I didn’t have high hopes for this race since my run on Thursday was the worst ever.

Nevertheless, I love racing and I was determined to do my best and have fun.

The weather was more summer-like than September and the race didn’t start  until 10am.

I headed up to Saratoga and arrived there around 9:30.  Already near 80 degrees (& humid.)

There were real bathrooms – love that! I bumped in to 2 ladies (in their 60’s) who like me ran a race every weekend.

The course began on the trail and then went out to route 9.  We were running on sidewalk (which made my ankle hurt)  Then we went back into the park and ran on asphalt or trails.

I can’t say that I felt strong during this race cuz I didn’t.  I was determined to just plod along as fast as I could.  I knew without looking at my Garmin that I was getting slower and slower and slower.

I paced myself with a lady around my age and I am proud to say that she was ahead the whole race until mile 3 and then I finished way ahead.

I was hoping to run the whole thing but the water stop half way was too tempting and I walked.

Unfortunately the race ended on the trail and I find it very hard to run fast on trails.

I finished in 30:55.  Not near a PR but a post injury PR by 3 seconds.

There was lots to eat after the race: water, gatorade, bananas, apples, donuts, bagels, crumb cake, granola bars & brownies (I ate 3!)

I hung around for awhile.  I came in 8th in my age group (50-59) but I was one year away from 1st in the next age group.  The also raffled away some great gifts but I didn’t win.

 

So what about my race goals:

1. Have fun. Of course.
2. Finish. Yes.
3. Feel good during the race. Not too bad.
4. Run the whole thing.  Walked once.
5. Only walk at water stop(s). Yes and good thing, there was only one.
6. Run faster than my previous 5Ks this year (beat 30:58 ). Yes, 30:55
7. Run faster than my RFTH 5k time (beat 30:40) . Nope.

After the race, I didn’t drive up to Lake George as I usually do.  It is a 3 day weekend so I decided to go up later and spend Sunday & Monday there.

On the way home, I felt like running more so I stopped in Crescent along the Mohawk River.  I always wondered if it was a nice trail.

It was definitely scenic but my legs didn’t agree with my brain.  They wre shot.  So I ran/walked them only 2 miles.

I will defintely try this run again. The river views are nice and you are running on soft ground.

Happy Running! Any exciting plans for the Labor Day weekend?