This same race in 2015

Once again the Hudson Mohawk Runners Club sponsored a FREE race for its members and this weekend, they offered distances of 3M, 15K and 30K.

Since I have a half marathon in 7 weeks, I chose to run the 15K since 9 miles was on my “schedule.”

I have run several 15Ks (including 4 on this same course):

2016 – 1:33:13, 2015 – 1:34:29, 2014 – 1:34:55 & 1:42:40  (At least I’ve gotten faster.)

My 15 PR on a harder course is actually 1:31:25.

But I was continuing with my “relaxing” and go with the flow race plan – run and enjoy.  Besides, this race was just part of my training for my March 5 Half Marathon.

These Winter Series races start at 10 am so you don’t have to get up at the crack of dawn. I always leave early to get parking since these races are often crowded and there may be other events going on at UAlbany at the same time.

I was surprised when I got there that the parking lot was empty. The weather was perfect for racing. Sunny for the first time in over a week, 30 degrees or so and a little breezy.

What I love about this local race is that you get to see a lot of people that you know.

last year meeting up with Judy & Barbara

And I immediately bumped into many different running friends.

My two age group competitors were there. Oh well.

Anyway I hung indoors until the last minute and then made out way outside.

basically a few loops around parking lots

This week I made sure that my Garmin was charged and got a signal.

All three distances started at the same location this week. As usual, I started pretty close to the front and let the speedy runners pass me by.

For most of the race, I felt overdressed. I unzipped my jacket and took off my gloves but my turtle neck was a mistake. (Of course, the wind picked up toward the end and I was happy to have worn the jacket.)

As in all my recent races, I tried to relax and run at an even pace. But as usual, my first mile was the fastest and I fizzled with each mile after.

I walked through the first water stop around mile 3.5 and took a Gu as well as the second water stop. I ran most of the rest of the race.

This was due to fact that Alyssa caught up to me around mile 5.5. We chatted the whole time. I’ve never run a race with someone before.

Did it slow me down? Probably. Alyssa is a faster runner for the early miles. In long races such as a half marathon I’ve finished 20 minutes faster.

Nevertheless it made the miles go by faster. I didn’t walk where I normally would. I just ran at an easier pace. But it certainly was a lot more fun having company.

Eventually as we neared the finish line, I took off and finished at 1:34:00 (25 seconds ahead of Alyssa.)

A happy runner

Alyssa left to run a few more miles and I waited around for Judy to finish.

After Judy finished, we went inside had some refreshments. There was vegetable chili, bread fruit and hot cocoa.  Free race..free good food. Win-win.

The awards were for 10 year age groups and just top 2.

I finished 128 out 174.

After the awards, I changed my clothes and Judy, Alyssa and I headed to the mall.

The Athleta store was holding a clothing drive for participants in the STEM program. It motivated me to clean out my closets and get rid of any running clothes that I no longer wear.

I was very happy with how I ran this 15k race as a training run – I pushed myself just enough but not too much. It wasn’t a PR 15K and not even a course PR (1 minute slower than last year.)

Race splits:

mile 1 – 9:09
mile 2 – 9:34
mile 3 – 9:42
mile 4 – 10:13 (water & Gu)
mile 5 – 10:15
mile 6 – 10:32
mile 7 – 10:38 (water)
mile 8 – 10:34
mile 9 – 10:42
.3 – 8:39

Finish Time – 1:34:00

So obviously the second half of the race was much slower than the first.  It always is for me so I won’t blame Alyssa.  But it is hard to run your own pace when you are running with another runner and you are talking.  However, it made the race more enjoyable and “relaxing.!!”

Next weekend, I signed up for a 4 mile race in Lake George. It should be fun. Fingers crossed for no ice or snow.

AJH (from VT) & I at this race in 2015. We try to do this one together every year.

I am sharing in the support love by linking up with a Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup hosted by

Ilka from Ilka’s Blog and Angela from Marathons & Motivation

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

Last Week:

• Monday – I was so tired after my weekend but I dragged myself planning to go to my Troy Turkey Trot training group run after work (We are now at a new location – RPI campus). We did 8 X 1 min at race pace.  It was tough but as usual, I am glad I went.

I think we only did 3 miles this week.

• Tuesday – After work I voted and then played tennis and went out to dinner. I hate that it gets dark so early!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• Wednesday – With Barbara injured, Alyssa away and STEM cancelled, I had to run solo. It was cold and raining so I could only motivate myself to do one loop of the campus.

• Thursday – A scheduled rest day so I walked at lunch and then in the mall after work with my BFF.

my first holiday cup of the season

• Friday – I had the day off from work so why not a 5k. It wasn’t that cold but the nasty wind made it feel that way.  Still had fun running with friends and winning my age group (a glass & $15 gift card to Fleet Feet.)

27:51 finish time with an untied shoe and wind in my face 🙂

• Saturday – Another rest day and time to catch up on the household chores that got ignored last weekend. I also picked up my bib for the race the next day and spent all my race winning gift cards ($25 at LL Bean, $10 at Fleet Feet & $50 at Recovery Room restaurant.)
• Sunday – My favorite 15k race – the Stockade-athon.  I ran it for 5th time. Stomach issues during mile 3-4 prevented me from a PR, but still enjoyed the race. I met so many friends as well as, Ed Whitlock!!!

1:32:49 ( I plan to stick to pizza for my pre-race meal)

18 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days.

This Week:

• Monday – train to NYC, run when I get there?
• Tuesday – work in NYC (rain predicted)
• Wednesday – work in NYC, run before work?
• Thursday – work in NYC, run during lunch?
• Friday – work in NYC, train home
• Saturday – 5k race with STEM + more miles
• Sunday – Turkey RaffAl Run?, mah jongg anniversary dinner

Happy Running! How is your running going?

This is my fifth time running this 15k race. In 2011, my first time, I finished in 1:36:08. I was injured in 2012 and then I ran it in 2013 and finished with a disappointing 142:22.

“fake” happy

With over 2000 runners in this race, they were forced to make some changes to the course two years ago.

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

This is a description of the new course:

It 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 via Front Street 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.

Well, I loved the new course and finished the race in 2014 with a new PR – 1:33:23

Last year, they decided to stay with the same course. Yay!! But I was training for an early December half marathon (like this year) and was shocked that I finished at 1:31:35!! Yes, a PR by almost 2 minutes …without even trying!

“real” happy

This year whose knows?  Life and work have gotten in the way of my running.  That means that anything could happen!!

So I didn’t expect to PR but just wanted a decent long run (and not get INJURED!!)

it’s a sleeveless cotton tank that is too big

To save time, I picked up my race packet on Saturday at Fleet Feet in Albany. I did a lot of errands and then went out to dinner with my hubby. I normally have pizza as my pre-race meal but there was none on the menu and I was starved.  I had clam chowder, steak and a cronut with vanilla ice cream & salted caramel sauce for dessert – BIG MISTAKE!!

As usual, I didn’t sleep much the night before the race. I had decided what to wear but still wasn’t sure about how cold it would be. It was in the 30s when I got up but it was forecast to warm up to the high 40s. I hate this time of year. But at least there was a bag check and I could bring extra clothes for after and in case I change my mind.

My stomach was already telling me that my dinner choices were a bad idea.  I was hoping that it wouldn’t affect my race.

Even though, I went to this race before, I still left extra early. I got there around 7:15 am and found a spot on the street a few blocks from the start of the race.

I walked to the YMCA to use the restroom and check my extra clothes. There I bumped into a few familiar faces. I also met someone new – a fellow Skirt Sports Ambassador and we spent a lot of time chatting.

yes, still wearing a skirt.

I used the restroom right away and was glad that I did since the line got very very long later on. It was so nice to have some place to stay warm before the race. They even had water, coffee, donuts, fruit, etc. I didn’t eat anything since I ate breakfast before I left but did take a GU.

I decided not to wear my capris nor my jacket.  I kept on my gloves and throw-away shirt.

On my way out, I bumped into Judy and we walked a few blocks to the starting line. We didn’t start together but planned to meet afterwards.

during the National Anthem

The weather was actually perfect.  I tossed my throw-away shirt before starting.  I kept on my gloves (but they didn’t last long.)

waiting to start.

The course map:

As with any big race, it was very slow going at first.

from Daily Gazette (2015)

As the map above shows, we headed west along the Mohawk River into the Stockade section of town.

photo by David Giacalone (2015)

After the bike path and the Stockade area, we ran past Union College and around various residential neighborhoods.

photo by David Giacalone (2015)

I knew a lot a 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 pain-free race.

happy at he beginning

I was trying to keep my pace under 10 but at this point I was starting to slow down. My legs were tired. Who thought running a fast 5k two days before a big race was a good idea??!! Besides, the hills were relentless. I remember last year being able to run up them. Not this year but I gave myself permission to walk if I needed to.

still early and smiling

The worst part was my stomach.  Between mile 3 and 4, I got really bad stomach cramps.  I could not even run.  Plus, I knew that there would not be a port-a-potty until the park around mile 7.  So I walked…. and walked. (I was afraid that I would have to walk the rest of the race.)

things are starting to go south

Eventually, the pains minimized so I was able to run.   I knew there would be no PR today so I just enjoyed the scenery and chatted with many runners as they went by.

Around mile 6, we entered Central Park with its rolling hills, lake, and pretty foliage.

photo by David Giacalone

still foliage in the park – so pretty

I wasn’t concerned about my time and made sure that I stopped at all the water stops and smiled for all the photographers.

leaving the park – you can see me if you look closely

Between mile 7 and 8 is where the BIG hills were. I ran/walked up the first one. Then I decided to run up the second because it was the last one. It was so steep that when I got to the top, my legs were jelly and I could hardly run.

At least the hills were over and I got a second wind. We proceeded to run through the cemetery and then through a park before heading DOWNHILL to the finish line at city hall.

Of course, the wind picked up and we were running INTO the wind!! But I was passing runners, even men. Pysched!

trying to pass the lady in front of me – I did not!

And when I saw the clock in the distance, I ran as fast as I could.

I finished at 1:32:49!!  (over a minute slower than last year but faster than the year before)

I was happy with the results. I ran the 1st and last 5k in around 30 minutes and the middle one in around 32 minutes.  That means that I was able to pick up the pace at the end.

I bumped to another Skirt Sports ambassador while waiting for Judy to finish.

two weekends in a row finding Eleonora at the finish line 🙂

I also checked the results. There was no chance of an age group award. All the speedy old ladies run this race. I think that I was 10th.

I got to see Judy finish and she PR’ed!!

another Skirt Sports photo op

Then Judy & I walked to Proctors to get something to eat. There were vegetable soup, pizza, bagels, cider donuts, fruit, chocolate milk, yogurt, and lots more.

While I was stuffing my face, I saw Ed Whitlock.  At 84, he finished about 20 minutes faster than I did. (In case, you don’t know who he is – On October 16, 2016, Whitlock, aged 85, ran the Toronto Marathon in 3:56:38, setting a new world record.)

I had to pose with my idol for a pic

Before leaving, I bumped into a bunch of Strong Running Mamas and of course, we had to take another pic with Ed.

My Splits: (2014 – 2015 – 2016)

mile 1 – 8:49 – 8:57 – 9:04
mile 2 – 9:29 – 9:36 – 9:56
mile 3 – 10:03 – 10:02 – 10:16
mile 4 – 10:04 – 9:59 – 10:21
mile 5 – 9:49 – 9:33 – 9:57
mile 6 – 10:30 – 10:16 – 10:30
mile 7 – 10:35 – 10:04 – 10:19
mile 8 – 10:58 – 10:21 – 10:05
mile 9 – 10:02 – 9:38 – 9:30
.4 – 8:26 – 8:14 – 7:23

my last 5k was faster than my first 30:41 – 30:02

I really enjoyed this race (despite my wretched stomach.). The course was so varied that it also took your mind off the hills. With the large number of runners (1500), 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 NOTHING HURT!! Not my feet, not my back…nada. I didn’t put it all out there (thanks to my stomach cramps) and I just enjoyed myself.

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 gun for that sub 1:30 finish.

Today I am linking up with a Sunday Fitness and Food Linkup hosted by Ilka from Ilka’s Blog and Angela from Marathons & Motivation

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? If so, how did it go?

Last Week: 

• Monday – Ugh! A rainy day but I took my umbrella and got my tulip fix.

The rain stopped so I could run with my Freihofer Training group.  Since I had run a 10k & a 5k over the weekend, I decided that I had done enough speed work.  Instead I ran with the Intermediate group for 8-9-8 minutes with 45 sec walks in between.  Perfect. Of course, I added more steps in the mall after.

• Tuesday – Another cloudy dreary day.  I couldn’t go for my walk since I had to leave work early to go my GOTR practice 5K. It was so much fun even though we ran around the building 12 times.  My girl was very speedy for the first 4 laps but then, as expected, she got tired and we walked several times after that.  Still we finished 2nd and she was thrilled.

• Wednesday – Rain, rain, rain.  Too busy at work for a walk, too. Yes, it rained all day and I was dreading my run with the STEM folks but miraculously, it slowed to a drizzle and then stopped.  We had a great run. They are up to 8 minutes of running and 25 on Friday.  A month away from their first 5k. They are planning a flash dance as entertainment after the race.  I don’t know…I think I’m too old for those kind of  moves.

• Thursday – Still cloudy. Haven’t seen sun in days and hadn’t walked since Monday. But the rain had stopped so I went for a walk to the park.

After running 5 days in a row (though truthfully, the last 3 runs were with training groups and involved a lot of walking), I decided to rake 2 days off completely and rest up for Saturday’s 15k.

Instead, I went out to dinner and a movie with my BFF as an early birthday celebration.

I love Tom Hanks but this wasn’t his best movie. The Thai food was good, though.

• Friday – Sounds like a broken record but it rained all day again. I did nothing but work and play mah jongg in the evening.

• Saturday – The weather turned out great for this 15k.  I just ran it for fun…ignored the steep hills and walked/ran while totally enjoying the views and chatting the second half with the sister of a former student.  This was the first race that I ran with someone else and though it wasn’t fast, I had the best time ever.

1:36:10 (not one of my best) – 2nd in my AG (& they only gave out prizes for 1st)

I rushed home to get ready to spend the rest of the day walking around the Tulip Fest with Amanda & her sons – bouncy-bounce play, making music instruments, pony rides, feeding the animals and ice cream = 4 hours of fun.

• Sunday – The day started with pouring rain. I was supposed to run this 5k as a GOTR running buddy but Jayme did not show. Instead I paced another running buddy’s middle school daughter in her 2nd 5k.  That was not part of the plan (since I did run a hilly 15k the day before) nor was the cold & wind that arrived after the rain had stopped.

fun watching about 100 girls run their first 5k and I did win 3rd in my AG with 29:53

Again I rushed home from the race to spend the rest of the day with my mother-in-law, stepson & girlfriend, brother-in-law, sister-in-law and husband. Boy, did we eat a lot!

22.5 miles done with 5 runs and 2 rest days.

This Week:  (3 weeks until Half Marathon #20) 

• Monday –  FRW Challenge Training Group (3 miles), b-day dinner out?
• Tuesday –  rest or 3 easy lunch miles, tennis
• Wednesday – rest, hair appt
• Thursday – 5k race after work
• Friday – rest, mah jongg
• Saturday – 5K race+ more miles
• Sunday – rest, b-day dinner with hubby at the lake

Happy Running! How is your running going?  Any races? Did you have a nice Mother’s Day?