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

This year was actually the 8th time that I had run this race.

I ran it back in 2010!!

Yes, 16 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).

In 2024, I had a course PW with a 31:10 (GT) finish!

And last year, I improved a little (30:10)….

As I mentioned in each race recap this year, I expect a PW.

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:

Two weekends ago, I ran a 10k in NYC

and I really haven’t run at all since then.

My Achilles had been sore and my chiro recommended that I rest it.

I’ve walked a few trails and that’s it.

Obviously that’s not how I planned to prepare for this race and the races to come…

I was nervous about racing and making things worse but I decided I had would go and decide what to do that morning – cheer, walk, walk/run, run?

Race Day:

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

My friend Heidi again had signed up along with a few others that we knew.

And for once we had nice weather!!

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

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 what should I do???

I decided that I would run slowly (ego in check) and see how things felt. I could always walk. And fingers crossed that I didn’t make it worse (since I had a big 15k in 3 weeks).

Below is the course map and elevation:

As I mentioned above, it had been 2 weeks since I ran a 10k. But the weeks before that I ran a 5k and a 10 miler. All with that sore Achilles.

I was hoping that my time off from running would bring good news and running this race was the right decision.

My only race goal was to finish … zero expectations of a fast finish time or an age group award.

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. My pace was much slower than usual… but I wasn’t in pain so I continued in that vein.

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, sore Achilles? All of the above?

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 and finishing under 30 minutes is just an unrealistic dream..

As I approached the finish line, 34 turned to 35 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.

Unfortunately, now my Achilles really was sore and I was limping…

At that moment, it didn’t seem like a good idea to have run the race.

I waited for Heidi to finish and we took more pictures.

We headed for the food. There was a decent spread: bagels, popcorn,, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I also had a hot dog and pasta salad.

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.)

There were only 2 in my age group so even if I walked, I would have won. LOL

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was nervous about running this race.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, finished the race and don’t regret it one bit. (I iced my foot, soaked in the hot tub and as the day went on it felt better and better.  Time will tell… And PT.)

You may question why I ran it…

Mentally I needed to…

And if I walked it, I would still be wondering if I COULD run and how much pain I would be in after.

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
• Creative age group award

Negatives:

• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Unisex tee shirts
• No mile markers
• Lack of preparation and sore Achilles

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 = 35:18
Garmin Time = 34:xx (I didn’t stop my watch right away)

Yes, a course PW (maybe a 5K PW) but a happy one.

Next Up:

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