I didn't realize St. Paddy's Day was a big deal in Portland until it was here. We met up with Lindsay's friends Saturday afternoon at Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, which hosts an annual Irish Festival for four days around St. Paddy's. It was quite the festival. Hundreds of people decked out in green gathered to celebrate under massive tents behind and across the street from Kells. Irish dancers performed and bands rocked all day. We enjoyed creamy Black and Tans and the day's good cheer.
Sunday morning, I met up with some friends and braved the rain, sleet, wind, and chill to run Portland's annual Shamrock Run along with 33,000 people. It was a riot! It certainly wasn't my fastest 5K, but I had a blast. And the finish met us with hot clam chowder and a free beer (I drank a quarter of it--what we all wanted most was a nice hot cup of coffee!)
After the race, Lindsay and I made a delicious brunch at home--scrambled eggs, rosemary and thyme roasted potatoes, breakfast sausages and Stumptown coffee. Then, we parked on the couch for a few hours to watch the NCAA tournament and the U. Del. women--led by star forward and hometown girl Elena Delle Donne--pick up a historic win, with its first ever tournament victory.
Sunday evening, we walked across town to the Rose Quarter to our first major junior ice hockey game. The Winterhawks--comprised mainly of players age 16-21--crushed Seattle. I had trouble believing half the guys on the ice were still just teenagers!
Overall, we had a great weekend. Next year, I plan on running the Shamrock Run's 10 or 15K. Hopefully, though, the race won't be the day
after St. Paddy's day again.
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