In the summertime, I try to do my long runs on Saturday and then go boating on Sundays.

But a few summers ago (2021), I got a FB message about this race from a runner (Lisa) who lives in Indiana and was part of a race-cation in 2014 that I participated in (with her high school classmates, Heidi and Andrea, who lives in VT) She was going to be in town and wanted all of us to race together again.

How could I refuse?

The event consisted of a USATF sanctioned 5K foot race, a 2.5 mile guided nature walk, (though the walk no longer is offered) and children’s 1 Mile Fun Run, at Grafton Lakes State Park.

The 5K race was advertised as “challenging but offering runners of all skill levels a beautiful race course through scenic Grafton Lakes State Park, and the surrounding area.” All participants also received a tee-shirt,  book, and a rose. The proceeds form the race go to support the Grafton Community Library.

And so without a second thought, I signed up.

I had never heard of this race but I knew that the area was scenic and I had hiked there in the winter.

As I always do, I scoured the Internet for a review of this race and I found one from someone I actually knew.  This what she started her race recap with: The race director came over to get things going, and opened with “Welcome to the 31st Annual Run for the Roses! As you know, this is one of the toughest 5K courses in the area, so we’re really glad to have you all here today.”

Ok, then. So at least I was prepared beforehand for hills and lots of them. By prepared I mean that I knew about them a few days before.

Despite the challenging course, I had so much fun hanging out with these ladies.

I even won an age group award.

So guess what?

I signed up again the next year for this 5k race.  Both Heidi and Andrea said that they would be there too.

And I won my age group again.

With marathon training in full force, I didn’t sign up for this race the past two years.

But no reason this year to not try it again.

Oh wait, I have a half marathon on my schedule in THREE weeks. And another 5k next weekend.

Oops. I should be running 11 miles then.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Outside of a few July races (July 4 & 12), I have done zero speed work. In some ways 5ks are harder than half marathons. You feel like you should run fast and before you get warmed up, it’s over. To make things were even more challenging, I never train/run on hills.

The week going into the race had me running 3 times: 4.5m, 4m and yes, 11m!! ( I ran my long run early so I could do this race on the weekend.)

This summer, the temps have been incredibly hot and humid.  Runs as a result have been SLOOOW!! BUt has kept me going has been run/walk intervals.

I usually use 90:45 but since I’ve been having ankle/achilles/foot issues for the past few weeks, I switched to 60:60 and even bought higher heel drop running shoes.

I think that it has made all the difference and allowing me to keep running.

The day before the race, I just went to the gym and a pot luck brunch with all my running friends.

Normally I would have said the weather was too warm for a great race but compared to past weekends, it seemed cool.

No matter what the temps, summer race dressing is fairly simple – tank, skirt, cap, sunglasses.

Race Day:

I had my oatmeal and coffee and left early. Although I went there a few years ago, I still was not very familiar with the area. Happily, I noticed that it was only in the 60s when I left at 7:30 am.

I had no problems finding the race location so I had arrived early. (There is an admission fee to this park but if you were racing, it was FREE!)

I picked up my bib and shirt and proceeded to pick out a free library book.

I immediately saw my running friend Heidi and of course, we snapped a pic.

She had also invited a friend.

It was still early which gave me time to connect with old friends and new ones…

It was a warm sunny day…

Soon it was time to head toward the start line.

As I mentioned, I knew that it was a looped course and after the first mile, it was mostly uphill.

I did my long run on Friday so I planned to at least enjoy the race.  You cannot expect miracles when you only run on flat routes and use very short run intervals for your runs. I had a funny feeling that I would be walking a lot of the course.

Mile 1

The race was not chip timed so if I really cared, I would have stood close to the starting line (but I didn’t.)

We started with a slight uphill on the main road leading into the park. Then there was a gradual downhill.

I also tried to pick up the pace since I figured this was the only mile that I would not be walking (and I was right.)  It was breezy by the lake but out on the road, there was no shade and warmer than I expected.

Looking back at this mile, I obviously ran it too fast. But at the time, I felt good (until I didn’t.)

Mile 2

There was a water stop at the beginning of this mile and a sprinkler (yay). I was not expecting water but it was welcome. I was getting warm.

The course shifted to flat and then about a quarter mile later, started heading uphill. And yes, I had to walk. And walk and walk.

Mile 3- 3.1

There was a second water stop here so I grabbed some and walked even longer.

After turning left around mile 2.1 (yup, 1.5 to 2.1 was pure uphill), we had a short little downhill.

Then it was a pure uphill for the next 0.6, with no breaks at all.

I walked several times during the last 2 miles…not sure how many times.  But a lot.  (Remember I’m used to intervals now.)

Around mile 2.7, we turned right to get back on the main road that the race had started on.

The uphill continued until 2.9, and then we got a short little downhill (30 feet of drop) before the course flattened out to the finish.

Unfortunately, while the final loop around to the finish was flat, it felt long – we crossed under the start banner and then made a huge circle around the parking lot.

We made the two right hand turns to reverse direction and finally I saw the finish line ahead of me.

I did my best to sprint through the finish line but the hills had sapped much of my energy.

But I saw on the clock that I was NOT finishing under 30 minutes – a course PW but an expected one.

As soon as you crossed the finish line, they handed you a rose. Very sweet.

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed some water, iced tea, fruit and cookies..

and waited for Heidi to finish.

I got a text with the results and I won my age group again.

I couldn’t stay for the awards ceremony since I was meeting my hubby up at Lake George to go on our boat.

I was happy to see that others whom knew did win, as well.

Additional Race Reflections:

I would never have picked this race on my own. But I really enjoyed the experience. I’m glad Heidi & Andrea clued me into it a few years ago.

And it was a lovely small town race with about 175 runners. Yes, it was challenging but maybe not so much if I actually trained for a 5k.

But I didn’t overdo and my ankle felt ok so I would be able to continue my weekday runs and weekend long run to be prepared for my next half marathon.

Maybe next year, I will actually bring my bathing suit and SUP and enjoy the lake after the race. And even convince some of my local running friends to join me.

Positives:

• Some familiar faces
• Nice swag – tech shirt, book, a rose
• location- pretty park with trails and a lake
• Easy parking
• Two water stops
• Real bathrooms and showers
• Free admission to the park

Negatives:

• the HILLS
• Gun timed
• Age Groups: 70-99!!

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. It was well organized. I may run it again next year. It will be their 40th!!

Final Stats:

My finish time was, as I mentioned, an expected PW.

I ran this race in 2023 in 29:11 and 2022 in 29.27 (and I thought then that those were slow times.)

Those sub 30 minute 5ks may be over.

Obviously if I do not train, I can’t expect those faster times.  And let’s face it, I’m older!!

I was not disappointed since now, I am content just to be out there running.

Next Up:

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend?  Any races on your schedule this summer? Do you enjoy 5ks? Do you train for them? Please share.

 

 

 

 

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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