July 4, 2021 9:00 am

Most of my weekend running friends usually run this race.

if you read my weekly run downs, you may recognize a few of these runners

I never have joined them because it’s always hot, the race is crowded and I’d prefer to head up to the lake early.

For some reason, when I went to Fleet Feet to pick up new shoes, they offered a $5 discount for the race and $5 coupon for the store.

I’m a sucker for discounts and I signed up!! I also have not run in Saratoga in a while and I’ve always enjoyed running there.

I was hoping that some of my running friends would sign up too but if not, I knew there would be many others there who I knew.

Then I had to break it to my hubby as it would interfere with our lake plans.

pic from 2018

It wasn’t exactly boating weather so he was cool with me racing.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

It was fun to plan a patriotic race outfit (and hope it stayed warm and dry.)

red white and blue tank, skirt and socks

To save time on race day, I picked up my race packet at Fleet Feet on Thursday before my evening trail run.

The weather during week preceding the race was crazy – oppressive heat and humidity and then rain rain rain rain. Who knew what race day would bring? The forecast was for cool and rainy….

It was weird to run on a Sunday instead of a Saturday and to not do a weekend long run.

I actually walked on Saturday while my friends ran

The only constant was pizza the night before the race lol.

Race Day:

My last race was also a 4 miler (I won my AG and had a PR).

But this race was going to be more crowded, more competitive, and hillier.  I was only planning to enjoy running with others and the excitement of a live in-person race. No finish time and award goals at all!!

I ate my usual oatmeal and coffee breakfast. Thankfully, the heat wave had ended (and hopefully all the rain).

I planned to leave early because I had no idea where to park. But my friend Heidi offered to meet me and drive us.  She wanted to leave from Leah’s Cakery (4 exits before the race) at 8:10 am. Of course, if you know me, I like to get to races early. I was planning on being at the race by 7:45!! But I agreed and hoped that we would not be sprinting to the start line.

It was raining lightly on my way to meet Heidi. But she was right.  We easily found parking on the street and arrived in plenty of time for the 9 am race.

We walked toward the start…

We passed the finish line and made plans to meet there after the race.

Then of course, we took our obligatory pre-race photo.

glad that I wore a tank since it was quite humid. Those DIY arm sleeves did not last on long.

And then we mozied on down to the start area. It was cool to see how creatively everyone was dressed for this July 4th holiday race.

Although the race director had hoped to get at least 3000 runners, there were only about 2000. Still it was my largest post pandemic race. And the first one without anyone wearing a mask or social distancing rules  enforced. There was not even a staggered start.

Everyone just lined up together. There was so much excitement in the air. Live racing rocks!!

Heidi headed toward the back since she was recovering form an injury and running slower. I stayed toward the front and chatted with some runners that I knew.

As I mentioned, I had NEVER run this race so I was planning on going with the flow.  The only thing I remembered hearing was that there was a BIG hill during mile 4.

course map

elevation according to my Garmin

Mile 1:

As I mentioned, this was a crowded race. The bottleneck at the beginning slowed me down which was probably a good thing as I always start out too fast.

We began running down Broadway which was a slight downhill but eventually we did hit a hill before we turned left and ran past Congress Park.

It seemed like everyone was passing me by but when I glanced at my watch, it showed that my pace was under 9 minutes!!

Mile 2:

I was surrounded by runners the whole race. Several times I bumped into runners or they bumped into me.  Maybe I forgot what it was like to run a big race.

As we ran through neighborhoods, spectators enthusiastically cheered us on. One group sprayed us with a hose. I wasn’t super hot but it was humid and so it felt good.

There was a water stop and I did stop at it. They gave you a bottle of water. I and most runners, drank a little and then threw the bottle away. Volunteers had to spill out the water from each bottle. Such a waste but hey at least we didn’t have to carry our own water.

mile 2- never saw that photographer

but at least I WAS running lol

Mile 3:

We ran into a few rolling hills during this mile but none too bad. There were many different groups playing music. That was a nice distraction.

Saratoga is such a pretty town. I enjoyed running through its streets.

I was surprised that there was a second water stop since the race was only 4 miles. I did appreciate it and I took a bottle of water again. This time I walked longer. I felt a little dizzy and so I took a Gu (not for hunger but for the electrolytes.)

Mile 4:

I was warned about the steep hill in the last mile. And it did not disappoint. I was wishfully thinking that I could run up the whole thing.

Nope! I had to walk at least twice.

The best part was the ice pops that were handed out. I ate one as I continued to run up the hill very slowly.

Finally I spotted that big American flag which meant we were approaching the finish line.

I sprinted as fast as I could at this point. I saw 36:xx on the clock as I crossed the finish line and was pleasantly surprised.

I do remember trying to beat the guy with the stroller. Did I stop my watch too soon??

Done!!!

Post Race:

I immediately went to grab a bottle of water. The only refreshments were bananas and so I grabbed one and ate it while I was waiting for Heidi to finish.

I really enjoyed watching so many of the runners finish, especially those that I knew. I also got to admire all the patriotic outfits.

I chatted with a Holly, a runner that I used to race with all the time. (She ran the race but is suffering from a congenital blood disorder 😦 )

Eventually Heidi did arrive and she did much better than she hoped as well.

I checked the website to see if I won an age group award. Nope. 4th.  Not disappointed at all. In fact I beat Carolyn for the first time EVER in a race.

It was now starting to rain so we headed toward the car.

We decided to have brunch back at Leah’s where I left my car.  But it was closed for the 4th. Plan B was Lakeside Farms and a scrumptious lunch!!

On the way home I was feeling a little energetic or so I thought. I stopped at the Zim Smith bike path to see how many more miles my legs could still go.

The sun came out and my legs protested so I quit.

Additional Race Reflections:

I didn’t expect to enjoy this race as much as I did.  I also didn’t think I could run as well as I did.

I felt that I could have done better if I didn’t walk as much(but I always say that AFTER the race.)

But probably the most important factor was the weather.  Not much sun, a misty rain on and off and temps in the 60s.  Pretty perfect for running on a July 4th.

Positives:

• Ample parking (parking garage and street parking)
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Interesting course.
• Friendly volunteers.
• Music entertainment along the course.
• Volunteers calling out times at each mile.
• Enthusiastic spectators (sprinklers and ice pops)
• Easy and organized packet pick-up on Thurs, Fri, Sat and Sun.
• Real restrooms before and after and ample number of port-potties
• Two water stops for a 4 mile race.
• Free photos.
• Awards (3 deep) for 5 year age group awards
• Weather (not as hot as earlier in the week and fairly dry)
• A real race.

Negatives:

• Bottled water at the water stops (COVD safe but most was wasted)
• Post-race refreshments (again COVID safe – but just bananas)
• Steep hill at mile 4

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. Yes. I loved it.  I hope that I can make it work and run it again another year.

Final Stats:

It was a 12 second PR!!!!!!!!! And the course was longer and hillier than the Rabbit Ramble.

As you can see below, I’m still the Queen of the Positive Splits.

At least my pace was more consistent than the last race.

2 waterstop walks and two hill walks.

Next Up:

A new 5k on July 25,

then another new 5k on August 8,

and a 10k on August 14.

 I ran the 5k in 2017

Happy Running! Did you race on July 4th? Did you run or race this past weekend? Any in-person races on your schedule yet? Please share.

                    June 12, 2021 – 9:00 am

Another in-person race. Very exciting.

Of course, FOMO has started and several of my running friends were going. Plus there was BRUNCH mentioned for after.

So I signed up!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

I had done this race several years ago but in recent years, the dates conflicted with other things.

Due to COVID, they kept the 4 mile distance but changed the course. It was also re-scheduled from April to June.

This is not a popular distance but I have done quite a few races at this distance (Of course, not recently due to COVID).

my last one was in Feb. 2020.

My PR was 37:21 at the Polar Cap Run in 2017. Most of the 4 mile times were between 37 and 41 minutes.

I had no PR aspirations.  Racing for me is just about running with my friends and doing my best while staying uninjured.

The in-person version of the race was only open to a limited number of participants due to COVID restrictions. The in-person race had a staggered, socially-distanced start to the race.

This year since the race was later in the year, the weather was more summer-like but nothing like last weekend’s record high temps.  The wrench was that  rain was in the forecast.  I was hoping it would not be a washout.

I decided to wear my usual summer outfit:

skirt, tank with possible change of shirt and addition of diy arm sleeves

Of course, I had pizza for my race carb loading (yes I carb load for all races not matter the distance. lol)

The new course was supposedly similar to a previous 5k. My friend remarked that it was “mostly flat with a few not too bad hills.”

Race Day:

The race started at 9 am which was great since it would be a 30 minute drive from my house.

And finally the heat wave ended so I was not disappointed in the later start. Unfortunately I woke up to pouring rain!!! According to my weather app, it was supposed to end by rain start. Finger crossed that I did not have to run another race in the rain.

I changed from my tank to a tee and grabbed a rain jacket.

After my race breakfast of oatmeal and coffee, I left to carpool with Barbara whom I met around 7:45 am.

The race started and ended at Bozenkill Park on Gun Club Road in Altamont. We arrived around 8:05 to pick up our bibs. We parked in a big grassy (wet) parking lot and as soon as we arrived, the rain let up. Sherry arrived soon after.

We walked over to the pavilion to get our race packet

which was a cotton tee shirt, a bottle of water and a banana.  This was the first race that there was no sign of anyone wearing a mask!?  It didn’t bother me since I was vaccinated and we were outside. Still, it felt weird.

We returned to our car to stash our stuff and bumped in Judy. Now our group was complete . The others (Debbie, Jan, Deirdre, Heidi & Chris) had decided to skip the race and cheer us on and then meet after for brunch.

It was perfect running temps (60s) but with the humidity and the sun peaking out, I had wished I had worn my tank.

Soon it was time to head to the start. As you can see, there was no official start line.

It was so nice to be running a shorter race because I bumped into many runners that I knew whom I had not seen in ages. I used run 5ks every weekend and you would see the same people.

It was supposed to be a staggered start. But it was more like people separated and then they just started running. I wasn’t in the front but had moved ahead of my friends because I was chatting with some other runners.

Mile 1:

I should mention that my legs should have been very rested. There was a lot of walking this past week but barely any running since last Saturday. As you can see above, the first mile had an uphill. It wasn’t that steep and I was able to run the whole thing. I’m sure I started out too fast but that’s what I always do.

Mile 2:

After the first mile, it was rather flat and just a little rolling. I was getting tired but tried to keep going until the water stop.

I actually wore my Garmin which I only wear for important races. But somehow, the settings changed because it showed me the time elapsed instead of my pace.  Very confusing when I saw “13:xx”. I felt like I was definitely running fast and then I realized that it was NOT my pace showing.

During this mile, we entered a neighborhood. There was point where we ran in a cul-de-sac which gave me the opportunity to see and cheer my friends who were a little behind me.

Eventually I passed my running friends who were there to cheer us on. Definitely a morale booster.

Mile 3:

Finally there was a water stop. I was so glad to have a drink and to walk for awhile.

Of course I felt guilty for walking so long that I tried to speed up and make up some ground.

After the water stop, we left the neighborhood and headed back on the road toward the start.

I was surprised and elated that I passed my cheering running friends for the second time.  They reminded me that bagels were awaiting me.

Mile 4:

Just trying to keep up the pace and finish strong. It was all a blur at this point.  Short races are hard!!

I saw a runner who worked at our local Fleet Feet. She was ahead of me the whole race. But somehow I was able to pass her.

As we crossed the finish line, they pulled off the bottom of our bib so they could record the your finish time. I never looked at the clock but according to my Garmin, it was 36:38. It was very happy!

Not far behind me was Barbara.

Next came Sherry.

Then Judy raced this older guy and almost beat him.

We hung around for a while. They were giving 5-year age group awards. But since it was not chip timed, they had to figure things out manually, It was taking forever and our friends were waiting for us at the restaurant. So we left.

Actually got it in the mail a few days later.

The best part of the day was actually after the race. We met the others for brunch.  I had chocolate milk and bagel, cream cheese n lox.  We chatted and laughed for hours.

I found later that we all won age group awards.

Additional Race Reflections:

Positives:

• Safety restrictions in place (outdoors, no food, no award ceremony).
• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces
• Interesting course
• Friendly volunteers
• 2 mile walk option.
• Medals (3 deep) for 5 year age group awards
• Weather
• A real race.

Negatives:

• Not chip timed
• Cotton shirt
• No post-race food (due to COVID?)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was well-organized. It will be even more fun when there are no COVID restrictions and it is scheduled in April when the weather is cooler.

Final Stats:

Probably the most consistent splits I’ve ever had.

Although it doesn’t look that way above.

I felt pretty strong the whole race.  I didn’t push myself as hard as I could.  I also did not do any speedwork to prepare for the race.  So I was pretty satisfied with how things went.

Believe it or not. It was a PR!

Next Up:

???

No races on my schedule until September.

Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? How’s your weather? Any in-person races on your schedule yet? Please share.