I ran this race in 2014 because 2 ladies whom I met at a previous race raved about it. Now it’s become one of my favorite fall races.

It didn’t hurt that in 2014, I finished this race in 27:47 and won 1st in my age group, in 2015, I finished in 28:01 and won 2nd and then again in 2016, I won 2nd with a time of 27:48. You get a plaque as your award.

That being said, on a weekend where there was good number of local races (including the Susan Komen Race for the Cure 5k, Blessed Sacrament 5k, Falling Leaves 5k), I chose to drive 45 minutes to run this race.

According to the website, it is a looped, flat course. Even though I ran it three times already, I didn’t remember much about the course. I run so many races, they all blend together sometimes.

Apparently we quickly switched from summer to fall in a few days and then back to summer. But at least the predicted rain did not come. When I left the house, it was pretty chilly and damp.

I debated on what to wear and decided on capris and a tank. But brought my DIY arm warmers for the race start.

I arrived about 45 minutes before the start of the 9 am race which starts and ends at the middle school in Burnt Hills.

In the school gym, I picked up my bib and lots of race swag.

I saw Tom, the crazy guy that I see at most of my races. We posed for pics as usual.

Then I spotted Sue who had recommended this race. (Her Connecticut friend Ilsa couldn’t come.)

Ilsa, Sue & I

Soon it was time to head outside.

Ideally, I would have liked to try for a course PR. But with less than a week since running a half marathon and very little running this week, I figured that it wouldn’t happen.

Sue and I started together and she’s my competition (but she hasn’t been racing much.)

We lined up near the front because there were so many kids running this race (The whole girls hockey team and cross country team, I think).

photo from the Gazette (2015)

My start was quite slow since all those kids were in the way. It was impossible not to weave around them.

I love the course although it does feel like you’re running on a slight uphill the whole time. There are only 2 short downhills and they’re during the last mile.

The race course is a loop first through country roads and then around a residential neighborhood and then back along a different country road.

There was someone calling out times at mile 1 which for me was about 8:45. At the halfway point, there was a water stop but I chose not to stop.

That’s when I decided to see what would happen if I ran the whole race without stopping to walk. I can’t remember the last time I did that…it’s been years.

Though the temp was in the 50s, it was very humid. I was sweating.

Finally, I came to home stretch. When I saw the clock, I was surprised that I was again close to a PR. I ran as fast as I could and crossed at 27:29. 

My friend, Tom, who was pushing a stroller finished in 21 minutes, was cheering me on.

I was happy. Not a PR but a course PR.

I waited for Susan to finish. She had only run one race since this race last year so she did great.

The most fun of the race was watching these three “old”guys finish. They race every weekend and compete with each other.

We congratulated them and went inside to check results and get food.

Inside there were pizza, bagels, fruit, etc. I had 2 pieces of pizza and a bagel and waited with my friends for the awards.

First they gave out a ton of raffle prizes of which I won none. But as for awards, I won first and Sue third.

As always, I enjoyed this race and plan to run this one again next year.

My splits:

mile 1 – 8:48
mile 2 – 8:48
mile 3 – 8:52
mile .14 – 7:31
27:29 (My PR is 27:11 from 2014 but this is my 3rd fastest 5k)

All my splits were under 9 minutes! That’s a first for me. And they were pretty even.  Too bad, I couldn’t negative split…

I asked my friend Tom about how to get a PR. He replied: Lift weights!!

Hmmm. Maybe?? Nay, I think not.

My running, however, was not over for the day. 9 miles was on the schedule in preparation for next half marathon. So I drove to the Colonie Town Park. I wanted to run some place different and I hadn’t run there in awhile.

I changed my shirt because I was so sweaty.

And fortunately Judy agreed to wait and do her run with me.

My legs were definitely tired. This always happens when I run a race for my first few miles of a long run.

It was a nice run. Lots of running and walking and chatting.  It rained off and on but a light rain so big deal.  My pace was probably very slow but I was fine with it. All I cared about was that I was DONE!! And there would be ice cream after!

Thanks Judy for the company!!!

After a long afternoon filled with errands, I convinced my hubby that I needed to carb reload.  So we went out to dinner.

wine, steak, baked potato, cannoli = perfect meal

Today is Tuesday so don’t forget to Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia and either meet some new bloggers or catch up with ones you already know.

The topic for today is: If I didn’t run….

I can’t imagine not running.  I wish that I had started running earlier in life.

Not running would only happened if my health wouldn’t allow it. In that case, I guess I would return to playing tennis daily, join a gym, take yoga classes, go hiking.  None of which would be as fulfilling as running.

I’m also linking with Susie and Rachel and Debbie and Lora for the Running Coaches’ Corner

Happy Running! How did you spend your long weekend? What would you do if you didn’t run?