This is my third time running this race.  Again this year, I chose to race on a team with Albany Law School (where I work).  There were about 19 of us (mostly students). We even had our own moisture wicking shirt.

I also planned to meet some friends here.

This is such an emotional race.  I have so many friends who have survived a bout with breast cancer.  This is why I choose to do this race each year. This is the sign I pinned to my back:

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect.  Sunny and cool – in the 50’s.  I was cold when I arrived.  My hubby came to the race and I made him take a pic before I met my group. (He hates taking photos.)

 I then found some of the runners from the law school and tried to get a photo before starting the race.

Then I bumped into a tennis friend (the one who started me running) and her niece (a former student of mine).  We started the race together.

I tried to get them to start near the front.  But while we were talking a hundred or so runners ended up in front of us.

The race began and it was crowded.  It took a while to get going and I tried to cut through the crowd and run up the BIG hill.

The race continued through the streets of Albany and then around Washington Park…I always think that’s flat but it’s not. 

I tried to pace myself.  My first mile was about 9:55, my 2nd around 19:35 and then I got a little tired during the 3rd mile.   I heard an OLD guy breathing really LOUD and tried to pace myself with him…breathe out when he did but I couldn’t keep up (I later found out that he was 76!!!!).  Then I spotted a law student & ran with her for awhile but she’s 22 and ahead she went.  Finally I spotted the finish line and ran as fast as I could when I saw that I would finish under 30 minutes.

The gun time was 29:31 but my chip time was 29:10!! I’ll take it.  Finally under 30 minutes for a 5k!  Not a PR but my 2nd best.

Race Stats:
Gun time – 29:31
825/2147
7/63 (55-59 age group)
Chip time: 29:10
Pace – 9:24

After the race, I bumped into 2 runners (Cindy P & Kritstin K)  from dailymile.com and Brigid, a runner from the begining running group. I finally found my hubby who was supposed to see me finish & take pic but of course, he was still watching and waiting when I arrived…

We then went home &  I left to watch my friends play in the Super Seniors tennis championship.  Then I visited with my mentee, went shopping & out to dinner.  A full day!!

Happy Running.  Hope you all had a good day!