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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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

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).

---

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