I signed up for the Mastercard NYC Mini 10k for several reasons:

• I love NYC.
• I love running in Central Park.
• I hadn’t run a race there since Dec. 2022.
• I had enough pts for a free hotel room.
• I thought my NYC BRF Cari may be running it too or at least we could meet up during the weekend.
• All woman’s race – so inspiring.
• Elite runners do it! (Last year Fiona O’Keeffe, Emily Sisson, Dakotah Lindwurm, Sara Hall, Molly Huddle, Jessica McLain, Nell Rojas and others ran it.)
• 10k is one of my favorite distances.
• No Harlem Hill for this race (just 3 sisters).

Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do try to do those weekday short runs (Mon, Tues, Wed this week).

and get in some longer runs on the weekend (although the weekend before this race, it was only a 5k race): 10m, 8m 6m

I knew about the HILLS that would taunt me during the race. I have run in this park and I ran the Shape Half Marathon, Fred LeBow Half twice, Central Park Half and many other shorter races.

I’ve always wanted to run this race. However, it often conflicted with the Freihofer Run for Women or work. I finally got in in 2020 and then it was cancelled due to COVID.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Believe or not, my friends picked June 5 to visit the NY Botanical Gardens.

So I stayed in a hotel in the Bronx that night

and then the next morning, I took a subway into Manhattan and immediately got busy with all my scheduled activities.

First I headed to NYRR Run Center to pick up my bib and race shirt and also attend a panel discussion.

I walked back to my hotel but my room still wasn’t ready. So I took the subway downtown to visit the Anne Frank exhibit.

Afterward, I walked back to my hotel stopping on the way for a late lunch (pizza). I finally checked into my room and then headed uptown to the newly renovated Frick museum.

Cari met me there and accompanied me to my next activity, a Broadway show. But first a gelato stop.

I walked back to my hotel and called it a day. Don’t ask how many miles I walked the day before this race…

Race Day:

I brought my usual race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee with me and got up around 5:30 am. My hotel was on West 36th and 6th Avenue. I have in the past taken an Uber but I decided to leave super early (6:30 am) and take the subway from 34th St & 8th Ave.

And it was super crowded with runners!  I chatted with one who was running her first race ever.

I got off at 86th and followed all the runners to the start at 90th.

The rain in the forecast disappeared and insane humidity replaced it.

It was already warm and I had decided not to do bag check (besides it was a mile from the start). I was originally worried that I would get soaked from the rain.  I changed my mind. A little rain would have felt good.

It was still early but the time passed quickly.

My Race Plan:

Do not get injured!! And most importantly, have fun!!

I would most likely do a lot of walking… because there would be hills!!

I planned to stop and walk briefly at every water stop (so I wouldn’t get dehydrated) and to stop and walk longer to eat a gel around mile 4.

I was worried about the humidity so I brought salt chews and took 2 before the race and planned take 2 more at the halfway point.

My estimated finish time would be around 1:15 (far from my 57:xx PR at this distance).

Anyway, here’s how the race went:

Course Map:

Elevation  according to Strava:

Miles 1-3:

I started in Corral F:

It only took 5-10 minutes to get to the start line.

We started running on Central Park West (W90th St) and eventually entered the park at 72nd.

I was feeling good but tried to keep it slow due to the weather conditions. Although I thought I had started my Garmin, somehow I did not.  I realized it about a half mile into the race.  No big deal except for not knowing what mile I was at. At least there were clocks at each mile.

Once in the park, we ran south. I think I ran until the first water stop about 1.5m in before I walked… I was sweating (and I rarely sweat) so I grabbed some Gatorade.

Eventually we turned and ran up the east side of the park.

It was crowded but I didn’t really need to weave in and out. I was not running that fast and for my pace, many runners walked intermittently.

As the race went on, the humidity made me feel weaker and so I paced myself by walking up the hills and sprinting whenever I had enough energy.

There was a 2nd water stop around the 5k point… More Gatorade!

Miles 4-6.2:

Once we reached 102nd St, we looped around and headed back on the west side of the park toward 72nd where the race would finish.

I finally ate my Gu at the next water stop (around mile 4.5).

Still no rain.  Even the sun peaked out. So humid!!!!!

And now came more hills.

I am pretty sure I walked more the 2nd half of the race.

I didn’t care. I just wanted to finish upright.

I did give it my all on any straight away and/or downhills.

And somehow, my Garmin stopped and I lost my stats for the last .5 miles (?).

I think there was one more water stop (around mile 5.5) but I skipped it as I just wanted to be done…

I did feel good enough to sprint across the finish and was pleasantly surprised at the time on the clock.

I saw many runners with flowers but I guess they had run out by the time I finished.

Post Race Activities:

I immediately got my medal, grabbed a heavy bag of food (water, Gatorade, apple, pretzels, bar…)

and posed for a quick pic. or two!

While I was waiting for Cari to finish, I met two lovely runners who would be running their first NYCM in November. We became instant friends.

Soon Cari arrived…

with her friends. Another photo op.

So two Cari meet-ups in one weekend.  Always a pleasure and hopefully, we’ll meet up again soon.

As I exited the park, it was so inspiring to see all the runners happily finishing their race.

The rain finally arrived but not until around 1:30 pm.

And luckily I had indoor plans (the Morgan Library and Museum) for the rest of the day:

Additional Race Reflections:

Running in the heat/humidity may not have been exactly fun. But at least without the rain, I could enjoy the pre and post-race experience.

I was happy with my finish time. Yes, it was almost 9 minutes slower than a 10k that I had run in this park

but it was not a PW and faster than I expected on this course and in these weather conditions.

Enough whining…I am so grateful to be able to visit NYC and run a race. And a race that included only women was just icing on the cake.

I am unbelievably happy that after the race, my legs/feet felt fine.. no pain anywhere (always a good thing at my age.)

All in all, I thought this was a fun race.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up at Run Center and also race morning near the start).
• NYRR sponsored events before race dy.
• Cool purple tank
• Bag Check if needed.
• Water at almost EVERY mile. Gatorade at most.
• Many porta-potties along the course in addition to real CP bathrooms
• Well marked course.
• Timing Clock at every mile.
• No Harlem Hill.
• Great crowd support!
• Los of volunteers as course marshals and at water stops
• Very cool medal.
• Immediate results.
• Blogger meet-up with Cari
• No Blisters. No pain.

The Bad:

• Humidity.
• Hills in Central Park. I did not do any training on hills (my bad)
• Post-race food – just pretzels and apples but I guess I missed the bagels and cookies
• They ran out of flowers.
• Photos?

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

Do it if you can.  You won’t regret it (unless you hate hills lol).

No, it’s not an easy course. Only a little over 10,000 women runners usually participate so not a big race by NYC standards. And not an expensive one.

Final Stats:

No age group award but 8 out of 64 ain’t bad.

Next Up:

 

 

 

 

 

This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 18th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 17th in-person FRW race.)

It has always been held the Saturday after Memorial Day except in 2021, when due to COVID, the race was moved to September. In 2022, it again returned to its regular date.

My first FRW was in 2008 (my first year of running). At the time, it was the farthest I’d ever run:

I mentored a beginning running group of moms in 2010 which was very rewarding:

In 2012, it was my first run after serious ankle surgery:

I even ran it in 2013 after breaking my foot at mile 1:

And in 2019, it was the last race for my VT friend Andrea (who died of cancer).

As you can tell, there is a lot of history attached to this race for me.

In 2020, I was named an Ambassador. That honor continued through 2022.

Believe it not, I even chose to skip my high school reunion in 2022 in order to run this race!!

Then last year they changed the name of the race!!

It’s now called the Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women.

Nevertheless, I knew that I would do this race (no matter what they called it).  I’m pretty sure I will always do this race!!

Unfortunately, last year, I had food poisoning the night before the race but I showed up and walked it with my friends.  And actually I had the most fun ever.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

As with this race every year, I never know what will happen… I could break my foot again (as I did in 2013) or could have a course PR as I did in 2018. Even have to walk the whole race. Most likely, it will just be a fun run with lots of women.

And this was also my tenth year participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC).

This year, I decided again to become a Mentor.  I wanted to support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And connect with my “past TC” buddies, as well.

I volunteered on Wednesday evenings on the rail trail near where I live.

Many years ago, the day before I would walk to the Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. They used to have a really big expo with vendors and health-related exhibits. But the past few years, they have held it at a local college.

As I did the past few years, I signed up to volunteer on Friday evening at packet pick-up and then I skipped playing mah jongg in order to prepare my #flatme.

Race Day:

I hate parking garages and traffic so I usually parked on the street and walked to the start. However, with the new(er) course, it was an even longer hike. Like almost 2 miles!

But I used to love to run down Madison Avenue and see the race banners and see the giant poster on the bridge.

They changed the course nine years ago. This course is supposedly faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.

course map

I did run the newer course the past nine years and I also liked it better than the original..

As I mentioned above, this was my 18th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak.

Most of my running friends were not running the race this year.  But Deb and Denise said that they would walk it.

So the three of carpooled and parked on the street and walked to the start.

Did mention the weather forecast?  RAIN! This has been a trend for every Saturday!!!

It rained most of the night before and I woke up to rain. So I grabbed a raincoat, umbrella and rain poncho… It was close t0 60 degrees which wasn’t bad except for the WIND!!

We were soaked by the time we arrived at the a park near the race start.

Being part of the Training Challenge group, I could hang out and leave my stuff in the tent.

We all complained about the weather but knew that we would run the race no matter what.

Soon it was time to leave the tent for the Training Challenge group photo.

Though, I didn’t enjoy mentoring as much as I used to, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.

Then we returned to the tent and waited until the last moment to head out into the rain… And it was raining even harder now.

I was scheduled to start in corral 3 and squeezed into the crowd. I had taken off my jacket but kept on my poncho for the last few minutes and then tossed it.

Mile 1:

It is usually very crowded during the first mile but this year were fewer runners than in previous years   (due to the weather, most likely.) I never really had to weave and had plenty of space to run comfortably.

The race began with a long steep uphill. And of course, it was super windy and rain blowing in your face.

But I did run most of the hill… it was slow but I did it.

Mile 1 continued as we turned left and entered the park (and the hill ended).

There were rolling hills throughout the park. They were not bad and even I could run them without walking (but barely).

The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…And the puddles which were often lakes.  You had to weaving back and forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes peeled to the ground to make sure you didn’t trip.

Mile 2:

There was a water stop around mile 1.25. I wasn’t thirsty but I used it as an excuse to walk for a bit.

More rolling hills during this mile as you went around the park circling the lake. Only one of the hills was steep but it was very short.

I tried to pick up the pace for the second mile. I told myself that I would not walk until the next water stop.

Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.

Mile 3-3.1:

There was a second water stop around mile 2.5. Again I stopped for a drink (even though I didn’t need one) and walked longer than before.

Finally we left the park and headed toward the street we started on.

It was a long downhill and I had to remember not to start sprinting too soon. I’ve made that mistake in past years. Besides it was slippery and so many puddles.

Eventually I saw the 3 mile sign and I started to run as fast as I could while posing for the photographers and running though the finish line…

As you can see below, I crossed at 31:xx, a big PW but considering the weather conditions, I was not disappointed.

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal and then headed toward the refreshments with a stop at the results table.

The food lines were very long so I just returned to the tent.

Deb and Denise were waiting for me there. In the end, they had decided due to the wind and rain to not even walk the race. They just waited for me in the tent (and took that photo of me heading to the finish and crossing.)

So we all walked back to the car (in the pouring rain) and then went out for brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run a PR or even close. In fact, it was a course PW but I still really enjoyed myself.

Since I can never remember my finish times. I looked up my recent ones after the race.

• • 2014 – 28:51
  • 2015 – 29:22
  • 2016 -28:50
  • 2017 – 27:48
  • 2018 – 27:37 (PR)
  • 2019 – 27:47
  • 2021 – 28:16
  • 2022 – 28:24
  • 2023 – 29:41
  • 2025 – 31:28 (PW)

I know. How can you have fun running in the pouring rain? And running one of your slowest 5k…

I wasn’t cold while I was running just before and after. Yes, I got soaked but it wasn’t the first time and it won’t be the last.

I guess I just enjoy racing.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Interesting course (through a beautiful park).
• Downhill finish.
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Two water stops (for a 5k)
• The electric atmosphere.
• Virtual option.
• Free photos
• Immediate results
• Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
• Cool medal
• All women – all ages, all paces…
• Many free photo stations

Negatives:

• Uphill first mile.
• Uneven pavement in the park
• Long line for the refreshments
• Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer race)
• WEATHER!!!

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a great local race. And having it be ALL WOMEN makes it even more special.

Final Stats:

So FRW #18 is in the books!

The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running or walking it. Can’t wait to do it again next year. I hope I can talk more of my local running friends into running it too. The weather has to be better, right?

Next Up:

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? Do you have a favorite race that you run every year? Do you prefer 5ks or longer races? How do you feel about racing in the rain? 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

Every year, I plan to sign up for the 10k and then I chicken out.

I know that the hills would be good training but… the 5k is an out and back and mostly flat.

Then last year, I did run the 10K.

Oy! Those hills!!

So this year, I returned to the 5k. 🙂

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

This small race in the country has always been one of my favorite races. I have run it for the five years straight (2013-18) and enjoyed it each time. I was out of town in 2019 and it was cancelled in 2020. But I ran it again in 2021 and as a I said above, last year, I ran the 10k.

It was always well-organized and had great food – the usual food but also chili and homemade muffins & cookies (including gluten free ones).

And there was chocolate milk, fresh from the dairy. (You know how I LOVE chocolate milk post-race.)

Plus, I also have won a homemade pie as first in my age group every year. 28:56, 28:01, 27:54, 27:32, 27:01, 28:30. Yes, it seems that I was pretty fast but that was then and this is now.

Lately I don’t feel very fast. In fact, I was highly doubtful that I could finish under 30 minutes. I was expecting (but not in a bad way), a course PW, maybe even a 5k PW.

Packet pick-up was the night before. But since I lived so far away, I planned to pick mine up the morning of the race.

Again the weather was tricky. What to wear? I was brave the first two years and wore a skirt, a baseball cap and no gloves. It was April, right? Then the next three years, it was cold and I resorted to capris. In 2021, they moved the race to May so I was able to return to the skirt on a very hot day.

This year since the race was back in April, but (this seems to be a trend) RAIN was predicted.

No cold temps but no sun with rain and wind meant capris instead of a skirt, a jacket, arm warmers…?

Of course, I had pizza for my race carb loading (yes I carb load even for 5ks. lol)

Race Day:

The race started at 10 am which was great since it would be an hour drive from my house.

After my race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, I left my house around 8:15 am. It was raining lightly.

I got to the race early (around 9:15 am) and found a parking spot in a MUDDY grassy field next to the church. The race started at the church in the town of Bacon Hill, a small farming town with awesome scenery. (It reminded me of Vermont.)

So as soon as I arrived, I picked up my shirt and bib.

We were also given a ticket to enter to win the many raffle prizes.) Then I went back to my car to drop off my shirt.

I wasn’t sure that I would know anyone at this race since most of the runners that I know were running a local 10k.

Of course, it started to rain harder. There were tents and many runners waited inside the church.

But I did bump into a few runners that I knew and we hung out chatting.

There was music playing and a little over 160 runners. Much fewer than usual because there was a virtual option for both the 5k and 10kand the WEATHER.

Eventually at 9:45, they directed us to the start. No corrals and I wasn’t sure if it were chip timed so I didn’t start too far back.

I ditched my umbrella but it was raining so I kept on my jacket (with arm sleeves under it).

Miles 1-1.5

The pastor read a prayer, the church bells rang and we were off.

The 5k was an out and back. We started with the 10k runners but they looped around and then veered off onto a very hilly route.

I decided to go out fast. I always have positive splits so why try not to. Unfortunately my fast now is not what it used to be (to some I was never fast and to others, I still am fast. Remember pace is so individual.)

However, Because I am now used to only running 60-90 seconds at a time, I was out of breath very quickly. I wasn’t even able to run the whole first mile.

And although it was raining, harder and harder, it was humid.  I had to stop and rake off my jacket and tie it  around my waist.

The course wasn’t as flat as the map showed. The hills were rolling throughout but not that bad for the first half.

There used to be so many the signs along the route. Many of them were riddles. They were a nice distraction. This year, I only noticed a couple (maybe due to the rain?)

This one was my favorite:

My legs really protested my attempt for speed.  There were mile markers and a few scattered volunteers with umbrellas cheering on the runners. But very few spectators due to the miserable weather.

A little past the one mile marker, there was a water stop. I walked for a while (too long) here since I was thirsty. I even took of my DIY arm sleeves.

Mile 1.5-3.1:

Eventually we turned around and headed back…. I realized quickly that I had gone out too fast (and it wasn’t even fast.)  I could not keep up that pace. (I was wearing my Garmin but I never looked at it until the race was over.)

I continued running but added in lots of walks.  The wind was blowing at us now and the rain pelted my face.  My clothes and shoes were getting soggier and soggier. Although there didn’t seem to be downhills on the way out, now there appeared to be many uphills.  Yes, I walked them.

Finally there was one mile to go and I couldn’t wait to finish and get that chocolate milk. And get out of the pouring rain!!

As I approached the finish line, I sprinted as fast as I could (and stopped my watch.)

The clock said: 31:xx. A big course PW but I was happily surprised at my time (considering how much walking I did.)

Post-Race Activities

I immediately made a bee line for the chocolate milk.

There was a lot of refreshments (3 kinds of chili, pastries, fruit, etc.) More food than there were runners.  We were encouraged to take extras.

I didn’t have to wait long before they announced the raffle prize winners (not I) and the awards.

Yes, it was worth the hour drive. I won a pie!

I waited a bit for the rain to let up but it obviously wasn’t going to so I headed back to my car.

In past years, I ran more miles because the 10k route (though hilly) was very scenic.

And I would stop by Kings Dairy for some homemade ice cream.

Not today!

Additional Race Reflections:

Positives:

• 5k and 10k options
• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Beautiful countryside scenery
• Chocolate milk.
• Chili and homemade goodies as post-race refreshments.
• Super friendly volunteers.
• Virtual option.
• Raffle prizes.
• Pie, ice cream gift certificate, cookies as age group awards.

Negatives:

• Late start time.
• RAIN!
• Lack of speed work (my fault).

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail.

Final Stats:

But I was thrilled with my time.  But I wasn’t expecting much.  I did exactly what I had planned.  Just run. I definitely think I could have run faster. But there didn’t seem to be a reason to. When I was winded, I walked. I was just running for me (and the PIE) and because it makes me feel good to race.

All in all, I loved this race. I will definitely do it again…maybe even the 10k again.

Next Up:

Another 5k.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? How do feel about racing in the rain?  Please share.

 

 

 

 

---

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) 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