Another new race.  I am continuing my quest to run new ones. I had several choices today including a rhubarb 5k or a strawberry 5K. The strawberry one was closer.

According to the website: “The course takes runners through the picturesque Old Niskayuna, a stunning and fast course.”

I planned to race, check out the Strawberry Festival on the same street and then run more miles on the Nisky Bike trail (in preparation for next weekend’s hilly 10 miler.)

The weather was perfect for running except for the wind – cool and cloudy.

It was about 60 degrees when I got to the race but it felt colder.

like by DIY arm warmers (cut knee socks)

I easily found parking on the street, got my race packet and walked to Mac Donalds to use the rest room. The race start was on a street with lots of shops and eateries – pretty convenient.

also 2 coupons for free ice cream!

The police stopped traffic to start the race.

The course was very nice.  You race through the neighborhoods…it was not totally flat but not too bad. The bad part was running into the wind.  Although it was cool, I quickly warmed up and rolled down arm warmers.

My plan was to run the whole thing without stopping and if possible have negative splits.

My first mile was too fast so I slowed down for the second.  I didn’t stop at the water stop.

I started to speed up during the 3rd mile and then…

it was over!!!

Apparently, the police had blocked off part of the course so it was NOT 3.1 miles. It was more like 2.25 or so.

I was shocked when I saw the end. I crossed around 20:19.  (I hadn’t even broken a sweat…)

Everyone was very annoyed.  They apologized and promised to give us a discount on next year’s entry.

That’s not a 5k!!!

I hung around for the awards.  They were only giving one for first in each age group so I wasn’t sure if I would get one.

I DID!! (age group 60-99)

Splits:

mile 1 – 8:57
mile 2 – 9:25
.25 – 8:33

I might have had a PR in this one…GRRRR!

After the race, I walked up and down the street sampling all the free food for the festival.

Then I drove to the bike path that was nearby. Instead of running 5.9 miles.  Now I had to run 6.75 – ugh!

The sun had come out but it was even windier and I really didn’t feel like running.

I ran in the direction of Lock 7 this time and promised myself a free ice cone if I ran the miles.

my new friend told me that he could run faster

I struggled.  I walked.  But I did it and got a free cone (thanks to the race) and it was a BIG one!  I headed to Target to do some grocery shopping and then rushed home to get ready for a work party!

Looking forward to a relaxing Sunday on the boat!

Happy Running!  What are your plans for the weekend?  Ever run a race that was short?

This race sounded interesting so I signed up.

The 5K is a out and back and has one hill just before the 1 mile mark, with the rest being flat and the down hill at about 2.25 and a slight increase at the finish. Course is both paved (along Hudson River) and packed dirt path in wooded area, for approx 1.25 mile.

It is about an hour north of my house (and on the way to my boat.)

And most importantly, I love scenic. Here are some views of the course:

finish line view

The weather was warm.  It was about 70 degrees when I left the house. Not a day to think PR. Pressure gone.

I left early since I wasn’t sure where I was going. I used my GPS and arrived at a location that was obviously wrong.  I thought I was going to Glens Falls but actually the race was in South Glens Falls.  I went to Facebook on my phone and got the correct directions.

I arrived in plenty of time.  I parked nearby and got my race packet.

cute shirt but it is cotton

Then I used the restroom – yes, there were real ones.

waiting to begin

Finally everyone walked down to the water for the start.

I started near the front since there were no timing chips or start line.

I must say that this was the prettiest course I have ever run.  It was along the water most of the time or on a paved trail through a park.

I tried to focus on the scenery since I knew that this one would be tough due to the heat and the course. (Note to self: playing 2 hours of tennis and weeding for many hours does not constitute a rest day before a race.)

The first mile had a small hill which I ran up and then came the monster hill.  I walked up the whole thing and had trouble doing that it was so steep. I think I did the right thing since it was early in the race.

It was very warm so I walked through the first water stop.  Thank God the course was shaded by trees or it would have been worse.

Eventually the course looped around and you headed back to the start.  I walked through the second water stop and then finally came the big hill. This time you were running down. These hills always scare me so I hold back.

Then I think I walked once more before the final hill which led to the finish line.

I was pretty surprised when I saw that I would finish under 30 minutes! (29:49)

Splits:

mile 1 –  9:56
mile 2 –  9:27
mile 3 –  9:19
.14 –  8:23

Negative splits which I am happy about.  A hilly course on a hot day makes for one of my slowest 5k times of late.  (I will try to redeem myself next weekend.)

After the 5K, there was a one mile race.  Not for kids but for everyone.  It looked like fun.

Then they gave out the awards and I won first place in my age group. (This is one good thing about getting old.)

One of the reasons for choosing this race was that it was on the way to our marina so I could join my hubby who was patiently waiting.

This was my view from a lounge chair for most of the rest of the day.

Very relaxing. Racing+Boating=Perfect Sunday

Happy Running! What did you do this weekend?