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TOTR: My Favorite Hometown Race


Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these wonderful ladies:

Erika @ MCM Mama Runs, Marcia @ Marcia’s Healthy Slice and Patty @ My no-guilt life for

Today’s Topic is: Favorite Hometown Race

Image result for freihofer run 2017

This is an easy one for me.  It’s the only race that I’ve run every year since I started running. This year will my 11th time!!!!

FRW – 2008
FRW – 2009
FRW – 2011
FRW – 2012
FRW 2012
FRW – 2014
FRW – 2015
FRW – 2016
FRW – 2017

Here are some of the reasons why I love this race and why I run it every year:

  • It is ALL women – all ages – all sizes – veterans  – newbies – elites – walkers
  • It is a real USATF race with Olympic runners in it. Joan Benoit Samuelson runs it most years. In 2017, Sara Hall also ran it and WON.

  • It feels so good to be a part of all the excitement.
  • The results are printed in the local newspaper and even though I finish around 2000, I am happy if I finish in the top half.
  • I always meet someone I know and someone new. I have even met the mayor and last year, a blogger friend from VT.

with the mayor

  • Running it in 2008 made realize that I actually was a runner.
  • Being part of other runners’ first 5k in 2010 made me so proud.
  • 2011 was my first FRW PR year. There was a drought and then I course PR’d last year.

  • Finishing it in 2012 (after serious ankle surgery) helped me believe that I could be a runner again.
  • I broke my foot at the beginning of the race in 2013 and still gutted out a finish under 30 minutes!

  • In 2014, I ran as part of a team to raise money for a former student who was diagnosed with breast cancer. It made the race even more meaningful.
  • In 2015 & 2016 & 2017, I participated in the Freihofer Training Challenge Group. (And I will again this year.) It was fun being part of a group.

  • You run around Washington Park.

 

  • There is a lot of crowd support along the whole course.
  • It ends with a downhill 🙂
  • Everyone finishes with a smile.
  • They give you a free box of Freihofer chocolate chip cookies and a loaf of bread (and chocolate milk)

  • Maybe I’ll make the newspapers again.. (I have several times!)
I’m the 2nd one on the bottom left

This 5k race is held on the first Saturday in June. So if you live near Albany, NY, come run it with me and 3,000 other awesome women runners!

Image result for freihofer run for women


Happy Running!  Do you have a favorite hometown race?

runner-sig

21 thoughts on “TOTR: My Favorite Hometown Race”

  1. I like Freihofers, but we’re often traveling and so i think I’ve done it about 3 times in the 10 years I’ve been running — it will always have a special place in my heart, since it was my very first race (as it is for a lot of women).

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    • Actually this race is not in my town but very close. Albany is the capital so there are so many races. Most of the races in my town have not lasted.

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  9. How fun! I have a race in Philadelphia that I enjoy running every year but this sounds even better! All women races are always so inspiring!

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  10. Pingback: My Favorite Blog Posts – My First 5K and More…

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