I ran this race 3 years ago and really liked it. It is actually my 4 mile PR (38:02).  But back in 2011, I was running faster.

That is the course map.  This is a very popular race.  Around 800 registered and it sold out in 48 hours.

Since I have a half marathon in 2 WEEKS, I was not planning on running this race since this weekend would normally be my 12 mile long run.  But I changed my mind and signed up so I ran 11 last weekend and planned to do my 12 miler Monday morning (taking time off from work.) instead.

 I received an e-mail that the parking would be difficult so I left extra early.  I didn’t get a spot in the closest lot but a spot on the street behind the legion hall.  I picked up my race packet and hung out in the legion hall till the start of the race. I bumped into many runners that I knew and we chatted until it was time to start.

Here are some pics from the 2011 race:

You can see that you don’t run this race for the scenery.  Green Island is an old factory town.

The weather seemed colder than I had thought – it was breezy and cloudy.  I decided to wear my green wind breaker & tights.

Right before the race started, I ditched my fleece vest (that I had on underneath my jacket) and my gloves.  So glad I did. I was sweating by the end of the race. (It had warmed up to the 40s and the sun even peaked out.)

Right before the start, I bumped into some more familiar faces.

We started together.  Then Felice sped ahead and I ran for a short time with Bridget and Gail.

I couldn’t keep up but just trying kept my first mile fast (for me.)

The course, though not scenic, was pretty flat.  Just lots of twists and turns – it kept the course interesting. There are just a few uphills but nothing bad at all.

In fact, I didn’t walk at all.  I didn’t even stop for water.  Not I didn’t want to, but I wanted a decent time more.

I was really dragging, though, during the last mile and feeling very warm & nauseous.  But when I saw Felice near the finish line, I gave it all I had.

38:07 (net time) 38:19 (clock time) (Yay! I met my under 39:59 goal time!!)

Not a PR but much better than I thought I could run.

Split times:

mile 1 – 9:02
mile 2 – 9:36
mile 3-  9:36
mile 4 – 9:44

After you finished, you got a beer glass & a toothbrush.

In addition to age group awards, they were giving away 31 gift cards.  So I stuck around chatting with some runners and munching on pizza, bagels, cookies, etc.

No chance for a AG award.  This race attracts the fastest runners in the area.  I didn’t win a gift card either.

I was happy with my finish time (I wish I could run this fast when I am running alone.)

Runnin of the Green is a  fun race that I will probably do annually.

When I got home, I thought about running more but my Achilles felt a little tight so I decided that it would be best to wait until Monday for my long run.

I did reward myself with this:

Happy Running! How are you celebrating St. Patty’s Day?