Every year, I plan to sign up for the 10k and then I chicken out.

The 5k is pretty flat!! So why not?

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

This small race in the country has always been one of my favorite 5k races. I ran it for the five years straight (2013-18) and again in 2021 and enjoyed it each time. (I was out of town in 2019 and 2022. It was cancelled in 2020 and I was injured in 2023).

It was always well-organized and had great food – the usual food but also chili and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And there was chocolate milk, fresh from the dairy. (You know how I LOVE chocolate milk post-race.)

Plus, I also won a homemade pie as first in my age group for the five years. 28:56, 28:01, 27:54, 27:32, 27:01. Yes, it seems that I was getting faster but then in 2021, I finished at 28:20.  (Still speedy compared to my latest 5ks).

That being said, I decided to not stress about having a fast time and to push myself to tackle the hilly miles… yup, I registered for the 10k (for the first time). Besides, I was supposed to be training for an upcoming half marathon.

Packet pick-up was the day before. But since I lived so far away, I planned to pick mine up the morning of the race.

Again the weather was tricky. What to wear? Will it be cold or will it be warm (as in 2021)? Lately it has felt more like winter than spring…

So this was the plan: long sleeved shirt and capris (with compression calf sleeves) – see pic below.

Of course, I had pizza for my race carb loading (yes I carb load even for 10ks. lol)

Race Day:

The race started at 10 am which was great since it would be an hour drive from my house.

After my race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, I left my house around 8:00 am and met my friend Heidi in Round Lake.  I had talked her into running this race with me but she chose the 5k.

We got to the race early (around 9:00 am) and found a parking spot in a grassy field next to the church. The race started at the church in the town of Bacon Hill, a small farming town with awesome scenery. (It reminded me of Vermont.)

So as soon as we arrived, we picked up our shirts and bibs and then we went back to Heidi’s car to drop them off.

I wasn’t sure if I would know anyone else at this race since many of the runners that I usually run this race with were not coming (There were a few other local races scheduled.).

I stopped by the timing truck to say hello to my former FTC coach who usually asks me if I was going to PR.  But he wasn’t there. No pressure 🙂

We walked around a bit scouting out the logistics and trying to stay warm.

But I did bump into a few runners that I knew and we chatted. A guy came up to be and said that he loved my blog.  He had just started running and picked this race based on my review.  (The 2nd race in a row where someone has been reading my blog… who knew?)

There was music playing and close to 200 runners. With your race entry, you also got a raffle ticket to possibly win some very cool prizes.

The sun was out so we both decided to ditch our jackets.

Course description:

The 10K Course will head North on Stonebridge Road and then will u-turn at 0.7 miles into the run to head South on Stonebridge Road. The route will then turn left onto Ballard Lane (dirt road). At the end of Ballard Lane, the course will then turn Left onto West River Road to head North. Continue North on West River Road, at 2.7 miles the course will then turn Right onto Harris Road (dirt road) and follow Harris Road until it loops back to the intersection of West River Road and Callahan Road (3.4 miles).  The course will continue straight onto Callahan Road until it intersects with Stonebridge Road (4.5 miles). At this point, runners will turn Left to head South on Stonebridge Road and return to the Bacon Hill Reformed Church to finish out the race (6.2 miles).

Garmin elevation chart…

The pastor read a prayer, the church bells rang and we were off.

I loved all the signs along the route. Many of them were riddles.  I wish I could remember them but they were a nice distraction.

My legs immediately protested my attempt for speed. I felt my short distance racing lay-off.

There were no volunteers on the course calling out times.  There were mile markers and a few scattered volunteers cheering on the runners.

I always have positive splits so I didn’t even glance at my watch until after the race. (I was correct.. see below.)

As indicated above, we headed out with the 5k runners and then tuned around. At this point we were running into a strong head wind.

Then we turned left on to a dirt road and left onto a long hilly road.  The scenery was beautiful.  We even ran along the Hudson River for a while.

The first huge long hill had me rethinking my choice to run this race.  I had a hard time walking up it… so I just shuffled (run/walk) along.  It was followed my some smaller hills where I did the same.  Finally the last steep hill..

We eventually looped back to the road we started on.

Of course that meant ending the race by running into a head wind. Oy!!

I felt very warm the whole race and rolled up my sleeves (I could have run in a shirt and short sleeves – spring time races are so hard to dress for.)

There were several water stops but the first one was not until almost mile 3 and then every mile or so after.

I had a GU in my pocket but never really felt the need to eat it.

Some pics from a run after a previous race:

The last few miles I ran with a lady who was running this race for the first time. Her teenage daughter talked her into it. She had run the same half I did 2 weeks ago.  We both agreed that those 13.1 miles were easier than this race.

Eventually, the finish line was in sight. I was out of gas and walked a few times so I could at least sprint at the end… especially since my friend Heidi was waiting to take a photo.

Post Race Activities:

I immediately grabbed a bottle of chocolate milk

and checked to see if I won a raffle prize. Nope.

They were announcing the 5k awards so we checked out the refreshments – bananas, oranges, all sorts of home-made baked goods.

They also had 3 kinds of chili (veggie, beef, turkey) and it was delish.

Surprisingly I actually won my age group.

I guess some races, you just have to show up..

The 5k winners took all the apple pies..

On our way back to my car, we stopped for dessert:

Additional Race Reflections:

I usually only run one 10K a year (Troy Turkey Trot) and it is flat. So this race was most likely a PW.  This could be the year of the PW but I’m running!! But I am winning awards.

I enjoy racing and that’s all that matters.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Beautiful countryside scenery
• Funny signs on the course
• Chocolate milk, chili and homemade cookies as post-race refreshments.
• Super friendly volunteers
• Raffle prizes
• Free Photos
• Virtual option

Negatives:

• Hills!!
• Need an earlier first water stop for the 10k

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail.

Final Stats:

Official GT time: 1:07:00 (Garmin time: 1:06:54)

I wasn’t thrilled with my time. Then again I had zero goals. I was just running for me and because it makes me feel good to race.

Icing on the cake was the company, the food and an age group award.

All in all, I loved this race. I will definitely do it again…

Next Up:

A few shorter races –

Then finally:

Happy Running!  Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Do you prefer an easy race flat race or a challenging hilly one? Please share.