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

This is my 9th time running this popular local 15k race.

I ran it for the first time in 2011 and it was my FIRST 15k race ever. I was glad to just finish and I did in 1:36:08. I was injured in 2012 and then I ran it again in 2013.

With 1500-2000 runners in this race, they were forced to make some changes to the course.

It no longer starts and ends in Central Park. It also starts earlier – 8:30 am

Well, I loved the new course and my finish times improved for the most part until 2019.  I blamed the marathon that year. Now I blame OLD age. LOL:

2014 – 1:33:23
2015 – 1:31:23
2016 – 1:32:49
2018 – 1:30:15 PR
2019 – 1:36:37 PW
2020 – cancelled
2021 – 1:35:11
2022 – 1:34:54

In 2019, they modified the course slightly. They eliminated the bike path at the beginning of the race (which I did like because you ran along the Mohawk River and it was dirt so easy on the feet).)

Because I had run a marathon the week before in 2023 and 2024, I skipped this race.

This year I had no excuse.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

My last long run felt hard… That did not make me feel super confident for this race.

During the week before the race, I just ran my easy short runs… on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: and Saturday (yes, it is odd for me to run more than 3 days during the week…)

So I didn’t expect to race this 15k. I just wanted some exercise and to hang out with 1000 of my running friends.

I picked up my bib and race shirt at Fleet Feet the day before (although it really wasn’t necessary.)

I had my pre-race pizza that night and got together my #flatme (hoping the the rain would leave the forecast.)

Race Day:

The temps were in the 30s when I got up on race morning and it was forecast to only warm up to high 40s and be rainy. I hate this time of year. It’s so difficult to dress correctly. I was glad bag check had returned, so I could bring extra clothes for after and in case I changed my mind or I was wet.

Even though I’ve been to this race several times before, I decided to carpool with Barbara. We left extra early. The lot that I planned to park in was full but we did find a spot on the street few blocks from the start of the race. It was raining on the drive over and still raining when we walked over to the YMCA.

One of the things that I love about this race (since they changed the course) is there are two floors at the YMCA where you could wait inside, check a bag and use the “real” restrooms.

There were over 1000 runners on those two floors in addition to outside so I didn’t connect with as many friends as I normally do but I see a few that I recognized.

So we stayed downstairs to keep warm and dry until the race start. We didn’t use the official bag check but just left our bag along a nearby wall (as many runners also did).

The 2023 course map:

The course starts near Veterans Park in downtown Schenectady. The course travels west on State Street for 1K before entering the historic Stockade District and proceeding on a scenic bike path in Riverside Park along the Mohawk River. The course exits the Stockade District after crossing Erie Blvd. The course then proceeds east on Nott Street past Union College before entering the historic GE Plot residential neighborhood via Lenox Ave, Douglas Rd and Rugby Rd. The course exits Rugby Road and proceeds north on Waverly Place near the 5K mark. The course turns east off Waverly and follows Grand Blvd to the city boundary with Niskayuna, then proceeds south on Dean Street to Central Parkway past 8k. After a 1K residential loop on Central Parkway, the course enters beautiful Central Park and follows a bike path around Iroquois Lake and Duck Pond before reaching its highest elevation near 12K. The final 3k is mostly downhill or flat as the course exits Central Park and proceeds west through historic Vale Cemetery and Vale Park before a final downhill section on Franklin Street to the finish at City Hall.

Mile 1-3.1:

Believe it or not, it had stopped raining by the time the race was set to start.

I recognized a few runners so I lined up with them. Barbara moved further back.  We agreed to meet near bag check.

The race started running down commercial State Street.

It was fairly flat but very crowded. I quickly lost my friends and just weaved my way through the crowd.

Soon, we turned and entered the Stockade (oldest) section of town.

Although it was chilly, I instantly warmed up and even felt overdressed.  I eventually took off my gloves and rolled up my DIY arm warmers. I was wearing two shirts (and could have even just worn one). It think that it was the humidity that was making me sweat.

After the Stockade area, we ran past Union College and around various residential neighborhoods. I also stopped at the first water stop even though I was not thirsty at all. (Yay for a walk break).

The hills were relentless. Why do I not remember them from previous years? Not rolling hills, just running up, it seemed.

I knew a lot of runners in this race. They kept catching up to me, we’d chat and then they would go on ahead. That was ok with me. I was determined to run at my own pace and have a stress-free race.

I walked whenever I was tired (way too often) and definitely ALL the up hills. I tried to make up time by running fast on the down hills  (why did they not seem often?)

I recognized one of my running friends who was course marshal… she yelled my name.

Mile 3.1-6.2:

By mile 4, I was getting hungry. We were still circling the neighborhoods. There were lots of course marshals directing throughout the course and many enthusiastic spectators.

But the second water stop was not for a while but I finally decided to choke down my Gu (without any water).

Around the  high school or mile 5, I high fived two more friends who were course marshals.

Around mile 6, we entered Central Park with its rolling hills, lake, and pretty foliage. More hills to walk up (and sprint down), of course, but not too bad.  The worst was yet to come. And finally a second water stop!!

Mile 6.2-9.4:

Between mile 7 and 8 is where the BIG hills were. I walked up them for the most part. They were steep but at least short. Many of the runners at this point were struggled up these hills or walking.  We laughed/groaned together.

There was a third water stop but much too late in the race.  I never ate my 2nd Gu and just took a quick drink.

We proceeded to run through the cemetery.  Most of it was downhill. Yay! But my legs had it by this time. My lower back had been achy for miles…

Eventually we left the cemetery and ran through Vale Park before heading DOWNHILL on Franklin St to the finish line at city hall.

One of reasons I love this race is that finish.

I ran as fast as I could but I had lost quite a bit of time with the walks and the hills.

I saw that I crossed at 1:41:xx.

I admit that initially I was disappointed…more than 11 minutes off a PR.  Almost 7 minutes slower than the last time and my slowest time for this race

But hey, I wasn’t trying for a PR.  I am older. (I know you all get it…)

Post Race Activities:

Barbara (who rana great race) was waiting for me after I crossed the finish line.

I was now sweaty and chilled so we immediately walked back the YMCA.

This year, the food was again inside at the YWCA, the same area as bag check. I didn’t mention above that my stomach felt off the WHOLE race and I really did not feel well right after.

I checked the results and as expected, I did not win anything.

There were many food options such as fruit, cider donuts, coffee, chocolate milk, pizza, soup.  I slowly ate a little of everything.  We needed to kill time because the road where I parked would be blocked until the race was over.

Eventually we did leave and it was POURING!!!

So lucky that the rain didn’t start until after the race.  For once the rain gods were on my side.

Additional Race Reflections:

Sure, I’d love to have those speedier legs return. I’m not sure they ever will but I do not plan to stop racing because my finish times are slower. I loved seeing all those runners that I only chat with at races.  I love the racing atmosphere and the challenge it always brings.

Positives:

• Ample parking (garage, lots, streets).
• Well marked course.
• Great running weather.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Bag Check.
• Interesting course (through the historic part of the city, neighborhoods, park, cemetery).
• Downhill finish.
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Chocolate milk, soup, pizza among other staples post-race
• Crowd support
• The electric atmosphere.
• Instant results
• Free photos
• Indoor place to gather before and after.
• Gender-specific shirt

Negatives:

• Hills during miles 7-8
• Big gap between water stop 1 & 2.  Water stop 3 too late.
• Finish line photos of only the faster runners.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. It’s a great way to see this city…a little bit of everything.  I would recommend that you train on hills. lol

Final Stats:

I did enjoy this race. The course was so varied that it also took your mind off the hills. With the large number of runners (1000+), I felt like I was always running with others and it kept me going.

Yes, it was hilly. The first half had a lot more hills but they were manageable. The second half had fewer hills but they were steeper.

The best part of the race was that I didn’t put it all out there. I walked when I was feeling tired and tried to remember to treat it like a run. And nothing hurt after!!

This race is definitely on my must-do list. It was very well organized. Maybe all the stars will be aligned next year and I’ll get a faster finish time … (but probably not. LOL)

Next Up:

Happy Running! Did you race recently? If so, how did it go? Do you ever run 15ks? Do you like them? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Jenny (RunnersFly) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

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