my daily breakfast in Paris (thinking about Notre Dame 😦 )
to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that May is about as busy as April. 2 5ks and a 3.5 miler
The same ones that I did last year and the year before:
2018
5-12-18 – Summer Smith Memorial 5K
5-17-18 – Workforce Challenge 3.5 m
Racing season continues in the NE.
Does your racing pick up this time of year?
2.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I have my 4th half marathon of the year scheduled for this month.
With a 8 day Florida vacation in the middle and the short races above, it will be another…just get me through the finish line kind of race.
It’s an inaugural race…so no reviews but I think it will be HILLY!!
And the cut-off is 500 racers.
Do you train seriously for your big races? Do you like to run inaugural races? How have they been? Hilly, flat or downhill? What is your preference? Small or big races?
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that we our new kitten, Chap (short for Champion) has made himself at home in our house. He is very active and has even caught his first mouse (in our basement eek). Unfortunately, our older cat is not a fan.
Do your pets get along? Any advice to make my older cat hate the kitten less?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I always say that I am ONE and done when I run a half marathon. But I enjoyed my recent local half marathon so much, I think I will run it again in 2020. And even train for it LOL.
Do you repeat big races?
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that as we speak, I am in Naples, Florida on my annual tennis vacation – (with 9 other women that I used to play tennis with). We have gone here this week every year since 2005.
Yes, a tennis vacation and I no longer really play.
These women are my closest friends and we will do a lot more things than play tennis.
Do you like to go on girls vacations? Do they always involve running?
It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
It seems like I’ve been planning this race forever. After our girls weekend in Montreal, we were anxious to plan another.
Plus, there some others who couldn’t go to Montreal and wanted to join us – Barbara, Deidre and Jan.
I stumbled upon this NEW race and everyone agreed that it would be fun. This racing series is popular around the country and this would be the first time it was offered near us.
Well at least a train and hotel away.
So I signed up for the Hot Chocolate 15k because:
Duh…Chocolate!!
NYC!!!
A weekend away with my running tribe.
Enough pts for free hotel room for 2 nights.
It would be close after my previous half 2 weeks ago so I would be sorta already trained for it.
Training:
If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I did run 13.1 miles two weeks prior to this race.
After my February Half in Florida, due to possibly walking on the beach, I experienced leg discomfort.
So, I skipped many runs and sought the help of a chiro who did ART on my leg. I completed about 8 ART sessions (with minimal relief.)
However, on race day, the pain disappeared and I was able to run 13.1 miles!!
even 5 minutes faster than before the injury
Whether or not, my calf injury was cured or it was just adrenaline, we’ll never know.
I still felt discomfort from time to time after that race and cautiously trained for my April 13 half marathon. None of the usual 10, 11, 12 mile runs 😦 but again I completed this race PAIN-FREE!!
took another 5 minutes off my finish time
That was a downhill course and this course would be HILLY!!!!!!!!!
So, again my goal for this race was just finishing, not re-injuring my leg and having FUN!!!!!
Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:
Since I travel to NYC for work often and I have done numerous races in Brooklyn, I took the lead and picked the hotel, train times, made reservations for all our fun activities and meals.
In other words, we were all set with the logistics.
Unfortunately, the info for the race start and finish was not provided until only a few weeks before the race. Our hotel was near where the RnR Brooklyn, Brooklyn Half and NYC Half began (Grand Army Plaza in Prospect Park) not near where this race began.
However, it did begin near where all the 5ks that I have run in Brooklyn began the Lefrak Center.
Since I wasn’t sure about my work schedule, I paid the extra bucks and had my bib and swag mailed to me.
cool sweatshirt (hoped to not need to wear it at the end of April) – spoiler alert: I did wear it
One runner, Barbara, got injured and dropped out of our group and then 2 days before the race, another runner Jeri (who had paid for all our activities) got injured and cancelled. We were now down to five of us. (You’ll see in the photos than there is one guy. I mentioned the race to Stan on Monday and he signed up. Since I had paid tickets and restaurant reservations, he agreed to participate in all our shenanigans.)
look out – upstate girls invade the city!
So we took the train to Manhattan, hopped the subway (not exactly a hop – 14 stops) to Brooklyn and checked into our hotel.
we are loving being here at peak cherry blossom time
Then we walked from our hotel through Prospect Park (and got kinda lost) to find the expo.
oops – wrong path
just a little wet but we found it!
We picked up race packets, sampled all the goodies (Chris & I won a $25 gift card for race apparel) and headed off (by subway) to carb load on Brooklyn’s best pizza.
yup – the best pizza ever – I had 3 huge slices myself – if you are ever in Brooklyn, go to Baroncinos
I set out my race outfit and went to bed early (not that I slept well but the intent was there.)
pretty optimistic about the weather – also packed a rain poncho, sweats, jacket and more…
Race Day:
As I always do, I brought my race day breakfast from home – Starbucks k-cup and oatmeal w/raisins. Up at 4:30 am and ready to leave the hotel at 5:30 am.
Though, it was not a long walk and we also could have taken the subway, we cautiously decided to take an Uber.
So we called one at 6 am and he appeared minutes later. After a slight detour, we managed to show him where to drop us off outside the park so we could walk to the start.
Thanks to signs and other runners, we found our way. A chilly morning but no rain and less wind than predicted.
I was glad to be wearing my throw away shirt and also kept on my hoodie until I checked it (as did the others).
As we headed toward the corrals, we bumped into my friend Stan. Sherry, Stan and I were in Corral A. The others were farther back.
There were 2000-2500 runners registered (small by NYC standards). Everything was so well organized with plenty of pre-race communication and signs.
Anyway, here’s how the race went:
yes the animated version above – 2 1/2 times around
Miles 1-3:
9:45, 9:25, 9:02
After the national anthem, our corral started. It was very crowded and hard to run fast (which was good). I lost Sherry and Stan right away but luckily Stan caught up to me. He was my savior and the reason that the race went as well as it did.
As I mentioned above, we ran 2 1/2 loops. We started with an uphill which I actually ran…slowly. But I ran it. I remember running in this park and the hill did not feel as bad as I remember for some reason (at least the first time up it).
There were some rolling hills and downhills. It all blended together after awhile. There were mile markers though hard to figure out since we were repeating the loop. It kept you focused on just running, looking at the scenery (lakes, etc).
Each loop had two water stops, I believe. I stopped at each one and walked. There was always Nuun, water and a cup of chocolate (tempting, but no).
Stan is the guy in the back in orange. I am to his right.
Stan and I ran together surprisingly since he is so much faster than me. I often lost him at a water stop but he always waited for me to catch up. We chatted and that made the miles go by so painlessly. But the best part was that talking while running made me slow down!!!
The weather was perfect for running. A little windy but not too bad – the trees blocked things probably. I was cool at times but warm enough to roll down my arm sleeves during the race.
Miles 4-6:
9:52, 9:56, 9:44
So Stan and I continued chatting. I never looked at my watch and was surprised to be able to run at Stan’s pace. Around 5 miles, I ate my first and only Gu.
Since this was our 2nd loop, we had to conquer that same big hill and some minor hills. Again since I was not running as fast as I may have been if I was running alone, I was able to run up the hill (at a slightly slower pace.)
I usually hate races that loop but it didn’t bother me at all during this race. The scenery didn’t seem repetitious and you couldn’t see the finish line from the course.
Miles 7-9.41
9:30, 10:30, 9:48, 8:22
Finally the last time up the big hill. At around mile 7 or so, I told Stan to run ahead and I am sure he was relieved to be able to run at his own faster pace.
My legs finally gave out up the last hill. I ran/walked it so that I would be able to finish the last few miles strong.
The happiest moment of the race was not having to run another loop and turn left toward the finish line. Lots of crowd support at this point made up for the fact that the end seemed a long way away from the course (and a little rutty/muddy).
Finally I crossed just over 1:31:00 and happy!!
Stan was waiting. He had finished 3-4 minutes ahead of me.
We quickly retrieved our refreshments and hoodies and waited for the others to finish.
banana, rice crispy treats, marshmallow, pretzels to dip om melted chocolate
and soon they were all done… Everyone was happy and met their goals for the race.
Stan won first in his age group (Thank God I didn’t wreck it for him) and I even won 2nd!! (Awards will be mailed.)
After gathering all our chocolate rewards, Stan led us out of the park to the subway so we could get back to the hotel for hot showers.
We had big plans ahead for the day: bagels for lunch, subway back to Manhattan to see a Broadway show and then dinner near Times Square.
Stan replaced Jeri and joined us for all our post race shenanigans
But all we talked about was how much fun the race was and how glad we were that we did it.
Brooklyn bagels …YUM!
Additional Race Reflections:
The race was fun. It was even better running it with friends and with good weather. This race company has organized races all over the country and they have thought of every detail – bags to carry your uneaten refreshments, water fountains to rinse your hands, etc.
The Good:
Easy packet pick-up. Organized expo. Not very large but had samples of the sponsors’ goods – Honey Stinger, Nuun, etc. Located indoors (in case of rain)
Pre-race emails with instructions and maps.
Many porta potties at the start/finish area.
Bag Check. Well organized before and easy pick up at the end.
Water, Nuun and chocolate stops along the course.
Well marked course.
Pacers for all paces up to 15 m/m.
Very cool medal.
Gender specific hoodies.
No lines for post race refreshments.
Plastic bags available for carry uneaten refreshments.
Hot chocolate refills.
Water fountains to wash your hands (from the messy chocolate).
Free photos.
Awards announced for top 3 but age group awards mailed.
5k option in addition to the 15k.
Great weather.
The Bad:
Looped course.
Course a little long (aren’t they all?)
The Ugly:
Nothing 🙂
Would I recommend this race?
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Do it if you can. So fun.
Final Stats:
Super thrilled.
Not sure I have ever negative split a race especially not a long one. My 15k time was about the same as in my recent downhill half marathon and this race had HILLS.
We walked a 15k the next day and my legs did not feel like I had run a race the day before.
to the Botanical Gardens (and back) and around the Cherry Blossom Festival
to Hudson Yards from Macys and climbed all the stairs to the top of the Vessel
This was planned forever ago but our girls weekend to NYC happened and it was a blast. And then next week, I’m off to Florida for a 8 day vacation with my tennis friends.
Last week –
Monday – So today was week 6 of the Freihofer Challenge Training (FTC) group. I had planned on doing my long run on Saturday so I could tackle the “advanced” drills today. Well, the weather did not cooperate and I ran 4 on Saturday and 8 on Sunday. That meant, my legs would protest if I encouraged them to run fast. Once more, I wimped out and ran with the “Beginner” group – Better safe than sorry is my philosophy (esp. with a 15k and a half marathon coming up.)
twinning
Tuesday – Rest day finally. I hadn’t played tennis in forever so I decided to sub in my old group. It was fun playing and catching up over dinner. I have resumed my short lunch time walks too.
greenery = flowers & Starbucks
Wednesday – I had planned to run with the FTC group at 6 pm near where I live. Then, there was this fun event:
But after standing for 8 hours in uncomfortable shoes, I was too pooped to do either. Instead, I stopped off on my way home at the Corning Bike Path. The run sucked but the scenery was good.
Thursday – One more run before the race. I decided on a quick one at UAlbany and then home to pack. A little bit more energy than the day before but not much.
jumping in excitement for my weekend away
Friday – Off to my girls weekend away. After checking into our hotel in Brooklyn, we headed to the expo and then to carb load with pizza to prepare for the next morning’s race.
Saturday – Today a group of the Sole Sisters ran the Hot Chocolate 15k in Brooklyn. Not an easy race but a fun one. We all met our goals and ate lots of chocolate.
not a PR but negative splits, 2nd in my AG and NO PAIN!!
After the race, we spent the rest of the day in Manhattan. This included a Broadway show (Avenue Q), and dinner near Times Square.
If you are wondering who is that guy. One runner in our group got injured so my friend Stan subbed for her (in the ALL of our planned activities).
Sunday – Another full day planned for our group. Lunch in the Brooklyn Botanical Gardens, visit to the Cherry Blossom Festival there, then back to Manhattan.
We checked our luggage in Macys (for free) and then climbed to the top of the Vessel at Hudson Yards before heading home that night.
Such a fun weekend away. We are already trying to figure out what to do for our next one.
This Coming Week and Next –
Monday – FRW Training Challenge Run (3 miles)
Tuesday – rest day, hair appt
Wednesday – 3 miles (S.O.A.R – Sisterhood Of Athletes and Runners)
Thursday – rest day, fly to Florida
Friday – 3 miles, tennis, beach and fun in the sun
Saturday – rest day, tennis, beach, theatre in town
Sunday – 5K race, beach
Monday – 3 miles, tennis, beach
Tuesday – 3 miles, tennis, beach, book club night
Wednesday – rest day, road trip
Thursday – 6.6km, fly home *MY BIRTHDAY*
Friday – rest day, chiro, mah jongg
Saturday – Summer Smith 5k race, Tulip Fest, birthday dinner
Sunday – Long Run (8-10 m) – ONE WEEK UNTIL HALF #37, Mother’s Day family celebration
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Any spring races coming up? Are you enjoying spring temps where you live? Please share.
Thanks to Laurie from Meditations in Motion, I discovered a new link up started by blogger Heather Gerwing. The fourth Saturday of each month, Heather invites other bloggers to share their “Four Somethings”: Something Loved, Something Said, Something Learned, Something Read. If you are a blogger, you may post your Four Somethings too!
Something Loved.
It may be a repeat but I couldn’t help myself. It is spending time in NYC. It never gets old. The day above, I didn’t even run. But there was lots of eating and lots of walking.
This past weekend, I spent time there with friends for a 15k race plus many other fun activities that we squeezed in – Brooklyn pizza, a Broadway show, dinner in Times Square, brunch in Prospect Park, Cherry Blossom Festival, trip to the top of the Vessel…
Then next month, I’ll be back for 5 days working there. You’ll see pix, I hope, of me running in Central Park and along the East and Hudson Rivers.
NYC – Central Park
Something Said.
This is quite simple but so true. We get down on ourselves if our pace is too slow or we walked too much or we cut short the run.
But we did RUN!
What was good about it? The scenery, the negative splits, the company, conversation, the music, the time alone, the podcast, or just the fact that we didn’t stay home.
Something Learned.
Intervals make long runs more bearable. I know that I’m late to the party. I definitely need to re-think this as I train for a full marathon next fall.
Something Read.
Every year during our May tennis vacation in Florida, we have book club night. This book was this year’s choice.
I do like mysteries and I have already read a few of Lisa Gardner’s books.
I won’t give the mystery away but basically this is the gist of this one:
A man was shot three times in his home office. His computer had been shot twelve times. When the cops arrive, his wife (Evie), is holding the gun. A detective (DD) arrives on the scene and recognizes the pregnant wife from a case sixteen years earlier. And a woman (Flora) who had been abused and held hostage sees the news of this murder on TV and immediately remembers that her kidnapper knew this man.
Of course, there are a lot of twists and turns, secrets and deceptions. The story really did hold my interest.
I did like that it was told from the perspective of three incredibly strong women – Evie, Flora and D.D – and with each chapter labelled with the characters name.
I found them all likeable and engaging. I felt sympathetic toward the characters which helped me become invested in their outcomes.
This is the first book of the series that I have read. Some of the characters have appeared in previous books – Find Her (2017) and Look For Me (2018).
Now I want to read the rest of the series.
Happy Running! What are your FOUR somethings? Share at least ONE.
It’s Friday so I’m linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
If you follow me, you probably know at least once a year, I go away to run a race with the “girls.”
It just wouldn’t be as much fun with the hubby. I am sure you know what I mean.
Well, I am so excited because my next one is THIS WEEKEND!
April 27, 2019
My topic for today is: The Benefits of a Girls Weekend for Racing
1. Training Support.
When you are training for the same race, you get support for your runs and race goals either in person or virtually.
2. Cost Savings
It is definitely cheaper to share a room with friends than staying in a hotel solo or with your hubby.
in Montreal
In Panama City, Holly had graciously offered her home to 7 running bloggers – most of whom she has never met in person.
Panama City Beach
3. Visiting New Places
I love to travel and explore new cities. I had never been to Philly or Panama City Beach or Corning, NY or Montreal (without my French students). I had stayed in Las Vegas before (but not in many years and not to run a race.)
Cooperstown, NY
LV
4. Sharing Your Race Experience
I have raced most of my half marathons alone. I have enjoyed each one but not nearly as much as the ones in Philly, Panama City, Corning, Las Vegas or Montreal. We went to the expo together, carb loaded the night before, lined up at the start and met after the race to debrief.
Philly
I am sure the same will be true this weekend and I expect it to be totally awesome!!
5. Forging New Friendships
The Philly group has kept in touch on Facebook. I have bumped into Andrea at several races. We had planned another race-cation with Lisa but ZOOMA Cape Cod got cancelled. We still hope that another will happen in the future.
Andrea from Philly race
I only knew my housemates in Panama City Beach virtually but after that weekend, we definitely became friends. Many of us even repeated that experience in Vegas.
My current group of local running friends (Sole Sisters) will be embarking on our third girls weekend. First there was Corning, NY, then Montreal and now Brooklyn…
we do local races together as well
I can’t wait to share everything that happens next weekend in NYC!!!
(Maybe not everything – What happens in NYC stays in NYC, right?)
Happy Running! Do you go on Girls Weekends? Do you race during them?
I survived Half Marathon #36 but I still have 2 15ks and another half marathon in the next few months to train for.
Last week –
Monday – So today was week 5 of the Freihofer Challenge Training (FTC) group. Finally a session where I had not run the day before. However, I did run 13.1 miles two days before and my uninjured leg seemed sore. It rained most of the day and the temps really dropped from the weekend. It was also VERY windy. (out came the winter running gear.) Hopefully next Monday, I’ll do some Advanced drills but not today.
Tuesday – My leg felt better today so I met Christina for a short after work run. We decided on the Corning Bike Path since it was close to where I was working. Even had a little sun to combat the wind.
Wednesday – Rest day after a long work day. A fun evening at my monthly tennis meet-up.
Thursday – Another after work run. With Christina again at the same location as Tuesday. No sun today but less wind.
Friday – Rest day and the first night of Passover. I celebrated it at our annual Mah Jongg seder.
Saturday – Long Run Saturday. Lots of options. FTC run or Rabbit Ramble 4m race or just a long run. But it was raining, I am a weather wimp and almost bailed on the whole thing. But I did go to FTC, even ran 4 very speedy miles with the Advanced group. Because the skies opened up, instead of continuing our miles, we went out to brunch.
Sunday – Since I only ran 4 on Saturday, this morning I did my long run. The weather was absolutely perfect. I met Deidre & Christina at the Nisky bike trail (where we have not run since fall). We did 8 miles together with varying intervals and it was almost painless.
Easter Sunday and dinner with the fam…yes, I celebrate all.the.holidays. It’s all about the food. LOL
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Any spring races? Do you run any half marathons or marathons just for FUN. Please share.
Monday – So today was week 4 of the Freihofer Challenge Training (FTC) group. As it always happens, it was the day after a race or long run. Still it’s fun to see all my “advanced group” friends. And for once the weather was not freezing or windy. I joined the Intermediate group (to avoid the nasty speed drills) and ran with no walk breaks. Some in that group are pretty speedy too so it was a good workout.
Tuesday – A rest day finally and I met up with injured Barbara to walk, eat and catch up.
Champ says keep those Brooks running shoes…I think I may
Wednesday – As I did last week, I decided to join another FTC group to run near where I live. The Advanced group was smaller than last week (just 4) and I ran an easy 2 mile loop with them (and one more solo rather than repeating the loop).
Thursday – .It’s taper time (not that I really needed one). I visited my chiro one last time (for some taping), picked up my bib for Saturday’s race, used the arm machines at the free gym and met my BFF at the mall to get in some steps (and chat.)
Friday – More rest time scheduled, stop at the library, carb loading and mah jongg.
Saturday -. Today I ran my 36th Half Marathon – Helderberg to Hudson Half Marathon, an inaugural, downhill, local race. Who knew a downhill race could be so hard? Holy aching quads. And the temps went from winter to summer (humid and almost 70). Still I had fun and enjoyed seeing so many running friends – old and new.
no calf pain (everything else hurt lol) and my time was almost 5 min faster than NYC 3 weeks ago.
Sunday – Rest day, of course but I was plenty busy…decluttering my closets, getting the hubby’s phone fixed, grocery shopping, yard work, cooking, cleaning, and finally my taxes.
trying my hand at succulents – any advice?
This Coming Week –
Monday – FRW Training Challenge Run (3-4 miles)
Tuesday – 3 miles
Wednesday – rest day, dinner with tennis ladies
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest day, Passover seder with the mah jongg cladies
Saturday – Long Run (8-10m) or Rabbit Ramble (4m) Race + 4-6m
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Is your weather looking spring-like yet? Please share.
to join up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.
1.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that April is becoming a busy running month. A half marathon, a 5 mile race and a 15k.
April 13
Yikes.
I guess it’s racing season in the NE.
last year’s Delmar Dash – this year, it’s April 7.
Does your racing pick up this time of year?
2.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that six of us Sole Sisters (originally there were 7 but one got hurt 😦 ) are planning a girls weekend in NYC.
the 6 of us are in this photo (plus others were aren’t able to go)
We already have tix to the Cherry Blossom Festival in Prospect Park, Avenue Q on Broadway and several restaurant reservations.
Oh yeah, there’s also a race in there somewhere.
April 27
Do you like to go on girls weekends away? Do they always involve running?
3.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that we have a new kitten (We got him March 2). It’s not-running related but whatever. He hid for the first two weeks we had him and then he only came out at night. Still skittish but getting better.
He came with the name Meow Meow but we changed it to Champ (because he came in a Champion shoe box). See it is running-related LOL
We had 2 cats die this year. When your pets die, do you immediately replace them?
4.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that I always say that I am ONE and done when I run a half marathon. But I enjoyed the NYC Half so much, I secretly wished that I had “raced” it and got a fast enough time for 2020.
Hopefully, I can run it again when I’m 70 (the qualifying time is much slower).
Do you repeat big races?
5.Over coffee…
I’d tell you that at that Tennis National Qualifier that my hubby went to the same weekend I ran a half marathon in Florida, his team WON!
Normally, I would be excited because now the team gets to go to Nationals in Palm Springs, CA. I would have loved to go too (and I have a good friend who lives there.)
my running friend Mary
What weekend is the tennis tournament scheduled for?
Nov 2-4, 2019!!!!
Nov. 3, 2019
Should I insist that my hubby come to NYC instead of playing tennis?
It’s also Friday so I’m also linking up with Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostess and visit some other bloggers.
Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here!
I signed up for this race weeks ago because it’s a nice local race and my running friend Laurie and I always do it together. I wasn’t thinking about the fact that I would have run a half marathon 2 weeks before and that I would working on LI for three days before, as well.
Nevertheless, I decided that this race would be a good opportunity to test the leg and get in some speed work.
This was my fifth time running this five mile race.
2015
2016
2017
2018
Now that I’ve run the race four times, You would think that I would be at least prepared on how the course went uphill for the first mile, some rolling hills before it went downhill and then flattened out See below:
Last year, I had a course PR. Of course, I forget to look before the race to see what that time actually was. I also knew that it was not a 5 mile PR. That was done at the Delmar Dash and I also did not remember my time for that race either.
I was hoping that the weather would be a little more spring-like and I could wear a green skirt. But it was not. It was not reslly cold but it was RAINING and windy. So I just wore capris & compression socks with a long sleeve shirt and brought another shirt, gloves and a rain jacket.
The race was about an hour drive from my house. But it had a late start of 11 am so I was able to sleep in. When I arrived, the parking lot was already full, but I found a spot on a nearby street and went into the gym to get my bib and race shirt.
another cotton shirt to give away
I chatted with some runners that I recognized including Sue who I’ve run several NYC races with, Maureen and some others. I also met some new faces.
I had thought about bailing on this race but went because I told my friend Laurie (who doesn’t race often) that I would run it with her. Guess what? She bailed.
us last year
Anyway, I talked to my friends while being entertained by bag pipes.
With such a late start (11 am), I was already hungry for lunch by the time the race began. I wish I had brought a GU.
Soon it was time to head to the start. We waited until the last minute so we didn’t have to stand outside long in the rain.. But someone said the rain had stopped so I ditched my gloves and jacket (a BIG mistake).
By the time the race had started, the skies opened up and it was pouring again.
There were usually over 300 runners for this race but I guess the rain scared off about 100 (and they moved the date back a week and it clashed with several other 5ks yesterday). Since I knew that the race was not chip timed, I should have lined up closer to the front. But I was chatting with Maureen and then all of a sudden, the race started.
last year (when it was NOT raining)
As I mentioned, the beginning of the race went uphill. I took it slow. But I refused to walk and tried to keep an even pace. At first, I tried to keep up with Maureen but she was too fast and I never lost her completely but she got farther and farther ahead. My legs felt sluggish the WHOLE race. Most likely because I had run 6.5 miles the day before (3 of them uphill).
over the highway bridge (2015’s pic)
Although it was in the high 40s, it was raining and WINDY and I was COLD and my hands were freezing.
After going over the bridge, about 1 1/2 in, we turned into the neighborhoods to some rolling hills. I could still see Maureen way ahead. But there was no way I could catch up to her. She became my beacon for the whole race.
2015’s pic
There was a water stop around mile 1.75, I usually stop but not today. I was going to push it and try and run the WHOLE race. The sooner I finished, the sooner, I could get warm and out of my soaking wet clothes.
Finally mile 3 arrived and that was the downhill portion of the course. I knew here that I could pick up the pace.
The second water stop was around mile 4. I was so tempted to walk a bit. I did not but probably should have since I knew that my pace was now slowing. (Walking always gives the boost I need to finish strong.)
But I just plugged along and refused to walk until I was done. It didn’t help that we were now running INTO the wind.
Finally, I saw the finish line and gave it everything I had. Unfortunately, I had NOTHING left. lol
I crossed at 46.21. I was happily surprised. I was not expecting anything under 47 minutes.
beautiful day for a race …NOT!!
Normally I would have waited for Sue but I was cold and wet. The temperature had definitely dropped since the start of the race.
So I went inside. As soon as you entered, they had a screen with the live results. I saw immediately that I had placed 4th (in the 10 year age group.)
I couldn’t wait to change into dry shirts and socks/shoes. (I wish I had had dry pants too).
Then I went to the cafeteria for refreshments. They were not much to speak of. I had coffee, a brownie, a cookie and a banana.
So no age group award for me. But my friend Maureen did win 2nd so I waited around for the awards ceremony.
My current Five Mile PR is 45:09 from last year’s Delmar Dash. My finish time last year for this race was 45:42. So no course PR either.
Nevertheless, I am happy with how I ran the race. I didn’t walk (which is rare for me.) I do not do ANY speed work. And I ran 6.5 miles the day before. I’m glad that I decided to run the race.
My long run for the weekend was Sat -6.5 and Sun – 5 = 11.5 total miles
There’s always next year to gun for the glass and the bread…
So it’s Tuesday and I am linking up with Zenaida and Kim (Kooky Runner) for Tuesday Topics.
Happy Running! How was your weekend? Any running or racing? Is it spring where you live? Have you run any St. Patrick’s Day-themed races in March? How do you feel about racing in the rain. Would you have bailed?
I’m not as nervous about this one. It’s local. I can sleep in my own bed. It’s a downhill course that I am familiar with. I will know so many runners there.
What I’m saying is that it’ll be another fun race. With no time goals.
I’m not giving up on PRs…or am I?
Maybe next year, it can be a goal race – with a training plan and no sore calf. We’ll see.
Last week –
Monday – So today was the second meeting of the Freihofer Challenge Training group. At least it was a little warmer than last week but still cold and windy. Again I hesitated to run with the Advanced group since I had done my long run the day before (Also the slower advanced runners joined another running group this year). So I started out with them, slowed down and quit after their first loop.
Tuesday – After two days in a row of running, I took a rest day. I met my BFF for dinner and a walk around the mall.
Wednesday – Off to LI for work. I arrived early enough to get in a run, set up for the next day
still chilly but a little more springy than upstate
and then had dinner with 2 high school classmates.
yes, they are twins…friends since junior high
Thursday – Another post work run in the same park as the day before.
I thought it was going to be warmer when I left in the am…brrrr
Friday – A rest day because I had to drive home from LI after work.
Saturday -. I originally thought that I may do a long run today but after a long drive and late arrival home last night, I decided to sleep in. However when the temps went up to 60 degrees with a forecast of rain for Sunday, I changed my mind and went out for run. Not the 12 on my schedule just in case I would race the next day.
last weekend, I ran the first half of my upcoming half course and today I did the 2nd half… holy uphill on the way back to my car (so I had to have ice cream)
in case you’re wondering…tiramisu
Sunday – I decided (maybe stupidly) to test my leg in an actual race so I signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle, a 5 mile race about an hour north of where I live. I almost bailed because it was pouring and very windy. No course PR or AG award but still wet fun.
This Coming Week –
Monday – FRW Training Challenge Run (3 miles)
Tuesday – rest day, Chiro appt
Wednesday – 4 miles
Thursday – 4 miles
Friday – rest day, mah jongg chez moi
Saturday – rest day, NYC trip with friends??
Sunday – Delmar Dash Race (5m) + 5m, movie with friends
I encourage you to do the same. Grab the graphic, drop your link on the host blogs and play along! Please be sure to always comment on the HOST’s blogs, as well as visit and comment on as many other blogs as you can.
Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Any big races on the horizon? Any spring races? Do you run any half marathons or marathons just for FUN. Would you run a race if it were pouring? Please share.
