When I first started running, this race was one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, 2010.

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race than a 5k. Since then I have completed over 70 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years off (from this race), I ran it again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things hadn’t changed that much (but I started to wear running skirts instead of shorts).

I enjoyed this race so much that I re-added it to my summer racing list and ran it again in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023 and 2024  (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18, 28:05, 30:03)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this race for 3 years.

Two years ago, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.

I shocked myself with a decent pace so again I thought why not and my running friends were busy this weekend so it was a good excuse to skip my long run.

Here is the map for the course that I ran in past years:

15 turns in this course!!

Here’s the 2023 course:

I didn’t get much running during the week – too many other activities such as tennis, pickleball, hikes, and HEAT/HUMIDITY. Plus my ankle/achilles has been weirdly tight since tennis/pickleball on Monday.

Race Day:

The race started at 8 am.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not, there would already be a lot of traffic at that hour.

I got up at 5:30am and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.

I left at 6:30 in order to get there early enough to get parking and pick up my bib.

It wasn’t raining where I  live but I should have checked the forecast where I would be racing (about 45 mi, north).

It started to rain during my drive.

And there were no available parking lots this year so you had to park on the street.

Eventually I found a spot and now it was pouring.

I grabbed an umbrella and got my shirt/bib.

You also got a free ticket to the race track.

I went back to my car to drop off my shirt and now it was thundering and lightning… awesome?

But of course, I was going to run this race…

So I headed back… with my umbrella (that I would stash somewhere).

It is usually a very popular race but I didn’t see anyone I knew. I bet that most were seeking cover…

Of course, I needed a pre-race photo.

Soon it was time to line up.

I stood somewhere in the middle. This race attracts many speedy runners and I didn’t want to get run over… but I forgot that there was no timing mat or start line (and I started my watch late.)

Miles 1-3.1:

No reason to recap this race mile by mile.

There was torrential rain… The rain did not let up and rained harder and harder and the puddles got bigger and bigger.

There was thunder and lightning so it got scary.

I started out at a decent pace because I wanted to get done but as the puddles became lakes, it was hard to keep up any kind of pace.

Plus I felt my gait was off and my ankle or achilles (can’t figure out which) was still tight. So I walked much more often the second half.

I managed to sprint across the finish line and not fall.

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed a water and found my umbrella.

I checked the results and I came in 2nd but I decided that I didn’t need another medal and left.

Additional Race Reflections:

Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive.

A miserably wet race (but not hot!)

And yes, it should have been a 7 mile long run as part of my half marathon training (Run 4 the River – Aug. 30).

But races challenge me and I think it’s important to challenge oneself.

Otherwise, my runs are slow and easy and I squeeze them in whenever I can. I also run with friends, some faster, some slower and always with run walk intervals.

So I don’t regret running this 5k.  Though it was a course PW, it was expected.

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked course with many course marshals (even in the rain)
• Flat course
• Immediate results
• 5 year age groups for awards
• Free ticket to the race track.

Negatives:

• RAIN!
• Only bananas post race.
• Unisex shirts
• No parking lots

Would I recommend this race?

Maybe…

All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat. It is well-organized.

Not sure if I would run it again because it is not nearby.

In past years, I added more miles after the race a nearby park (and so at least it counted as a long run.)

Final Stats:

Still queen of the positive splits:

With an increasing number of walks with each mile…

Next Up:

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big races coming up? Do you run short races even when you are training for a big long race? Would you race in a thunderstorm? Please share.

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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