In 2021 when most of the local races either cancelled or went virtual, Albany Running Exchange (ARE) began scheduling COVID Safety Plan approved races.

That March, I ran their 5 mile race and then in May a point-to-point 10 miler.  The courses were along the Mohawk River and the bike path, mostly flat or downhill and in Schenectady, NY. (Both these races are now part of their regular schedule.)

In September of 2021 and again in 2022, 2023 and 2024, another organization (NARK) offered a half marathon (Run 4 the River) on a similar course.  Of course, I signed up (and convinced some friends to join me.)

And I signed up for the 5th annual Run 4 the River Half Marathon for several reasons:

• It was local and I could sleep in my own bed the night before.
• It was local so I would know a lot of the runners.
• I was familiar with most of the course as I had already run this half marathon FOUR times.
• I convinced a friend to run it too.
• My other running friends could meet me after their long run at Frog Alley.
• It was advertised as having a Net Downhill Course and FREE BEER, Food, and LIVE MUSIC

Honestly, this year, I mainly decided to run this race because I hadn’t run a half since April and I wanted to stay in running shape for our group race-cation in October (Lake Placid Half Marathon).

Half Marathon Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a half marathon training plan. I usually complete three short runs during the work week. However this time, with ankle issues, vacation, being on Prednisone for 5 days (and not being allowed to run) did complicate things. I only got one short slow run done race week. And even the weeks prior, the runs were spotty.

And on the weekends, I always try to do my Long Run. I’m lucky to have the company of several running friends. Due to the extreme heat and humidity this summer, I have adopted my friends’ run/walk/run intervals.  It really helped me get through the long runs (even though we switched to 60:60 for most of them.)

Though I did complete several 5ks on the weekends, I managed to get most of my long runs done – 10, 11, 8, 11 milers (but no 12 miler this cycle 😦  )

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Since it was a point-to-point race, the logistics were complicated. Either you parked at the start and got a ride back to your car after the race or you parked at the finish and got a ride to the start (or paid for the shuttle).

Barb and I were the only ones racing so we decided to carpool to the start.

On Friday, I picked up our bibs.

As always, I carb loaded on pizza the night before. Then I debated about what to wear the next day.

It was supposed to be cooler than my previous long runs. But still in the 60s by noon and sunny.

In the end, I wore my usual race outfit of skirt, top tank, cap, compression calf sleeves.  I added a throw away and DIY arm sleeves in case it was cool at the start.

Race Day:

As it did the previous four years, the race started at 8:00 am at Mabee Farms in Rotterdam. The race again ended at Frog Alley Brewing near Schenectady Community College (SCCC). The first year,  it ended right at the college.

So I got up around 5:15 am on Saturday morning (after a sleepless  itchy night) and was on the road by 6:15 to meet Barbara.

Some of our other friends (who were not running the race) would have parked their cars near the finish so I knew that Barbara & I could get a ride back.

When we arrived at Mabee Farms, there was plenty of parking in a grassy lot.

We were early so I had time to chat with other runners…

 and use the restrooms. We also knew that in addition to porta-potties, there would be REAL restrooms (always a great perk.)

I checked a bag with a dry shirt and my Oofos for after the race and then I ate half a Honey Stinger Waffle (since it was already hours since my breakfast).

And then we waited in Barbara’s warm car…

Finally, it was time to head to the start.

The race started promptly at 8:00 am. There were no waves or corrals… They called out finish times asking the faster runners to line up first.

As I mentioned the Lake Placid Half Marathon was my focus this fall so my goal for this race was to FINISH happy (that is not injured and ready to do another.)

All my long runs have been done slowly and with walk intervals. I discovered during my last race (which was a 5k) that it didn’t exactly make me slower (or maybe it did?) but I found it hard to run for more than a minute or two without walking… I used to be able to run 1-2 miles straight (not that it matters…)

Miles 1-3:

As I already mentioned, the race began near Mabee Farms Historical site. The first mile headed west, mostly on Route 5S. We ran along the road and fairly soon connected with the Erie Canal Bike Path.

I was determined this year to start out slower so I would not die at the end. (Spoiler alert: I did but I still died.)

Although many of friends use run/walk intervals, I would do what I normally do: run and then walk whenever tired.

I managed to run the first mile but by mile 1.5 I needed to walk. That need continued each mile and the number of times I needed to walk increased as the race progressed (Ugh!)

To make matters worse, I was very itchy when I started running and had to remind myself not to scratch my rash the entire race.

The weather was great. I rolled down my arm sleeves almost immediately and eventually took them off completely. (If it weren’t for the rash, I would have worn a tank and been compfortable.)

The canal was on our right and most of the race was run on the path with water views. Around mile 1.7, I spotted my running friend Heidi who was volunteering.

The scenery was pretty. The Mohawk River changed to being on the left eventually.

The first official water stop was a little after mile 3 at Pattersonville Bike Path parking on 5S. I  stopped but waited on my Gu until mile 4.

Miles 4-6

Barbara was behind me (since I started out too fast) but eventually (not sure when), she passed me by.

I could see her in the distance. She was getting farther and farther ahead and eventually disappearing from view, as well.

I continued to walk at least once or twice each mile.  Running just felt HARD!

There was second water stop little past mile 5 at Iroquois St/Bike Path. Again I stopped but held off on my 2nd Gu until mile 7.

And I continued to add additional walk breaks whenever there was a slight hill/incline.

Around this point, the crowd thinned out a lot and I was running mostly alone. In fact I felt alone for most of the race after mile 3.  Whenever a runner caught up to me, they then passed me.  I guess I was running pretty slow!!

Besides the water stop areas, there were few spectators due it being a bike path.

What I enjoy about races are the runners, the crowds, the energy.  Since there was none, I obviously was not having fun!!

Miles 7-10

The course was pretty flat and shady for the most part.  The temps were rising, the sun was out but it was not bad. In fact, this may have been the best weather I’ve run in.

But unfortunately I really felt like I had zero energy to go on… I felt lightheaded and nauseous. I wanted to quit but I knew I would never.

If you are wondering about my feet (as I was wearing high heel drop Brooks for the first time), my neuroma was getting achy (but I could ignore that pain.) However, due to my ankle issues, I was wearing a compression sleeve. And it was getting tighter and tighter as the miles went on.  My toes kept feeling numb. (At least that took my mind off my itchy rash.)

Plan B: run 60-80 steps and then walk 20 steps. Repeat. Keep going no matter what.

There was another water stop was a little before mile 8 at Kiwanis Park. I walked again but decided to wait on my 3rd Gu until mile 10.  My neighbor caught up to me and complimented me on my outfit and then ran ahead (to never be seen again.)

Barbara was my beacon of hope and I could see her in the distance.  But she seemed to be walking too. Eventually I caught up to her and joined her on the struggle bus. We played leap frog for a while.

Around mile 9, some annoying hills appeared. Maybe they weren’t big hills and I was just running out of gas. I tried to run up them but it was more like a slog. Though the course was advertised as flat and downhill, there were hills (not big ones) throughout. (Aren’t there always?)

Miles 11-13.1

The final water stop was a little before Mile 11 at MH Bike Path lot. I stopped again and willed myself to keep going with my run-walk strategy.

The race finish was the same as last year. We headed into the city of Schenectady.

I tried to pick up the pace and sprint through the finish line…

My friend Sherry who didn’t run the race was there cheering. It was sooo nice to see a familiar face.

This year, I remembered that you had to turn right to get to the finish line…

I was out of gas but at least it was downhill!!

Boy, was I glad to be done!! I grabbed my medal and went in search of my bag (so I could put on my Oofos and shed that compression  sleeve on my ankle)

Barbara finished right after me.

Post Race Activities:

I joined my non-racing friends Sherry and Heidi near the finish line. Heidi fetched Barbara & I a coke since we were not feeling great.

There was a band, beer, food, etc. at the restaurant where the race finished (the sponsor for the race).

It was crowded but fortunately we got a table. Rather than a boxed lunch (as the first year), you got a free beer and a choice of the food above. I chose the chicken. But I brought it home since I was not hungry.

I did take advantage of my free beer.

We stayed for a while listening to the band and chatting…about running, of course. I even bumped into a runner from CT whom we met last year at H2H.

I did check the results online and noticed that I finished 4th in my 70-99 year age group. It was the first time that I didn’t win an award at this race.

Additional Race Reflections:

Even with all my complaining above, I am glad that I ran the race. Much more fun than staying home and scratching. LOL

Yet I was disappointed. Not in my finish time. But in how unavoidable stuff disrupted my training. And how hard the last half of the race was. I should have started out slower but at the time, it didn’t feel like I was running too fast.  Perhaps I should do run-walk intervals from the start.

I guess I’ll have to run it again next year to get it right.

Positives:

• Ample parking at the start and finish.
• Bag check.
• Real Restrooms.
• Well marked course.
• Varied scenery including river views
• Shuttle to the start (if needed).
• Flatish course.
• Well organized.
• Friends supporting.
• A lot of pre-race information (though not as early as usual).
• Free Post-race food.
• Free Beer.
• Entertainment at the after party
• Cool medal.

Negatives:

• 10 year age group awards.
• No photos of everyone.
• Porta-potties only at one water stop.
• Running alone for much of the race.
• The “Rash,” the ankle sleeve and other annoying factors.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. I liked the course. It was well-organized. The after-race party was fun.

Final Stats:

Walking definitely slowed down my pace. And my foot pain probably slowed down my running pace too.  It just wasn’t my day!!

I finished this race in 2:20:57 in 2021, 2:20:53 in 2022, 2:19:21 in 2023, and last year in 2:31:30.  

But guess what? It was NOT a course PW and not a 2025 half marathon PW!!!!

(In hindsight, I am grateful that I completed the distance. IOW, never take that gift for granted!!)

Next Up:

 

 

 

 

 

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

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and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs