For several years I have wanted to do this race because I love the area.  My friend has a house there.  It’s beautiful in the fall and it’s close to our boat.  Each year something has come up that I couldn’t do it.  So this year I was glad that I could.

The plan was to spend the night before the race at my friend’s house on Schroon River (so I wouldn’t have to get up early.)

This is also the weekend of the Adirondack Balloon Festival.  They launch 100 hot air balloons in the air and I haven’t gone in many years.  Unfortunately, I got out of work too late to see them Friday  on my way to Chestertown.  Instead, I decided to stop in Lake George Village.  There was going to be a Moon Glow (hot air balloons lit up) and fireworks

There was too much traffic to see them close up but I watched them from across the lake.  And to my surprise, 2 of my friends walked by and we watched the fireworks together.

I wound up getting to my friend’s house just in time to go to bed.

The race didn’t start until 9:30 am and I got up at my usual 6:30 am.  I decided to go get coffee (they had pumpkin spice creamer – yum!) and pick up my race bib.

It turned out that the race start was only 5 minutes from the house.  So I was able to have my coffee and oatmeal and relax.

I wasn’t sure what to wear with the conflicting weather forecasts.  It was overcast, windy and cooler than predicted.  I opted to wear shorts & shirt rather than the skirt & tank that I had planned.

The race  was both a 5K and a 10K.  You could tell by the bib colors who was who.  There were about 100 runners in the 5k and a little less in the 10k.  Although it was cloudy, it seemed like the rain would hold off so I guess I should have done the 10k.

As with many local races, the atmosphere was so friendly and casual.  The race started at the town hall (where there were real bathrooms) and you could park across the street at the Grand Union.  Unfortunately, there was no chip timing.  They just pull off the end of the bibs in order.

Although I said that I wasn’t competitive and just wanted to do my best, that was a lie.  I really wanted to break 30 minutes and win a AG award.

And I did neither!!!!  But I still enjoyed the race.

I started out well.  I ran the lst mile too fast at first and slowed down.  But the 2nd mile had hills.   I do not do well on hills.  I walked at the frist water stop and then I walked during another hill.  That was my downfall.  I was tired during the 3rd mile but managed to finish strong.

I was disappointed when I saw that I would not break 30 minutes.  I finished in 30:08.

The age groups awards were in 10 year groups & I finished 4th.

I would have been 1st if they did 5 year age groups.  Oh well.

I must  say that they had the best refreshments – homemade cream puffs, homemade bagels, breads, cookies, brownies, Greek yogurt, fresh fruit – watermelon, grapes, oranges. cantaloupe, oranges, bananas and more!

I met many nice people and I will definitely try to do this race again – maybe even the 10K.

Before heading home, I stopped at a new quilt shop in town.  I used to quilt a lot and want to get back into it.  The owner was super nice and I even signed up for an applique class on Oct 7.

Since it still hadn’t started raining, I decided to run some more.  I went back, changed my shirt and took a 3.3 mile leaf peeping run.

It obviously wasn’t going to be a boating day.  I decided to be nostalgic and drive up to Schroon Lake.  Last year at this time I was getting ready to run the Adirondack Half Marathon.

I went to the expo and boy did it make me want to run a half marathon again.  Anyway I did buy some cool things – 2 pairs of gloves for $3, a ponytail headband and some gels in great coffee flavors.

Then it started to rain!! So I ducked in and out of shops.  Just one more purchase.

Finally, I headed home as I drove  south, the sky turned blue and temperature rose.  It turned out that it was a nice day at home. Darn unpredictable weather!

Happy Running!  Did you enjoy your first day of fall?