I signed up for this race weeks ago because it’s a nice local race (actually an hour away but that’s local enough).

This was my sixth time running this five mile race. But it was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 so I haven’t run it in 3 years.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Now that I’ve run the race five times, You would think that I would be at least prepared on how the course went uphill for the first mile, some rolling hills before it went downhill and then flattened out  See below:

Race Day:

I was hoping that the weather would be a little more spring-like and I could wear a green skirt. But it was not. It was not really cold but it was cloudy and windy. So I just wore capris & compression socks with a long sleeve shirt and brought another shirt, gloves, beanie, jacket and a vest.

The race was about an hour drive from my house.  But it had a late start of 11 am so I was able to sleep in.

When I arrived, the parking lot was already full, but I found a spot on a nearby street and went into the gym to get my bib and race shirt.

I chatted with some runners that I recognized.  I also met some new faces.

Anyway, I talked to my friends for a while while being entertained by bag pipes.

With such a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began. Luckily I had brought a GU and ate it before the race.

Soon it was time to head to the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the cold. I didn’t wear my vest or jacket but added my DIY arm warmers and hoped that I wouldn’t be too cold.

There were over 300 runners for this race.  It was not run by ARE or HMRCC (my local running orgs) but Adirondack Runners… a smaller but very friendly group.  I did recognize some runners from my area though.

Since I knew that the race was not chip timed, I should have lined up closer to the front. But I was chatting and then all of a sudden, the race started.

As I mentioned, the beginning of the race went uphill. I took it slow. But I refused to walk and tried to keep an even pace.  The wind was crazy and of course, we were running INTO it!

But I just slogged along although it felt like everyone was passing me by.

After going over the bridge, about 1 1/2 in, we turned into the neighborhoods to some rolling hills. Phew! No more wind for awhile!!

There was a water stop around mile 1.75, I usually stop but not today.  I was going to push it and try and run the WHOLE race.

The sun came out and now I was getting warm!! I took off my gloves and arm warmers….

Finally mile 3 arrived and that was the downhill portion of the course. I knew here that I could pick up the pace.

The second water stop was around mile 4. I was so tempted to walk a bit.  I did not but probably should have since I knew that my pace was now slowing. (Walking always gives the boost I need to finish strong.)

But I just plugged along and refused to walk until I was done. It didn’t help that we were now running INTO the wind AGAIN. How cruel…

Finally, I saw the finish line and gave it everything I had. Unfortunately, I had NOTHING left. lol

I crossed at 48:XX. I was happily surprised.  I was not expecting much under 50 minutes but I was pretty sure that I would be faster than running 5 miles in a blizzard. LOL

Post Race Activities:

Normally I would have waited for my friend, Sue but I was sweaty and getting chilled. The temperature had definitely dropped since the start of the race.

So I went inside. As soon as you entered, they had a screen with the live results.  I saw immediately that I had placed 4th (in the 10 year age group.)

I took off my sweaty shirt and put on the race shirt, then went into the cafeteria for refreshments. There were not much to speak of. I had a water, a brownie, a cookie and a banana.  The pastries were homemade and individually packaged. I chatted with some guys wearing Delmar Dash shirts (that’s a local race in my town.)

So no age group award for me today. But to support the other runners, I stayed for the awards ceremony.

Unfortunately, I had 6 more miles left to run after the race.  The temps had dropped and the wind picked up.  But I drove to the Zim Smith bike path (about 1/2 hour south) and dragged myself 3 miles out and 3 miles back (listening to Ali on the Run’s podcast with Betty Lindbergh. 97 year-old world record holder… so inspiring)

Additional Race Reflections:

This year with all the local races returning may be the YEAR OF THE PW!!

My current Five Mile PR is 44:53 from the Delmar Dash (2019).  But that was on a FLAT course.

My course PR (2018) for this race was 45:42.  Not even close today!

Nevertheless, I am happy with how I ran the race. I didn’t walk (which is rare for me.) I do not do ANY speed work. And I am 3 years older!!

There’s always next year (or most likely the year after) to gun for the glass.

An interesting note is that Jill (on the right), who finished in 49:25, set a course record for her age group – 70-79!! (A new goal in 2 years???)

Positives:

• Well organized
• Warm place to wait before and after the race.
• Indoor restrooms
• Charity = Special Olympics
• Entertainment (Bag pipes before the race)
• Many familiar faces.
• One loop course
• 3 water stops
• Awards (sweatshirts, soda bread, glasses)
• Immediate results (on a screen)
• A LIVE race

Negatives:

• Gun timed instead of chip-timed (from the start)
• 10 year age groups
• Cotton shirt
• the wind!!
• long drive

Final Stats:

Race Splits:

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. A well-organized small local race!!

Next Up?

There could be a few shorter local races but definitely this one (on the original 2019 course):

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing? Is it spring where you live?  Have you run any St. Patrick’s Day-themed races in March? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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So it’s Tuesday and I am linking up  with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner) for Tuesday Topics.

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I’m also linking up here:

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.