The 3rd year for this race.  A downhill course.  A familiar route!! Only several miles from my home.

How could I not sign up??

Big negative:

• I was training for a marathon and needed a 18 long run that day.

Nevertheless, I decided to run the race as a fun run and figure a way to get in 18 miles, as well.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Not much preparation for this 5k…

I was working in NYC for 3 days and I ran 16 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. 

Race Day:

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 at the start, run 1.5 miles miles, meet two friends and run 8 miles, run 1.5 miles back to the start, then run the 5k race, hang out with friends and then run 4 miles back to my car… that would be my 18 mile long run.

Perfect, right?

And I did just what I planned pre-race.

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:

I arrived at the start in plenty of time.  My friend Heidi had gotten my bib.  I changed my shoes and shirt and I was ready to go.

I bumped into many friends. We chatted and took a few pics.

Some of my local running friends came as well:

The weather was absolutely perfect!!

Unlike last year when it RAINED!!

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

Can it be called a “race” recap if I didn’t race? LOL.

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.

Judy was going to run the race.  Deirdre, Heidi and I were going to run/walk it (using Deirdre’s intervals 15:60??)

So we stood just somewhere in the back 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 (if I were running the race.)

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

Mile 2: 

I believe the first year, there were no water stops but his year there was one.

Even with our long walk intervals, I was thirsty and stopped for a drink.

I didn’t take pictures this year (although I walking so I could have.)

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

Eventually you could hear the crowd cheering (there was little crowd support on the course at all due to being on the rail trail.

I could see the finish line ahead

and so I left Heidi and Deirdre sprinted across it.

I looked up and saw my college BFF and her husband.  I was surprised and happy that she got to see me race (too bad, I wasn’t actually racing.)

At the finish line, there was water and apples, bananas.

Post Race Activities:

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

There was also a kids race.

This race was also 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 hung out with my BFF for a while.

I picked up some freebies (that I gave to Heidi) and even had a free ice cream float. (I turned down the free hot dog.)

My running friends went to get some food from the trucks… Me?  I had to run 4 more miles to get in my 18!!

What a struggle!  But I did it!!

Then I drove my car back to the finish area.

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

Two food trucks didn’t show (illness), one had run out of food so I waited A LONG TIME) from the ONE existing option.

While I was waiting I listened to the music and watched a few of kids shows.

Finally!!

It was delicious ( or maybe I was just hungry).

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 and last year training for a full marathon.

Next year, I hope to take this race seriously.

I doubt I’ll ever PR again. But I’d like to go back to sub-30 finish times.  But 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 ice cream & hot dogs
• Entertainment after.

Negatives:

• I could run here for FREE!
• Late start (11 am)
• Weird age group awards (top 3 and 0-30, 30-59?)
• 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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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

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and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs