I had taken a break from this race and then a few years ago, I started running it again…

This year was actually the 8th time that I had run this race.

I ran it back in 2010!!

Yes, 16 years ago! I ran with Amanda, a running friend at that time.

This is the race where I met a new running BRF Mary. We ran many races together after that. When she eventually moved to Palm Springs, I visited her there 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? 6 years later. Anything could happen… no expectations.

A course PR! 28:43

The good news in 2023 was that Carolyn didn’t turn 70 until later in the year.

But my time was slower: 29:11 (GT).

In 2024, I had a course PW with a 31:10 (GT) finish!

And last year, I improved a little (30:10)….

As I mentioned in each race recap this year, I expect a PW.

It’s all good.

I’m thrilled when I am ABLE to race.

My friend Heidi said that she would be running it with me again. It is always fun to run a race with a friend.

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

Two weekends ago, I ran a 10k in NYC

and I really haven’t run at all since then.

My Achilles had been sore and my chiro recommended that I rest it.

I’ve walked a few trails and that’s it.

Obviously that’s not how I planned to prepare for this race and the races to come…

I was nervous about racing and making things worse but I decided I had would go and decide what to do that morning – cheer, walk, walk/run, run?

Race Day:

I dragged myself out of bed and had my usual race breakfast (coffee and oatmeal).

My friend Heidi again had signed up along with a few others that we knew.

And for once we had nice weather!!

The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:30 to pick up my bib.

In addition to the shirt, each runner got 4 tickets to a baseball game.

I went back to my car to get rid of the shirts and tix and returned to the stadium to hang out and chat with runners that I knew. The conversation revolved around what should I do???

I decided that I would run slowly (ego in check) and see how things felt. I could always walk. And fingers crossed that I didn’t make it worse (since I had a big 15k in 3 weeks).

Below is the course map and elevation:

As I mentioned above, it had been 2 weeks since I ran a 10k. But the weeks before that I ran a 5k and a 10 miler. All with that sore Achilles.

I was hoping that my time off from running would bring good news and running this race was the right decision.

My only race goal was to finish … zero expectations of a fast finish time or an age group award.

As you can see from the pics above, 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.

There was no chip timing at the start line so I probably should have moved closer to the front (but I didn’t really think about it…)

Mile 1:

The race began in the parking lot and then we ran around the outside of the stadium before heading into the neighborhoods. (A different but similar start to last year.)

I had started with several friends but they quickly got ahead and kept gaining on me as the race went on. My goal became to just keep them in sight and cut as many tangents as possible.

I don’t remember much about the first mile other than I was dragging. My pace was much slower than usual… but I wasn’t in pain so I continued in that vein.

I think I willed myself to run and not walk… until a hill or a water stop.

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.

My legs weren’t tired but I found myself out of breath… pollen, lack of sleep, out of shape, sore Achilles? All of the above?

And was there a mile 2 marker or did I miss it?

Actually I don’t think there were ANY mile markers.

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 course PR and finishing under 30 minutes is just an unrealistic dream..

As I approached the finish line, 34 turned to 35 minutes and then I crossed…

Post Race Activities:

I may have come to accept my lack of speed because I was not really disappointed in my time.

Unfortunately, now my Achilles really was sore and I was limping…

At that moment, it didn’t seem like a good idea to have run the race.

I waited for Heidi to finish and we took more pictures.

We headed for the food. There was a decent spread: bagels, popcorn,, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I also had a hot dog and pasta salad.

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

I checked the results and I did win an award as did several of my friends.

So we waited around for the awards ceremony (which took place after the kids race.)

There were only 2 in my age group so even if I walked, I would have won. LOL

Additional Race Reflections:

When I dragged myself out of bed that morning, I was nervous about running this race.

As usually happens, I connected with some awesome people, finished the race and don’t regret it one bit. (I iced my foot, soaked in the hot tub and as the day went on it felt better and better.  Time will tell… And PT.)

You may question why I ran it…

Mentally I needed to…

And if I walked it, I would still be wondering if I COULD run and how much pain I would be in after.

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
• Decent post-race food
• Creative age group award

Negatives:

• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Unisex tee shirts
• No mile markers
• Lack of preparation and sore Achilles

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. LOL.

Final Stats:

Gun Time = 35:18
Garmin Time = 34:xx (I didn’t stop my watch right away)

Yes, a course PW (maybe a 5K PW) but a happy one.

Next Up:

Happy Running!  How did you celebrate Father’s Day Weekend? Running any summer 5ks? Please share.

This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 19th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 18th in-person FRW race.)

It has always been held the Saturday after Memorial Day except in 2021, when due to COVID, the race was moved to September. In 2022, it again returned 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 of moms 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 VT 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 continued through 2022.

Believe it not, I even chose to skip my high school reunion in 2022 in order to run this race!!

Then two years ago, they changed the name of the race!!

It’s now called the Sara Lee Delightful Run for Women.

Nevertheless, I knew that I would do this race (no matter what they called it).  I’m pretty sure I will always do this race!!

Unfortunately, in 2024, I had food poisoning the night before the race but I showed up and walked it with my friends.  And actually I had the most fun ever.

Last year, it poured and many of my friends did not go…

I did, of course.

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. Even have to walk the whole race. Most likely, it will just be a fun run with lots of women.

And this was also my tenth year participating in the Freihofer Training Challenge (TC).

This year, I decided again to become a Mentor.  I wanted to support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k. And connect with my “past TC” buddies, as well.

I volunteered on Wednesday evenings on the rail trail near where I live.

Many years ago, the day before I would walk to the 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 the past few years, I signed up to volunteer on Thursday evening at packet pick-up (and picked up my & Deb’s bib, shirt, cookies and bread)

and then I rushed off to my trail run.

The day before the race, I walked all day around the NY Botanical Gardens.  No rest for the weary.

Race Day:

I used to love to walk down Madison Avenue and see the race banners and see the giant poster on the bridge.

They changed the course nine years ago. This course is supposedly faster…less congested and has a less steep hill at the start and finish.

course map

I did run the newer course the past nine years and I also liked it better than the original..

Now this year, they decided to change it again but only slightly.

As I mentioned above, this was my 19th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak.

Most of my local running friends were not running the race this year. But Deb and I carpooled and parked in the parking garage. And for the second week in a row it was RAINING.

Being part of the Training Challenge group, I could hang out and stay dry and warm in their tent.

We all complained about the weather but knew that we would run the race no matter what.

Soon it was time to leave the tent for the Training Challenge group photo.

Though, I didn’t enjoy mentoring as much as I used to, I was happy to be part of this amazing group of women.

Then we returned to the tent and waited until the last moment to head out into the rain…

I was scheduled to start in the red corral and squeezed into the crowd. I had taken off my jacket and initially regretted it as I shivered waiting for the race to start.

The good news was that the rain had stopped but it was quite windy and chilly.

Mile 1:

The race began with a long steep uphill. And of course, it was super windy. With the new course, the hill was shorter. It was crowded but it was the wind that was the issue.

But I did run most of the hill… it was slow but I did it.

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 (but barely).

The worst part were all the potholes and cracks in the roads…And the puddles.  You had to weaving back and forth to avoid them and you had to keep your eyes peeled to the ground to make sure you didn’t trip.

Mile 2:

There was a water stop around mile 1.25. I wasn’t thirsty but I used it as an excuse to walk for a bit.

More rolling hills during this mile as you went 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 but I did several times.

Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.

Mile 3-3.1:

There was a second water stop around mile 2.5. Again, I stopped for a drink (even though I didn’t need one) and walked longer than before.

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

It was a downhill (but unfortunately not as long as the previous course) and I had to remember not to start sprinting too soon. I’ve made that mistake in past years. Besides it was slippery from the rain.

Eventually I saw 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 crossed at 33:xx, a big PW…

I was surrounded by so many smiling faces.  It was hard to be disappointed.

Post Race Activities:

I got my medal and then headed toward the refreshments.  I grabbed a bagel, choclate milk and some pastries.

Then I returned to the tent to wait for Deb.

Our tent was next to the “elites'” tent but they were not there so they told us to grab some food – roast beef sandwich and potato salad 🙂

I checked my phone for the results.  5th in my age group. No award thisyear.

Additional Race Reflections:

Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run a PR or even close. In fact, it was a course PW but I still really enjoyed myself.

Since I can never remember my finish times. I looked up my recent ones after the race.

• • 2014 – 28:51
  • 2015 – 29:22
  • 2016 -28:50
  • 2017 – 27:48
  • 2018 – 27:37 (PR)
  • 2019 – 27:47
  • 2021 – 28:16
  • 2022 – 28:24
  • 2023 – 29:41
  • 2024 – walked
  • 2025 – 31:28

I am pretty used to the fact that as I get older, I will be slower.  So my expectation for each race that I repeat is to have a course PW.

So this race did not disappoint and I had fun.

I guess I just enjoy racing.

When I checked the age group awards, I discovered that in my 70-74 age group, there were 50 runners!!! (So 5th out of 50 ain’t bad.) In the 75-79 group, 25 runners!! This makes me so happy!  One of many things I love about this all-women’s race!

I plan to keep on running it and walking it when I am not able to run.

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 photos
• Immediate results
• Nice Swag for a 5k (tech shirt, medal, cookies, bread)
• Cool medal
• All women – all ages, all paces…

Negatives:

• Uphill first mile.
• Uneven pavement in the park
• Slow pace.
• Long line for the refreshments
• Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer race)
• WEATHER!!!

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:

So FRW #19 is in the books!

The tradition is still alive! It was again a great local race with many women running or walking it. Can’t wait to do it again next year. I hope I can talk more of my local running friends into running it again too.

Next Up:

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? Do you prefer 5ks or longer races?  Have you ever run an all-women’s race? Please share.

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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 a lot of history to this 5k…

As you may remember, this race takes place during my annual non-running tennis vacation in Naples, Florida. I play tennis every morning and then spend the afternoon on the beach.  Each evening I go out for drinks, dinner and dessert with my tennis friends. Eight days of pure relaxation and enjoyment… (every May since 2005)

I love it.  It’s usually my only vacation that doesn’t include a race.  You have to admit that racing during a vacation does add an element of stress.

Well, in 2017. we changed our dates and I happened upon a 5k race that took place on the Sunday during our stay. One of my friends offered to get up at the crack of dawn and drop me off and another offered to pick me up.

Despite the loops and warm temps, I had a blast and did fairly well.

I also unexpectedly bumped into a tennis friend, Rebecca, who had moved to Naples.

As a result, I signed up for the same 5k in 2018 and 2019. I won an age group award each time and met up with Rebecca.

Our vacation was cancelled due to COVID in 2020 and the race in 2021 did not occur during our time in Naples.

So I was pretty excited to run this race again in 2022. The downside was that Rebecca died suddenly in 2021 and I knew that the race would remind me of her sadly.

I decided to run the race anyway and each year, if I was able, in Rebecca’s honor.

However since I was still recovering from a broken foot, I decided to skip the race in 2023 but in 2024, I put it back on my racing schedule.

Last year, after I signed up for this race, I got an email saying that they had to change the course location.  I could have gotten a refund.  But what the hell. A new race!

This year, I knew in advance that AGAIN, they changed the course. And I still signed up. Vacation and a Race…

It was going to be held at Sugden Park. After some Googling, I discovered that in the fall, there was a 5k that was held in this park …

Race Description:

The 5K run will take place on the pathways of Sugden Regional Park. Athletes will have views of Lake Avalon throughout the course while winding through shaded wooded areas. The finish will be along the handset pavers between the cheering fans and the beach front by the lake.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

The night before the race, we went out to an awesome seafood dinner. No pizza or pasta and I had a glass of wine… Oh well. only a 5k. Carb loading not a must.

Here is the NEW course map:

I hate 2 looped races.  I wasn’t surprised and I just had to suck it up and do it…

Race Day:

Saturday morning, I groggily ate my usual race breakfast at 5:30 am. As in previous years, a friend agreed to drop me off at the race start. The race started at 7:30 am and so we left at 6:30 am. I wasn’t familiar with the race location so I needed to arrive earlier than necessary.

If I had gotten there even earlier I would have seen the full moon:

There was no packet pick up before the race day (as in previous years).  So I got my bib on race day,,,

.The swag was a shirt.

Since I was early, I walked around…. this was a really beautiful park… very conducive to running, walking, biking…

I was a little chilly so I put on my race shirt… Eventually I had to hide it under a tree since I did have a bag or a car.

This was not a big race.  There were about 225 runners – all ages and very friendly.

It was cloudy when I got there. At times, the sun did peak out. It was starting to get warm. I checked the weather app on my phone. Holy humidity!

I wore my usual race attire minus the compression socks:

As I was killing time and enjoying the sunrise views on the lake, I spotted a familiar face…

Yes. Jeannie Rice.  It was my 2nd 5k encounter with her.  I was very excited!! And she is so nice!  She was nursing an injury and was running this 5k to see if she could run a longer race next weekend. (She winters in Naples.)

Soon it was time to head to the start line.

As you can see from the map, the course winds the park and loops back toward the start.

I had no plan for the race – just finish and get back to my friends so we could continue with our plans for the day. (Gone are the days when I finished this race in 27:xx!!)

I also haven’t raced in weather this warm since last August. This made me a little nervous. Can I run well in the heat/humidity? Will I die? LOL

I had no idea what the course looked like until after the race.  Luckily, much of the course was through the park and shady.

Mile 1: 

From the get go, my legs felt like lead but my biggest problem was that I had a hard time breathing and I felt dizzy. Was it the heat?  Most likely it was not being acclimated to the humidity. I couldn’t wait to get to the water stop…

Actually I could not wait to walk…

Mile 2: 

It seemed like forever but I think it was during mile 2.  I stopped for water and walked for a short while.

I continued my running which was painful and seemed to be like a slog…

As I mentioned above, the course ran through the park and it was very pretty. It was a mixture of flat paths and wooden bridges and concrete sidewalks.

There were a few older ladies that I remembered from past years.  One in particular was in front of me.  I tried to keep up with her.

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

The race is kind of a blur.  I think I walked a few more times…

I tried to just get to the finish line without puking.

Wish I looked like this. LOL

Eventually the arch appeared and I gave it my all.

I was shocked when I crossed at 31:xx. I felt so much slower.

I waited for another older runner to finish. She and I had chatted before the race..

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed some water and some refreshments which were cookies, bars, bananas and navel oranges.

I quickly checked the results to see if I won an award. And I did!!

My friend was not coming to pick me up until after her tennis lesson so I had time to stay for the awards ceremony.

Additional Race Reflections:

Definitely a tough one and again one of my slower 5ks but hey, I did it.

And I will do it again!

Racing for me is always enjoyable (at least afterward.)

Positives:

• flatish course
• well organized
• ample parking
• nice shirt (gender-specific)
• Instant results emailed/texted to runners
• creative age group award (picture frame)
• important charity (scholarships to HS students)
• Nice park
• lake views
• Sunrise
• Meeting Jeannie Rice

Negatives:

• Rebecca was no longer there. 😦
• Warm temps and humidity

Would I recommend this race?

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

Final Stats:

This was NOT a planned race.

I had planned to sign for a half marathon in Ft. Lauderdale on Feb. 15.

But I surprisingly got into the NYC Half Marathon and it was a week before my race-cation to run the Asheville Half Marathon.

With TWO half marathons in March, I decided not run one in February.

But could I go on a vacation without a race scheduled?

Nope. So I signed up for Race For Hope 5k because:

• A race.
• (Only) a 5k.
• It wasn’t too far from where I was staying in Florida.
• The course was described as scenic (running along the water) and flat.
• It raised money for an important charity. (depression research)
• I had hoped to plan a meet-up after with two former co-workers.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations: 

If you follow my posts, you also know that I had started running again after being sidelined with bronchitis. And the weather has been horribly cold, windy and snowy.

In hindsight, a long run in preparation for my half marathon would have been more beneficial but I had already registered for this race before I got sick.

I arrived in Florida on Wednesday. After viewing the sunrise, the weather was perfect for a short run on Thursday and on Friday.

So delightful to not have to run with a coat on!! You Fkorida runners are so lucky.

Race Description:

Join the Race of Hope crew at the 5k (3.1 mile) run/walk through tranquil neighborhoods and along the beautiful water views of Palm Beach, FL. Participants from across Florida and beyond unite as a community to raise awareness about the fight to defeat depression. This race was built to please professional runners to first-time race walkers. Gather your friends, family, corporate team, and favorite racers for an incredible event for a life-saving cause.

The first 1100 race participants to pick up their packet will receive a race pullover jacket, hat, and shirt. All racers will earn a huge finisher medal at the finish line. 

Although the race sounded like fun, truthfully I was on vacation and it was very tempting to sleep in and hang out with my friends.

But I had made brunch plans for after so there was extra motivation to run the race.

Race Day:

As I always do, I brought my race day breakfast from home: oatmeal.  I was up at 5:30 am in order to be ready to leave by 6:15 am. The race started at 8:00 am and it was about a 30 min drive there. I wanted to get there early in order to find parking and pick up my race packet.

I didn’t even check the weather. I just put on a shirt and skirt with compression socks. I had opted for a red outfit since the race was held on Feb 14, Valentine’s Day.

I had no problems at all getting a parking spot near Bradley Park where the race began.  The parking was even free until 9 am.

You entered the park and you were greeted by enthusiastic volunteers.

I immediately headed to get my race packet. I was surprised when they handed me a bag and it included ALL the swag plus my bib.

There were booths representing organizations that supported depression research.  Many had food or freebies.

There was even a place to relax before the race.

Real restrooms in addition to porta-potties were another perk.

There was even a photo booth.

Eventually I retuned to my car to drop off my jacket and shirt.  I decided to wear the race cap and glasses to add some yellow to my outfit.

It was still early so I relaxed by the water until it was time to head to the start.

 

There were close to 1,000 participants (fewer than usual I guess) and many were walkers.  There were signs where to stand based on your predicted finish time.

While waiting, I saw a runner wearing a NYC Marathon tank… Of course, we struck up a conversation and became instant friends. She explained that she would be slow because she was undergoing  chemo. (Her slow would have been a PR for me…)

I had no pace for the race.  I knew that I would start out fast, run as long as I could and then walk whenever I was tired.

I would have loved to finish sub 30 but it’s been a while since I’ve been able to do that and with no speed work and these warm temps, I would be happy to cross that finish line.

And that’s exactly what happened.

I ran the first mile without stopping.  There was a water stop and I was happy about that.

I slowed down during mile 2 and started my walks.

The course was flat and scenic as advertised.

All along the course were signs about depression:

I’m sure that I walked even more during the last mile and stopped at the 2nd water stop. It was warm and sunny and I was wishing that I had worn a tank top and no compression calf sleeves.

I crossed the finish line smiling…got a bottle of water and then my medal.

Post Race Activities:

My new friend Dolores was waiting for me so we took some pics and friended each other on FB.

As I mentioned above, I was meeting old friends at a nearby diner for brunch.

I quickly checked the results.

The awards ceremony wasn’t until 9:30 am and my free parking expired at 9 am so I left.

Additional Race Reflections:

I have to say that this was my 2nd Florida 5k.  And I am so impressed with the organization of their races.

I’m pretty sure if I can, I will run this race again next year.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up.
• Pre-race emails with instructions and maps.
• Lots of freebies.
• Great swag – cap, glasses, wind breaker, shirt…
• Real bathrooms at the start/finish area.
• Two water stops along the course.
• Well marked course.
• Timing clocks at each mile.
• A looped course so no repeat views.
• Water views most of the whole race.
• A great variety of pre and post race snacks.
• Nice medal.
• Friendly volunteers and runners.
• Awards announced for top 3 as well as 5 year age group awards.
• 100% given to this important charity – depression research
• Great weather (sunny and not too hot)
• No back or foot pain.

The Bad:

• Medals as age group awards
• My positive split pace.

The Ugly:

• Nothing

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.  For all the reasons above.

Final Stats:

 

Next Up: