As I have mentioned in previous years, the Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsors FREE races throughout the winter for its members. The course is pretty boring but free is free. Usually, I try to run 4 of the races and volunteer at one. That gives you Winter Warrior status and a prize. Although I signed up for all FIVE, unfortunately, I had to miss several of them this year.

Winter Series #1 – 12/14/26

In Florida, on vacation so I had to miss this one.

Winter Series #2 – 1/1/26

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

This week, there was a choice of a 3.5m race or a half marathon.  I had run the half marathon one year and it was deadly (4 loops!!)

The weather lately has been a challenge – snow, cold, ice, rain…

I skipped Monday and Wednesday’s runs but did get in a short run on Saturday, Sunday and Tuesday…

I went out to dinner with the family for New Year’s Eve but we got home early… (I did have several drinks…)

Race Day:

I’ve run this race many times because it’s a great way to start the year.

I was happy that it did not start until noon. But when I looked at the weather, I really thought twice about going.

I wondered if any crazy people would actually run in these frigid conditions.

I arrived around 11:15 and signed in. I was greeted by so many familiar faces and more than I had expected. I bet there were at least 250 runners.

Some even dressed up…

We all chatted about how cold it was. What we would come to find out and that the wind was insane… gusts up to 40 mph!!

Since I’ve done this race so many times,  I didn’t look at the map.

Elevation according to my Garmin:

We waited indoors until the last minute to brave the cold…

And then we shivered while the RD gave directions (and it felt like forever).  I already wished that I had dressed warmer and had hand warmers!!

Finally we started (no start line) and I was pretty far back since I wasn’t sure what I’d be doing?  Running? Walk/Running? (Freezing to death? LOL)

Although there was both a 3.5 miler and half marathon, all runners started at the same time and location.

Shortly after we started running, we had to either turn left or right (depending on which distance you chose).

Last year, I wasn’t paying attention and went the WRONG way!!  This way, I made sure I did not.

As you can see, the race was just one loop of the state office campus.

Here are some photos from the race (none of me…):

It was cold. I was cold and the wind made it hard to move forward at times.  And it seemed to get windier as the race went on (boy, was I glad I didn’t decide to run 13.1 miles!!)

Normally, I run and walk when I get tired.  But I just wanted to get out of the cold.  I RAN THE WHOLE THING!

I know, that’s odd for me.  I have to say that it was a struggle and I never felt like I was able to move fast.

For the most part, runners were passing me by and I was often running alone. I couldn’t feel my face, my hands or my toes!!

Eventually I did get to the end. The slipperiest part of the course was at the finish line and so my sprint wasn’t much of a sprint.

There was a clock and they called out times but you recorded your own time on a piece of paper.

I just looked at my Garmin and wrote down the time it said (which may not have been accurate)

and I forgot to stop my watch

I waited for some friends …

and some friends had waited for me.

Post Race:

We all went in to get something to eat.  There was the usual delicious soup, lots of homemade snacks, fruit and coffee and hot cocoa. That hot soup really hit the spot!!

We were waiting for the  awards. Carolyn (in white) and I were in the same age group and we came in 1st and 2nd.

But all of a sudden, the lights went out and the fire alarm went off.  They made us leave the building.

It was way too cold outside to wait around so we all left (and missed our awards – coupon for a free loaf of bread.)

Final Stats:

Initially, I was a little disappointed with how slow I ran compared to in this race a few years ago. But I was really proud that I ran the whole thing and that I showed up.

It’s all good!! I had fun and that’s the most important part of running.

I ran again two days later there without the wind.  What a difference!!

Winter Series #3 – 1/11/26 

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

This week, there were 3 choices: 3.5m, 10k or 25K.

My March half marathon plan hadn’t really started yet but I usually run 6-8 miles on the weekend.

I did my usual short runs during the work week.

However, the day before, I spent the day in NYC with a college friend  (so NO long run).

Race Day:

Although I got home very late the night before, this race didn’t start until 10 am.

And the weather seemed perfect – sunny, little breeze and 40 degrees.  So much better than the last race. And the rain the day before had washed away most of our snow.

I was contemplating switching from the 3.5 miler to the 10k but hesitated.

I did park in the far parking lot so I could park to and from the race start and/or do additional loop after the race.

It was a moot point because I had actually registered for the 10k (not the 3.5).  I could have switched but I decided that it was a sign to run the longer distance.

Due to the improved weather conditions, there was a much bigger crowd than the last race.

I was able to catch up with a lot of runners that I hadn’t seen in a while.

Some of my friends ran the shorter distance but most ran the 10k like I did.

All of the runners started at the same time, but immediately the 25kers went left and the other two distances went right.

As you can see from the map above, the 10k was basically an inner loop and then an outer loop.  I may have started my watch late (as there’s no start line) and ran all the tangents so at the end, my watch registered the distance short.

I am slower than all of my friends but one who ran the 10k.  We started together and they just got farther ahead.  In these races, usually the fastest runners run the longest distance and the slowest the shortest.  I think the 25k runners looped me a few times.

Anyway, I ran the race in a similar fashion to the last one.  I didn’t use intervals but ran continuously. But, of course, after 3 miles I tired and got slower and so the second half of the race I walked whenever I felt like it.

When the breeze was at my back, I was sweating (unzipped my jacket and took off my gloves) and but at times, it was chilly.  (Some of the long distance runners were even wearing shorts…)

Eventually I crossed the finish line…

It was warmer than last time so more runners were still waiting for their friends.

After Linda crossed, I went inside with the others.

Post Race:

Same refreshments as the week before but different type of soup…

No fire drill this week so we waited around for awards.

Again Carolyn took 1sr place and I 2nd (for the second race in a row).

 

And they gave us both last race and this race’s awards.

Final Stats:

Although, my pace was way slower than I used to run these races, without the wind gusts, my total pace for 10k was a little faster than the 3.5 miler. Gotta find the positives….

Winter Series #4 – 1/26/26 (postponed to 2/1/26)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Three choices again this week: 3.5m, 15k or 30k

I had signed up for the shortest distance but until I got sick, I was planning to challenge myself and run the 15k.

I minimally got outdoors for some slow run walks (lots of sniffling and coughing involved).

Then with sub zero temps predicted and a huge snowstorm looming, the race was CANCELLED!!

It was re-scheduled for a week later.

Unfortunately, I had registered for a 10k in NYC that day. But due to being sick for several weeks, I decided to stay home and cancelled my trip to NYC.

That meant I was available to run this race. Not the 15k as I hoped and even the 3.5m was doubtful as I had not been running much.

After a few days of antibiotics, I felt so much better. I even got out to run two evenings in the freezing cold.

It was still so cold but the sun was shining on Saturday. So I drove to UAlbany and ran a loop (3m) and then my friend Deb came ands we ran 2 more loops (using very a slow run walk).

Race Day:

Freezing and very windy.  After running 9 miles the day before, I decided to sit this one out.

Instead I went to gym.

I am usually pretty tough when it comes to winter weather but this cold spell was wearing me down.

I also didn’t want to risk an overuse injury with two big races coming up in March.

Winter Series #5 – 2/8/26

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Last one of the season and three choices again this week: 3.5m, 10m or 20m.

I had signed up for the shortest distance as in all the others.  But the 10 miler would have been better since I was leaving for Florida in a few days and only running a 5k on the weekend.  My training for the March 15 NYC Half was falling far behind.

However, would 10 miles be too much?  Would I be out in the cold too long?

Nevertheless, I got my 3 short weekday runs in just in case:

Again, the weather Gods made my decision for me

It is re-scheduled for Feb. 15 but I’ll be in Florida.

Additional Race Reflections:

I feel very fortunate to have this opportunity.  The races are fun but if you want to take them seriously, you can.  And with the longer distances offered, you could use them as training runs for a half or full marathon.

And then there’s the camaraderie of the local runners and free food!

Win Win for the HMRRC Winter Series!

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• FREE if you are a member of HMRRC. $5 if not
• Indoor restrooms
• Warm place to congregate before and after
• Several distances to choose from.
• Many familiar faces.
• Awards – gift certificate for Bountiful Bread
• Post race refreshments – delicious soup, snacks, cookies, hot chocolate, coffee and more
• Free Photos

Negatives:

• Self reported finish times (sometimes I forget to look at the clock or start my watch)
• 10 year age group awards and only 2 deep.
• Usually windy.
• Boring course.
• Several loops if running more than 3 miles.

Would I recommend these races?

Absolutely. Great way to stay active during the cold winter months.

Happy Running! Have you run any races in 2026 yet? Any races on your schedule? How do you stay motivated during the cold weather? Please share.

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) 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