Another new race for me. My first night race also. The route features a beautiful course through Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park and a spectacular fireworks show so I thought it was be fun.  Even though today was my long run day, I wanted to be fresh for the race so I’ll do it tomorrow.

My blogger friend Amanda had signed up as well as my friend Mary. The race sold out at 1200 several weeks ago and I was glad I signed up early.

My hubby came and we got there early so waited inside where it was warm.

Before the race

Yes, I look like a giant pumpkin.  This was a Holiday race, why did they choose ORANGE? It was a nice wind shirt, though.

At 4:45 pm, we went outside for the fireworks display.  It lasted 15 minutes which seemed like forever when you are cold and anxious to run a race.

Then all of a sudden, they ended and I heard the mayor say “Start.” I was just watching the fireworks with my hubby and nowhere near the start.

I took off like a flash and tried to fight my way through the crowd and get into the race.  I even had to go on the sidewalk.  Obviously I lost a lot of time here but this was such a fun race, I didn’t mind.

It wasn’t cold.  In fact, I felt over dressed with my layers, hat & gloves.  Many of the racers were dressed as elves, Santas, etc.  We ran through the park which was  decorated with light displays.  I had recently  seen it through my car window but this was so much better.

The route was rather hilly, not steep ones but annoying ones.  I felt like I was running at a good pace all the same and taking in the scenery.

The mile 1 marker read 9:40 which wasn’t bad after the late start but mile 2 said 21:50 .  That’s slow, I said to myself but there were lots of hills.  Then all of a sudden, the race seem to be nearing the end. So that wasn’t really mile 2 – how deceiving!

The race which started uphill now ended downhill – Hooray!  I crossed at 29:15. Two minutes slower than my recent 5k PR but still a good effort! (I came in 456 out of 1200….4th in my AG)

After the race, I had been invited online to have drinks with 2 Daily Mile.com racers.  So I stopped by the restaurant. It was fun meeting them in person.  We chatted about running, of course.

So my year of racing has ended.  21 races in 2010!

Happy Running!

I’ve always wanted to do the Turkey Trot in Troy but the thought of fighting the crowds of 600o racers has deterred me.  Last year I did the Cardiac Classic in Schenectady and was going to run it again until this race was announced.  It is in my town so no traveling.

Several of my friends – John, Pat, MaryPat were going to run with me so it would be fun.

I ran 4 times last week in Florida but since there wasn’t much time before or after tennis, I only ran 3 miles.  I also ran 3 miles before work on Tuesday.  I had been increasing my distance to 4 miles during the week & 7-9 on the weekend so vacation has set me back a bit.

I was hoping I would do as well as my last 5k which was under 29 minutes or at least under 30 minutes.

Since this was a first of this race, I had no idea what kind of course it would be and I also knew it would be COLD (cloudy & 28 degrees!) !!! I hate the cold!!!!!!!

So I bundled up with tights, turtleneck, jacket, gloves, headband… and arrived early to register.

unhappy about the cold

Lucky I did get there 45 min early because I was one of the last to register before they closed it.  I was so surprised that close 2000 showed up for a first annual race.

I stayed warm in my car until the race began.

I started up front because I hate to lose time and they were no timing chips.

I must say that I was cold the whole race and my hands were numb even with gloves!!

The course was flat and I felt good the whole race.  I had no idea about my time so I just ran to finish.

I got to the finish line to see 27:12!!1 I was so happy!! There was a crowd at the end and I couldn’t figure out where to go so I just stood there.  Finally they pointed to an outside lane.  I have no idea if I crossed the finish line and what time it recorded.

(Official time listed as 27:30 ! BUT “Due to the overwhelming response to this event, and the inexperience and confusion of many of the finishers with a multiple chute scoring system, the results beyond the 500th position are not available.”) Interesting? 

But I have a PR!!! YAY!  Extra dessert for me today!

I hung around waiting for my friends Pat & John to cross.  Pat has just returned to running and I’m so happy! They finished close to 40 min but I ran with them encouraging Pat across the finish line!!

I hung around with some other avid 5k racers I know.  One woman who is 60 has run 25 races and won her AG in 20 – she’s an addict like me.

They gave out trophies to the lst place in each 10 year age group.  The winner in my AG finished in 23 min – DARN! I thought I had a chance since the elites were at the Troy race.

After the race, I went home to relax.  I am not cooking this year!!!!!!!!!!  Me & my hubby are going out to a friend’s for dinner and then stopping off at his mom’s for dessert.

Happy Running and Happy Thanksgiving!