This race was not on my radar.  I was planning a long run and taking a break from racing.

Then my friend (as she did last year) begged me to do it with her.  How could I say No?

This was the 4th time that I had run this race.  I ran it in 2010!!

Yes, 13 years ago! I ran with Amanda, a running friend at that time:

This is the race where I met new running BFF Mary. We ran many races together after that. When she eventually moved to Palm Springs, I visited her twice.

Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.

My time back in 2010 was 29:40 but improved to 28:47 in 2016.  Both years, I was 2nd in my age group (won a cap, then gloves).

2022? Anything could happen… no expectations.

A course PR! 28:43

The good news this year was that Carolyn doesn’t turn 70 until later in the year.

And my friend Heidi would be running it with me again.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

Last weekend, I kept up my base and ran 7 miles and then during the week, I ran a few short runs.

Marathon training does not start until July 3!! Besides, Monday was a holiday so if necessary, I could run 6 miles then.

As it seems with most of my races lately, the forecast called for rain (but I’d only be wet for 3 miles, right?)

So I put together my running outfit with the addition of a rain jacket and rain poncho.

Race Day:

I woke up to RAIN!!!

At least it was not really cold… The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:15.

I immediately found Heidi and then got my shirt and bib. In addition to the shirt, each runner got 4 tickets to a baseball game.

I had brought a plastic bag and I planned to eventually stash my jacket and umbrella in it until after the race.

 

We milled around chatting with runners that we knew.

Heidi asked me if I wanted to bail and just go to brunch.  It was tempting but I said NO!!

The rain seemed to let up a little and we got ready to head to the start.

Even the mascot came out for photos.

Below is the course map and elevation:

It had been two weeks since my last 5k… I had not been thrilled with my lack of speed and thought I would do some speed drills on a nearby track before this race.  But nope… that never happened.

So again, my race goal was to finish happy and uninjured… zero expectations of a fast finish time…

As you can see from the pics above, this race began and ended at the home of the Valley Cats, a local baseball team that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

There was no chip timing at the start line so I probably should have moved closer to the front (but I didn’t really think about it…)

Mile 1:

The race began in the parking lot and then we ran around the outside of the stadium before heading into the neighborhoods.

It had rained up to the start of the race… (phew.. we got very lucky!!).

But there were puddles everywhere and my feet immediately got soaked.

As soon as I started running, I was dragging…

I had started with several friends but they quickly got ahead and kept gaining on me as the race went on. My goal became to just keep them in sight and cut as many tangents as possible.

Mile 2:

Finally there was a water stop around mile 1.5 so I walked a bit. The neighborhoods were rolling hills but nothing too bad until one steep one during the second mile.  I tried to run up it but the legs just weren’t having it. So I ran/walked it.

It was so muggy that I was sorry that it ws raining … just a kittle light rain would have felt good.

My legs weren’t tired but I found myself out of breath… pollen, lack of sleep (it had been a late mah jongg night), out of shape???

Mile 3-3.1:

A few more walks, I think. And then there was a welcome downhill during mile 3.

We finished the race inside the stadium and I gave it everything (which wasn’t much at this point). Especially since, it was so muddy and wet!!

I didn’t expect a course PR however I really wanted to finish under 30 minutes.

As I approached the finish line, 28 turned to 29 minutes. Maybe a course PW but UNDER 30 minutes. Mission accomplished.

Post Race Activities:

It started to rain as soon as I finished so I headed for the food tent while waiting for Heidi to finish.  There was a decent spread: popcorn, bagels, cookies, bananas, coffee, water. I had a hot dog, and several cookies.

Everyone whom I talked to before the race seemed to have a good race. Some finished ahead of me and some after.

Heidi was happy with her race, too.

She left to meet our other friends for brunch.

As I was waiting around for the age group awards, a lady came up to me and asked me if I remembered meeting her 3 years ago at a rainy Saratoga 5k… ?? Anyway, she said they I told about Topos shoes and she’s been wearing them ever since.  Foot pain gone!!

And so I did win an award – 1st in my NEW age group as did several of my friends.

Then off I went to brunch… No, I only had coffee. lol.

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was not feeling good about running this race. I had gone to bed too late.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, ran a decent race and don’t regret it one bit.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• 4 free tickets to a game as swag
• Interesting course (through the neighborhoods and finish in a baseball stadium)
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Free photos
• Decent post-race food

Negatives:

• White Cotton shirt
• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Wet and muggy
• AG award – medal, no date, all the same.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a nice local race. And very well organized. Maybe someone will twist my arm to run it again next year.

Final Stats:

Garmin time = 29:08

Next Up:

Adirondack Race to the Lakes 15k 7 Miler

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? How did you celebrate Father’s Day? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:  Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).