I think we skipped spring and went right into summer: heat, humidity and bugs!!
Last Week –
Sunday – It was a beautiful sunny day yesterday but my hubby was sick so no boating. Today of course, rain on and off and very muggy and warm.
I started the day at the gym and worked (sweat) in the yard and did lots of retail therapy ordering deck stuff.
empty!
Monday – DAY OFF – I actually played tennis this morning. First time since May 8 (in Fla.)
a hot but fun match…
And I finally met up with my running friend to go hiking. But since it was predicted to be close to 100 degrees we decided to hang out at her house (since she lives on a lake.)
On my way home, I stopped off to see my granddaughter.
enjoying her dinner
Tuesday – My new morning running friend returned from vacation but it was so hot and humid that she bailed on me. So I got up early, drove to the rail trail since at least there was shade there.
did longer walk intervals so I didn’t die…
A busy day but I was able to get in a walk after work (in the mall).
Wednesday – No WFH. Three days in a row teaching face to face. No gym and no run today.
I went for a short walk after work and then I had a teacher reunion. My first one since I left my teaching job (where I taught French for over 20 years). It was great to catch up with everyone.
Thursday – Back teaching live. Rain in the forecast.
I did get in a run after work at the Corning bike path (near where I worked)
no rain, cooler temps but lots of humidity
And then in the evening, I attended my monthly STEM board meeting ZOOM call.
Friday – Day 3 of live teaching…
Only mah jongg in the evening.
Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.. Rain again originally predicted for our Saturday but it didn’t rain so I met up with Barbara to run and have brunch after with the others.
some humidity but basically a nice day to run
The rest of the day was spent fixing up our new deck.
BBQing in our future…
Sunday – Gym, gardening, boating?
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – run, first pickleball lesson
Tuesday – run
Wednesday – run
Thursday – gym, trails
Friday –Firecracker 4 Race
Saturday – Indian Ladder Farms Cider 5k
Sunday – gym. boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – 2025 Q2 Update
Friday – Ultimate Coffee Date
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring? Is there a heat wave where you live? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
I went out to dinner every evening except Sunday and Saturday.
Just so happened that all dinner invitations were squeezed into one week and there was also a work trip to NYC.
Last Week –
Sunday – I started the day at the gym. And finally the rain stopped and they started work on our new deck.
getting a smaller Trex deck
Lots of outdoor home maintenance today…
Monday – My new routine is to run before work and I did today!
Roses and horses…
After work, I had dinner with my stepson, his GF and my sister-in-law. After dinner, we stopped the house that he had bought (to see the improvements.)
Tuesday – Another morning at the gym. Of course it was raining!!! (Poor deck workers.)
progress…
Tonight was my monthly dinner with my tennis friends. I had to miss the last month’s so it was nice to see everyone again.
Wednesday – More rain overnight and when I woke up but it stopped so I crossed my fingers that it would stay dry long enough to squeeze in my run.
My new AM running friend was away so I also had to motivate myself to do this run/walk workout alone. I did it but it wasn’t as fast or as much fun.
After work, I went out to celebrate my friend’s (who I used to teach with) last day of school.
lobster roll & a beer
It was an early dinner so I had time to meet my BFF after for a walk.
Thursday – Juneteenth and a Day OFF but I had to take an early train to NYC to work in Jamaica, Queens the next day.
No surprise that thunderstorms were predicted as well as high temps (yup, summer has arrived.)
So after I dropped off my bag at the hotel, I hopped the subway downtown. I was wearing my running clothes but had a jacket and umbrella so my running plans got scrapped and I just walked along the East River and then over the Brooklyn Bridge..
best plan ever since it was raining in Manhattan and and blue skies in Brooklyn..
I had never really spent much time in DUMBO and I enjoyed it esp since I could see rain across the river and I stumbled along a awesome outdoor photography exhibit.
Eventually I took the subway back to my hotel because I had dinner plans with a college friend.
Well, the rain had temporarily stopped so I walked to her apt….
We had drinks there and then went out to an Indian restaurant for dinner.
Friday – Just a long work day returning home late by train.
Saturday – Long Run and Brunch.
Of course I was tempted to race since there was a 7 miler that I have done several times in the past
But actually I had signed up for a 5k today but it got re-scheduled to July 5. I was relieved since I had gotten home late from NYC the night before.
With all the races I’ve been running, I was happy to meet up with my local friends again and just run for fun and meet them after for brunch..
our first dry Saturday but it was quite warm…
I spent the rest of the day doing errands and yard work…
and our deck is done…
Sunday – gym, more home projects or maybe boating (weather dependent).
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – DAY OFF –TENNIS, hike, run?
Tuesday – run
Wednesday – Teacher Reunion Dinner
Thursday –run, STEM board meeting ZOOM
Friday – mah jongg
Saturday – Long run and Brunch
Sunday – gym. boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Summer Racing Plans
Friday – Runfessions
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring? Do eat out often? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
If you training for a big race: a half marathon, a full marathon or an ultra, it is tempting to skip races during your training cycle so you can complete all the weekend runs on your plan.
If you are not training, you also may feel that there’s no reason to race. You can just run for fun on the weekend.
Here are my Five Reasons to Race Often:
1. Races are more fun.
Running is supposed to be fun, right?
I don’t know about you, but I rarely have fun during my weekend runs. I get them done. Period.
The atmosphere before a race is inspiring and the feeling of accomplishment after a race is addicting.
2. It’s a speed drill in disguise.
Even if you say that the race only a training run or you don’t care about your pace, most likely the enthusiasm and crowd support will have you running faster in a race than in your weekend run.
3. Free water stops, porta-potties and post-run refreshments.
Ok, not free because you have to pay to run the race but you know what I mean.
It’s welcomed support before, during and/or after your run.
4. You can practice race pace.
You may often run your weekend runs too fast or too slow.
Obviously it’s easier to practice “race pace” in a race.
5.You connect with other runners and make new friends..
When I first started running, I had no running friends so I would race on the weekends.
Now I do have friends to run with on the weekend but I always enjoy meeting new runners.
Happy Running! Do you ever use a race as a training run? Do you race often? Why or why not? Please share.
I had taken a break from this race and then a few years ago, I started running it again…
This year was actually the 7th time that I had run this race.
I ran it back in 2010!!
they gave out free ice cream that year,
Yes, 15 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.
Kelly and Mary (on the right)
Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.
here with my friend Tom
and my age group competition, Carolyn
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
2nd in my AG again to Carolyn and won a bat….
The good news in 2023 was that Carolyn didn’t turn 70 until later in the year.
so I won my age group!!
But my time was slower: 29:11 (GT).
Last year, I had a course PW with a 31:10 (GT) finish!
still snagged 2nd in my age group.
And this year, I expected an even slower time…
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.
2022
2023
2024
Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:
Last weekend, I ran a 10k in NYC.
and then during the week, I ran a few short runs/walks:
Race Day:
I dragged myself out of bed and had my usual race breakfast (coffee and oatmeal).
As it has EVERY Saturday since forever, it was raining!!!!!
I was definitely going but packed some dry clothes, race poncho, raincoat, umbrella, etc.)
Unfortunately, my friend Heidi decided not to go so I was solo.
The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:30.
I grabbed my umbrella and put on my rain jacket and went to get my shirt and bib (and Heidi’s)
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 why does it rain for every race but that it’s better than sun/heat.
pretty nasty out…
Below is the course map and elevation:
“their” elevation chart
and “mine”
It had been about 2 weeks since my last 5k… and one week since a 10k.
I had not been thrilled with my lack of speed and thought I would do some speed drills on a nearby track. But nope… that never happened.
So again, my race goal was to finish happy and uninjured… zero expectations of a fast finish time…
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.)
lots of familiar faces…
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.
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.
We repeated most of the course afterwards in 2022 so here are some pics from the neighborhoods
My legs weren’t tired but I found myself out of breath… pollen, lack of sleep, out of shape? All three?
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 however I thought of finishing under 30 minutes. (I think that’s just a dream now…)
As I approached the finish line, 29 turned to 30 minutes and then I crossed…
Carolyn who won my age group was way ahead…
Post Race Activities:
I may have come to accept my lack of speed because I was not really disappointed in my time.
After I crossed, I bumped into my friend Gail (who ran RnR DC with me)
and the mascot..
We headed for the food. There was a decent spread: bagels, popcorn,, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I ate 2 hot dogs!!
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.)
insulated cooler/lunch bag
Additional Race Reflections:
When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was not feeling good about running this race. I wasn’t sure I wanted to get soaked.
As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, ran a decent race and don’t regret it one bit.
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
Useful age group award (my hubby likes it)
Negatives:
Gun time (not chip timed)
Hills (but don’t most races)
Unisex tee shirts
No mile markers
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:
SPLITS
PACE
Gun Time = 30:10
Garmin Time = 30:06
Not a course PW and actually it was my fastest 5k this year.
Next Up:
Happy Running! How did you celebrate Father’s Day Weekend? Running any summer 5ks? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
I signed up for the Mastercard NYC Mini 10k for several reasons:
I love NYC.
I love running in Central Park.
I hadn’t run a race there since Dec. 2022.
I had enough pts for a free hotel room.
I thought my NYC BRF Cari may be running it too or at least we could meet up during the weekend.
All woman’s race – so inspiring.
Elite runners do it! (Last year Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, Dakotah Lindwurm, Sara Hall, Molly Huddle, Jessica McLain, Nell Rojas and others ran it.)
10k is one of my favorite distances.
No Harlem Hill for this race (just 3 sisters).
Training:
If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do try to do those weekday short runs (Mon, Tues, Wed this week).
and get in some longer runs on the weekend (although the weekend before this race, it was only a 5k race): 10m, 8m 6m
Miles on the Mohawk 10m
I knew about the HILLS that would taunt me during the race. I have run in this park and I ran the Shape Half Marathon, Fred LeBow Half twice, Central Park Half and many other shorter races.
Shape Half ’17
Fred Lebow Half ’22
Central Park Half ’22
France Run 8k
Grete’s Great Gallop 10K
Poland Springs 10k
Shape 5.8 mile loop
Ted Corbit 15k
I’ve always wanted to run this race. However, it often conflicted with the Freihofer Run for Women or work. I finally got in in 2020 and then it was cancelled due to COVID.
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
Believe or not, my friends picked June 5 to visit the NY Botanical Gardens.
So I stayed in a hotel in the Bronx that night
and then the next morning, I took a subway into Manhattan and immediately got busy with all my scheduled activities.
First I headed to NYRR Run Center to pick up my bib and race shirt and also attend a panel discussion.
that’s Emily Sisson (who didn’t end up running the race)
I walked back to my hotel but my room still wasn’t ready. So I took the subway downtown to visit the Anne Frank exhibit.
Afterward, I walked back to my hotel stopping on the way for a late lunch (pizza). I finally checked into my room and then headed uptown to the newly renovated Frick museum.
Cari met me there and accompanied me to my next activity, a Broadway show. But first a gelato stop.
I walked back to my hotel and called it a day. Don’t ask how many miles I walked the day before this race…
#flatme ready
Race Day:
I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and got up around 5:30 am. My hotel was on West 36th and 6th Avenue. I have in the past taken an Uber but I decided to leave super early (6:30 am) and take the subway from 34th St & 8th Ave.
And it was super crowded with runners! I chatted with one who was running her first race ever.
I got off at 86th and followed all the runners to the start at 90th.
The rain in the forecast disappeared and insane humidity replaced it.
It was already warm and I had decided not to do bag check (besides it was a mile from the start). I was originally worried that I would get soaked from the rain. I changed my mind. A little rain would have felt good.
It was still early but the time passed quickly.
My Race Plan:
Do not get injured!! And most importantly, have fun!!
I would most likely do a lot of walking… because there would be hills!!
I planned to stop and walk briefly at every water stop (so I wouldn’t get dehydrated) and to stop and walk longer to eat a gel around mile 4.
I was worried about the humidity so I brought salt chews and took 2 before the race and planned take 2 more at the halfway point.
My estimated finish time would be around 1:15 (far from my 57:xx PR at this distance).
Anyway, here’s how the race went:
Course Map:
Elevation according to Strava:
Miles 1-3:
I started in Corral F:
It only took 5-10 minutes to get to the start line.
the elites
We started running on Central Park West (W90th St) and eventually entered the park at 72nd.
I was feeling good but tried to keep it slow due to the weather conditions. Although I thought I had started my Garmin, somehow I did not. I realized it about a half mile into the race. No big deal except for not knowing what mile I was at. At least there were clocks at each mile.
Once in the park, we ran south. I think I ran until the first water stop about 1.5m in before I walked… I was sweating (and I rarely sweat) so I grabbed some Gatorade.
Eventually we turned and ran up the east side of the park.
It was crowded but I didn’t really need to weave in and out. I was not running that fast and for my pace, many runners walked intermittently.
As the race went on, the humidity made me feel weaker and so I paced myself by walking up the hills and sprinting whenever I had enough energy.
There was a 2nd water stop around the 5k point… More Gatorade!
Miles 4-6.2:
Once we reached 102nd St, we looped around and headed back on the west side of the park toward 72nd where the race would finish.
I finally ate my Gu at the next water stop (around mile 4.5).
Still no rain. Even the sun peaked out. So humid!!!!!
And now came more hills.
I am pretty sure I walked more the 2nd half of the race.
I didn’t care. I just wanted to finish upright.
I did give it my all on any straight away and/or downhills.
And somehow, my Garmin stopped and I lost my stats for the last .5 miles (?).
I think there was one more water stop (around mile 5.5) but I skipped it as I just wanted to be done…
I did feel good enough to sprint across the finish and was pleasantly surprised at the time on the clock.
I saw many runners with flowers but I guess they had run out by the time I finished.
Post Race Activities:
I immediately got my medal, grabbed a heavy bag of food (water, Gatorade, apple, pretzels, bar…)
reusable cups
and posed for a quick pic. or two!
While I was waiting for Cari to finish, I met two lovely runners who would be running their first NYCM in November. We became instant friends.
Soon Cari arrived…
showing off our “skirts”
with her friends. Another photo op.
So two Cari meet-ups in one weekend. Always a pleasure and hopefully, we’ll meet up again soon.
As I exited the park, it was so inspiring to see all the runners happily finishing their race.
The rain finally arrived but not until around 1:30 pm.
And luckily I had indoor plans (the Morgan Library and Museum) for the rest of the day:
Additional Race Reflections:
Running in the heat/humidity may not have been exactly fun. But at least without the rain, I could enjoy the pre and post-race experience.
can you spot the bride and groom?
I was happy with my finish time. Yes, it was almost 9 minutes slower than a 10k that I had run in this park
back in Oct. 2019
but it was not a PW and faster than I expected on this course and in these weather conditions.
Enough whining…I am so grateful to be able to visit NYC and run a race. And a race that included only women was just icing on the cake.
I am unbelievably happy that after the race, my legs/feet felt fine.. no pain anywhere (always a good thing at my age.)
All in all, I thought this was a fun race.
The Good:
Easy packet pick-up at Run Center and also race morning near the start).
NYRR sponsored events before race dy.
Cool purple tank
Bag Check if needed.
Water at almost EVERY mile. Gatorade at most.
Many porta-potties along the course in addition to real CP bathrooms
Well marked course.
Timing Clock at every mile.
No Harlem Hill.
Great crowd support!
Los of volunteers as course marshals and at water stops
Very cool medal.
Immediate results.
Blogger meet-up with Cari
No Blisters. No pain.
The Bad:
Humidity.
Hills in Central Park. I did not do any training on hills (my bad)
Post-race food – just pretzels and apples but I guess I missed the bagels and cookies
They ran out of flowers.
Photos?
Would I recommend this race?
Yes.
Do it if you can. You won’t regret it (unless you hate hills lol).
No, it’s not an easy course. Only a little over 10,000 women runners usually participate so not a big race by NYC standards. And not an expensive one.
Final Stats:
1st and last 1/2 mile missing
No age group award but 8 out of 64 ain’t bad.
Next Up:
June 14
Happy Running! Ever run this race? Have you raced in NYC? Do you like 10Ks? Have you ever run an all women’s race? Please share.
It’s odd that this is my first race in NYC this year.
In the past, I’ve done Fred Lebow Half in January, Central Park Half in Feb, NYC Half in March and/or Brooklyn Half in May.
With a goal of running new races, this year, I only registered for the Mini 10k in June and Squirrely 10k in Sept.
Last Week –
Sunday – I started the day at the gym, did some gardening and errands and then went to a Floral Show and Tea Tasting.
at the Ten Broeck Mansion in Albany
Monday – WFH again this week so I had time to go to the gym before work.
I squeezed in a run at lunch..
spring temps and sunshine returned finally
After work, I met a running friend for a long walk on the rail trail followed by burgers & beer.
Tuesday – Since I had a hair appt after work, I got my run done before work and visited some horses..
another sunny day and perfect temps…
Wednesday – A very early morning run with a new running friend on Global Running Day…
very cool sunrise!
I asked Jenny to run with me… she is mostly a marathon runner and has complained about her lack of speed. She asked how I am so fast (and I laughed) but I replied “Walk intervals.” We did 90:45. She has never walked during a run or race. So it was hard for her to adjust but she wants to do it again. I ran faster but she walked faster. Good for both of us and better than my 2 solo miles, I did 4. (in the 9s for the run and 15s for the walk.)
After work, I met my BFF for a walk.
Thursday – I drove with 3 tennis friends to the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx. In addition to the gorgeous roses, this year, the Garden’s theme was Van Gogh (which happens to be one of my favorite artists.)
it was a scorcher of a day but we still had a good time
After our garden visit, I checked into a nearby hotel and stayed there overnight.
dinner in Little Italy
Friday – After I checked out of my hotel, I took the subway to my new hotel in Manhattan.
There were many activities on my to-do list including picking up my bib/shirt for the race the next day. I also had tickets for a panel discussion so I stayed for that.
got to meet Emily Sisson. and hear stories from a very diverse group of women…
I walked back to my hotel and my room still wasn’t ready. So I took the subway downtown to visit the Anne Frank exhibit.
so moving… I loved The Diary of Anne Frank as a kid…
Afterward I walked back to my hotel stopping on the way for a late lunch. I finally checked into my room and then headed uptown to the newly renovated Frick museum.
gorgeous…. wish they allowed photos…
Cari met me there and accompanied me to my next activity, a Broadway show. But first a gelato stop.
the show was great!!
I walked back to my hotel and called it a day. Don’t ask how many miles I walked the day before a race. It’s NYC!
Saturday – Mastercard NY Mini 10k.
The rain in the forecast disappeared and insane humidity replaced it.
I took the subway to the start which was on W90th St.
I got there early. So many women runners!! Some were new to the race. Others had run it many times. Some were young and some were older.
Eventually the race began and somehow my Garmin didn’t start. I noticed it about a half mile in. (It also died the last .5 mi. WTH)
It was warm and so humid. I even drank Gatorade and ate salt chews and still felt like dying.
So I ran slowly, walked up all the hills and didn’t die!!
While I waited at the finish for Cari and met two runners training for their first NYCM. We became instant friends.
❤ this race
Eventually I exited the park fearing that it would pour on me. It didn’t. I walked until 59th and took the subway the rest of the way.
After a long hot shower and some lunch I headed to the High Line. Finally the skies opened up.
Luckily I had an umbrella and tickets for the Morgan Library museum.
I stumbled upon a group tour the the Jane Austen exhibit…
I also visited more of the museum & library…
By the time I was done, the rain had stopped. And I retrieved my bag at my hotel and headed to the train station.
Another busy NYC weekend on the books.
Sunday – Gym first thing and more gardening unpacking laundry, errands…
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – run
Tuesday – gym, walk, dinner with former co-workers
Wednesday – run, wine tasting benefit
Thursday –run, trail run/walk
Friday – gym, mah jongg
Saturday – Father’s Day 5k Race
Sunday – gym. boating?
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Mastercard NYC Mini 10k Race Recap
Friday – Unlucky at a Race
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this spring? Rain, heat? How’s your weather lately? Please share.
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
My First 5K and More... 