It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever. As with all my big races, I impulsively sign up way in advance (and then often regret it LOL).

I ran the first annual one in 2019. Due to COVID, in 2020, I ran the race virtually and in 2021, however, I ran it on a completely different course (a hilly one). I ran it again on its current course in 2022 and then in 2023, I was recovering from a broken foot so I had to skip it and volunteered at the finish line instead. But then, I ran it twice more in 2024 and 2025 (both in awful weather!).

So I signed up for 2026 Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon as my 78th Half Marathon for several reasons:

• FOMO. Many of my racing/running friends were doing it.
• It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed.
• I am familiar with the course. I run on it often.
• It’s a downhill course. (470 ft. elevation loss)
• It was part 2 of a 3 race challenge.
• I ran one just 3 weeks ago (so sorta trained.)

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. I ran my last half marathon on March 21 in Asheville, NC.

And I ran another a week before in NYC.

On weekdays, I tried to run 3x a week…sometimes it happened, sometimes it didn’t (and usually only 3 miles).

And then on the weekends, I schedule my long run. This training cycle, after the last half, I ran/walked 7  miles and then 8 miles…

I was counting on some muscle memory from the 13.1 miles that I completed 3 weeks prior.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Originally I thought that Deb and Barb would be sharing this race experience with me (like last year).

But they both got injured so I was solo (for the first time) but I knew other runners that would be there.

Thursday evening I picked up my bib at the finish line

and then met my friend Heidi for one last (insanely windy) run…

As usual,  Friday evening, I ate pizza for dinner (and babysat for my granddaughter).

I checked the weather all week and it kept changing from 70 degree to 50 degrees.

So what do I wear?

Race goals?

Also the same as usual. Finish happy with no injuries.  I have realized that having a time goal is difficult at my age. Having any expectations of a PR or even a course PR is unrealistic, as well.

That being said, since this race did not have the hills of NYC or Asheville, I was hoping to have a faster finish time than my last two half marathons (2:34:31 and 2:39:32) … but again, anything can happen on race day.

I’m pretty sure that it will be a course PW (2024= 2:21:44; 2025 = 2:25:41)!

Race Day:

Since I had run this race before, I was familiar with the start and finish logistics. But they still were tricky. There was a bus from the finish to the start (and no parking at the start). However this year, I knew when to get there and where to find nearby parking.  Close to 2,000 runners had signed up for this race!!!

Well, I woke up to 40 degrees(feels like 35).  Yup, it was still windy!

I kept my original race outfit added a throwaway jacket, Long sleeved shirt, foil blanket, gloves, and jacket for after. I decided against bag check since I planned to park near the finish.

I arrived around 6:30 am, found parking in the lot near the finish (most runners park in the parking garage), waited in my warm car and finally walked to the bus.

The line for the bus was long but there were so many buses and as soon as one was filled, it left.

I arrived around 7:45 am and the race did not start until 8:30. (A long time to wait when it’s chilly outside but at least this year, I knew to arrive later.)

There were so many familiar faces.. from former running groups, training groups, other races, etc.. All arriving and shivering (but remarking that this was the best race weather for this race.)

Eventually, it was time to enter the start area.

I reluctently removed, my jacket, long sleeved shirt, foil sheet, and pants…

I was planned to throw them away but I checked at bag check (which supposedly closed and headed by truck to finish) and it was still there.

So I checked by bag and now my throwaways can be used for a future race.

Here are some posted pictures of the beginning of the race (from FB):

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Course Map:

Miles 1-5:

The course started in the park and then we ran just over 2 miles on the roads of Voorheesville so runners could spread out before they got on the rail trail.

There were a few steep downhill sections but it was very crowded  so this helped me not start out too fast.

From there, the course headed east for about 9 miles into Albany on the rail trail.

If you read my blog, you may remember that this is a trail near my home and that I run on often. It was nice to only have to run on it one way…going downhill.  It was not steep and I was able to run at a comfortable pace.

As per my plan, I walked at each water stop. My friend Jenny was at the first one.  I think there were 2 in the first 3 miles. And after the first mile, I walked for a few seconds whenever I was tired.

My friends Deb and Barb were at the 2nd one. It’s great to see familiar faces along the way.

There were clocks at each 5k (but that showed the time based on when the first runners started). However, my Garmin did notify me of my splits.  So I knew that I was running slow and in the comfortable 11ish per mile range.

My breakfast was at 5:15 am so I was getting pretty hungry.  Eventually around mile 4, I ate my first GU.

The great thing about a local race was the crowd support and volunteers.  Many called my name (since it was on my bib) and it was so welcome. I was surprised how many showed up.

I was initially cold but as soon as I started running, I was so glad that I wore the outfit that I did.  I immediately took off my gloves and rolled down my arm sleeves.

Here are a few pictures from previous runs on this same trail:

Miles 6-9:

So the race continued on this same trail.  The elevation felt a little steeper on this portion and my legs felt more and more tired.  Or should I say my quads were complaining from running downhill. Finally around mile 6 or 7, there was the water stop. I walked even longer than at previous ones.

At the 10k clock, it was obvious that I slowed but not much (since I had been running slow from the start).

What was nice about this race was that I knew so many of the runners.  They kept passing me by. Some just waved, others slowed and ran with me for a while. I also recognized some runners who were not running the race and they cheered me on.

I walked (too long) at the next water stop around mile 8 and ate my second GU.

More pictures from previous runs:

Believe or not, no real lower back pain but by the 15k point, my neuroma started to throb and that continued until the end of the race. (At least I had almost 10 pain-free miles on that foot. LOL)

Miles 10-13.1

The rail trail finally ended and we were heading into Albany. This was my least favorite part of the course – not scenic at all – running through the city (and not the nice part) and then along a busy road.

I was toast at this point. I just wanted to be done.

And now off the trail, we were not shielded from  the wind and it seemed that we were running into the wind, of course.

A few more water stops and longer walks. One last GU.

The clock at the 20k mark indicated that surprisingly I was still having a decent race (not course PR decent but faster than my last two halfs).

The last few miles seemed endless. It was no longer downhill. In fact going to the finish line was slightly uphill.

I walked a few more times and tried as best as I could to sprint through the finish.

I saw the clock ahead and I hoped to finish NOT under 2:27…and I thought I succeeded (but nope, not net time).

(why? so I wouldn’t be tempted to sign up for the  2027 NYC and Brooklyn Halfs. LOL)

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal and some water. Bumped into some more runners that I knew.

I grabbed some food (sandwich, food, brownie), chocolate milk and headed to bag check.

Pictures from two years ago:

There was FREE free beer (I refrained since the line was long and it was 11 am). And a band playing music, food trucks, other info booths with freebies.

I did check the results and surprisingly I came in 3rd in my age group…

I headed back to my car and texted my local running friends that I was done.  They had planned to meet at a diner for a celebratory brunch.

.

Final Stats:

Additional Race Reflections:

Well, again when you’re my age, you just have to show up.

My finish time was way faster than my previous two half marathons this year but this course was downhill and many PRs were earned. (NYC – 2:34:31 , Asheville – 2:39:32 ). But it was slower than last year on this same course (2:25:41)…

In 2019, I wanted a sub 2:12 finish so I would qualify for the 2020 NYC Half Marathon. And I did!!

This year, I had no glorious expectations. I just wanted to finish. And I did!

I tried to take it easy and as a result, I enjoyed the race a lot more.

As you can see from the stats above, my lack of endurance caught up to me after Mile 11 (or maybe it was my foot.)

I have confirmed that downhill races aren’t as easy as you may think. Rolling hills are actually easier on the body. (We runners are never satisfied.)

My quads were sore for a day or two. No injuries. So very happy!

The Good:

• Lots of race info emailed and on website including runner guide and spectator guide.
• Easy packet pick-up. Neat race-related items.
• Registration options – cheaper without a shirt or hoodie.
• Part of a 3 race challenge
• Free bus from the finish to the start.
• Many porta potties at the start. Long lines but they moved quickly
• Bag Check. Well organized before and easy pick up at the end
• Downhill course (except for first and last 2 miles)
• Water stops. (even had Gu at one)
• Decent crowd support
• Well marked course for each mile
• Clocks at 5k, 10k, 15k, 20k
• Very cool medal.
• Great post race refreshments
• Immediate electronic race results
• PR and finisher bell
• Free photos
• Nearby – no transportation or hotel costs.
• Support from friends

The Bad:

• No local friends doing it.
• The boring, unscenic last 2 miles.
• Cold and windy waiting at the start.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes. ARE did a fantastic job attending to every detail.

Next Up:

A few shorter races.

• Bill Robinson Memorial 10k – April 25
• Tropicool 5k – May 3

Happy Running!  Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big race coming up? Have you ever run a downhill race? Please share.

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).