With most of the local races either cancelled or virtual in 2020, Albany Running Exchange (ARE) began scheduling COVID Safety Plan approved races in 2021.  This was one of them and unfortunately, it POURED the whole race.

In 2022, I ran this 10 miler again but on a very hot day. I did it with several friends and had fun.

I ran it one more time in 2023 but skipped it last year (don’t remember why…)

This year, they offered this race as part of a 3 race challenge. Of course, I signed up for all 3.

The race is advertised as “a very fast, point-to-point course.”

As you can from the elevation chart below, it is not exactly what I would call fast (I see hills!!)

The logistics were also complicated. Either you parked at the start and got a ride back to your car after the race or you parked at the finish and got a ride to the start (or pay for the shuttle).

I signed up for Miles on the Mohawk 10M for several reasons:

• FOMO. Many of my racing/running friends were doing it.
• It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed.
• I am familiar with the course. I’ve run it 3 times.
• It’s a flatish course, mostly on a bike path.
• It was part 3 of a 3 race challenge.
• 10 miles is easier than a  half marathon!
• This is now the only local 10 mile race.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I have run several 10 mile races. My slowest was in 2014: (1:49:55), my first one, and my PR was my third in the same year (1:38:45). All the others were somewhere in between as well as 2023’s at 1:43:12. If you’ve read any of my recent race recaps, you know that there’s little speed left in these old legs. And I am always prepared for a course PW and just happy to cross the race (without pain.)

Usually on the weekends this time of year, I run short races (which helps me work a little on my speed.)

But that also means that I have skipped some long runs. At least I did manage to get a 6 & 8 miler prior to this race.

I also squeezed in (between raindrops) 3 short runs during the week before the race.

Deb was nice enough to pick up our bibs on Friday so neither Barb not I had to arrive early and pick them up before the race on Sunday.

I met my running friends Saturday morning to walk and after have brunch.

Then I did some errands, gardening and carb loaded on Saturday evening.  I debated about what to wear the next day. I was hoping that it would not rain or snow like the previous races in this challenge.

Forecast: Mixture of clouds and sun. Between 46 and 66 degrees.  So most likely in the 50s during the race.

#flatme:

Race Day:

Deb got injured but was able to drive both Barb and I to the start (and then drive to the finish and meet us there after the race.) We met at 7:15 am.

Mabee Farms is a really nice place to walk around before a race (when the weather is nice) – animals, the river, real restrooms, etc.

Believe it not, it was raining!!!!  Yes, as it had been most of the week.

So we just sat in Deb’s car hoping the rain would stop.

The race started at 8:30 am. So soon it was time to head to the start area. And the rain had stopped!!!

I had decided to keep on my half zip as I thought that it was cool enough and that it might start to rain again.

There were no corrals so I just entered into the crowd somewhere in middle or perhaps closer to the front. Barb moved farther back. I chatted with friends until it was time to move.

Sorry to be a broken record but my goal for races these days is FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.) Throw those time goals out the window!!

Miles 1-3:

From Mabee Farm, the first mile headed west, mostly on Route 5S. We ran along the road and fairly soon connected with the Erie Canal Bike Path.

In other words, the canal was on our right and most of the race was run on the path with water views. As I ran the first mile, everyone appeared to be passing me by. But I didn’t look at my watch, just kept going with the flow.

The scenery was pretty. Of course, my pace was decent at first. I was feeling good… until I wasn’t.

Unfortunately I should have left my half zip in the car. It was humid and I got very warm right away.

By mile 2, I stopped and tied it around my waist.

The Mohawk river changed to being on the left.

The first water stop was at mile 3.3 (Kiwanis Park).  I was very thirsty and decided to  take a Gu as well. It wasn’t that it was so warm but humid and lots of pollen. I really had a hard time breathing.

Miles 4-6

Most of the race is a blur. I walked and ran.  Those runners around me were doing the same.  I tried to run more than walk.  Not sure at times if I did or not. Some runners did continue to just run.  But we played leap frog as I passed them when I ran and they passed me when I walked.

Amazingly I was running here (and I didn’t see the photographer)…

There was finally a second water stop at mile 5.6 (Lock 8 Park). Again I was glad to stop and drink.

Miles 7-10

The third water stop was around mile 8.1 (SCCC Bike Path Parking Area). More water and I took my 2nd Gu.

Around mile 9, some annoying hills appeared. Maybe there weren’t big hills and I was just getting tired. I tried to run up them but it was more like a slog.

I was very happy that nothing hurt. Not my feet. Not my lower back.  I just was out of breath and had to walk.. A lot.

The  photographer even cough me running:

The crowd was also thinning.  And I was walking more and running slower.

But eventually we headed toward Mohawk Harbor where you could hear the roar of the crowds.

As I headed toward the finish line, I got one last burst of energy as I saw my friends Deb and Heidi waiting.

I crossed at 1:49:XX .  Happy to done and upright.

and my official finish line picture:

Post-Race Activities

I got my medal and some water. Barbara was waiting for me as she had finished several minutes before me.

Next, we grabbed our box lunches (that I would give to my hubby when I got home.)

I stopped by the results table and unfortunately I only came in 4th. No age group award!

I did get an extra medal as this was part of a 3 race challenge (10k+13.1+10).

Instead of eating our lunches or getting our free beer, my running friends and I decided to go out to brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

So yeah, I finished slower than I wished. A course PW. But hey, I felt good. Nothing hurt. I didn’t even feel tired.

It was also nice that finally, I ran a race where it didn’t snow or rain or was windy.

I never regret a race that I’ve run. I might even run this one again next year.

Positives:

• Ample parking at the start and finish.
• Real restrooms at Mabee Farm
• Bag check
• Well marked course.
• Varied scenery including river views
• Lots of course marshals
• Shuttle to the start (if needed).
• Well organized.
• A lot of pre-race information.
• Familiar faces
• Decent Post-race food.
• Race shirt optional for more money
• Cool medal.
• Free Beer (in Druthers)
• Free photos
• Immediate results (and live tracking)

Negatives:

• My slow finish time due to lots of walking.
• They ran out of  medals.
• If it were hot, I would have wanted more than 3 water stops.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail. It will be even more fun when the weather is warmer/sunny and runners could hang out before and after the race comfortably.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

Happy Running! Have you run a 10 mile race? What is your favorite distance? What  would you prefer PR and pain or PW and no pain? Are you planning to run a long race this summer? Please share.