This race was not on my radar.  I was planning a long run and taking a break from racing.

Then my friend (as she did the past two years) asked me to do it with her.  How could I say No?

This was the 6th time that I had run this race.  I ran it in 2010!!

Yes, 14 years ago! I ran with Amanda, a running friend at that time.

This is the race where I met new running BFF Mary. We ran many races together after that. When she eventually moved to Palm Springs, I visited her twice.

Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.

My time back in 2010 was 29:40 but improved to 28:47 in 2016.  Both years, I was 2nd in my age group (won a cap, then gloves).

2022? Anything could happen… no expectations.

A course PR! 28:43

The good news last year was that Carolyn didn’t turn 70 until later in the year.

But my time was slower: 29:11 (GT)

I was sure that I would have a PW this year since the finish times for the two 5ks I’ve run this year were in the 30s and I walked my recent 5k.

It’s all good. I’m thrilled when I am ABLE to race (especially in a year that included a sprained ankle and food poisoning).

My friend Heidi would be running it with me again. It is always fun to run a race with a friend.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

Last weekend, I kept up my base and ran 6 miles

and then during the week, I ran a few short runs in NYC.

Marathon training does not start until July 9!! Besides, I had Monday off so if necessary, I could run my 6 mile long run then.

The truth was that after FIVE days working in NYC, I was exhausted.  The last thing I wanted to do was get up early on Saturday and run a race!!

Nevertheless, when I got home Friday night I put together my running outfit.. at least rain wasn’t forecast (like last year.)

Race Day:

I dragged myself out of bed and had my usual race breakfast (coffee and oatmeal)

The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:15.

I immediately found Heidi and then got my shirt and bib.

In addition to the shirt, each runner got 4 tickets to a baseball game.  This year they added a ticket to the Strawberry and Wine Festival that was also held that day. Heidi and I traded tickets.

We milled around chatting with runners that we knew.

Then I spotted a runner that I had met in April while waiting for the H2H half to start.

She read this blog and decided to drive several hours from MA to run the race!  It was so fun to meet up again!!

We finally found the mascot for our annual pic.

With the breeze, it seemed like perfect weather for a race.

Below is the course map and elevation:

It had been about 6 weeks since my last 5k…

I had not been thrilled with my lack of speed and thought I would do some speed drills on a nearby track.  But nope… that never happened.

And then I, due to food poisoning, I was forced to walk my favorite 5k.

So again, my race goal was to finish happy and uninjured… zero expectations of a fast finish time…

As you can see from the pics above, this race began and ended at the home of the Valley Cats, a local baseball team that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

There was no chip timing at the start line so I probably should have moved closer to the front (but I didn’t really think about it…)

Mile 1:

The race began in the parking lot and then we ran around the outside of the stadium before heading into the neighborhoods.

I wear my Garmin for races but as mentioned, it had been awhile.  As soon as I started it, it began updating the software.  Boo!

I played with it but there wasn’t much I could do.

I had started with several friends but they quickly got ahead and kept gaining on me as the race went on. My goal became to just keep them in sight and cut as many tangents as possible.

Eventually I was able to start my watch … I don’t remember much about the first mile other than I was dragging (and it felt warmer than it was due to the sun).

I think I willed myself to run and not walk…

Mile 2:

Finally there was a water stop around mile 1.5 so I walked a bit. The neighborhoods were rolling hills but nothing too bad until one steep one during the second mile.  I tried to run up it but the legs just weren’t having it. So I ran/walked it.

It felt warm as I mentioned… occasionally we did feel the breeze but as usual, it was was when we were running into it.

My legs weren’t tired but I found myself out of breath… pollen, lack of sleep, out of shape?

And was there a mile 2 marker or did I miss it?

Mile 3-3.1:

A few more walks, I think. And then there was a welcome downhill during mile 3.

We finished the race inside the stadium and I gave it everything (which wasn’t much at this point).

I didn’t expect a course PR however I thought of finishing under 30 minutes. (I think that’s just a dream now…)

As I approached the finish line, 29 turned to 30 minutes and then 30 turned to 31.

A course PW!

Post Race Activities:

I may have come to accept my lack of speed because I was not really disappointed in my time.

I waited for Heidi to finish.

Then we headed for the food. There was a decent spread: popcorn, chips, cookies, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I ate a hot dog and several cookies.

Everyone whom I talked to before the race seemed to have a good race. Some finished ahead of me and some after.

I checked the results and I did win an award – 2nd in my age group as did several of my friends.

And my friend from MA was the FIRST FEMALE!! Woo Hoo!

So we waited around for the awards ceremony (which took place after the kids race.)

Then off we went to brunch… I only had iced coffee. lol.

After showering and changing, I invited a friend to join me at the Strawberry and Wine Festival.

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was not feeling good about running this race.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, ran a decent race and don’t regret it one bit.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• 4 free tickets to a game as swag
• 1 free ticket to the Strawberry and Wine Festival there
• Interesting course (through the neighborhoods and finish in a baseball stadium)
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Free photos
• Decent post-race food
• Cute age group award (my hubby likes it)

Negatives:

• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Long course (many said it was 3.2 this year)
• My Garmin missed the beginning of the race
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Unisex tee shirts (but there were tech material this year)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a nice local race. And very well organized. Maybe someone will twist my arm to run it again next year. LOL.

Final Stats:

Gun Time = 31:10

Next Up:

Adirondack Race to the Lakes 7 Miler

Skipping this race for the first time and waiting until…

Happy Running!  How did you celebrate Father’s Day Weekend? Running any summer 5ks? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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