******July 15, 2023 8:00 am********

When I first started running, this race was one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, 2010.

in 2008 – my first year of running

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race than a 5k. Since then I have completed over 60 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years off (from this race), I ran it again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things hadn’t changed that much (but I started to wear running skirts instead of shorts).

I enjoyed this race so much that I re-added it to my summer racing list and ran it again in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019,  (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this races for 3 years.

This year, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.

Here is the map for the course that I ran in past years:

15 turns in this course!!

Here’s the 2023 course:

pretty similar… except it is not certified 

Race Day:

The race started at 8 am.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not, there would already be a lot of traffic at that hour.

My running friends Deirdre and Kevin were running the race too so we planned to meet at Leah’s so we could have brunch there after the race (and maybe meet up with other friends.)

I got up at 5:15 am (after a sleepless night thanks to my cat….) and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.

Kevin drove us and we left at 6:40 in order to get there early enough to get parking and pick up our bibs.

view on the way to park

We got the last spot in a nearby lot, picked up our bibs/shirts and then left the shirts in the car.

we parked not far from the finish

There were about 500 runners at this race (I think there had been more in previous years.). So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces.  This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.

my local running friends

The weather was warm … around 70 at the start and VERY humid, I just hung around and chatted with other runners that I recognized.

one of my former students (who is very speedy)

obviously we like the same Skirt Sports pattern…

Soon it was time to line up.

I stood somewhere in the middle. This race attracts many speedy runners and I didn’t want to get run over…

Mile 1:

I always feel like I start out fast but it still seemed like everyone was passing me by…because they were. My legs felt dead.

But my biggest problem again was the humidity (and yes, I know that it’s like this in most places and worse in Florida)..

At least it was mostly cloudy because there was very little if any shade on the course.

Mile 2:

By the second mile, I was really wanting to walk… I was hoping to wait until the water stop which was about half way.

nothing exciting about the course…just around the neighborhood – pic from 2109’s Saratogian

Now that they changed the course by having an out and back on one street, I was able to cheer on Kevin (who was way ahead) and then Deirdre who was behind me.

I did appreciate those folks who put sprinklers out… I ran through each one!

I made it to the water stop and walked (for probably too long)… but I felt a lot better after.

Mile 3-3.1:

By mile 3, I was really fading but I continued to make sure to hit the tangents (there were 15 of them!!)

Finally we turned the last corner…

I tried to get up enough energy to sprint through the finish line. I had hoped to finish under 28 minutes… but nope..

I crossed at 28: XX.

Post Race Activities:

I felt very shaky and grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.

I was not even hungry (which is odd for me after a race). There were only donuts and cookies. I nibbled at a donut but threw most of it away.

They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 2nd in my age group.

Kevin had already finished but went out to run more miles… Soon Deirdre finished.

We waited for the awards ceremony.  I got a nice medal. It always feels great when you win an award (even if you didn’t run well.)

Holly (middle) also got an award (in my former age group.)

Then we left to return to Leah’s for brunch (now I was starved) and met up with a friend who had walked there.

Additional Race Reflections:

Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive. And yes, it should have been a 7 mile long run as part of my marathon training.

But races challenge me and I think it’s important to challenge oneself.

Otherwise, my runs are slow and easy and I squeeze them in whenever I can. I also run with friends, some faster, some slower and always with run walk intervals.

So I don’t regret running this 5k.  Though it wasn’t a 5K PR or course PR, it actually was a faster finish than 2019! That makes me happy.

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked course with many course marshals
• Flat course
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Immediate results
• 5 year age groups for awards

Negatives:

• No longer get free tickets to the race track
• Not sure it raised money for a charity (used to be for Special Olympics)
• Last minute course change and so it was not certified
• 15 turns!!
• Hot and Humid!
• Only cookies and donuts post race (no bagels or fruit)
• Unisex shirts

Would I recommend this race?

Maybe…

All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat. It is well-organized.

Not sure if I would run it again because it is not nearby.

In past years, I added more miles after the race a nearby park (and so at least it counted as a long run.)

Final Stats:

no surprise that there were positive splits…

gee, I only remember walking once?

Next Up:

Maybe another 5k or two.

Then:

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.

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

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

I’m also linking up here:

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

              July 4, 2023 9:00 am

Many of my weekend running friends used to run this race every year.

if you read my weekly run downs, you may recognize a few of these runners

I had never joined them because it was always hot, the race is crowded and I’d prefer to head up to the lake early.

Then in 2021,  I decided to do the race for the first time. And I loved it

So I signed up last year and more of my running friends joined me

I was hoping that they would sign up this year but if not, I knew there would be many others there whom I knew.

Then I had to break it to my hubby as it would interfere with any lake plans.

pic from 2018

But rain was forecast, so he went to play tennis. We had planned to go on the boat after my hike the next day so he was cool with me racing.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Since the race was on a Tuesday, I was still able to get my long run done on Saturday but had to skip my Monday run.

To save time on race day, I picked up my race packet at Fleet Feet on Saturday after our run an then came home to plan my patriotic outfit.

I worked on Monday but my running friend organized a full moon kayaking party on the lake where she lives.

It rained so no kayaking and it was overcast so no full moon…

Yes, a late night but this race was just a fun one so I wasn’t worried…

The weather for race day, unfortunately, was hot, humid with possible thunderstorms.  I added a rain jacket, poncho and umbrella to my race gear.

As I’ve said in most of race recaps, my goal in racing these days is to do my best but more importantly, have fun and not get injured. However, racing in cool dry weather, I think would be more fun. LOL.

Race Day:

I ate my usual oatmeal and coffee breakfast and checked the weather – yup, warm, humid and already drizzling.

Last year, I carpooled with Heidi and she knew exactly where to park.  I was thrilled when she again offered to meet me and Debbie. We met at Leah’s Cakery at 8am (which was only a few miles from the race.) Stand and Sherry planned to meet us at the race.

It was raining the whole drive up but stopped as soon as we arrived.

We easily found parking on the street and walked toward the start…

We passed the finish line and made plans to meet there after the race.

Then of course, we took our obligatory pre-race photos.

And then we mozied on down to the start area. It was cool to see how creatively everyone was dressed for this July 4th holiday race.

I was happy to see so many people racing… many more than last year (although I think they still offered a virtual option.)

No more staggered starts. Everyone just lined up together. There was so much excitement in the air. Live racing rocks!!

Heidi, Deb and Sherry and Denise headed toward the back.

I stayed toward the front and chatted with some runners whom  I knew.

Though I had run this race the year before, the only thing I remembered was that there was a BIG hill during mile 4.

course map

elevation according to my Garmin

Mile 1:

As I mentioned, this was a crowded race. The bottleneck at the beginning slowed me down which was probably a good thing as I always start out too fast.

We began running down Broadway which was a slight downhill but eventually we did hit a hill before we turned left and ran past Congress Park. I already felt the need to walk… I started thinking that this wasn’t going to be a good race…

And it seemed like everyone was passing me by but when I glanced at my watch, it showed that my pace was 9:XX minutes!! WTH?

Mile 2:

I was surrounded by runners the whole race. Several times I bumped into runners or they bumped into me.  Then again, it was a big local race with over 2000 finishers.

As we ran through neighborhoods, spectators enthusiastically cheered us on. There were musicians or bands throughout.

The best part was that there were many folks spraying the runners with water as well as sprinklers set up.  I made sure that I ran through each one.  It was very humid and very uncomfortable…

There was a water stop during this mile.  I did stop and walked for a bit to catch my breath.

I did feel a little stronger during this mile (but that was short-lived.)

The humidity was sucking the life out of me.

Mile 3:

We ran into a few rolling hills during this mile but none too bad. As I mentioned above, there were many different groups playing music. That was a nice distraction.

Saratoga is such a pretty town. I enjoyed running through its streets.

But I started tiring and decided to just walk if I needed to.

I was surprised that there was a second water stop since the race was only 4 miles. I did appreciate it and I stopped again.

In addition to the official water stops, there seemed to be many spectators giving out bottles of water.  I did not stop at any of those since I didn’t want to carry a bottle of water or waste it.

Mile 4:

I think there was one more water stop… I was getting dizzy so I don’t really remember.

I was expecting the steep hill in the last mile. And it did not disappoint. I was wishfully thinking that I could run up the whole thing and finish strong (for once.)

Nope! I had to walk many many times.

I bumped into a friend and she was walking as often as I was.  We tried to motivate each other to get it done.

Again this year, they gave out ice pops. I took one and tried to eat it as I continued to run/walk up the hill very slowly. Eventually I threw it away since it was getting me nauseous.

Finally I spotted that big American flag which meant we were approaching the finish line.

I sprinted as fast as I could at this point. I saw 38:xx on the clock as I crossed the finish line and was pleasantly surprised that I beat 39 minutes (barely). I knew I was running slower and walked a lot more than the previous year but I expected worse.

Post Race:

I immediately went to grab a bottle of water and a banana and chatted with those I knew that had already finished.

Stan finished around my time and Sherry finished soon after.

Eventually we spotted Heid and Deb and they did great.

sorry Deb on this photo fail…

I checked the website to see if I won an age group award. Last year, I came in 2nd.  This year, in my new age group, I came in 5th (no surprise since I had slowed down…)

out of 25

Like last year, we decided to stay in Saratoga to have brunch.  First we walked back to our cars to change into dry shirts. We had hoped that at this point, all the runners would have left and the restaurants wouldn’t be so crowded.

Several were closed and one was full. I put our name on a waiting list but then we found a table in another restaurant farther down the street.

After a delicious breakfast highlighted by mimosas, we all felt a lot better.

We walked back to our cars and also decided that we needed to reward ourselves further with ice cream (now 85 degrees, humid and sunny!!)

Additional Race Reflections:

I felt that I could have done better if I didn’t walk as much (but I always say that AFTER the race.)

Of course, I think the weather had a lot to do with my pace.  I suck at running in humidity.

But probably the most important factors why I enjoy running the race are connecting with friends, challenging myself and the feeling of normalcy on this national holiday!

Win. Win. Win.

Positives:

• Ample parking (parking garage and street parking)
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Interesting course.
• Friendly volunteers.
• Music entertainment along the course.
• Enthusiastic spectators (sprinklers and ice pops)
• Easy and organized packet pick-up on Saturday, Sunday. and race day.
• Real restrooms before and after and ample number of port-potties
• Two or three water stops for a 4 mile race.
• Additional unofficial water tables.
• Awards (3 deep) for 5 year age group awards
• Photo Booth
• good air quality

Negatives:

• Steep hill at mile 4
• Weather (hot, humid)
• $$ for photos

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. I enjoyed it.  I hope that I can make it work and run it again next year.

Final Stats:

2021’s race was a big PR for me – 36:26.

Today was not my day.

As you can see below, I’m still the Queen of the Positive Splits.

Next Up:

Another July 5k and possibly a 5k in August before the half marathons and full marathon arrives in the Fall.

July 15, 2023

Happy Running! Did you race on July 4th?  Any summer races on your schedule? Please share.

(Today’s topic is the same as I posted on 6/23. So if you read it already, sorry for the re-posting…)

Here’s what happened the first 6 months of 2023:

One Broken Bone

5th metatarsal of the left foot and it healed in 4-5 weeks

Two Florida vacations

East coast in February and the west coast in May

Three Months of Gym Membership

free due to my participation in the Freihofer Training Challenge

Four In Person Races

Brooklyn Half Marathon, Miles on the Mohawk (10M), Freihofer Run for Women (5k), Valley Cats Father’s Day Home Run Race (5k)

Five Days of Tennis (in Florida)

I used to play several times a week but now it’s only during my Florida May vacation

Six + Hikes

Several Monday hikes in MA with friends and other solo hikes on Sundays

Seven Months Pregnant for my DIL

Hopefully I will have a granddaughter in early September

Eight Movies/Shows

Broadway is my favorite activity when I am in NYC

Nine Visits to NYC

Mostly for work but there were few times there for races and friend meet-ups

Ten + (Non-Running) Books Read

I love to read and do it every night but often do not keep track of the books I read 😦

1. Stone cold fox / Rachel Koller Croft
2. Sam : a novel / Allegra Goodman
3. Becoming Duchess Goldblatt / Anonymous.
4. Horse / Geraldine Brooks.
5. Trust / Hernan Diaz
6. This time tomorrow / Emma Straub
7. The housekeeper : a novel / Joy Fielding
8. Dreamland : a novel / Nicholas Sparks
9. Our missing hearts : a novel / Celeste Ng
10. The love story of Missy Carmichael / Beth Morrey

Eleven New Running-Related Items

Yes, I may be a run shoes-a-holic but I’ve cut down on buying running apparel…

• Shoes -4
• Skirts – 2
• Tops – 2
• Sunglasses – 3
• Socks – 0

Twelve More Races Planned

1. 06-24-23 – Adirondack 7M Race to the Lakes
2. 07-04-23 – Firecracker 4
3. 07-15-23 – Silks & Satins 5k
4. 08-14-23 – Run for the Roses 5k
5. 09-02-23 – Run 4 the River Half Marathon
6. 09-09-23 – Malta 5k
7. 09-23-23 – Finger Lakes Half Marathon
8. 09-30-23 – Great Pumpkin Challenge 5k or Barn to Bridge Fall Fest 5k
9. 11-05-23 –NYC Marathon
10. 11-12-23 – Stockade-athon 15K
11. 11-19-23 – Upstate Classic Half Marathon
12. 11-23-23 – Troy Turkey Trot 10k

Happy Running! How has the first half of 2023 gone for you?  Please share.

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It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:  Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).