This race has been around for a long time.  The date was never convenient.

Truthfully I was not planning on running it.

I had just run a half marathon 2 weeks before and had a 5k planned in a week.

My friend Jenny pointed out that they offered a discounted race fee of $15 if you had never run the race.

So I figured Why Not?  And I needed to stay in shape for the 2 ten milers at the end of May.

DESCRIPTION:

The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners have held this 10k as its Masters (40+) Championship event since 1982. The race was named after one of the Club’s longtime members, Bill Robinson. He was, without question, one of the fastest and toughest runners in the capital region on both the road and on the track. Bill won this race in 1987 and 1989. Bill was a member of an HMRRC masters team that won a USATF National 10k title in 1989. However, while training the year after, he had a tragic accident that left him paralyzed.

The 10k race starts and finishes at the entrance to Guilderland High School. For the first mile the race heads out on Meadowdale Road and then bears left onto Frederick Rd. and onto Hawes Rd for about 1.5 miles of rolling hills. At this point the course bears right onto Weaver Rd., and the course’s main long downhill, to the 5k turnaround. At this point runners turn around and race back to Guilderland High School.

I had run several 5ks that started at the high school (2016-19) so I remember the hills. I am not opposed to walking up hills.

Race Day:

The race started at 9 am so I left my house around 8 am (after having my standard breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.)

Yes, it’s spring but the temp when I got up was 35 degrees. As a result, I brought several options: cap, beanie, jacket, gloves, pants, etc.

I knew that you could wait inside the high school before the race and I could decide what to leave  on and what to leave behind.

This race had a small crowd.. but I immediately ran into runners that I knew.

Another advantage  of waiting indoors was the real restrooms.

I got my bib and shirt and chatted until it was time to head outside.

As you can see from the above pic, I took off my pants, jacket, wore a cap inside of a beanie (but left on my gloves.)

I was very cold at first but I knew that I would warm up (and I was correct.)

There was no electronic start line so we just started running.

I started with my friends Carolyn and Anne,

I tried to stay with them.  First I lost Carolyn and then Anne and being no fast and not slow, it was pretty lonely out there.

Mile 1-3:

I was very cold at first but I knew that I would warm up (and I was correct.)

There was no electronic start line so we just ran.

I started with my friends Carolyn and Anne,

I tried to stay with them.  Fist I lost Carolyn and then Anne and being not fast and not slow, it was pretty lonely out there.

The course turned out to be pretty straightforward, with a few mild turns and undulating hills. Up, up, up and and a slight down.

Where I live, there are no hills. When I run on the bike paths, the terrain is flat.

I knew that this race had hills and yes, I could have prepared for them.

But I did not!!

Not wanting to wreck my body, I just ran/walked up them.  It seemed that the better runners ran the whole race at a consistent pace.

There was a water stop around mile 2.  I wasn’t thirsty yet but I stopped as an excuse to walk.

Mile 3-6.2::

The third mile was great, as you find yourself flying down Hawes and then Weaver Road…

but then there’ was the turnaround and the fourth mile has you climbing back up.

There was a clock at the 5k point and it said 32-33 minutes.  Not bad I thought with all that walking…

But the hills seemed longer and harder.  Or maybe my legs were getting tired. I tried to run/walk up the hills. But I may have been walking longer than the first half the race.

Another water stop around mile 4, this time I was thirsty.. I actually felt warm. I had taken off my gloves  (and a short sleeved shirt would have been fine.)

As I mentioned above, I was running alone… At least the course marshals were supportive and cheered runners on. (Being on country roads, there were no spectators.)

Eventually we turned into the school parking lot and I gave it all that I had as I crossed the finish line (at around 1:05:xx).

As soon as you crossed the finish line, they handed you a raffle ticket.

Post Race Activities:

I was actually please with my time.  It wasn’t the old me but not even a PW.

Since this was my first time running this race, it was a course PR.

I grabbed some water and went inside.

Many of the runners were already finished and so they started calling out raffle numbers.  If you won, you got to pick out some running clothes (shirt, jackets, hats, shorts, etc.)

I didn’t win….

For refreshments, there was homemade soup, bread, pastries, food and coffee. (I sampled it all.)

Due to the size of the race, the age group awards were for 10 year age groups.

Carolyn and I won in ours.

What’s worse than getting a generic medal?

Additional Race Reflections:

The race was on country roads with practically no traffic.  It was well organized and I would recommend it you enjoy a challenge.

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked scenic course
• Some familiar faces
• Free photos
• Only $15 for newbies
• real restrooms
• indoor place to wait before the race and hang out after
• raffle prizes (race apparel)
• perfect running weather

Negatives:

• Hills, hills, hills
• No local running friends
• 10 year age group awards
• no spectators
• low attendance

Would I recommend this race?

All in all, this was a fun race. The hills were a challenge but I’ve seen and experienced worse.

Final Stats:

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? 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