This was my 8th time running the Troy Turkey Trot 10K.

I really enjoyed this race my first time I ran it in 2014 (in spite of the snowstorm) and now I look forward to running it every year.

In 2018, it was FREEZING and I DNSed the race partly because of the weather but mostly because I was going to be running a hilly Half Marathon 2 days later (which seemed more important.)

In 2020, the race went virtual and I did not run it.

In 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, I even ran both races – the 10K followed by the 5k.  Why not? I was already dressed and ready to run. The past few years, I was not as crazy. Just the 10K as in my first year.

Last year, I was dressed and ready to race but the weather was horrible and the roads just too icy..

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I did not sign up for the Turkey Trot Challenge this year. So there was no real training for this race.  I considered it just a fun event to get outdoors and justify all the food that I would consume later in the day.

Previous Troy Turkey Trot 10K times:

• 2014 – 57:03 (PR)
• 2015 – 59:33
• 2016 – 57:51
• 2017 – 57:42
• 20:18 – DNS
• 2019 – 59:06
• 2:20 – cancelled
• 2021 – 59:49
• 2022 – 59:13
• 2023 – 1:02:40 (PW)
• 2024- DNS (bad weather)

I did 6 mile run on the weekend..

in addition for two shorter ones during the week.

I guess my ambitious goal for this year’s 10k could be to beat my 2023 time but I knew that it would highly unlikely.

2025 10k times:

• • Electric City 10k – 1:09:42
  • Mastercard NY Mini 10k – 1:07:18
  • Squirrel Stampede 10k– 1:07:12

So really just being out there and running with friends would make me happy!

I picked up my bib/race shirt the previous Saturday so I didn’t have to rush on race morning. It usually to be a drive thru at a local high school… but this year, it was at the RPI field house.

On Wednesday evening, I planned my Thanksgiving running outfit. I tried to be festive but also comfortable for the running weather that day. I was very excited that it would not be as cold as previous mornings and that there would be no snow/ice on the roads this year.

I carb loaded with pasta instead of my usual pizza the night before (even though I only had to run 6.2 miles)

Race Day:

I woke up early, had my coffee and oatmeal and then checked the weather. Clear, windy but in the low 40s degrees. I grabbed a beanie, my DIY arm warmers, grabbed a down jacket and sprinted out the door at 6:30 am.

There was no traffic and I found parking in a lot across from a bowling alley where I parked in previous years. I was still early so I waited in my car until I saw some runners heading out.

I walked a few blocks to the Atrium where we can wait indoors for the race to begin.

The Atrium was open this year but no open coffee shop and NO rest rooms (just porta potties outdoors).

At least bag check was back. It was around the corner in a truck.

Instead of walking to bag check, I just left my jacket in an out of the way location at the Atrium.

Lots of runners were hanging out. It was nice to talk with runners whom I had not seen in awhile.

This is a very popular local race as I mentioned so I always bump into so many runners that I know. I chatted until it was time to get to the start area.

The 10K started at 8 am followed by the kid’s one mile race and then at 10 am, the most popular event, the 5K.

The 10K course this year was the same as previous years.

Elevation:

As someone was singing the national anthem, I squeezed into the crowd in the 10 minute pace group with some friends.

My plan for the race was to not to start out too fast and to run at an even pace and to save some for the last mile. (I know. I say that for every race. LOL)

This race seemed more crowded than previous years (but not nearly as crowded at the 5k.). For my pace, I was running with others the whole race. Though, it seemed that they all were passing me by.

Miles 1-3.1:

The course is fairly flat. You start running down Broadway and then over the Green Island bridge,

turn around and run back into the city. I knew from my first few steps that the speed was gone from my legs. I was dragging already and I had just started. I tried to put off walking as long as I could. It didn’t help that at times, we were running into the wind.

I enjoyed seeing the fastest runners sprint by, as well as, those behind me.  I tried cheer both groups on…

After the bridge, we took a left and ran along the city streets for few miles. The roads were closed to traffic which was nice.

The sun started to peak out and I was getting warm. I took off my gloves and rolled down my DIY arm warmers.

All of a sudden, we all saw a bald eagle flying over our heads. That was very cool.

I didn’t have to look at a watch to know that I was running too slow for a sub one hour race. I was pretty sure that I was running a course PW (not that it even mattered.)

There were three water stops.  I stopped to walk at the first one around mile 1.5. They gave out bottles of water which was annoying. First of all, I only drank a little and second, the can to throw away the bottles was at the water stop.

My legs were tiring and I walked again around mile 3, I think.

Miles 3.1-6.2:

Around this point, we again turned around and headed back toward the start. There was a second water stop, again with bottles and I stopped and walked for a bit.

There was great crowd support.  Better than normal since the weather was perfect. There were even tables passing out beer. LOL

And again since it was an out and back, you got to see both faster and slower runners.

I was running with other runners but as I mentioned above, most kept passing me by. All of the friends that I started with got way ahead.

I decided not to eat my GU and but did stop at the third water stop.

With the Hudson river in view, I knew that I was getting toward the end.

Finally I could hear the finish in the distance. I wanted to at least sprint through the finish line so I walked one more time.

I crossed around 1:04:xx (GT).

A course PW but I was glad to be done.

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed a bottle of water and they gave you a medal.  The only refreshments were bananas, apples and some packaged snacks.

I hung out for awhile chatting with my friends.

Then I checked out the results and found out that I came in 2nd in my age group.

I choose a cap.

I used to hang around to run the 5k. But I was getting chilled (from sweating) and headed back to my car.

On my walk back to my car, I got to see all those crazy 5k runners in costume.

Additional Race Reflections:

No matter what my finish time was, I was glad that I decided to run this race.  I love the atmosphere of this race. I enjoy the challenge of a 10k as opposed to a 5k. It’s a great way to start off Thanksgiving Day.

I obviously have lost a lot of speed and stamina. But on a positive note, it was my fastest 10k of the year.

Positives:

• The weather
• Race organization
• Easy packet pickup
• Race location – place to stay warm indoors
• Bag Check
• Mostly flat course
• Two distance options – 5k and 10k
• Knowing lots of runners.  Racing is fun with friends.
• Ample parking
• Well marked course.
• Varied scenery including river views
• A lot of pre-race information.
• Timing clocks at every mile.
• Three water stops.
• Enthusiastic spectators.
• Cool medal.
• Lots of media coverage.
• Instant results
• Cool age group prizes

Negatives:

• Bottles instead of cups at water stops.
• Unisex shirts
• No indoor restrooms
• Curse PW (but hey, I’m older)
• Photos are not free

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Definitely.  It is well-organized and there’s a distance for everyone. Many runners are in costumes.

The attendance was over 7,000 this year. A very fun way to start the holiday.

Final Stats:

Then later that afternoon, I ate back all the calories that I had burned off. LOL

Next Up:

A fun 7k Trail race in Florida.

Happy Running! Did you run off that turkey? If so, how did it go? Please share

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) 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