March 13, 2021

This was my second local Pandemic race, It was run by the same company as the last one I ran (and my next half marathon).  So I was familiar with all the restrictions – masks at start and finish, no water stops, staggered start, etc.

Nov 2020

I signed up for this 5 mile race because I am a sucker for a race, any race.  Most of friends have lost interest in racing but I knew that I would know many of the runners at the race from past races. It would be fun to re-connect.

the good old days – no masks and standing close together

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

My speedwork has been non-existent and my pace has slowed to a crawl.  So I entered the race will zero expectations other than being out there running with other runners.

I picked up my race packet on Thursday (in the rain) after work but then was treated to a rainbow.

This time of year is tricky to decide what to wear. It could be winter frigid or what they call in “fake spring.”  I tried to remember what I used to wear to race at this time of year.  (I seems to have dressing amnesia.)

Past March 5 mile races:

In the end, I decided on this:

possible additions were a shirt underneath, calf sleeves, DIY arm warmers and maybe a vest or jacket

Race Day:

So I got up early, had my habitual race breakfast (oatmeal & coffee) and hit the road.  I had never been to Mohawk Harbor where the race started so I left early. I arrived around 8:15 and was able to find a parking spot on the street instead of in the parking garage.  I was going to walk to the start and hang out but it was freezing!!! And windy!!

probably should have checked the weather before I left my house

So I just sat in my car to stay warm and watched many of the crazy runners who was doing their warm up runs while I finished a book that I was reading:

Loved it!! if you haven’t read it yet, you should!

I texted my friend Karen and she was doing the same thing, staying in a car until the last minute.

Around 9:00, I had to head to the race start area. On the way, I bumped into Karen.

obligatory pre-race photo

She headed to the restroom and I shivered with all the other runners waiting for my corral to be called.

courtesy of The Daily Gazette

At 9:30, corral 1 started.

and yes the fast runners did wear shorts…

Things moved so quickly that I almost missed my start. I was in corral 4 and ran over just as they were saying: “Last call for corral 4!”  In each corral, you lined up by your letter – 6 feet apart and 6 feet from the runner in front and behind you. Masked had to worn all the time except when you were running (if you were not within 6 feet of someone else).  Every 10 seconds, another group of 6 started. I was in position F and started around 9:37.

Course Map:

It was advertised as “mostly flat and relatively fast course uniquely includes 2 crossings of the Mohawk River.” But we all know that means there are hills.

Believe it or not, I actually wore my Garmin, I didn’t look at it at all during the race since it was only 5 miles and there were mile markers and no water stops.  But I wanted to see my splits afterward.  My goal was to run consistently and not hard.

I don’t remember the course in detail since I had never run here. But it was varied and lots of river views.  If it weren’t for the insane wind, I would have enjoyed the scenery even more:

Mile 1:

and I’m off…

I must admit that I was cold.  My hands and feet were numb and I didn’t warm up until mile 4. I am rarely cold when I run but it was so windy.  We started out near the water and I think that made it feel even colder. We even crossed the river during this mile.  I made sure that I didn’t start out fast.  Actually I’m not sure I remember how to run fast.  So I just sauntered along enjoying the sunshine and views of the Mohawk River.

Mile 2:

It was still windy but not as cold during this mile since we were no longer running along the water.  Of course, there were some hills during the race but nothing that was so steep that I had to walk.  Remember I rarely do any running on hills.

Mile 3:

I didn’t see this photographer so I’m surprised that my form isn’t too bad lol

This mile has a few downhills and again we headed toward the river. In fact this mile ended on the bridge going over the Mohawk river.

Mile 4:

The bridge was uphill but then there was a nice downhill.  We were also finally running with the wind at our backs.  I almost warmed up.  (I may have taken off my gloves at this point.) Of course, one of the course marshals announced that “it was downhill from here.” Not true. It’s never true. Next we ran through the old Stockade area before we hit riverside again

Mile 5:

I felt like I was getting slower but I hadn’t walked yet. There were no water stops so no temptation to walk. I considered walking for a bit now since it might have given me a second wind. But I wanted to get to the finish line so I just kept going.

Finally it was in sight and you had to put on your mask.  My gaiter was all twisted in my hair so I did have to stop and try to pull it up over my month and nose (not sure if I succeeded lol).

very excited to see that finish and maybe chick that guy!

priorities … gotta stop that watch!

done!!! smiling under my mask!

I bumped into a few runners that I knew and we hung out cheering the other runners on.  I wanted to wait for Karen anyway.

cute outfit and probably kept him warm.

Finally she was in sight.

We even made the highlight video!!

One of her friends handed me this since it matched my outfit, she said:

it was yummy

I was getting pretty chilled so I proceeded to get my food (which was a bagged lunch of a turkey/cheese sub, potato chips, cookies, and fruit) and headed to my car.  It was just too cold to eat outside or to go have a beer.

On the way home, I decided that I had enough energy to run 5 more miles.  That’s crazy.  But I did it on the “flat” rail trail with lots of walking and a stop to eat my post-race lunch.Additional Race Reflections:

This was a first annual race.  All of the other local races are still cancelled so this racing company has been trying to hold a few races. I am so glad they are. It was so fun to be out there and soak up the racing atmosphere again.

Positives:

• Safety restrictions in place (staggered starts).
• Ample parking.
• Real restrooms (in Druthers restaurant)
• Well marked course.
• Varied scenery including river views
• Lots of course marshals
• A real race.
• Well organized.
• Familiar faces (under the masks)
• Post-race food.
• Free Beer (in Druthers)
• A real race.

Negatives:

• No water stops
• The Wind
• The Cold Temps
• The shirt (white cotton blend)

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

It was super well-organized. Special attention was paid to EVERY detail. It will be even more fun when there are no COVID restrictions and there is nicer weather conditions.

Here’s some media coverage of the race:

MacAdam: Electric City 5 Miler was a breath of fresh air

Final Stats:

My finish time was more than 2 minutes slower than both 5 milers that I ran two years ago. In fact, this was a PW for this distance. It was slower than my first 5 mile race in 2010.

But I was thrilled with my time.  I wasn’t expecting much.  I did exactly what I had planned.  Just run. I wasn’t ever tired so I definitely think I could have run faster.  But there didn’t seem to be a reason to.  No age group awards. I was just running for me and because it makes me feel good to race.

and he didn’t run ten miles!!

Next Up:

There is a local 5k but I have not registered so as of today, it’s the Druthers Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon. (on a revised course – same course as the Fall Classic)

April 17, 2021

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

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I’m also linking up here:
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with co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, Runs with Pugs, and Laura Norris Running.

Happy Running! Have you run a real race yet? If so, how did go? Are you planning to run one soon? Please share.

I signed up for this race weeks ago because it’s a nice local race and my running friend Laurie and I always do it together.  I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I would have run a half marathon 2 weeks before and that I would working on LI for three days before, as well.

If you’ve read my recap for the United Half Marathon, you know that I ran it but was under-trained due to nursing a calf injury.

Nevertheless, I decided that this race would be a good opportunity to test the leg and get in some speed work.

This was my fifth time running this five mile race.

Now that I’ve run the race four times, You would think that I would be at least prepared on how the course went uphill for the first mile, some rolling hills before it went downhill and then flattened out  See below:

Last year, I had a course PR.  Of course, I forget to look before the race to see what that time actually was. I also knew that it was not a 5 mile PR.  That was done at the Delmar Dash and I also did not remember my time for that race either.

I was hoping that the weather would be a little more spring-like and I could wear a green skirt. But it was not. It was not reslly cold but it was RAINING and windy. So I just wore capris & compression socks with a long sleeve shirt and brought another shirt,  gloves and a rain jacket.

The race was about an hour drive from my house.  But it had a late start of 11 am so I was able to sleep in. When I arrived, the parking lot was already full, but I found a spot on a nearby street and went into the gym to get my bib and race shirt.

another cotton shirt to give away

I chatted with some runners that I recognized including Sue who I’ve run several NYC races with, Maureen and some others.  I also met some new faces.

I had thought about bailing on this race but went because I told my friend Laurie (who doesn’t race often) that I would run it with her.  Guess what? She bailed.

us last year

Anyway, I talked to my friends while being entertained by bag pipes.

With such a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began. I wish I had brought a GU.

Soon it was time to head to the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the rain.. But someone said the rain had stopped so I ditched my gloves and jacket (a BIG mistake).

By the time the race had started, the skies opened up and it was pouring again.

There were usually over 300 runners for this race but I guess the rain scared off about 100 (and they moved the date back a week and it clashed with several other 5ks yesterday). Since I knew that the race was not chip timed, I should have lined up closer to the front. But I was chatting with Maureen and then all of a sudden, the race started.

last year (when it was NOT raining)

As I mentioned, the beginning of the race went uphill. I took it slow. But I refused to walk and tried to keep an even pace. At first, I tried to keep up with Maureen but she was too fast and I never lost her completely but she got farther and farther ahead. My legs felt sluggish the WHOLE race. Most likely because I had run 6.5 miles the day before (3 of them uphill).

over the highway bridge (2015’s pic)

Although it was in the high 40s, it was raining and WINDY and I was COLD and my hands were freezing.

After going over the bridge, about 1 1/2 in, we turned into the neighborhoods to some rolling hills. I could still see Maureen way ahead. But there was no way I could catch up to her. She became my beacon for the whole race.

2015’s pic

There was a water stop around mile 1.75, I usually stop but not today.  I was going to push it and try and run the WHOLE race. The sooner I finished, the sooner, I could get warm and out of my soaking wet clothes.

Finally mile 3 arrived and that was the downhill portion of the course. I knew here that I could pick up the pace.

The second water stop was around mile 4. I was so tempted to walk a bit.  I did not but probably should have since I knew that my pace was now slowing. (Walking always gives the boost I need to finish strong.)

But I just plugged along and refused to walk until I was done. It didn’t help that we were now running INTO the wind.

Finally, I saw the finish line and gave it everything I had. Unfortunately, I had NOTHING left. lol

I crossed at 46.21. I was happily surprised.  I was not expecting anything under 47 minutes.

beautiful day for a race …NOT!!

Normally I would have waited for Sue but I was cold and wet. The temperature had definitely dropped since the start of the race.

So I went inside. As soon as you entered, they had a screen with the live results.  I saw immediately that I had placed 4th (in the 10 year age group.)

I couldn’t wait to change into dry shirts and socks/shoes. (I wish I had had dry pants too).

Then I went to the cafeteria for refreshments. They were not much to speak of. I had coffee, a brownie, a cookie and a banana.

So no age group award for me. But my friend Maureen did win 2nd so I waited around for the awards ceremony.

Race Splits:

mile 1- 9:14
mile 2- 9:17
mile 3- 8:51 (downhill – yay!)
mile 4- 9:13
mile 5- 9:30 (tired legs)

46:06 according to my Garmin.

My current Five Mile PR is 45:09 from last year’s Delmar Dash.  My finish time last year for this race was 45:42. So no course PR either.

Nevertheless, I am happy with how I ran the race. I didn’t walk (which is rare for me.) I do not do ANY speed work. And I ran 6.5 miles the day before. I’m glad that I decided to run the race.

My long run for the weekend was Sat -6.5 and Sun – 5 = 11.5 total miles

There’s always next year to gun for the glass and the bread…

So it’s Tuesday and I am linking up  with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner) for Tuesday Topics.

I’m linking also up with Coaches Corner–Debbie, Susie, Lora, and Rachel!

and Wild Workout Wednesday with Nicole, Annmarie, Jen, and Michelle.

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing? Is it spring where you live?  Have you run any St. Patrick’s Day-themed races in March? How do you feel about racing in the rain.  Would you have bailed?