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…

2023

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

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

LOL. Heidi & I had already been there on Monday.

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

definitely hillier than it looks here!!

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.

obligatory pre-race photo

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.

start and finish line

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…

farm fresh = delish!!

We got on line for our free ice cream

and chatted with the other runners while we waited.

posing with our empty milk bottles. lol

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:

I wonder how many calories that chocolate milk and ice cream cone were? LOL

Next Up:

a 10k.

Aug 3.

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

       ******July 13, 2024 8:00 am********

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

in 2008 – my first year of running

in 2010, this is where I met AJH for the first time (I was wearing shorts back then.)

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:

pretty similar… 

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.

view on the way 

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.

isn’t he cute?

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.

July 28

And a 10k.

Aug 3

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

June 15, 2024 – 9 AM

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!!

they gave out free ice cream that year,

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.

Kelly and Mary (on the right)

Then I ran it again in 2016. I knew a lot of runners by then. And it was even more fun.

here with my friend Tom

and my age group competition, Carolyn

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

2nd in my AG again to Carolyn and won a bat….

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

I won my age group!!

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.

2022

2023

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.

I forget to get a pic but she’s in the middle

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:

“their” elevation chart

and “mine”

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.

We repeated most of the course afterwards in 2022 so here are some pics from the neighborhoods 

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.

She was happy with how she did.

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.)

this year’s award was a hat

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.

wine, sprits, music, ice cream, crafts… loads of fun and it was FREE!!

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

June 22, 2024

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.