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Betar Byway 5K and Moreau Mile Race Recaps


I ran this race in 2014 and 2015. I remembered it being fun (even though there were hills) so I signed up again this year since it fit right into my schedule.

The 5K is a out and back and has one (BIG) hill just before the 1 mile mark, with the rest being flat and the down hill at about 2.25 and a slight increase at the finish. Course is both paved (along Hudson River) and packed dirt path in wooded area, for approx 1.25 mile.

bb elevation

It is about an hour north of my house (and on the way to our marina on Lake George.)

And most importantly, I love scenic. Here are some views of the course:

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finish line view

The weather was beautiful. It was about 60 degrees and sunny when I left the house. It was predicted to warm up to the 70’s later.  Actually perfect running weather for a change.

I left early and arrived in plenty of time.  I parked nearby and got my race packet.

a women’s tech singlet 🙂 and in purple

Then I used the restroom – yes, there were real ones.

Since this race is north of where I live, it attracts a different group of runners. Because I often race in this area, I knew some of them and we chatted. This race this year was part of the the Girls on the Run series so there were lots of young girls there too.

I took some pictures and patiently waited until it was time for everyone to walk down to the water for the start.

Of course, while waiting for the gun to go off, I wound up talking to some older runners… about future races.

I planned to start near the front since there were no timing chips or start line but I was chatting and forgot.

I’m in there somewhere

I must say that this was one of the prettiest course I have ever run.  It was along the water most of the time or on a paved trail through a park.

I tried to focus on the scenery since I knew that this one would be tough due to hilly course.

The first mile had a small hill which I ran up and then came the monster hill.  I ran/walked up the whole thing and had trouble doing that it was so steep. I think I did the right thing since it was early in the race.

I wasn’t that warm but I walked through the first water stop anyway but very quickly.

Lately I am having trouble running fast.  I am trying but my breathing is labored and my legs just won’t go.  (Guess that’s why runners do speed drills!)

Eventually the course looped around and you headed back to the start.  I passed through the second water stop and then finally came the big hill. This time you were running down. These hills always scare me so I hold back especially with my falling history.

rule 1: always look goofy when you see a photographer

Then I think I walked once more before the final (smallish) hill which led to the finish line.

I mustered up enough energy to sprint.

At least I finished under 29 minutes!

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:24
mile 2 – 9:12
mile 3 – 8:47
.14 – 8:05

28:20 – Garmin time.  28:23 (GT)

I was faster than four years ago (29:25) but slower than last week’s 5k. Still happy about those negative split times!!

After the 5K, there was a one mile race.  Not for kids but for everyone.  It was fun last time so I signed up for this one too (I am crazy like that.)

Of course after the hilly 3.1 miles, my legs were too tired to run even ONE mile but I wanted to give it my best shot.

got to cheer on the runners who were not finished

I walked/ran to the start of the second race. Boy, that one mile seemed really long!!

the start of the One Mile race

Most of the runners did not do the second race. I was hoping that with such a small group I would not be DFL.

The one mile course was rolling hills but NO big steep hill, thank God.

caption: the little engine that could

Still after a half hour break, it was tough to get the legs moving.

Little by little, I picked up speed and crossed under 9 minutes. Barely.

8:52 Garmin time. 8:53 (GT)

Someday I would like to run a one mile race without a 5k preceding it. Just to see what I could do.

I was wondering if there still would be refreshments left after the second race. And there were. Bagels, watermelon and lots of homemade treats. Yay!!

I ate quite a few pieces of watermelon and grabbed some cookies and brownies to go.

They gave out the awards and I won first place in my age group in both races. 

I didn’t stay. I have enough medals. It was enough to know that I won.

2 medal pic form 2015

Besides my hubby was patiently waiting for me at the marina.

I did change into a bathing suit eventually

I will definitely do this race again.  I loved the course and the scenery.  Next time, maybe I’ll try to do some hill repeats in advance so I could run up that big hill.

One of the reasons for choosing this race was that it was on the way to our marina so I could join my hubby and spend the day on the lake.

Racing+Boating=Perfect Sunday

There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

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

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie and Marc.

Happy Running! What did you do this weekend? Did you run or race? Ever run two races back to back? Do you care if the race is hilly?

runner-sig

32 thoughts on “Betar Byway 5K and Moreau Mile Race Recaps”

  4. I’ve done one event that had two races back-to-back…a 5K, then a 10K (on the same course, but run twice). I ran it well, but with the 5K first (the shorter race), a lot of people ran that really fast and then weren’t able to run the 10K as fast. There’s a lot of strategy to doing races back-to-back like that! Great job on BOTH of yours!

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  9. Well, as usual, I’d love to have that much trouble running fast. 🙂 I can only run that fast for about 20 seconds (quite literally).

    It does look like a pretty course, but unfortunately I have no boat to get to so it can be a bit of a drive just for a 5k (because I wouldn’t be doing the 1 mile race too!).

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    • Pace is relative. It really felt hard to get moving. In both races.

      I have driven that far for a 5k. But I’m crazy like that. There are also outlets nearby and places to hike.

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  10. Congratulations!! What a beautiful, scenic course! It definitely helps to focus on that when there are lots of hills, lol! You did a great job! I’ve never tried a 1 mile race…that’s scary to me!

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  11. Way to negative split the race! Congrats. What a gorgeous course. At RnRDublin there was a 1 mile “fun run” about 30 minutes after I finished the half. Boy was I toast for that.
    The Flying Pig weekend has a 10k and 5k back to back. In fact if you can’t run a 10k in under an hour you’ll miss the start of the 5k. I think that was my first multi-race weekend back in 2013.

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