Another new race for me. Besides being new for me, it was moved to a new location. (So no reviews to read up on.)

It took place in Hudson Crossing Park, centered around Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island, just north of Schuylerville, on New York State’s Historic Scenic Byway, Route 4.

I passed by the park after the Bacon Hill 5K (which influenced to me to choose this race.)

photo from the triathlon there in June

I was a little nervous about the trail portion.  I had never run a trail race and my last trail run resulted in a fall.

There also weren’t many runners running this race…Would I be last?

The good news was the perfect weather…sunny and not too warm and no rain (just a little humid.)

The race was about an hour from my house.  I got there plenty early.  I picked up my race packet (another cotton tee shirt to give away) and used the rest room (a real one!)

I walked around a bit..what a pretty location.

part of the one of the trails

The race was called the “turning point” because the battle of Saratoga (nearby) was won by the Americans and was the turning point of the American Revolution. (In case you were wondering.)

me & Elisa before the race

Soon I ran into a running friend, Elisa and then a few others that I knew.

the beginning and end of the race

Soon it was time to begin.  They explained the course which sounded very complicated–Down the road and sharp right onto the trails…to the end, turn around and run the same trail back…run another trail and go over a bridge and turn around and then return on that trail but turn off half way to head to the finish.

It turned out that there were volunteers on the course directing runners and it was very easy to follow.

starting

on the grass

part of the trail – runners going both ways

running past the water stop

the bridge

another part of the trail

The course was not easy for me.

I am very clumsy so my plan was to take it easy and make sure I didn’t trip and fall.

That wasn’t a problem because it is hard to run fast on dirt and rocky turf (at least for me).  It was mostly flat with a few hills.  The tricky part were the downhills.  I slowed right down on those.

So I didn’t fall but my competitive self was disturbed by my time.  I was tired quickly.  I walked through the first water stop, then walked several times during the next 2 miles. (only one being up a hill.)

Was it the humidity or the trail or what?  How did I do a half marathon 2 weeks ago if I can’t run a 5k without stopping.

Anyway, my friends were waiting at the finish line and I managed to look good sprinting across it at 30:47.

I can’t remember the last time I finished a 5K over 30 minutes!!! (I think it was after I had surgery on my ankle and hadn’t run for 5 months.) I have run faster with a broken foot and a stress fracture.

we all won medals.–2 firsts, a second and I won third

Even so,  I won in my age group…the perks of a small race and being old.

The refreshments were bananas and granola bars.

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:40
mile 2 – 9:59
mile 3 – 10:09
.14-    8:15

Race Goals:

• Run the whole thing. NO. Walked 3-4 times.
• Not fall and get hurt. YES.
• Not finish last. YES.
• Finish under 30 minutes. NO but close.

Still I had fun.  Racing is always fun for me.

But with the cotton tee shirt, the food and the distance to drive, this is the first of my NEW races that I may not repeat. The course was very pretty. I would like to come back and run on it for fun.

Happy Running!  Do you like trail races?

Races are what motivates me.

It’s no secret that my training runs suck….I walk and walk and walk some more… so my pace is SLOOOOOOOW!

But in a race, for some strange reason, I run faster and if it’s 5 miles or less, I don’t usually have to stop and walk.

So I run a lot of races. They boost my confidence.

1. Mayor’s Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler (Palm Springs, CA)
2. HMRRC Winter Series #3 – 15K
3.  Polar Cap 4 mi
4. HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 7K
5.  Lighthouse 5k (St. Augustine, FL)
6.  Runnin of the Green 4 mi
7. LoveRun Half Marathon (Philadelphia, PA)
8. Delmar Dash 5m
9.  Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
10. Rabbit Ramble 4m
11. Cherry Blossom 5k
12.  Spring Run Off 10K
13. Mom’s Day 5K
14. Freihofer’s Run for Women
15. Betar Byway 5K
16. Strawberry Fest 5K
17. Adirondack Distance 10m
18.  Saratoga Half Marathon

Yes, 18 races so far… (10 in March-May)!

Here’s how the rest of the summer is shaping up:

• 7-26-14 – Turning Point 5K – a new one and a trail race
• 8-03-14 – Care for Kids 5K  – a new one near where I stayed last weekend
• 8-09-14 – Camp Chingachgook 10k – a hilly 10k along Lake George which I ran in 2012 as my 1st 10K
• 8-16-14 – Jailhouse Rock 5k – a small local 5K that I have run in 2009, 2010, 2012
• 9-06-14 – MBPK 5k – another local 5k that I have run in 2012 and 2013
• 9-14-14 – Biggest Loser 10k – a new 10k at the Great Escape park near Lake George

I never PR in the summer.  I am usually injured or recovering from an injury.  This summer, I am healthy!! So you never know…

I haven’t run with any speed in the last 6 weeks due to training for the 10 miler and half marathon.

But this Saturday, I have a RACE! A 5k!

A new race at a new location (It used to held in Saratoga State park.) Now it takes place in Hudson Crossing Park, centered around Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island, just north of Schuylerville, on New York State’s Historic Scenic Byway, Route 4.

I passed by this park after the Bacon Hill 5K in April (which influenced to me to choose this race.)

this was the Hudson R in the spring near the park

I am a little nervous about the trail portion.  I have never run a trail race and my last trail run resulted in a fall.

photo from the triathlon there in June

So I am moving outside my comfort zone.

Race Goals:

• Run the whole thing.
• Not fall and get hurt.
• Not finish last.
• Finish under 30 minutes or close to 30 minutes.
• Have fun!

Happy Running!  Have you ever run a trail race?