Saturday – NYCRuns Manhattan Ice Cream Social 10k.
An early morning as I had to take the 7:30 am ferry to Governor’s Island for the race.
Check out IG and FB for how it went… AND there was ice cream!!
After the race, I took the ferry back to Manhattan, checked out of my hotel and headed to Penn Sta. to catch the LIRR. I had plans to stay with my college roommate (who lives in the Hamptons) for a few days.
Sunday – Run! Relax! Maybe head to the beach… have fun!!
pic from my visit in 2021
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – AM Run, some fun LI activities
Tuesday – AM Run, LIRR to NYC, Amtrak home
Wednesday – GYM
Thursday – AM run, trail walk
Friday – GYM
Saturday – Long Run (11 miles)
Sunday – GYM
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – What I am focusing on this month
Friday – Training Tips for Running
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Still having hot, humid weather where you live? Has it affected your runs? Do you love ice cream like I do? 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.
High Lawn Farm has the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted…
Last year was the first year that they offered this race and of course, it was on my radar.
DESCRIPTION
The High Lawn Farm Keep Moo’ving 5K is a 3.1 mile walk or run that is open to all abilities and levels of fitness. 100% of the proceeds from this event benefit Berkshire Bounty. Berkshire Bounty is a food rescue organization dedicated to collecting, purchasing and delivering nutritious food to emergency food distribution programs countywide.
The course is beautiful, starting runners at the farm, then passing along Laurel Lake before returning to the farm to celebrate at the food truck where runners enjoy a well-earned High Lawn Farm ice cream. Visit the historic century worth of memorabilia in the High Lawn Farm Museum, open specifically for the runners following the race!
But it’s a long drive and I was marathon training…
2023
Some racing friends did go and they said that it was awesome.
So I mentioned it to my running friends Heidi and Sherry.
LOL. Heidi & I had already been there on Monday.
and they agreed with me.. Let’s do it!
definitely hillier than it looks here!!
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
Again I am training for a marathon.
I ran my long run of 9 miles the day before…
And then the hubby and I spent the rest of the day on the lake where I enjoyed a beer and a good book.
I was on the fence whether or not, I would just walk the whole thing or run/walk it. Racing it was out of the question in my mind.
Race Day:
The race started at 8:30 am.
I got up at 5:15 am and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.
I left at 6:15 in order to get to Heidi’s house since she offered to drive.
It took us 45 minutes but we got there early enough to get parking and pick up my shirt/bib.
There were almost 300 runners at this race. I even bumped into quite a few familiar faces. This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.
obligatory pre-race photo
The weather was warm … around 70 at the start and sunny. We just hung around and chatted while deciding on our race strategy.
Soon it was time to line up.
We decided to run together… that meant using Heidi’s intervals (2min:30 sec) since she was the slowest of the three.
It sounded like fun to me.
start and finish line
Mile 1:
It was pretty crowded but we tried to stay together. The race started on a dirt path with holes and rocks. It would have been hard to run on.
Then it was a long downhill (Of course since it was an out and back, you would be running up that long hill!!)
After that hill, it was just rolling and shady with a view of a lake on the right.
Mile 2:
By the second mile, it was getting increasingly hard to stay together. It was crowded and when Heidi got behind us, it was hard to hear the beeps to know when we were walking and when we were supposed to run.
I also like to walk on the uphills and run on the downhills which didn’t always coordinate with the intervals.
So we got separated..
Sherry was close behind me and I often slowed for her to catch up… since we said that we would run the race together.
Somewhere after the turn around there was a water stop.
The course repeated itself so youknew what was coming…
Mile 3-3.1:
By mile 3, I was wanting to be done… so I did my usual run some, walk some.
I actually felt pretty energetic and could have run this race…
But there was no reason to chance a injury.
And then there was that LONG annoying hill! I was glad that I actually wasn’t racing.
I crossed at 42:09. (41:57 – Garmin time)
A PW 5k but faster than the ones I walked.
No regrets!!
Post Race Activities:
Sherry finished right after new and we waited for Heidi to cross.
They gave you a coupon for free ice cream and there was also free chocolate milk…
farm fresh = delish!!
We got on line for our free ice cream
and chatted with the other runners while we waited.
posing with our empty milk bottles. lol
They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 5th in my age group.
The winners got to name a new calf (very cool). The age group winners just got a big prize ribbon.
And of course, the ice cream was worth the drive!!
Additional Race Reflections:
Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive.
But I don’t regret participating in this 5k. Though it was a PW, it was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning (especially if you can convince friends to come along).
Next year when I will not be training for a marathon, I may even race it!!
Positives:
Well organized race
Well marked scenic course
Some familiar faces
Friends to share the experience
Nice gender-specific tech shirt
Free chocolate milk
Free (homemade) ice cream
Immediate results
Negatives:
Hilly
Long drive
Would I recommend this race?
All in all, this was a fun race. The hills were a challenge but I’ve seen and experienced worse.
I plan run it again even though it is not nearby.
Final Stats:
I wonder how many calories that chocolate milk and ice cream cone were? LOL
Next Up:
a 10k.
Aug 3.
Then 13.1:
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.
I was semi excited to get into a routine and start training for my Nov. marathon.
Then there was my work trip to NYC with excessive heat.
After which I came down with a cold.
Hoping things are looking up from this point on…
Last Week –
Sunday – I woke up with a nasty cold.
I dragged myself to the gym and then decided that sneezing and sniffling with a lake view and a good book would be preferable to staying home.
the sun came out and it was a beautiful day.. Achoo!
Monday – I had the day off from work and felt a lot better than the day before.
The plan was to go hiking with two friends.. but things didn’t work out so instead, I got some errands done and then ventured out for a run…
too late… too sunny= not fun but done
Then my friend decided that we needed an ice cream adventure
our favorite flavor was back!!
I planned to stop off to see my granddaughter but it was too early so I took a short stroll (to work off those ice cream calories)…
pretty but buggy at the arboretum
Almost walking!!
Tuesday – WFH and a trip to the gym before work…
No run as it rained most of the day… Rest Day!
The rain had stopped by the time I got out of work so I went for a walk with a friend.
new addition to our rail trail
Wednesday – I dragged myself out of bed in order to get some miles done before the predicted rain.
it was cloudy so I thought it would feel better than it did and then I checked the humidity… 😦
The rain did not arrive until overnight and so I was able to meet my BFF for a walk after work.
Thursday – Another early morning run…
I had thought the humidity would have left with the rain overnight… I was wrong!!
and then after work, I participated in our weekly ARE trail run/walk.
This week, there was a BBQ/Pot Luck dinner after which was fun.
Friday – DAY OFF. For my annual summer visit to the Saratoga race track with a former co-worker. We started going in 1984!!
2013
This year, we took a backstretch tour. Then we had breakfast and stayed for the day watching the races and betting. I won a lot of the races but since I don’t bet a lot of money, I didn’t win much but it was fun.
Saturday – Long Run Day and Brunch.
I had to rush through my run and skip brunch because lake time had to be re-scheduled to today.
I ran 4 miles with Barbara and then the last 5 miles solo (I prefer a slower pace for my long runs).
I relaxed the rest of the day with a book …
Sunday – Keep MOO’ving 5k (in Lee, MA)… not sure after yesterday’s long run that I will have enough energy to run but there will be ice cream even if I walk!!
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Still having hot, humid weather where you live? Has it affected your runs? 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.
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, 2019 and 2023 (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18, 28:05)
2016
2017
2018
2019
2023
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this race for 3 years.
Last year, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.
I shocked myself with a decent pace so again, I thought why not and my running friends were busy this weekend so it was a good excuse to skip my long run.
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…
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.
I got up at 5:30am and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.
I left at 6:30 in order to get there early enough to get parking and pick up my bib.
view on the way
I got a spot in a nearby lot, picked up my bib/shirt
and then left the shirt in the car.
There were about 600 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.
The weather was warm … around 75 at the start and sunny. I just hung around and chatted with other runners that I recognized.
isn’t he cute?
and there was a photo booth so I took my obligatory pre (and post) race photo.
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… but not too far back since there was no timing mat at the start.
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 heat (and yes, I know that it’s like this in most places and worse in Florida)..
And it was sunny and 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 2019’s Saratogian
Now that they changed the course by having an out and back on one street, I was able to cheer on runners who were way ahead as well as those 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 31 minutes… a 2024 5k PR.
I crossed at 30: 03. (29:50 – Garmin time)
YAY!!
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 bananas so I grabbed one.
They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 2nd in my age group.
Then they announced that any car in the nearby grass lot would be towed.
Yup, that be me!!
Off I ran and decided to leave rather than wait around for my age group award medal.
I drove up to the lake to meet up my hubby and some friends for a ride on the boat and a barbecue on an island.
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 was a course PW, it actually was a faster finish than my previous 5ks race this year! 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
Spectators with hoses and sprinklers
Negatives:
No longer get free tickets to the race track
15 turns!!
Hot and Sunny!
Only bananas post race.
Unisex shirts
Only one water stop (on a hot day)
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:
Still queen of the positive splits:
With an increasing number of walks with each mile:
Next Up:
Another 5k or two.
July 28
And a 10k.
Aug 3
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.
I was in NYC and the heat index was over 100 everyday!!!!
So Marathon training was on hold…
Last Week –
Sunday – Today I started my work week in NYC.
I got up early and was able to squeeze in a run (glad I did since it was the coolest day of the week).
a little in the ‘hood and a little on the water line
Then I took the train down to NYC and after checking into my hotel, I headed to Madison Ave (with several subway snafus) to check out the Bastille Day celebration.
very hot and very crowded but fun checking out all the exhibits and food vendors
I continued walking to MOMA but both the fashion exhibit and rooftop were closed so I crossed through Central Park to the west side and took the subway to the Financial District.
They had added some bronze statues that I wanted to check out..
My last stop was to cool off along the East River…
Monday – Long work day in Jamaica Queens but I thought I might try a run along the Hudson River…
lots of water fountains in NYC!!
Too hot to run but I managed to walk/run to where a free outdoor concert was being held..
it was sooo hot but Eden Espinosa was great as was the sunset on the river.
Then I walked back to my hotel.
Tuesday – Another long work day in Jamaica Queens…
It was hotter than the day before.. so I attempted to run on the treadmill…
Nope, it was even hot in the hotel gym and I had forgotten my headphones…
Instead I walked to the theater to see a Broadway show…
it was air conditioned at least but I didn’t really like the show… oh well.
and after I walked back to my hotel.
Wednesday – Still hot and working Jamaica Queens.
I try to run this race each summer when I’m working the city
Thursday – Just a work day as it was still too hot to run even before work…
And after work, I headed home on the train.
Friday – A WFH day. I briefly considered going to the gym before work but I was pooped.
So not much activity today… just mahjongg in the evening.
Saturday – Long Run Day and Brunch.
I felt like I hadn’t run in years but luckily I had friends to drag me through the 8 miles.
Stan insisted we do 45:90 intervals… and it was hard!! 45 sec. running at 8:xx min. pace
Sunday – GYM, Lake George
This Coming Week on the Run –
Monday – DAY OFF, run, hike w/friends
Tuesday – GYM, walk w/friends
Wednesday – run
Thursday –run, trail walk
Friday –DAY OFF, Saratoga Racetrack for brunch & betting
Saturday – Long Run (9 miles), boating
Sunday –High Lawn Farm Keep Moo’ving 5K
This Coming Week on the Blog –
Tuesday – Silks and Satins 5k Race Recap
Friday – Runfessions
Happy Running! Training for any big or small races this summer? Still having hot, humid weather where you live? Has it affected your runs? 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.
Summer is HERE! And in many places, it’s been hot and humid!!
Sorry I’m a week late on the Tuesday topic…
Here are some of MY personal tips to enjoy running in the summer:
Stop complaining and posting about the temps and humidity.
Ok, I do it too. (But I will try not to…)
If the heat bothers you:
Don’t run.
Run earlier or later in the day.
Run indoors.
Run slower.
Run fewer miles.
victory for running in only a tank and skirt
Wear Compression Calf Sleeves.
I know it sounds crazy but it is so buggy in the summer. Besides protecting your legs from injury, it will help ward off ticks and mosquitoes. With spring rain, the bugs can be insane.
the ice cream helped as well as the socks lol
Wear a Baseball Cap.
It keeps you cool (if you have thick hair like me). It shields your face from the sun and most importantly, it protects your scalp from the sun. Most runners neglect to put sunscreen on their head and a visor will do zero for you there.
Plan your Hydration.
That doesn’t mean that you have to carry water. I don’t usually.
I mean, how much can you really carry during a hot weather run, anyway? An everyday runner does not have to purchase a hydration vest.
an old pic (I lost that water bottle 😦 )
But you need to drink even if you think that you are not a heavy sweater.
I usually plant water somewhere on my route or loop my runs so I pass my car (where I have water). I have even stopped a local convenience store during my run and bought a bottle of water.
Or you can buy a skirt or shorts that can hold a small water bottle or two.
Sign up for Races.
You knew this one was coming.
The adrenaline of the race will make you forget about the heat. There will be water stops along the course and maybe even watermelon or ice cream at the end of the race.
Ok not as comfortable as sitting in your air-conditioned home or floating around a pool but better for you and much more fun.
at one of my favorite summer 5ks
Happy Running! Any other tips for enjoying the summer run? Please share.
My First 5K and More... 