The tee shirt (I didn’t get one cuz they ran out)

(Note to self: don’t eat a pint of Ben & Jerry’s the night before a race.  It kept me up most of the night with an upset stomach.)

Anyway, I got up at 6am hoping not to see rain.  It was overcast, 70 degrees with 97% humidity but at least it wasn’t raining.

I ate my usual breakfast (coffee & oatmeal) and headed out.  It was about 1 hour 15 minute ride up to Lake George.  The Camp Chingachgook Challenge was held on the eastern side of the lake.  My boat is on the western side so this was a new view of the lake for me.  The Half Marathon starts in town and ends at the camp.  The 10k is an out and back route starting and ending at the camp.

the 10K route

I arrived early (and it still wasn’t raining but it looked like it had rained) and immediately bumped into Christine, a law professor whom I work with.  It’s nice to see a familiar face at a race. 

The course is beautiful (nice views of the lake) but it is HILLY… rolling hills and at some points they resembled mountains.  This was definitely the hardest course I have ever run.

No flat parts!

I started running up the hills during mile 1.  Then I got worried that I would die so I walked up several of the steeps during the first half.  There were 2 water stops each way & I walked through those as well.

Though it wasn’t a big race, you got to see the fast half marathoners go by and run along side the slower ones. 

hills and more hills

The second half, I walked up 2 of the hills but tried to run more.  My ankle didn’t really start to hurt until mile 5 and I didn’t feel as tired as I thought I would (considering my injury and my lack of long runs).

It never rained (though everyone looked drenched from the humidity). The sun never came out either.

I crossed the finish line at 1:09:07.  A PR!! (Of course, it was my first 10K.)

everyone got a medal.

Christine was waiting for me and we headed to the food line…a barbecue with hotdogs, chicken, baked beans, cole slaw, pasta salad, watermelon.  YUM!!

We waited for the awards.  We both came in 2nd in our age group (but they only gave out prizes for 1st).

My hubby was on our boat.  I debated going up but it looked like rain so I stopped at the outlets instead.  I was right because the skies opened up and it rained on and off for the rest of the afternoon and then the sun came out.

I never posted my goals because I wasn’t even sure that I would run this race.  But here they are:

• Not finish last
• Beat my practice 10k time (1:16:00)
• Beat half my PR half marathon time (1:11:18)
• Finish wanting to do another 10K

Woo Hoo!  I met all my goals. I’m pretty pleased! (I left my camera home…hopefully the photographer got a picture of me.)

splits

Happy Running!  Did you race this weekend?

I have never done a 10K.  I almost did a 10K (but I got sick and couldn’t do it).

Last year, I ran a 15k and 5 half marathons (even one when I was recovering from an injury.)

As you well know, things have changed.

Since my injury, I have run three 5ks and many less than stellar training runs (I think they all have been crappy.)  My longest run to date (with a lot of walk breaks) has been FOUR miles.

So why am I considering the HILLY

on August 11, 2012?

A.  I like a challenge.

B.  I run better in races than training.

C.  It’s just a long run (that I pay $ for.)

D.  It’s in Lake George. I love Lake George!

E.  I need to burn calories (I have a wedding the next day and a tight dress to wear.)

F.  I have lost my mind.

G.  All of the above.

Happy Running!  Did you ever compete in a race that you shouldn’t?  Should I do this 10K?

Yes, me and Montel ran this race at the Great Escape Amusement Park in Lake George.

I got up around 5:30 am and dressed as Christmasy as one could in the middle of the summer and drove about an hour north.  The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. No humidity and warm but not too warm. (I decided on a white tech shirt, red skirt, white socks…)

where the race began

I tried to tell myself and that I wasn’t in racing condition yet. (My goal for that is Sept.) So I should just try to have fun.

I got there early enough to get my shirt and swag and go back to the car and put it away.  I am glad I decided not to wear the shirt.  I would have been too warm.

race tee shirt

The atmosphere was pretty festive. Christmas music playing and a lot of excited walkers.  (The serious runners were racing in Saratoga at the Silks & Satin 5k.) There were less than 150 participants.

animals cheer the runners on at the start

Montel Williams really did show up.  He started the race and then left.

He looks in great shape. Too bad he didn’t run…

I found out the course in advance but wondered how hilly it would be (since it is the Adirondacks!)

course map but it didn’t indicate elevation 😦

The race started at 8:00 am in the park and then went around one side of Glen Lake and then ended at the park.

Glen lake

As I have done before, I started out too fast. The first mile was up and down hills…rolling hills and I ran without stopping.

I was planning to take it slow and walk at the water stops.  However, NO WATER!! Very odd for a summer race…even if it is only 3 miles.  I did not drink any water before and I was very thirsty.

As a result, I was tired during mile 2.  The hills weren’t as steep but it was straight uphill.  I started to walk and walked several times..too many times.

Mile 3 had some downhill but when it entered the park, it never seemed to end.  We ran up one bridge and down, then another and another and another.  My Garmin said we should be done but we weren’t  I walked so that I could at least sprint across the finish line if there ever was one.

Finally crossed at 33:20!!! I was disappointed because I wanted to do better than my last one (32:50).

People was complaining that their times were so slow.  When I looked at my Garmin, it said 3.21 miles.  My last race was 3:12 miles.  So actually I did better! YAY!

my splits

I am happy with my first mile.  I should have pushed myself more on mile 2 but I am still worried about the ankle.

nothing flat here!!

After the race, I grabbed some refreshments and asked someone to take a picture.

Done and happy!

They posted the results but since it was a small race, they only gave out awards for 1st, 2nd, 3rd overall.

I came in 54 out of 136 and 1st in my AG

After the race, I headed to Bolton Landing (20 minutes away).  I spent the rest of day with friends on an island in Lake George.

pooped after the race

Sunday, I went on a quick 2.5 mile run/walk and then back on the lake.

new location for the book & orange chair – West Dollar #3

After some relaxing, we went to Basin Bay to meet friends.  The day ended with dinner on the lake.

docking for dinner – Blue Water Manor

So I am very glad I ran a race.  It is always so motivating to race rather than just run. 

Yes, my time was slow compared to last year but it was better than I expected.  (I will not whine about PRing until next year!!!!!)

The course was fun but too long and hilly so I may go back to Silks & Satins (I have done that one 3x in the past).

I haven’t registered for another 5K until August 18 but you never know.

Happy Running! Did you race this weekend?