The race begins at SUNY Adirondack, works its way to the Warren County Bike path and ends at Battle Field Park in Lake George. Rolling course with a long down hill finish.

This is the 4th year for this race. It replaced one of my favorite races – Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler). That was the one that started in Lake George Village and ended in a park on the lake next to the marina where we keep our boat.

I was very disappointed that they cancelled this race. (After 40 years, they decided that it was dangerous to run on the road.)

My friend Sue and I have had many running adventures together:

Since Sue was the organizer of this new race, I felt that I should at least run it the first year. It was hard especially the first 5k but I actually enjoyed it so I signed up again in 2018 and 2019.

Then the Pandemic came and the race was cancelled in 2020 and 2021. It was revived last year and of course, I couldn’t resist signing up.

This year, however, they decided to shorten the course.  It is now a 7 Mile race. It eliminates the hilly two-mile out-and-back detour before the bike path.  (Sounded good to me!)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Since I ran a 5k the weekend before instead of a long run, I ran my 6 miles on Monday and then did two slow 3 mile runs during the week.

 

The biggest challenge would be those hills. I knew that it was hilly. And we all know that I do not train on hills.  I expected that there would be walking on those hills. And I am totally ok with walking during races.

The weather was quite comfortable all week but then it started heating up toward the end of the week.  Just in time for this race!!

And as usual, rain was predicted…

I’ve run many 15ks but never a 7 miler so I guess this will be a PR. LOL

But I had no goals besides having fun and finishing unhurt.

There were 3 water stops along the course. I planned to be stopping at each one and hoped that this would be enough (since I never carry my own water.)

So what to wear? The usual. Tank and skirt with cap and compressions calf sleeves.  And then add an umbrella, rain poncho and rain jacket for bag check.

Race Day:

The race started at 8:00 am. (Hooray for an early start!) I got up at 5 am and had oatmeal/coffee and then left my house around 6:00 am since I had over an hour drive.

It rained lightly the whole drive but stopped by the time I arrived.

The race began at a community college so there were real bathrooms and comfortable places to hang out before the race.

None of my close running friends were running the race but I was surprised at how many runners I did know. I hung out with them until the race began.

I asked my friend, the RD, about bag check.  She replied that there was none. I was planning like last time to bring a towel, dry shirt and flip flops to change into after the race.  Boo! She said she would find someone to bring my bag to the finish but no one else seemed to care so I said to forget it… I’d make do.

And the weather:

No rain but:

Yup, quite warm out already before even starting to run… Fingers crossed for no thunderstorms until I was done.

We eventually all headed to the start.  It was quite a long walk to the road north of the college.

No chip timing for this race.

 

I lined up with some friends but not as close to the start as I should have.

So here’s how the race went: (The course photos are mostly courtesy D. Yeaton 2019)

I knew what the course was like. As I mentioned, I expected hills. I mean, it’s the Adirondacks so it is hilly everywhere.  We left the college and ran on a main road for a while.  And it was warm out already.  I knew that it wasn’t going to be a good day when I felt like walking during the FIRST mile!

Yup, huge hills…up and down.

I started slowly and tried to run up them. After the first hill, I realized that that was a mistake, I just ran/walked up them.

No sense killing my legs. I ran most of the race around the same runners. Playing leap frog with them. They ran slowly and passed me on the hills and I got closer to them on the downhill and sometimes even passed them.

 

Soon we headed toward the bike path. The steep hills disappeared but it was a steady incline. I kept hoping for a downhill but it never happened (until mile 5.5). At least, it was cloudy but the humidity did not quit. I was secretly hoping that it might rain a little.

I stopped and walked at each of the 3 water stops.  I took a GU between the 1st and 2nd.. around mile 3.5.

The hills definitely tired me out. My plan changed from just walking at the water stops to walking up the hills to finally just walking whenever my legs were too tired to run. That seemed to be very often. Still I was keeping up with the same runners. Perhaps I was running fast when I was actually running.

 

The rest of the race was on the bike path and the part of the path that went downhill right into Lake George Village (opposite the lake). Finally running downhill!! Though, it seemed too little, too late to make up for the slow miles.

By now, my sweaty right foot had formed a blister (the same place as during the Brooklyn Half Marathon.) Ouch!!

Even with the downhill, I wasn’t able to just run without walk breaks..

I felt dizzy and depleted most of the race… most likely from the humidity.  And so I walked A LOT (better safe than sorry, I figured).

Eventually we were nearing the end and I was able to sprint to the finish

The path to the finish was on wet grass and so difficult to run fast on.

I crossed at 1:13:xx and I was happy to be done!!

As you crossed, they asked your age and then handed you an age group award if you won.

I came in 2nd in my age group!!

Post Race Activities:

Refreshments included watermelon, bananas, bagels, home made cookies and pastries. Many of the baked goods were individually wrapped.

I headed right for the watermelon. I also grabbed some banana bread and a brownie.

Then I headed with the other runners to the lake.

There wasn’t much time to relax as it started to rain.

I spotted two buses waiting to take runners back to the start. I ran to the bus as I remembered that the last time, there was quite a wait until the next bus (and by now it was raining hard out!!)

The first bus was full but I got on the 2nd.

In past years, I stayed and visited friends in Lake George or went on our boat. This year, I immediately drove home in the pouring rain!!.

Back to the race:

They say “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.” And I was not sore at all the next day and back to running again on Monday. So all is good.

Additional Race Reflections:

I have to say that I enjoyed this smaller race (160 runners). No bells and whistles but lots of support, volunteers  and friendly faces.

And those hills… with the heat and humidity, I was in no shape to give 100% to this race.  I was perfectly happy to just walk when it felt good to… And besides miles 4 and 5, I was running at a decent pace because by walking a lot, when I was running, I was running fast!

The Good:

• Easy organized packet pick-up.
• Lots of parking
• Real Bathrooms at the start.
• Early start time
• Scenic course – especially the bike path (with running water views and shade)
• 3 water stops
• Decent selection of post race food – bananas, watermelon, bagels, home-made baked goods
• Ended at the Lake
• Photographer at the finish line
• Shuttle back to the start

The Bad:

• Not chip-timed
• Hills
• Humidity
• No bag check
• Non-Gender specific  shirt
• Long drive (for me)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes, if you live nearby.  It was a nice small race with challenging hills.

I may run it again if I plan some nearby post-race activities.  Otherwise, I may chose a closer race.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

and a few more 5ks this summer before the half marathons and full marathon in the Fall.

Happy Running! Any exciting plans for the summer? Have you run any 7 mile races?  How do you feel about hilly races? How far do you usually drive for a race? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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There is a link-up organized by Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with these ladies.

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I’m linking also up with

with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.