This race used to be one of my favorites. Not because the director, Paul Loomis, reads my blog or that my stepson works at Global Foundries, one of the sponsors of the race. But because of the easy parking, indoor restrooms, post race chocolate milk, generous age group awards, lots of familiar faces to run with and its flawless organization.  For these reasons and more, I kept coming back.

This was my 7th time running the 5k. So you can say that I was familiar with this course. I skipped 2017-2020 but I did run it last year. And now they also added a 10k.

The course itself is not very exciting…you are running around chip plants but twice during the race, the loops let you see the fast runners and all those runners that are behind you. And though there are a few uphills and downhills, it’s basically flat so no complaints.

For my first two years of running this race, I was recovering from injuries (a broken ankle and then a broken foot.) I finished in 29:53 and 29:49 and was thrilled with a sub-30 minute time.  In 2014 and 2015, I was healthy and so I improved my time to 28:47 and 28:56. Finally I got a course PR in 2016 and finished in 27:30. As I mentioned, I took a break and then last year when I ran it, I finished in 28:15.

However, my hope for the race this year was to finish uninjured and have enough in the tank to run more miles after the race. (My next half marathon is 3 weeks away!!!)

Based on my recent 5k efforts, I had no PR dreams as old age has set in. LOL. But 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 3 times during week in spite of the rain and a flu shot.

My legs felt pretty good even though it was only a week after running 13.1 miles.

Packet pick-up was on Thursday and Friday at the local Fleet feet store but it wasn’t worth the long drive so I decided to arrive early and pick it up on race day.

Race Day:

The forecast was for cooler weather and sunshine. Perfect running weather for the second weekend in a row. Hope this is a trend.

I got there early to get parking and did get a spot in the parking lot right near the exit.  I’m glad I got there when I did because the lots really filled up quickly. There seemed to be more runners this year.

As I’ve mentioned, it is very well-organized – signs for the race, indoor and outdoor bathrooms

Race day packet pick-up was between 7-8 am. You received a bag with shirt (if you paid an extra $10),and a bag of Death Wish coffee. I opted not to buy a shirt.

PPU was normally set up inside but it was outside again this year (still seeing some COVID adjustments)..

The 5k race started at 8:30 am (15 minutes after the 10k.) So I walked around to shake out the legs.

There was food, drinks and freebies set up. I grabbed a bag and filled it with some useful stuff.

This was a welcome sight:

and this:

I had so much extra time before the 5k started that I ran around to squeeze in a mile before the race.

There was also a table with representatives from Saucony. You could try a pair of their newest running shoes.  I sure was tempted and many runners did.  But I don’t think they have a wide enough toe box so I guess I’m stuck with Topos, for now.

Finally I headed to the start line.

I remembered that although it was chip-timed, awards were given according to gun time.  So I moved up but of course, not too close to the starting line. I chatted with a woman who complained that she was getting so slow (She is not and she won my age group. LOL). We also talked about last weekend’s half marathon (which she DNS’d).

Mile 1:

As usual, I tried to start out slow but didn’t.  It again was my fastest mile and the only one where I didn’t have to walk during.

I was able to run until the mile 1 sign and then I walked.

Mile 2:

The course goes straight for about 1.5 miles and then loops back.  There was a water stop during this mile that you passed twice.

Halfway through this mile we turned right and ran uphill. Not a steep hill but they always feel hard to me. I tried not to walk until the mile 2 sign but I’m pretty sure that I had to stop and walk a few times.

This part of the course is nice because you get to see the faster runners and then you loop back and see the slower runners.

It was downhill for a bit until we turned.

Mile 3-3.1:

As usual, I was petering out. So I walked. Then I got back my energy for a while until I neared the finish line. Ugh! I walked again.

That gave me the ability to at least to sprint through the finish line.

I was surprised to see 28:XX when I crossed the finish line.. I had expected much worse.

The 10k runners got a medal. The 5k runners only got one if they were under 12. (Totally ok by me!!)

Post Race:

The refreshments were outside again this year. I grabbed some chocolate milk and fruit and chatted while waiting for the results to be posted.  If I didn’t win, I wanted to take off so I could get in some more miles before meeting friends for brunch..

A lady came up to me and told me that I was her beacon and that she was happy to finally pass at the last water stop. She came in 2nd in her age group and it turned out that we were in the same age group.  Phew! I came in third.

When I ran this race (in 2016), everyone got a small bottle of champagne and a gift card to a restaurant.  For 2nd place, it was to the Recovery Room and for $50. Last year, there was no awards ceremony and if you won an award, you had to pick it up at the local Fleet Feet store. It was gift card but I never picked it up.

For 3rd place this year, you got a Starbucks metal water bottle, a bottle of champagne and a medal.. (I think I got my $15 worth!)

After I got my award, I left and drove to the Zim Smith bike path. (It was close to the race so my friends picked it as their running meet-up.)

When I arrived, no one had not finished running yet so I was able to get in 2 more miles. I had wanted to run 11 (total) but realistically thought I may run 8. In the end, it was 6 miles.  Good enough!!

I had to rush home to go to a party and then get my COVID booster.

No worries because I felt good enough to finish my long run the next day.

Additional Race Reflections:

The weather was lovely.  I always enjoy the race atmosphere.  This one id not disappoint.

My finish time was slower than last year but it was not unexpected.  I’d love to be back finishing 5ks in 27:XX or even faster..

Not thinking that will happen but it may if I could run negative splits.

Oh well, there will be more 5k races. Just happy to be to out there. and healthy enough to run.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Varied park scenery.
• Both 5k and 10 options.
• A no shirt option (at a lower cost)
• Participant manual provided several days before the race.
• Indoor restrooms
• Flatish course.
• Immediate results.
• Medals to 10K finishers.
• Medals to 5k finishers 12 and under.
• Chocolate milk.
• Starbucks coffee.
• Great age groups award swag

Negatives:

• 10 year age groups
• No medals to 5k finishers over 12.
• Lack of speed work (my fault).
• Gun time rather than chip time for awards

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 may even sign up for the 10k next year.

Final Stats:

Splits:

Next Up:

Another 5k on Sept 24

and then a half marathon.

 

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Happy Running! Did you run or race this past weekend? Any Fall races on your schedule yet? Do you enjoy 5ks? Please share.

This race was not on my radar.  I was planning a long run and taking a break from racing.

Then my friend begged me to do it with her.  How could I say No?

I said that I would sign up if she ran 5 more miles after the race with me… (I wanted to be prepared for my 15k race the following weekend.)

This was not the first time I had run this race.  I ran it in 2010!!

Yes, 12 years ago! I ran with Amanda, a running friend at that time:

This is the race where I met new running BFF Mary. We ran many races together after that. When she eventually moved to Palm Springs, I visited her twice.

Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.

My time back in 2010 was 29:40 but improved to 28:47 in 2016.  Both years, I was 2nd in my age group (won a cap, then gloves).

2022? Anything could happen… no expectations.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

I had a tiring two days working in NYC before the race. And I returned home very late the night before.

At least I did get in a few short runs during the week.

Race Day:

Below is the course map and elevation:

I was really relaxed about this race.  I was soooo tired and so I had no real goals besides enjoying myself. And I also needed to save energy to run 5 more miles after the race!!

I got to the race early.. I never looked at the weather so I was surprised how windy and chilly it was.  I got my bib and shirt and sat in my car to stay warm (very odd since it was 91 degrees the day before when I was in NYC).

Eventually I did get out to hang out with friends.

Heidi (who talked me into this race) finally arrived.

She persuaded me to do one mile before the race so we would only have to run 4 more after.  It was more of a walk but still we got it done.

This race began and ended at the home of the Valley Cats, a local baseball team that plays at Joe Bruno Stadium in Troy, NY, on the campus of Hudson Valley Community College.

Reluctantly I left my jacket in Heidi’s car since I had DIY arm warmers on.  Still I was COLD!!

There was no chip timing at the start line so I started pretty close to the front. Heidi moved farther back.

Mile 1:

The race began in the parking lot and then we ran around the outside of the stadium before heading into the neighborhoods.

As soon as I started running I was no longer cold. I even immediately rolled down my arm warmers. And the wind was not as bad as it was at the stadium.

But I was dragging… I so wanted to be back in my bed catching up with my sleep. I was running but I couldn’t catch my breath and felt to need to walk.

I had started with my friend Carolyn (my age group rival) but she quickly got ahead and kept gaining on me as the race went on.

Mile 2:

Finally there was a water stop around mile 1.5 so I walked a bit. The neighborhoods were rolling hills but nothing too bad until one steep one during the second mile.  I tried to run up it but the legs just weren’t having it. So I ran/walked it.

Carolyn was still way ahead but I also knew that she was fast and if I could see her in the distance, my pace wasn’t that bad. (I don’t look at my Garmin usually until the race is over.)

Mile 3-3.1:

A few more walks, I think. And then there was a welcome downhill during mile 3.

We finished the race inside the stadium and I gave it everything (which wasn’t much at this point).

I didn’t expect a PR however I really wanted to finish under 29 minutes.

And I did  – 28:43 (gun time)!! Course PR!!!

Post Race Activities:

Everyone whom I talked to before the race seemed to have a good race. Some finished ahead of me and some after.

I waited for Heidi to finish (and she did well, too.)

We headed for the food while waiting for the age group awards to be announced.  There was  a decent spread: popcorn, bagels, cookies, bananas, coffee, water. I had a hot dog, coffee and cookie.

And I did win one – 2nd in my age group.

We planned to run more miles after the race.  Did we want to???

Nope!!

I insisted and Heidi couldn’t say No so we went back to her car to get my jacket (I was shivering…)

We sorta did intervals but mostly ran until we didn’t feel like it.  We started in the stadium/college parking lots and then decided that it would be more scenic to run in the same neighborhoods as during the race.

We got it done!!! And immediately headed to Panera’s for our reward.

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was not feeling good about running this race.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, ran a decent race and don’t regret it one bit.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• 4 free tickets to a game as swag
• Interesting course (through the neighborhoods and finish in a baseball stadium)
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Free photos
• Interesting 5 year age group awards (a bat)
• Decent post-race food

Negatives:

• Cotton shirt
• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Windy

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a nice local race. And very well organized. Maybe someone will twist my arm to run it again next year.

Final Stats:

Splits:

Next Up:

Adirondack Race to the Lakes 15k

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? How did you celebrate Father’s Day? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:  Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).

This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 15th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 14th in-person FRW race.)

It is always held the Saturday after Memorial Day but due to COVID, the race was moved to September last year. This year, it has retuned to its regular date.

My first FRW was in 2008 (my first year of running). At the time, it was the farthest I’d ever run:

I mentored a beginning running group in 2010 which was very rewarding:

In 2012, it was my first run after serious ankle surgery:

I even ran it in 2013 after breaking my foot at mile 1:

And in 2019, it was the last race for my friend Andrea (who died of cancer).

As you can tell, there is a lot of history attached to this race for me.

In 2020, I was named an Ambassador.  That honor has continued into this year, as well.

Believe it not, I chose to skip my high school reunion (also scheduled for today) in order to run this race!!

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

As with this race every year, I never know what will happen… I could break my foot again (as I did in 2013) or could have a course PR as I did in 2018. Most likely, it will just be a fun race with lots of women.

And this was also my seventh Freihofer Training Challenge.

did my green hat stand out much in 2018?!

Training is a loose term. I kinda just showed up on most Monday runs. But each Monday seemed to follow either a half marathon or a long run. As a result, although I registered for the Advanced group, I never participated in any of their speed drills. Instead I usually ran with the Intermediate group.

But I was excited to be part of it and support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And see my “current and past FTC” buddies who would hopefully PR.

In past years, the day before I walked to Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet. They used to have a really big expo with vendors and health-related exhibits. But the past few years, they have held it at a local college.

As I did last year, I signed up to volunteer on Friday evening at packet pick-up and then skipped playing mah jongg in favor of a pizza dinner and time to organize my #flatme.

Race Day:

I hate parking garages and traffic so I parked on the street and walked to the start. I used to do this every year. However, with the new(er) course, it was an even longer hike. Like almost 2 miles!

It was still strange to run down Madison Avenue and not see the race banners and not see the giant poster on the bridge.

Due to construction, they changed the course seven years ago.

They say that this course is faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.

course map

I did run the new course the past seven years and I liked it better than the original..

The start was near a park across from the Capitol Building. I wore a jacket because I thought it would be cool out. Nope.  Bright sunshine and warming up quickly.

Soon the start line as in sight.

I ran past it and entered the City Hall park in search of the Training Challenge tent. I left my jacket there. In past years, there was water and lots of snacks.  Not this year.

I was quite early so I continued to walk around until more runners arrived. I chatted with many of my running friends and took quite a few pics.

Catching up with everyone made the time go by quickly and soon it was time to line up for our Training Challenge photo.

Though, I didn’t get much out of the training itself, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.

I was scheduled to start in corral 3 so I headed that way and bumped into a few friends there too. While I was waiting, I ate a Honey Stinger waffle (with no water … blech)

Mile 1:

It is usually very crowded during the first mile but this year were fewer runners than in previous years (about 2500 vs 3500). I never really had to weave and had plenty of space to run comfortably.

The race began with a long steep uphill.  It’s a good thing since it kept you at a slower pace.

But I did run the whole uphill… it was slow but I did not have to walk.

Mile 1 continued as we turned left and entered the park (and the hill ended).

There were rolling hills throughout the park.  They were not bad and even I could run them without walking.

The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…There were cones over the potholes but you had to weaving back n forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes pealed to ground to make sure you didn’t trip.

Mile 2:

There was a water stop around mile 1.25.  It was very sunny and I was getting warm so I did stop and walk.

More rolling hills during this mile as you ran around the park circling the lake.  Only one of the hills was steep but it was very short.

I tried to pick up the pace for the second mile. I told myself that I would not walk until the next water stop.

Mile 3-3.1:

That was around mile 2.5. At this point, I was starting to get very warm so I stopped again for a drink and walked longer than before.

Finally we left the park and headed toward the street we started on.

It was a long downhill and I had to remember not to start sprinting too soon.  I’ve made that mistake in past years.

Eventually I see the 3 mile sign and I started to run as fast as I could while posing for the photographers and running though the finish line.

I did see that the timing clock read 28:XX…. No course PR for this girl today!

Post Race Activities:

I knew with two walks and zero speed work, I couldn’t come close to a PR (and I was not expecting one). It was a decent time (even if it was slower than all my Freihofer 5ks since 2016) and I was happy!!

I grabbed some snacks (apple sauce, bar, banana). I was hoping as in past years to snag some chocolate milk and maybe a bagel. Nope!!

Then I went back to the finish line to cheer in some friends.

I ran into even more runners again that I knew. Every where I turned, there was someone familiar – from a job, tennis, races, etc. That’s what’s great about running a popular local race.

The first time runners were so excited. That put a smile on my face. I remembered why I love this race and it was never because of my awesome finish times.

Before we left, we checked out our finish times.  No award for any of us but a good effort by all.

We were hungry and so we didn’t stay around for the awards. There were, however, some well-known runners in the field.  (In past years, Sara Hall and Joan Samuelson ran this race).

And last but not least, this lady at age 92!!!

I walked back (uphill) to my car and then met Heidi and Deb at the diner for brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

Many runners were excited about their PRs. I may not have run my fastest time but I still enjoyed myself.

You get what you put in. I did not do all the speed workouts so I can’t be disappointed. I also recently ran a half marathon and a 10 mile race and I am no spring chicken. My time may not have been as fast as 2018 (a course PR of 27:37) but it was faster than the previous two 5ks that I’ve run in 2022.

So I was very pleased with that.

And I always enjoy running through Washington Park too.

Positives:

• Ample parking.
• Well marked course.
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Interesting course (through a beautiful park).
• Downhill finish.
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Two water stops (for a 5k)
• The electric atmosphere.
• Virtual option.
• Free finish and start photos
• Immediate results
• Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
• All women – all ages, all paces…
• Many free photo stations

Negatives:

• Uphill first mile.
• Uneven pavement in the park
• Sunny and warm
• No chocolate milk or bagels post-race

Would I recommend this race?

Yes. Yes. It’s a great local race. And having it be ALL WOMEN makes it even more special.

Final Stats:

Splits:

Negative splits!!!! Woo Hoo!

I have a 15k is a few weeks and I thought I might run a few more miles so today could also count as a long run.

And I would have if I hadn’t had the brunch option.  No will power!

So FRW #15 is in the books!

The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running it. Can’t wait to run it again next year.

Next Up:

Adirondack Race to the Lakes 15k

Happy Running! How was your weekend? Did you race? If so, how did it go? Do you have a favorite race that you run every year? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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It’s Tuesday so don’t forget to link up with these wonderful ladies:  Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner).