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

---

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

There’s an interesting story behind this race.

Early in my running life, in 2010, I mentored a group of women who wanted to run a 5k. I had already run several 5ks at that point.

After their 5k, they signed up for a 10k. I had never run that far nor did I intend to but they begged me to run it with them. It was the Great Pumpkin Challenge 10k.

Right before the race, I had a terrible migraine (and never had one since) and wound up in the ER with scary high blood pressure.

I was so disappointed (and pissed) that the next day, I signed up for my first half marathon.  (My motto was “Life is too short. Just do it!”)

And I ran it in January of 2011 (I told no one but my hubby that I was doing it since I was afraid that I would fail). Says the runner who has since run over 70 of them. LOL)

So I guess this race was a turning point for me.  I realized that you are capable of more than you think.

I went back to eventually run the Pumpkin Challenge 10k.  In fact, I ran it 4 times from 2014-2017.

In fact, many of my local running friends used to do this race with me. They did not this year:(

I remembered that each time that I ran the 10k, I had wished that I could stop after the 5k.  The 5k was rather flat and the 10k was all hills.

So in 2022, I returned to the race but decided to run the 5k and even won an age group award.

Due to marathon training, I skipped the race in 2023 and 2024 but I signed up again this year.

I needed to run a longer distance than the 5k and the 10k was the same price as the 5k. In addition, my next half would hilly.  The 2nd half of this race is hilly.

My 10K PR is 57:03 and as you can see above, I was in the ballpark those years but this year, no way!

My 2025 10k times are now pretty slow! (March – 1:09:42, June – 1:07:18, Sept – 1:07:12).

My hope for the race was enjoy it, to finish uninjured and have enough in the tank to run more miles after the race. (My next half marathon is 2 weeks away!!)

But you never know.  If the other old ladies didn’t show up, I could maybe win an AG award.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Surprisingly I had time to run several short runs during week.

My legs felt pretty good even though I had run 11 miles the weekend before.

Race Day:

The race takes place in Saratoga State Park which is a beautiful place to run especially in the fall.

The weather in the fall is very unpredictable. It could be warm and then it could be cold.

Not knowing what the weather will do makes it hard to dress. I’m not ready to dress for winter. (I am wearing that skirt as long as I can stand it.)

I planned to wear that same orange race shirt, a skirt and compression socks and then wear a jacket to leave behind and put on after the race.

When I got up it was almost 60 so I changed to a tee shirt but almost tempted to wear a tank one last time (and should have  – it was humid!!!).

This is a very popular race. They usually get about 1500 runners. So I left for the race early in case I had to park where I needed to get a shuttle to the start. The race was to start at 9:30 and I got there at 8:15 am.

I didn’t park in the parking lot near the finish line since it is always so congested.  Instead I parked in one where there were real restrooms and I had to walk to the start. I parked there last time.

As soon as I got out of my car, I realized how warm/humid it was. I wished I had worn a tank.

I picked up my race bib and shirt…

This was the 25th anniversary of this race…

I voted for my favorite pumpkin…

Then I chatted with the other runners. There were many runners that I knew there.

Some runners dressed up costumes though not as many as past years. The two below were my favorites:

The I just walked around waiting for the race to begin…

I had plenty of time to walk back to my car, change my shirt…(even though it was a hike).

Finally it was time for the race to start.

I forgot how long a walk it was to the start…

I lined up alone. Both the 5k runners and 10k runners started together. I started not too far back because it was crowded and there were a lot of walkers doing the 5k.

This race for me can be divided into two parts: The first 5K and the second 5k.

Course:

The start of the race is between the Columbia and Ferndell pavilions on the North-South road. Runners will run north past the toll building and will make a left onto the Roosevelt Bath Drive for several hundred feet and then  make a right onto the stone path that rectangles the entire grassy mall area. The path goes by the Administrative building with the reflecting pools in the center, to the far end by the Avenue of the Pines and around the path past the Hall of Springs, ending by the Roosevelt Bath’s. A right is then taken at the end of the path onto the road continuing to the end of the parking lot and through a gate leading into SPAC. Runners will continue on the paved path bearing left and will cross over the bridge (2-way traffic) and through the gates that leads around
the right side of the SPAC Box office, you will then head south along the edge of the SPAC parking lot. Approximately 2/3 way down the lot, the runners will make a right, left, left (see map) around the edge of the lot as preparing to funnel into a relatively tight area on the course. The runners will enter the paved path going up and around the Coesa Pavilion and will circle around on the pavement which will connect on the park road taking a left with Hathorn Pavilion to your right. Runners will re-enter the bottom of the SPAC parking lot and will stay on the paved path heading back to the SPAC box office (staying to the right), through the entrance gates and over the Bridge (2-way traffic) on the road and will bear to the right and leave the SPAC grounds, heading back on Roosevelt Bath Drive and taking a right onto North-South Road and back to the Columbia Pavilion to the finish for the 5k’ers. The 10k’ers will continue on the North-South Road and take a left onto East-West road heading east past the toll building to the turnaround (where large park map is located- near the entrance to Route 9). From the turnaround, runners will continue going the opposite direction going west on East-West Road past the Peerless Pool and Carlsbad Pavilion. They will make a right at the top of the hill heading down past the Hathorn Pavilion continuing down the hill and around the loop passing Geyser Area and will reenter the East-West Road taking a left. Runners will go up the hill and take a left onto North-South Road and will finish the 10k at the Columbia Pavilion.

Map:

Miles 1-3:

The 5k had a few inclines but was basically flat.

I wanted to take it slow so I wouldn’t die the second (and hiller) half. So though I didn’t do any run/walk intervals, I did walk at each mile.

And I also stopped at the water stop and walked around mile 1.5.

I love running in this park. It is so pretty.

The 5k ended and my time was around 31 minutes. Slow compared to the past but where I am currently so I was happy.

Due to heat/humidity, it still exhausted me and we hadn’t hit the hills yet.

Miles 4-6.2

At this point, I was sweating and the rest of the course was filled with hills. I tried to run up them but was pretty unsuccessful. So I walked many times during the second half of the race … during every hill.

I also stopped and walked at the water stops.

Well, by the end, I had no energy… at all… and the biggest hill was 1/2 mile before the finish line…GRRR!!!

I really wasn’t paying attention to the time on my watch and I walked one last time on the last turn and saw that the clock said 1:05:xx which was faster than I expected.

Yes, a BIG course PW.  But a 2025 10k PR.  Grateful for small victories!!

Post Race Activities:

I spent some time talking for a couple my age from Mass about races and age, etc.

Then I headed to get food. The line was long but moved quickly. There was fruit, bagels, lots of delicious homemade goodies (cookies, apple, pumpkin, zucchini breads, etc.) and hot chocolate. Everything was so good!

It was getting late and I had planned to meet friends to run more miles so I looked for the race results.

By this point, I had lost my mojo to run 6 more miles or any more miles.

I walked back to my car and drove to my friends who had already finished their long runs and were having brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

The weather was warmer than usual for this time of year but could have been worse.

I always enjoy the race atmosphere.  This one did not disappoint.

My finish time was slower than my past times on this course but that was not unexpected. I’d love to be back finishing sub 60 minute 10ks.

Not thinking that will happen but it may if I could run negative splits. (however that never seems to happen as well).

Just happy to be to out there. and healthy enough to run.

I am glad that I didn’t settle for a 5k and took the challenge.

There are many 5ks but not many 10ks around here.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Varied park scenery.
• Both 5k and 10 options.
• Virtual option offered.
• Indoor restrooms nearby
• Flatish 5k course.
• Immediate results.
• Great age groups award swag
• Lots of homemade baked goods
• Hot coffee pre race
• Fireplace to stay warm (if needed)
• Lots of familiar races.
• Costume option

Negatives:

• Late start (9:30)
• Hills if you choose the 10k

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Great organization. You may be able to PR for the 5k but the 10k would be a challenge.

I will probably sign up again for the 10k next year.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

A local 5k:

Happy Running!! Have you run any fall-themed races?  Do you prefer 5ks or 10ks?  Do you combine a race with a training long run?   Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

---

I signed up for this race because:

• I had a free hotel room.
• I could combine this NYC trip with a college reunion that day.
• I like Governor’s Island.
• It offered a 10k option and there are not many 10ks.
• I ran this route in August 2024 and needed a re-do (with cooler temps).

Here’s cool fun fact:

The race is called the “Squirrel Stampede” because Governors Island was originally called Nutten Island by the Dutch way back in the 1600s for it’s abundance of nut trees. (Squirrels love nuts, right?)

I’ve run two races before on Governor’s Island.

A 5k back in 2018.

Then in August last year, I ran a 10k on GI on a very hot day..

So I was familiar with the logistics and the ferry.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

The day before the race, I arrived by train in Manhattan and filled the day with many sights: 911 Memorial, Little Italy, Battery City Park, Metropolitan Museum of Art, meetup with Cari…

Don’t ask me how many miles I put on my legs .. LOL.

I carb loaded with pasta at lunch and for dinner Cari and I had gelato.

Eventually I took the subway back to my hotel, got my stuff ready for the next day and tried unsuccessfully to get a good night’s sleep..

Here is the description of the race and the course map:

Enjoy a picturesque tour of Governors Island with amazing views of New York Harbor and the greatest city in the world! The 10K is two loops of the island.

Entry to the NYCRUNS Squirrel Stampede 10K includes ferry rides for you and your family/friends, your race-entry, an official race shirt and some tasty post-race eats (no nuts)!

Race Day:

I got up before I needed to and had coffee and oatmeal in my hotel room. Although the race did not start until 9 am, they suggested that you take the 7 am or 7:30 am ferry.

I left my hotel around 6:30 am, hopped on the subway.

The sun was now out and it was starting to get warm. UGH!

I just missed getting on the 7 am ferry (it only holds 290 persons) but that was fine since I was planning on the 7:30 one.

The line got longer and longer (we joked that it may have stretched to the Brooklyn Bridge since there were about 700 runners for this race not counting families and spectators).

It was a nice quick ride.

As soon as we arrived, we remembered that there were real restrooms.  Always a great race perk.

Then I followed signs toward the race start.

It wasn’t a short walk but lots to view (old buildings, forts, Manhattan skyline).

Eventually I arrived at the starting area.

I picked up my shirt (You could wait until after but doubtful to get your size).

Bag check was very organized so I left my shirt there…

Then I walked around checking out the logistics. I ate some pretzels since it had been a while since my breakfast.

and eventually taking a seat and chatting with other runners while waiting for the race to begin.

Eventually it was time to enter my corral…

I had loved the course in the past and was excited to do this race…

As you can see from the map, the course winds around the island.. TWICE.  There were rolling hills throughout but nothing steep.

I am not going to give a mile by mile recap of the race (as I normally do).

I was determined to run the early miles slower than usual (no 9 min. miles) and not die for the second half of the race.

And I did for the most part but still it was warm and humid and the 2nd half of the race was hard.

I only walked at the mile markers and the water stops at the beginning.

The hills as I said were not steep but annoying because it was so sunny and the trees provided zero shade.

As a result, I ran slower each mile and I just walked when I felt I needed to…

But obviously I did and so I walked A LOT.

The views were great and island scenery varied.

And I seesawed with a younger couple as we egged each other on during the last mile (You can see below that it helped.)

And I finished!!! And not a course PW!!

This was the only squirrel that I saw… LOL

Post Race Activities:

I was soooo sweaty.  I headed to bag check and immediately changed into a dry shirt (the race shirt).

Then I grabbed a bagel, pretzels and an apple and beeline to the ferry.

And we waited and waited and waited… In the sun.  I was dying.  At least I had a bagel to eat.

Eventually the ferry arrived, emptied, loaded and we arrived back in Manhattan.

I ran to the subway.  I had to rush back to my hotel, shower, change, check out and meet my friends for a quick lunch before seeing a Broadway show and dinner.

A very long day (as I arrived home by bus around midnight) but worth it.

Additional Race Reflections:

Definitely a tough one but hey, I did it. And it wasn’t as challenging as the last time I ran this course.

Last year I finished this course (but it was hotter) 8 minutes slower!!!

I ran the Mini 10k this year about the same (though that race was HILLY).

No matter what, racing for me is always enjoyable (at least a few hours afterward.)

Positives:

• Bibs mailed (if you are a NYCRUNS member).
• Free ferry.
• Shirts distributed before and after the race.
• Real restrooms,
• Organized bag check.
• Nuun at the water stops.
• 4 Water Stops (2 that you pass twice)
• Well marked course.
• Scenic views.
• Bagels (and cream cheese) after the race.
• Free Massages after and before.
• Free MarathonFoto pics.

Negatives:

• 10 year age group awards (and none after 70)
• Little shade
• Warm & humid temps
• Arriving too early
• Having to rush back to my hotel
• Long waits for the ferry.

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. And if I lived in NYC, I would run this course again as it is offered by NYCRUNS several times a year..

There was a lot of enthusiasm and runners of all ages.

I would recommend hanging out on the island after the race and exploring.

Final Stats:

 

 

 

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: