a few down hills) and my legs just went with it.

The fourth mile, hands-down, was the most challenging of the day. We again had switched directions, and were making our way back north (and back into the wind). My sense of direction has never been my forte, and it was all jacked-up on this race course, LOL. That's not a bad thing, because the course was quite scenic, but it did get confusing not knowing where exactly I was in regards to the layout of the park.

approaching the final mile...

The fifth mile had us still going north (and northeast) with even more zigzags. Once I'd made it around the furthest "northern" curve, I could feel a huge sense of relief wash over me because I knew the majority of the remaining route would be downhill (until we got to the final stretch through the parking lot).

I think we've all been there when you reach that final mile of a tough (albeit exciting) race. Myself? Somehow, no matter how exhausted (mentally or physically) I'm feeling, I seem to usually be able to tap into my "mojo reserve" and up the pace a bit to the finish line. Even going around the final curve of the parking lot (back into the wind, none the less), I felt more elation than fatigue.

But, oh did it feel good to be done! 

It's rare to finish ahead of Barb, but I'd seen her around the 4.5-mile mark, as the route was zigzagging. I knew she was just a short ways behind me, so I pulled over and waited for her (which gave me a chance to catch my breath and do a few stretches). 

My stats were decent, so I can't complain. As mentioned, for not having done much for distance over the winter, nor any speed-training whatsoever, my finish time was more than satisfactory. I felt like I ran it stronger than in 2020, but I was 37 seconds slower than 2020's finish time of 56:43. Oh well. I'm also three years older, LOL. Mile splits were 8:58 / 9:25 / 8:51 / 9:34 / 9:28 / 9:12.

It doesn't mention it on the stats, but there were 1760 total racers!

None the less, this is such a fun race with a very unique format. Although the race course is tough, that's what makes it such a victory crossing the finish line. And, being a St. Patrick's-themed event, most of the racers were wearing green in some capacity (just as they should be, LOL).

And, the swag? It's always nice! The shirt has the 2023 logo and I love the multi-colors! We also got socks this year (not sure if the misspelling of Leprechaun ->LeprechRUN was intentional or not). And, a bonus item, for early registration, was the choice of a Pilsner glass (isn't it cute?) or upgrading to a long-sleeved tech hoodie.

Have you ever done a race with a "chase" type of format? Any St. Patrick's Day races on the calendar? If so, will you be dressing in green?

 I'm linking this with Kim and Zenaida for the Tuesday Topics Link-Up

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