The 3rd year for this race.  A downhill course.  A familiar route!! Only several miles from my home.

How could I not sign up??

Big negative:

• I was training for a marathon and needed a 18 long run that day.

Nevertheless, I decided to run the race as a fun run and figure a way to get in 18 miles, as well.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Not much preparation for this 5k…

I was working in NYC for 3 days and I ran 16 miles the previous weekend in preparation for the NYC marathon.

Needless to say, I was pooped and seriously considered staying in bed.

Here is the description of the race from the website:

The race extends from the Hilton Barn area of New Scotland to the finish line across the bridge in Slingerlands. The race kicks off the Fall Fest at the Slingerlands trailhead that will feature live musical performances, food trucks and vendors, as well as fun games and activities as participants come down the home stretch. Shuttle service will be available. T-shirts and one free meal ticket for all participants. Awards for top 3 overall Male/Female. 

Race Day:

I had my standard breakfast of oatmeal and coffee. I guess I’m a creature of habit.

Since the race didn’t start until 11 am, my plan was to park at the start, run 1.5 miles miles, meet two friends and run 8 miles, run 1.5 miles back to the start, then run the 5k race, hang out with friends and then run 4 miles back to my car… that would be my 18 mile long run.

Perfect, right?

And I did just what I planned pre-race.

Since I ran this race last year, I was familiar with the course (as pictured below)

Race Course (according the web site)

There was no elevation chart but now I have one from my Garmin:

I arrived at the start in plenty of time.  My friend Heidi had gotten my bib.  I changed my shoes and shirt and I was ready to go.

I bumped into many friends. We chatted and took a few pics.

Some of my local running friends came as well:

The weather was absolutely perfect!!

Unlike last year when it RAINED!!

There’s not much to tell with only 3.1 miles but here’s what I remember.

Can it be called a “race” recap if I didn’t race? LOL.

Mile 1: 

This race was chip timed so it didn’t matter where I started.  And there were not going to be any age group awards for me.

Judy was going to run the race.  Deirdre, Heidi and I were going to run/walk it (using Deirdre’s intervals 15:60??)

So we stood just somewhere in the back of the pack.

 

Although it was advertised as starting at the barn and going downhill from there on the rail trail, you actually had to run around the nearby neighborhood (in order to get to 3.1 miles by the parking lot).

That was not downhill and that was not fun.

The only positive part about circling the neighborhood was that I could run the tangents (if I were running the race.)

Eventually you did enter the rail trail and yes, it was oh so slightly downhill but at least there were no uphills.

Mile 2: 

I believe the first year, there were no water stops but his year there was one.

Even with our long walk intervals, I was thirsty and stopped for a drink.

I didn’t take pictures this year (although I walking so I could have.)

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

Eventually you could hear the crowd cheering (there was little crowd support on the course at all due to being on the rail trail.

I could see the finish line ahead

and so I left Heidi and Deirdre sprinted across it.

I looked up and saw my college BFF and her husband.  I was surprised and happy that she got to see me race (too bad, I wasn’t actually racing.)

At the finish line, there was water and apples, bananas.

Post Race Activities:

As soon as you were done, you got your race shirt and a coupon for free food and drink.

There was also a kids race.

This race was also part of a Fall Festival put on by the county.

In a nearby park, there were information tables (they even gave out many freebies.)

I hung out with my BFF for a while.

I picked up some freebies (that I gave to Heidi) and even had a free ice cream float. (I turned down the free hot dog.)

My running friends went to get some food from the trucks… Me?  I had to run 4 more miles to get in my 18!!

What a struggle!  But I did it!!

Then I drove my car back to the finish area.

The festival was still happening so I used my food coupon and sat on a bench listening to the music.

Two food trucks didn’t show (illness), one had run out of food so I waited A LONG TIME) from the ONE existing option.

While I was waiting I listened to the music and watched a few of kids shows.

Finally!!

It was delicious ( or maybe I was just hungry).

Additional Race Reflections:

I was surprised at how much I enjoyed this race. If I am around, I will probably run it again next year.

The past few years, I’ve mostly focused on half marathons and this year and last year training for a full marathon.

Next year, I hope to take this race seriously.

I doubt I’ll ever PR again. But I’d like to go back to sub-30 finish times.  But I need to either train to get faster or pace myself better so I don’t die during the last mile.

However, I am happy to be healthy, to be running regularly and interacting with others.

If my race times slow down, so be it.

Positives:

• Well organized
• Participant guide provided beforehand
• Inexpensive ($10)
• Well marked course
• Shuttle to the start from the finish and vice versa.
• Cute gender specific race shirts
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Downhill course
• Immediate results
• One free meal ticket for all participants.
• Free ice cream & hot dogs
• Entertainment after.

Negatives:

• I could run here for FREE!
• Late start (11 am)
• Weird age group awards (top 3 and 0-30, 30-59?)
• Long wait for food (only ONE food truck)
• No photos

Would I recommend this race?

Yes!!  A good race to try for a 5K PR.

Final Stats:

 

 

 

 

 

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

High Lawn Farm has the best ice cream I’ve ever tasted…

Last year was the first year that they offered this race and of course, it was on my radar.

DESCRIPTION

The High Lawn Farm Keep Moo’ving 5K is a 3.1 mile walk or run that is open to all abilities and levels of fitness. 100% of the proceeds from this event benefit Berkshire Bounty. Berkshire Bounty is a food rescue organization dedicated to collecting, purchasing and delivering nutritious food to emergency food distribution programs countywide.

The course is beautiful, starting runners at the farm, then passing along Laurel Lake before returning to the farm to celebrate at the food truck where runners enjoy a well-earned High Lawn Farm ice cream. Visit the historic century worth of memorabilia in the High Lawn Farm Museum, open specifically for the runners following the race!

But it’s a long drive and I was marathon training…

Some racing friends did go and they said that it was awesome.

So I mentioned it to my running friends Heidi and Sherry.

and they agreed with me.. Let’s do it!

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Again I am training for a marathon.

I ran my long run of 9 miles the day before…

And then the hubby and I spent the rest of the day on the lake where I enjoyed a beer and a good book.

I was on the fence whether or not, I would just walk the whole thing or run/walk it.  Racing it was out of the question in my mind.

Race Day:

The race started at 8:30 am.

I got up at 5:15 am and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.

I left at 6:15 in order to get to Heidi’s house since she offered to drive.

It took us 45 minutes but we got there early enough to get parking and pick up my shirt/bib.

There were almost 300 runners at this race. I even bumped into quite a few familiar faces.  This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.

The weather was warm … around 70 at the start and sunny. We just hung around and chatted while deciding on our race strategy.

Soon it was time to line up.

We decided to run together… that meant using Heidi’s intervals (2min:30 sec) since she was the slowest of the three.

It sounded like fun to me.

Mile 1:

It was pretty crowded but we tried to stay together.  The race started on a dirt path with holes and rocks.  It would have been hard to run on.

Then it was a long downhill (Of course since it was an out and back, you would be running up that long hill!!)

After that hill, it was just rolling and shady with a view of a lake on the right.

Mile 2:

By the second mile, it was getting increasingly hard to stay together.  It was crowded and when Heidi got behind us, it was hard to hear the beeps to know when we were walking and when we were supposed to run.

I also like to walk on the uphills and run on the downhills which didn’t always coordinate with the intervals.

So we got separated..

Sherry was close behind me and I often slowed for her to catch up… since we said that we would run the race together.

Somewhere after the turn around there was a water stop.

The course repeated itself so youknew what was coming…

Mile 3-3.1:

By mile 3, I was wanting to be done… so I did my usual run some, walk some.

I actually felt pretty energetic and could have run this race…

But there was no reason to chance a injury.

And then there was that LONG annoying hill! I was glad that I actually wasn’t racing.

I crossed at 42:09. (41:57 – Garmin time)

A PW 5k but faster than the ones I walked.

No regrets!!

Post Race Activities:

Sherry finished right after new and we waited for Heidi to cross.

They gave you a coupon for free ice cream and there was also free chocolate milk…

We got on line for our free ice cream

and chatted with the other runners while we waited.

They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 5th in my age group.

The winners got to name a new calf (very cool). The age group winners just got a big prize ribbon.

And of course, the ice cream was worth the drive!!

Additional Race Reflections:

Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive.

But I don’t regret participating in this 5k. Though it was a PW, it was a fun way to spend a Sunday morning (especially if you can convince friends to come along).

Next year when I will not be training for a marathon, I may even race it!!

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked scenic course
• Some familiar faces
• Friends to share the experience
• Nice gender-specific tech shirt
• Free chocolate milk
• Free (homemade) ice cream
• Immediate results

Negatives:

• Hilly
• Long drive

Would I recommend this race?

All in all, this was a fun race. The hills were a challenge but I’ve seen and experienced worse.

I plan run it again even though it is not nearby.

Final Stats:

Next Up:

a 10k.

Then 13.1:

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big races coming up? Do you run short races even when you are training for a big long race? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

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

 

 

When I first started running, this race was one of my favorite 5ks. I ran it in 2008, 2009, 2010.

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race than a 5k. Since then I have completed over 60 half marathons.

My 5k time back in 2010 was 29:34.

After 5 years off (from this race), I ran it again in 2015. And my time was 28:41. So things hadn’t changed that much (but I started to wear running skirts instead of shorts).

I enjoyed this race so much that I re-added it to my summer racing list and ran it again in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2023  (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18, 28:05)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this race for 3 years.

Last year, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.

I shocked myself with a decent pace so again, I thought why not and my running friends were busy this weekend so it was a good excuse to skip my long run.

Here is the map for the course that I ran in past years:

15 turns in this course!!

Here’s the 2023 course:

Race Day:

The race started at 8 am.

This being the opening weekend of the Saratoga Flat Track, believe it or not, there would already be a lot of traffic at that hour.

I got up at 5:30am and had my usual race breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.

I left at 6:30 in order to get there early enough to get parking and pick up my bib.

I got a spot in a nearby lot, picked up my bib/shirt

and then left the shirt in the car.

There were about 600 runners at this race (I think there had been more in previous years.). So I bumped into quite a few familiar faces.  This is one of things I enjoy most about racing…its social element.

The weather was warm … around 75 at the start and sunny. I just hung around and chatted with other runners that I recognized.

and there was a photo booth so I took my obligatory pre (and post) race photo.

Soon it was time to line up.

I stood somewhere in the middle. This race attracts many speedy runners and I didn’t want to get run over… but not too far back since there was no timing mat at the start.

Mile 1:

I always feel like I start out fast but it still seemed like everyone was passing me by…because they were. My legs felt dead.

But my biggest problem again was the heat (and yes, I know that it’s like this in most places and worse in Florida)..

And it was sunny and there was very little if any shade on the course.

Mile 2:

By the second mile, I was really wanting to walk… I was hoping to wait until the water stop which was about half way.

nothing exciting about the course…just around the neighborhood – pic from 2019’s Saratogian

Now that they changed the course by having an out and back on one street, I was able to cheer on runners who were way ahead as well as those behind me.

I did appreciate those folks who put sprinklers out… I ran through each one!

I made it to the water stop and walked (for probably too long)… but I felt a lot better after.

Mile 3-3.1:

By mile 3, I was really fading but I continued to make sure to hit the tangents (there were 15 of them!!)

Finally we turned the last corner…

I tried to get up enough energy to sprint through the finish line. I had hoped to finish under 31 minutes… a 2024 5k PR.

I crossed at 30: 03. (29:50 – Garmin time)

YAY!!

Post Race Activities:

I felt very shaky and grabbed a bottle of water and sat down.

I was not even hungry (which is odd for me after a race). There were only bananas so I grabbed one.

They posted the results pretty quickly and I saw that I came in 2nd in my age group.

Then they announced that any car in the nearby grass lot would be towed.

Yup, that be me!!

Off I ran and decided to leave rather than wait around for my age group award medal.

I drove up to the lake to meet up my hubby and some friends for a ride on the boat and a barbecue on an island.

Additional Race Reflections:

Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive. And yes, it should have been a 7 mile long run as part of my marathon training.

But races challenge me and I think it’s important to challenge oneself.

Otherwise, my runs are slow and easy and I squeeze them in whenever I can. I also run with friends, some faster, some slower and always with run walk intervals.

So I don’t regret running this 5k.  Though it was a course PW, it actually was a faster finish than my previous 5ks race this year! That makes me happy.

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked course with many course marshals
• Flat course
• Lots of familiar faces.
• Immediate results
• 5 year age groups for awards
• Spectators with hoses and sprinklers

Negatives:

• No longer get free tickets to the race track
• 15 turns!!
• Hot and Sunny!
• Only bananas post race.
• Unisex shirts
• Only one water stop (on a hot day)

Would I recommend this race?

Maybe…

All in all, this was a fun race. Besides all the turns, the race course is pretty flat. It is well-organized.

Not sure if I would run it again because it is not nearby.

In past years, I added more miles after the race a nearby park (and so at least it counted as a long run.)

Final Stats:

Still queen of the positive splits:

With an increasing number of walks with each mile:

Next Up:

Another 5k or two.

And a 10k.

Then:

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend? Do you have a big races coming up? Do you run short races even when you are training for a big long race? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

---

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

---

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

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

Then my friend (as she did the past two years) asked me to do it with her.  How could I say No?

This was the 6th time that I had run this race.  I ran it in 2010!!

Yes, 14 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.

A course PR! 28:43

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

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

I was sure that I would have a PW this year since the finish times for the two 5ks I’ve run this year were in the 30s and I walked my recent 5k.

It’s all good. I’m thrilled when I am ABLE to race (especially in a year that included a sprained ankle and food poisoning).

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

Pre-Race Preparations and Activities:

Last weekend, I kept up my base and ran 6 miles

and then during the week, I ran a few short runs in NYC.

Marathon training does not start until July 9!! Besides, I had Monday off so if necessary, I could run my 6 mile long run then.

The truth was that after FIVE days working in NYC, I was exhausted.  The last thing I wanted to do was get up early on Saturday and run a race!!

Nevertheless, when I got home Friday night I put together my running outfit.. at least rain wasn’t forecast (like last year.)

Race Day:

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

The race was scheduled to start at 9 am and I got there around 8:15.

I immediately found Heidi and then got my shirt and bib.

In addition to the shirt, each runner got 4 tickets to a baseball game.  This year they added a ticket to the Strawberry and Wine Festival that was also held that day. Heidi and I traded tickets.

We milled around chatting with runners that we knew.

Then I spotted a runner that I had met in April while waiting for the H2H half to start.

She read this blog and decided to drive several hours from MA to run the race!  It was so fun to meet up again!!

We finally found the mascot for our annual pic.

With the breeze, it seemed like perfect weather for a race.

Below is the course map and elevation:

It had been about 6 weeks since my last 5k…

I had not been thrilled with my lack of speed and thought I would do some speed drills on a nearby track.  But nope… that never happened.

And then I, due to food poisoning, I was forced to walk my favorite 5k.

So again, my race goal was to finish happy and uninjured… zero expectations of a fast finish time…

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.

I wear my Garmin for races but as mentioned, it had been awhile.  As soon as I started it, it began updating the software.  Boo!

I played with it but there wasn’t much I could do.

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.

Eventually I was able to start my watch … I don’t remember much about the first mile other than I was dragging (and it felt warmer than it was due to the sun).

I think I willed myself to run and not walk…

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.

It felt warm as I mentioned… occasionally we did feel the breeze but as usual, it was was when we were running into it.

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

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

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 however I thought of finishing under 30 minutes. (I think that’s just a dream now…)

As I approached the finish line, 29 turned to 30 minutes and then 30 turned to 31.

A course PW!

Post Race Activities:

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

I waited for Heidi to finish.

Then we headed for the food. There was a decent spread: popcorn, chips, cookies, bananas, apples, coffee, water. There was also a barbecue. I ate a hot dog and several cookies.

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 – 2nd in my age group as did several of my friends.

And my friend from MA was the FIRST FEMALE!! Woo Hoo!

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

Then off we went to brunch… I only had iced coffee. lol.

After showering and changing, I invited a friend to join me at the Strawberry and Wine Festival.

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
• 1 free ticket to the Strawberry and Wine Festival there
• Interesting course (through the neighborhoods and finish in a baseball stadium)
• Friendly and abundant number of volunteers.
• Free photos
• Decent post-race food
• Cute age group award (my hubby likes it)

Negatives:

• Gun time (not chip timed)
• Long course (many said it was 3.2 this year)
• My Garmin missed the beginning of the race
• Hills (but don’t most races)
• Unisex tee shirts (but there were tech material this year)

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 = 31:10

Next Up:

Adirondack Race to the Lakes 7 Miler

Skipping this race for the first time and waiting until…

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

 

 

 

 

 

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This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This was my 17th time!!!!! (In 2020, it went virtual so actually my 16th 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!!

This year, however, I wasn’t as excited about the race as in previous years… sprained ankle, several slow half marathons and lots of doubts about fitness/racing. Especially shorter races since my last 5k were weeks ago…

And 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!!

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 run with lots of women.

And this was also my ninth 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 last year, I signed up to volunteer on Friday evening at packet pick-up

and then I skipped playing mah jongg in order to prepare my #flatme.

If you read my WRD, you know that I had food poisoning that night and was very doubtful about running the race the next day.

Race Day:

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

But I used to love to run 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 eight years and I also liked it better than the original..

This year, my running friend, Deb, offered to drive as for work she has a nearby parking space. I gladly accepted.

As I mentioned above, this was my 17th year for the race and I really wanted to continue my streak.  Plus, I had my friends’ bibs.

I know it sounds crazy but I decided to go to the race.  If I felt sick, I would hang out in the TC tent (near the porta-potties) and if I felt ok, I would WALK the race.

Obviously, running the race was out of the question…

So we met at 7:15, Deb drove and then from the parking garage, we walked to the start area.  I quickly found the TC tent…

I got there in time for the photo (missed it last year. LOL).

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

I still had time to chat with many runners and meet up with my local running friends.

I was scheduled to start in corral 3 but since I was walking, I headed toward the back of the pack.  I was lucky that several of my friends had decided to walk too.

Mile 1:

It is usually very crowded during the first mile but this year were fewer runners than in previous years. I never really had to weave and had plenty of space to walk comfortably.

The race began with a long steep uphill. I remember it being hard when I was running but walking and chatting, I barely noticed it.

The best thing about walking was that I could take in the scenery and take lots of photos.

And we were so slow that the lead runner was heading to the finish before we hit mile 1.

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.

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.

Then again, we were walking so much fewer issues with the state of the pavement.

Mile 2:

There was a water stop around mile 1.25.  It was warm out and I would have stopped had I been running but today, there was no need.

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.

We tried to pick up the pace for the second mile.

But we were having so much fun that I doubt we got much faster.

Soon we were getting toward exiting the park.

Mile 3-3.1:

There was a second water stop around mile 2.5 but again, none of us needed to stop.

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

It was a long downhill and I remember it being longer than it looked.

Eventually I saw the 3 mile sign.

Heidi’s MIL (who was in her mid 80’s) wanted to finish under 60 minutes.

It would be close so we all started to RUN!!

And we did it!!

Post Race Activities:

We got our medals and some water and then headed toward the refreshments.

The lines were very long so we decided just to head out and go out to brunch.

Additional Race Reflections:

Many runners were excited about their PR or their first 5k.. I may not have run but I still really enjoyed myself.

It was different this year. If I had raced, I would have been chatting after the race with my racing friends and we would have discussed our finish times and age group awards..

Of course, I had FOMO. It would have been more fun to have run but sometimes life gives you lemons.  And so I made lemonade.

Today was about friendship which is more important than pace.

Besides 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
• 20:24 –

Well, there’s always next year…

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)
• Cool medal
• All women – all ages, all paces…
• Many free photo stations

Negatives:

• Uphill first mile.
• Uneven pavement in the park
• Long line for the refreshments
• Name change (it will forever be called the Freihofer 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:

So FRW #17 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 and RUN it.

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? Ever walk a race? Please share.

 

 

 

 

 

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Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

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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

As you may remember, this race took 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 this year, I put it back on my racing schedule.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

The day before the race, we went out to an awesome dinner which included a few glasses of wine.  (Oops I don’t usually drink the night before a race but I was on vacay…) Then we stopped at an ice cream shop.  Obviously, it turned out to be a later night than normal.

Here again is the description of the race and the course map:

Enjoy a wonderful 5K race that showcases the beautiful streets of Olde Naples. This course is two loops starting on Broad Street.

Race Day:

Sunday morning, I groggily ate my usual race breakfast at 5:30 am.  As she did in previous years, my friend Catalina agreed to drop me off at the race start.  I was familiar with the race location so I didn’t need to arrive as early as I did the first year.

There was no packet pick up before the race this year.  So I got my bib on race day. The swag was a shirt. And I had to hide it under a tree since I did have a bag or a car.

Then I walked a block to the beach to hang out until around 7:15 am.

This was not a big race.  There were about 250 runners – all ages and very friendly.

The sun was now out and it was starting to get warm. I checked the weather app on my phone. Holy cow!!! 80 degrees. 99% humidity!

I wore my usual race attire minus the compression socks:

As you can see from the map, the course winds around town and through the neighborhoods twice. And it was flat!!

I had no plan for the race – just finish and get back to my friends so I could play tennis with them. (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? Will I die? LOL

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 while (longer than the first walk).

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

The course ran through neighborhoods with a few twists and turns and  then repeated itself.

I walked whenever I felt I had to… I really didn’t care about my time as long as I finished.

Mile 3 – 3.1: 

I actually felt worse after walking so I ran and tried to just get to the finish line without puking.

Eventually the arch appeared and I gave it my all.

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

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed some water but skipped the refreshments which were only bars and navel oranges.

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

I told the RD that I had to leave so he gave me my award before the awards ceremony.

I texted my friends Lorraine and Pat and they had already arrived to pick me up. It was 8:30 am and so I had plenty of time to get ready to play tennis at 9:30.

Additional Race Reflections:

Definitely a tough one and one of my slowest 5ks in years but hey, I did it. (and it was a little faster than the 5k I ran in Feb but that one had a bridge you had to cross twice…)

And I will do it again!

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

Positives:

• flat course
• well organized
• nice shirt (gender-specific)
• creative age group award (picture frame)
• important charity (scholarships to HS students)
• podium for winners

Negatives:

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

Would I recommend this race?

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

Final Stats: