Race-cations have been an annual tradition with my running friends since 2017. We started in Corning, NY and then traveled to Montreal, and Brooklyn, NY.

In 2020 and 2021, my friends and I rented a house for 3 nights in Hampton Beach, NH and ran a half marathon (among other fun shenanigans.)

It was so much fun that again last year, we rented a house.  This house was located in Old Orchard Beach, Maine and we ran the Portland Half Marathon or Marathon Relay.

This year, we rented a house in the Finger Lakes region of NYS.

So I signed up for the Finger Lakes Half Marathon for several reasons:

• A race-cation.
• Nine of my friends would be racing with me.
• The start was near a famous waterfall and our house was near Watkins Glen trails/waterfalls.
• There were 5k, 10k and 18 mile options for race in addition to a half marathon
• Vineyards and lakes nearby… need I  say more?
• The distance fit right into my marathon training plan.

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do run shorter distances several times during the work week. My weekday runs are sometimes solo and sometimes not.

And on the weekends, I try to do my Long Run. Usually most of my miles are with one or more of my running friends.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

My taper consisted of  a 16 mile marathon training run

and some short runs during the work week:

I did schedule two rest days before the race. Perfect, right?

We carpooled and left for the Finger Lakes region early on Friday morning. After checking into our AirBnB in Dundee, NY, we went into town for lunch.

Later, we drove to Montour Falls to explore the race logistics (i.e. where to park on race morning, etc). We also went to Diversion Brewing Company… No beer! We just picked up our bibs and shirts there.

Some of us signed up for the half, others for the 5k or 10k and even two for the 18 miler and so we took pictures accordingly.

By the time were were done, it was time for an early dinner. We had pasta or pizza (of course).

Finally we headed home, #flatmes were organized and we headed to bed early (though I never can sleep the night before a race.)

Race Day:

Sorry to be a broken record about not having a time goal. But my goal for races these days is to FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.) But if I had to guestimate my time, it would have been between 2:20 and 2:30.

Actually, even more important would be to run a smarter and less painful race than my last half marathon three weeks prior. Slower the first half so that I can enjoy the second half of the race…

And have enough in the tank to go back out and run 5 more miles (I wanted today to count as my 18 mile long run.)

The race was advertised as follows:

One of the premier Willow Running events is in Montour Falls (Watkins Glen), NY. There will be various race distances on the beautiful Catherine Valley Trail. The trail is well maintained and easy to navigate with a slight elevation gain heading out and a slight elevation decline heading back to the finish line.

I’d say that it looks more than “slight.”

Two of my friends were running the 18 miler which started at 7:45 am.  Then four of us were running the half which started at 8:00.  Finally there were two running the 10k which started at 8:15 and two the 5k which started at 8:30.

The race logistics were not nearly as complicated as last year since everyone started and finished in the same location.

And it was a small race… only 364 total with 200 running the half marathon.

And so we all left at the same time and as soon as we arrived took our pre-requisite pre-race photo:

The original prediction for rain changed and it was dry, not humid, not sunny and just perfect weather for running.

First our 18 milers started:

And then I lined up with the half marathoners somewhere in the middle of the pack. (It was chip-timed anyway.)

My memory is a little vague but here’s how I remember it:

From the start, we ran on the road.

We continued down the road for a short period of time.
And then we turned

onto a trail….

I feel kinda dumb but I had no idea that this was a trail race.  I mean it wasn’t technical but we ran on dirt, grass, mud, leaves and stick and stones the WHOLE race.

It was slightly uphill on the way out with some rolling hills. Nothing terrible.

And we turned around halfway and followed the same trail back to the finish.

Because the course was for a 5k and 10k, there were markers for the miles and the kilometers.

I have to say the running on dirt has its advantages.  My feet and lower back never did hurt.

But I found it hard to run at a faster pace. Maybe it was just me… the leaves, the mud, stones… I thought I was running fast until I looked down at my pace. LOL.

It wasn’t warm but too warm for those arm sleeves. I pulled them down right away.

There were several water stops and I took a drink at each one (and threw my cup away right away so not to litter the trail).

I did my usual run until I was tired and then I’d walk.   Of course, the walking increased in frequency as I tired the second half of the course.

I enjoyed the scenery as the leaves were beginning to turn. I spotted a deer, a few squirrels and even a “cat.”

Obviously the faster runners were returning when I was still heading out.  They were so enthusiastic yelling “You look great! You got this! Keep it up!”

I made sure to do the same to the slower runners behind me.

I can’t say that although my pace was slower than usual that it felt easy. It never does.

By the end, I was getting warm so I tried to remove my arm sleeves… Well, apparently I stopped my Garmin. I realized several minutes later and turned it back on (so did I really run a half marathon if 13.1 wasn’t recorded? lol)

Eventually I approached the end of the trail

 and I spotted a photographer.

Soon I turned onto the road and crossed the finish line.

It was very cool because many of my friends had already finished and they were cheering loudly.

Post Race Activities:

I had planned to return to the course and cheer on Heidi and Deb and run back with Deirdre.

But I had some time and so we each took turns giving our friends medals.

Of course after standing around for awhile, my legs had stiffened up but I knew I had to go back out there.

I started out walking… but eventually I knew I had to run or I’d never meet Deirdre in time.

First I found Heidi finishing her half..

And then Deb running her first 18 miler:

And finally I reached Deirdre:

At this point, I turned around and ran intervals with her until she crossed the finish line..

Done!!! 18 miles (or close to it)

We decided to check the results to see if we won any age group awards… it was such a small race so who knows?

Yup. Deirdre (18 m), Judy (10K), Jan (5k) and me (HM) all won in our age groups. Kudos to us (even if we were the only ones in our age group!!)

They gave you a ticket to a food truck which had closed by the time I was done but we did have a ticket for a free beer.

Last year, the race started and ended in a park next to Montour Falls.  Even though it had started raining, I insisted on seeing the falls.

Eventually we all headed home to relax, debrief, shower and then head out for a celebratory meal.

Additional Race Reflections:

It was so fun to be out there and soaking up the racing atmosphere. It was even more fun to run a race with friends. (We already picked our race-cation location for next October!!)

I enjoyed participating in a small town local race. The RD and other staff were so friendly and accommodating.

I felt fine the next day and ran Tues, Wed, Thurs, and Sat without any after effects.

Positives:

• Part of a 4 day race-cation with friends.
• 4 different distances
• Well-marked course
• Easy packet pick-up
• Long sleeved tech half zip shirts
• Food coupon for $2 for the food trucks and coupon for a free beer.
• Support from the faster runners along the course.
• Friends cheering you on at the finish line
• Free Photos
• Instant race results
• Nice medal provided to all runners.
• Adequate number of water stops
• Perfect weather
• Plenty of free parking

Negatives:

• Finish line photos only for 5k, 10k, and half marathoners under 2 hrs.
• Food truck closed before every runner finished.
• Unisex shirts

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. yes. For all the reasons mentioned above.

Final Stats:

Splits:

All in all, I was happy with my results. No 9 min. miles but then no 12-13 min. miles.

Yes, it was my slowest half marathon in quite a while!! Even slower  than ones on hillier courses.  But I’ve been training for a marathon. My expectations have dropped significantly and I ain’t getting any younger.

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