Albany Last Run Race Report

This was my second time doing this race so I wasn’t as clueless as last year. I knew that the fireworks were before the race and to get ready to run right after they ended. They said that there was a new course but I only remember that it ended coming down a hill. I hoped that it was still the case.

I also knew that this race would be crowded so to just have fun with it.

The race started at 5 pm. It’s always a little tricky to run a race at night when you’re used to fueling in the morning. So I decided to have my pasta in the morning and my cereal in the afternoon. (that may sound crazy?)

It was COLD…in the 20’s and windy. I just wore layers… tutleneck, vest, race jacket, tights under my skirt, hat, gloves. My hubby has a parking pass for under the mall so he drove me. We planned to go out to dinner afterwards.

before the race

Several of my friends that wanted to run the race got closed out…this race is very popular. But I did run into several of the SRMs (Strong Running Mamas) and we watched the fireworks outside before the race began.

Brigid & Janis

She is pretending to "puke"

The fireworks were better than they look here

As soon as the fireworks ended, the race began. 1500 runners started pushing and shoving. It was so crowded going up the hill. In fact it was hard to get a decent running pace for most of the race. There was a car parked in the middle of a narrow street, there were walkers and runners cutting in and out.

Nevertheless, I was enjoying my run and feel really good. I even ran up ALL the hills and was continuously passing people. The lights were awesome (even though I’ve seen them many times already.)

As I said I felt comfortable running the whole time. Probably because I was forced to start slow. The race ended out of the park and back downtown. It went downhill and my recurring nightmare came true.

I have dreamt that I would be running so fast down a hill that I would fall on my face.

I was running fast and I glanced at my Garmin and didn’t see a pothole/crack in the road and down I went.

I was stunned and just laid there wondering how badly I was hurt. Several people stopped. One guy helped me up.

Despite the shock and pain, I was determined to finish the race. I couldn’t run fast but I crossed the finish line. It was around 30:20 or so.

negative splits!

I grabbed some water and looked for a seat but couldn’t find any. Soon Brigid & Janis showed up. My hand was bleeding (darn, I had taken my gloves off at the end) and I pulled up my tights and blood was dripping down my leg — Some really nasty scrapes on the left knee.

We walked around looking for a paramedic and finally found some who bandaged me up.

I called my hubby who was waiting inside to tell him what happened. He came outside to get me and asked it I wanted to go home or go out to dinner.

I think my ego was more bruised than my body. (Tomorrow will tell). And we did go out to dinner.