I had taken a break from this race and then a few years ago, I started running it again…

This year was actually the 7th time that I had run this race.

I ran it back in 2010!!

Yes, 15 years ago! I ran with Amanda, a running friend at that time.

This is the race where I met a new running BRF Mary. We ran many races together after that. When she eventually moved to Palm Springs, I visited her there twice.

Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.

My time back in 2010 was 29:40 but improved to 28:47 in 2016.  Both years, I was 2nd in my age group (won a cap, then gloves).

2022? 6 years later. Anything could happen… no expectations.

A course PR! 28:43

The good news in 2023 was that Carolyn didn’t turn 70 until later in the year.

But my time was slower: 29:11 (GT).

Last year, I had a course PW with a 31:10 (GT) finish!

And this year, I expected an even slower time…

It’s all good. I’m thrilled when I am ABLE to race.

My friend Heidi said that she would be running it with me again. It is always fun to run a race with a friend.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

Last weekend, I ran a 10k in NYC.

and then during the week, I ran a few short runs/walks:

Race Day:

I dragged myself out of bed and had my usual race breakfast (coffee and oatmeal).

As it has EVERY Saturday since forever, it was raining!!!!!

I was definitely going but packed some dry clothes, race poncho, raincoat, umbrella, etc.)

Unfortunately, my friend Heidi decided not to go so I was solo.

The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:30.

I grabbed my umbrella and put on my rain jacket and went to get my shirt and bib (and Heidi’s)

In addition to the shirt, each runner got 4 tickets to a baseball game.

I went back to my car to get rid of the shirts and tix and returned to the stadium to hang out and chat with runners that I knew. The conversation revolved around why does it rain for every race but that it’s better than sun/heat.

Below is the course map and elevation:

It had been about 2 weeks since my last 5k… and one week since a 10k.

I had not been thrilled with my lack of speed and thought I would do some speed drills on a nearby track.  But nope… that never happened.

So again, my race goal was to finish happy and uninjured… zero expectations of a fast finish time…

As you can see from the pics above, this race began and ended at the home of the Valley Cats, a local baseball team that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

There was no chip timing at the start line so I probably should have moved closer to the front (but I didn’t really think about it…)

Mile 1:

The race began in the parking lot and then we ran around the outside of the stadium before heading into the neighborhoods. (A different but similar start to last year.)

I had started with several friends but they quickly got ahead and kept gaining on me as the race went on. My goal became to just keep them in sight and cut as many tangents as possible.

I don’t remember much about the first mile other than I was dragging.

I think I willed myself to run and not walk… until a hill or a water stop.

Mile 2:

Finally there was a water stop around mile 1.5 so I walked a bit. The neighborhoods were rolling hills but nothing too bad until one steep one during the second mile.  I tried to run up it but the legs just weren’t having it. So I ran/walked it.

My legs weren’t tired but I found myself out of breath… pollen, lack of sleep, out of shape? All three?

And was there a mile 2 marker or did I miss it?

Actually I don’t think there were ANY mile markers.

Mile 3-3.1:

A few more walks, I think. And then there was a welcome downhill during mile 3.

We finished the race inside the stadium and I gave it everything (which wasn’t much at this point).

I didn’t expect a course PR however I thought of finishing under 30 minutes. (I think that’s just a dream now…)

As I approached the finish line, 29 turned to 30 minutes and then I crossed…

Post Race Activities:

I may have come to accept my lack of speed because I was not really disappointed in my time.

After I crossed, I bumped into my friend Gail (who ran RnR DC with me)

We headed for the food. There was a decent spread: bagels, popcorn,, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I ate 2 hot dogs!!

Everyone whom I talked to before the race seemed to have a good race. Some finished ahead of me and some after.

I checked the results and I did win an award as did several of my friends.

So we waited around for the awards ceremony (which took place after the kids race.)

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was not feeling good about running this race. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get soaked.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, ran a decent race and don’t regret it one bit.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• 4 free tickets to a game as swag
• Interesting course (through the neighborhoods and finish in a baseball stadium)
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Free photos
• Decent post-race food
• Useful age group award (my hubby likes it)

Negatives:

• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Unisex tee shirts
• No mile markers

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a nice local race. And very well organized. Maybe someone will twist my arm to run it again next year. LOL.

Final Stats:

Gun Time = 30:10
Garmin Time = 30:06

Not a course PW and actually it was my fastest 5k this year.

Next Up:

Happy Running!  How did you celebrate Father’s Day Weekend? Running any summer 5ks? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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