The 2nd year for this race.  A downhill course.  A familiar route!! Only several miles from my home.

How could I not sign up??

Two negatives:

• It was the same day as one of my favorite races in Saratoga – Great Pumpkin 5k/10K (recap here)

• More importantly, I was training for a marathon and needed a 12 long run that day.

Nevertheless, I decided to run the race as a fun run and figure a way to get in 12 miles, as well.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Not much preparation for this 5k…

I was working in NYC for 2 days, then had to teach live for 2 days back home and I ran a half marathon (+5 miles) the previous weekend in preparation for the NYC marathon.

Needless to say, I was pooped and seriously considered staying in bed.

Here is the description of the race from the website:

The race extends from the Hilton Barn area of New Scotland to the finish line across the bridge in Slingerlands. The race kicks off the Fall Fest at the Slingerlands trailhead that will feature live musical performances, food trucks and vendors, as well as fun games and activities as participants come down the home stretch. Shuttle service will be available. T-shirts and one free meal ticket for all participants. Awards for top 3 overall Male/Female. 

The make things worse, the forecast which seemed perfect changed to RAIN!!!!

Race Day:

Yup, I woke up to pouring rain. But I was praying that it would stop.

I had my standard breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. I guess I’m a creature of habit.

Since the race didn’t start until 11 am, my plan was to park 3 miles from the finish (where I often park to run on the rail trail). run 6 miles to the start, then run the 5k race, hang out with friends and then run back to my car… that would be my 12 mile long run.

Perfect, right?

Not in the rain!!!

Plan B was to stay in bed and run long on Sunday.

Nope, I wanted to go to the lake.

Plan C.

Park at the finish and take the shuttle to the start.  Get wet and after the race, change my clothes and run 9 more miles if the rain stopped.

So that’s what I did.

Being the second year of the race, bib pick up was better organized.  This year, shirts were given out after the race.

I chatted in the rain with some runners that I knew.  Although 500 has signed up, I think only 250 ventured out in this weather.  Most of my running friends actually decided to run the 10k in Saratoga.

Soon it was time to head to the start so I had to ditch my rain poncho.

Since I ran this race last year, I was familiar with the course (as pictured below)

Race Course (according the web site)

There was no elevation chart but now I have one from my Garmin:

There’s not much to tell with only 3.1 miles but here’s what I remember:

Mile 1: 

This race was chip timed so it didn’t matter where I started.  And there were not going to be any age group awards for me.

So I stood just somewhere in the middle of the pack.

Although it was advertised as starting at the barn and going downhill from there on the rail trail, you actually had to run around the nearby neighborhood (in order to get to 3.1 miles by the parking lot).

That was not downhill and that was not fun.

The only positive part about circling the neighborhood was that I could run the tangents and I did!!

Oh and that this mile would not be my fastest.

Eventually you did enter the rail trail and yes, it was oh so slightly downhill but at least there were no uphills.

And the trees on the trail blocked the rain a little.  Though it rained the entire race, it often felt just like a drizzle.

Mile 2: 

I believe last year, there were no water stops but his year there were two.

As always I was tempted to walk as soon as I see one even if I’m not thirsty

Maybe someday I can run 3 miles without walking but today was not that day.

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

By mile 3 I was losing steam big time.

I wanted to finish strong and so again I had to decide when to walk.

And so I did walk at mile 2.5 or so and longer than my previous walk.

Eventually you could hear the crowd cheering (there was no crowd support on the course at all due to being on the rail trail and of course, the inclement weather).

I could see the finish line ahead and so I sprinted across it.

At the finish line, there were bottles of water, bars, oranges, apples, bananas, etc.

And the rain slowed to a drizzle and eventually stopped.

Post Race Activities:

As soon as you were done, you got your race shirt and a coupon for free food and drink.

This race was part of a Fall Festival put on by the county.

In a nearby park, there were information tables (they even gave out many freebies.) I snagged a pumpkin and some baby books.

There was music, games, and food trucks. and lots of MUD!!

Since the rain had stopped, I had to stop procrastinating and run my 9 miles.

I went back to my car, changed out of my wet shirt, socks and shoes and headed back to the rail trail.

What a struggle!  But I dragged myself 4.5 miles out and back.

The festival was still happening so I used my food coupon and sat on a bench listening to the music.

Additional Race Reflections:

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. If I am around, I will probably run it again next year.

The past few years, I’ve mostly focused on half marathons and this year training for my 2nd full..

Truthfully, I was a little nervous about how I would do in a 5k. Especially without doing any speedwork.

I definitely credit the weather and the course for my speedyish time (faster than my some of my previous 5ks this year although I was a minute faster last year on this same course.)

I have a ways to go if I want to PR. I need to either train to get faster or pace myself better so I don’t die during the last mile.

However, I am happy to be healthy, to be running regularly and interacting with others.

If my race times slow down, so be it.

Positives:

• Well organized
• Participant guide provided beforehand
• Inexpensive ($10)
• Well marked course
• Shuttle to the start from the finish and vice versa.
• Cute gender specific race shirts
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Downhill course
• Immediate results
• One free meal ticket for all participants.
• Free drinks (including chocolate milk)
• Entertainment after.

Negatives:

• I could run here for FREE!
• Late start (11 am)
• Weird age group awards (top 3 and 0-30, 30-59?)
• No bib pick-up before race day (leaving a bottle neck on race day)
• Long wait for food (only ONE food truck)
• No photos

Would I recommend this race?

Yes!!  A good race to try for a 5K PR.

Final Stats:

 

 

 

 

 

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

Since today is Tuesday, I’m also linking up with these ladies and you should too.

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