winter series #1 in 2011

Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsors FREE races throughout the winter for its members. The course is pretty boring but free is free.

This weekend, they offered distances of 3M, 15K and 30K.

The 15K distance fit right in with my long run schedule since I ran 8 miles last weekend and 10 miles the weekend before.

So I signed up and hoped the conditions would be good enough for running.

It had been freezing all week – I mean sub-zero conditions with the wind chill. I ran on Wednesday (6 degrees) after work and was freezing.  Today it was supposed to be in the teens with some sun and a little wind.

When I got up, it was 6 degrees (-3 with the windchill). I wore similar layers as I did all week.  I just added compression socks under the tights and for my hands which are what gets the most cold, I brought along those hand warmers that you put in your gloves.

I left early to get parking since these races are crowded and there are other events going on at UAlbany. I was surprised that the parking lot was not full!  I think many of the racers bailed due to the cold temps and the snowy conditions. (There was a light coating of snow from yesterday.)

Inside, I found my 2 new running friends.  I was surprised since I thought that they would not be coming.

Heidi, Adrienne & me – toasty warm indoors before the race

We stayed indoors until the last minute and then made out way outside.

The race is very informal – no bibs, no starting mat, no timing chips, etc.  We just started toward the back.  I ran with Heidi & Adrienne for a short time but they are younger and faster and I told them to go ahead. Then I bumped into Gail, another SRM and we ran for awhile.

I should mention that my stomach was not happy with me today. It may have what I ate yesterday.  I felt nauseous the whole race.  I also felt very lethargic.

I just told myself that this was simply a training run and just do it.

acting goofy for the camera at the beginning of the race photo by Bill Meehan

smiling but it’s early photo by Bill Meehan

The course is very boring but it is also hilly.  Not steep hills, just rolling hills throughout.  Hills are not my friend. My fault, entirely.  I avoid them and when I see them, I walk.

Most of the course was cleared except for a few parts with snow.  It was really tough to move on the snow and maintain any kind of speed.

It was also cold. It started at 7 degrees and in the sun, it warmed up to 13.  The hand warmers worked great.  I was not cold except for my face.  And toward the end, the wind picked up and my lips felt frost bitten.

There were 2 water stops but it you were slow, like me, you didn’t get water at the last one (That was after I took an energy gel..yuck).

So I struggled along.. I walked when I was tired. (It’s amazing how different last week’s long run was  – I ran 8 miles without stopping.)

Race splits:

mile 1 – 10:07
mile 2 – 10:32
mile 3 – 10:39
mile 4 – 11:03
mile 5 – 11:18
mile 6 – 11:10
mile 7 – 11:24
mile 8 – 11:06
mile 9 –  11:54
.3         –    9:53

Garmin time – 1:42:07 (Clock time: 1:42:40)

I was glad to have this run over with.  I went inside to warm up and have some soup, bagels, cookies, fruit, etc.  Not a bad spread for a free race.  They had awards but I didn’t win. (I think I was 2nd n my AG but they only gave out  a gift card to 1st place.)

Heidi & Adrienne did great on their first 15k.  They will have no problems with the their first half in March.  They are strong runners.

How does one forget about her finish time?

I registered for a 4 mile race (Runnin of the Green) on March 15 and a 5 mile race (Delmar Dash) on April 6.

That’s how!

Happy Running! How you are enduring the cold?  Did you run this weekend?