August 12, 2017 by Darlene

Race the Train Recap

I love to race and this one sounded interesting last year so I signed up. It was lots of fun but the first 1 1/2 miles were very challenging (I apparently blocked out the hills during the rest of the race.)

Here is the course map. You can see what I mean about the long early hill..

rtt

I wasn’t sure if I was up to running it again but my friend Sue said she had signed up and also my VT friend AJH expressed an interest in running it. So you know me, it didn’t take much persuading for me to sign up as well.

The race is not nearby – about an hour 50 minutes and you have to be on time since you take the train to the race start.

I asked my friend whose house is not too far away (in Chestertown) if I could stay there and she agreed. It would be about an hour closer so I didn’t have to get up as early. But the forecast was for heavy rain and thunderstorms so I decided instead to stay home and get up early the next day.

I woke up at 4:30 to pouring rain. I seriously contemplated a DNS. But I didn’t. And I am glad that I ignored the weather forecast

It was easy to get to North Creek Railroad Station and didn’t take as long as anticipated. And the rain stopped!!! So I got there very early and parked in a parking lot next to the finish line.

It was already in the 70s and very humid when I arrived. But I was thrilled that it was not raining…

I picked my race packet (a cotton shirt, a bib, your train ticket and a raffle ticket) and walked around waiting for Sue and AJH.

I found both of them. Sue was working at registration so I hung around with AJH.

There were REAL restrooms in the gift shop and a lot of interesting things to read and look at.

some of these pics are form last year (hence the bright blue sky)

Finally everyone arrived and we lined up to get on the train.

I spotted Maureen whom I met at the Shape Half in NYC. It was cool to see her again and catch up. (She said that she had not run since but I knew that she would be speedy anyway… and she was.)

And then we sat and waited and waited. The train was supposed to leave at 8 am but it didn’t until about 8:20 and they even had a bus for the late arrival runners.

The ride was really scenic. It was an interesting experience taking the train to the start line of a race.

The train ride was along the Hudson River the whole way.

Finally we arrived at the next station – Riparius.

getting ready to beat that train LOL

We walked around and finally headed to the bridge where the race would begin.

Finally everyone got to the start. I started with AJH and Sue. The train whistle blew and off we went.

The train gave us a head start and then it took off with the friends and families of the runners.

photo from: The Sun

The goal was to beat the train. I knew that I would not and I also knew that since I don’t train on hills, it would be not be an easy race for me. Plus I was a little nervous about my ankle (which had been painful on the previous Monday and Tuesday)

The best case scenario would a course PR (faster than 1:28:54) and maybe win an age group award again. But my real goal was really just to finish pain-free and enjoy the run.

And that’s what I did.

The first mile and 1/2 was a STEEP uphill. First on asphalt and then on dirt. I attempted to run but decided that I would be better off walking. Everyone that was running was struggling. So I ran a little but mostly walked.

There was someone called out times at every mile. I was hoping to get my pace to between 10 and 11 and keep it there even if I walked the hills.

That uphill eventually turned into a downhill but after that it was just rolling hills. They never ended. (How could I have forgotten them??) They weren’t steep or as long except for maybe 2 more steepish ones (The one between mile 5 and 6 was so steep. I could barely walk up it.) That meant there were only 2 more steep downhills.

But because you were running on dirt with rocks, you couldn’t take advantage of the downhills as much as you would have liked. (I always fear a face plant.)

But my walk/run strategy on the hills seemed to work. Those running passed me on the uphill but then I passed them on the downhill. In the end, I was not as drained as they were. (Sweaty yes! It was SOOOO humid!)

The scenery was nice as you ran through the woods (and listening to the train whistle until it passed you) and toward the end, you could see the river. Eventually, you had to run through town in order to finish at the train station.

photo from: The Sun

The good news is that my ankle never hurt. I didn’t get blisters and I never felt tired. I didn’t push myself and as a result could enjoy the race. (Of course, part of me wished I had enough endurance to run up those hills but I know my legs would have been dead by the end if I did and I didn’t want to risk straining my ankle tendon.) In hindsight, I think I could have run more and walked less.. But who knew???

I had no time goals but I estimated that I would finish around 1:30:xx and I finished at 1:28:27. I was thrilled!!

everyone got a medal!

It was a course PR!!!!

I had some food (bagels, fruit, pastries) but the highlight was chocolate milk and then I waited around for the awards while trying to be creative with my medal.

Last year I won my age group but this year I was 3rd. (Sue was too!) I was happy!!! It always depends on who shows up whether or not I win…

The water bottle was the award

After the awards, they gave away raffle prizes but none of us won any.

All in all, a very challenging yet fun race. I think I’ll do it again (since I’ll probably block out any memory of those hills LOL)

My HILLY Splits:

mile 1 – 10:51
mile 2 – 10:55
mile 3 – 9:06
mile 4 – 10:15
mile 5 – 10:33
mile 6 – 11:52
mile 7 – 11:13
mile 8 – 11:00
.4 – 8:03

Afterwards, I stopped to visit the friend whose house I was supposed to sleep at the previous night. She was there with a friend and they wanted to go hiking. I decided I might as well before the DOMS set in. So we drove back to North Creek and found a hike at Gore Mountain. We chose the shortest and easiest one – 2.1 miles to a reservoir.

We never found the reservoir but saw a lot of pretty mushrooms and waterfalls. It was so much fun!! And we stopped on the way home for ice cream!!

A pretty perfect day – racing, hiking, ice cream – all done with friends!!

Happy Running! Ever race a train?

August 5, 2017 by Darlene

Ultimate Coffee Date – August

Confessions of a Mother Runner

Since today is the first Saturday in August, I am joining up with Coco & Deborah for their ultimate coffee date.

iced coffee with chocolate milk ❤

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that if you wondered why I was the Guest Blogger last week on The Weekly Wrap and why I have been commenting on blogs and posting on mine more often, it was because instead of working at my usual job, I was working at the Bar Exam for 3 days. That meant that I sat for 10 hours and waited until a student had a technical problem. Lots of downtime …. to blog.

my view for 3 long days

Of course, that won’t happen again until next February.

Now it’s back to normal… squeezing blogging into my busy life. (I don’t know how those of you who work get it done.)

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I worked at my old job site for the Bar Exam. It made me very nostalgic (I worked there for 10 years.)

Yes, I missed my friends and the work itself but what I really missed was running-related.

There was a (free) treadmill (not that I loved it but it was handy), a nearby track, close to the park and it was easy to squeeze in runs before, during and after work.

Over coffee…

I’d tell tell you that after my success at my last two 5ks, I contemplated not signing up for so many long races. I almost Pr’d with zero speed work. Maybe I should work on my speed before I get too old.

27:35 at age 64!! Can I go faster? My PR of 27:11 is 3 years old.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that today I have a HILLY 8.4 race. I am a little nervous since I do not train on hills and I remember it being a very challenging course. I didn’t know anyone at the race last year so I am looking forward this year to running with my friends Sue and AJH.

Stay tuned for the hopefully “happy” recap.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I am the WORST running buddy ever. I signed up for the RUN4 program almost 4 years ago. I was paired with John Anthony and in the beginning, I posted all runs and dedicated them to him. I also sent him medals and running shirts.

10687124_858840804128698_4771329018836976952_n

Then I got lazier and only posted and dedicated my races to him. I still mailed him race shirts (the cotton and unisex ones.)

Now, I am sad to say that I do think about him all the time when I run but I can’t remember the last time I posted to the FB site. And I have a pile of shirts waiting to be mailed.

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I love running in NYC. (You probably know that.) This month I am running my 4th race there in 10 mos.

: Nov – Dash to the Finish 5k

: Shape Half 2017

: July – Brooklyn 5k

I am super psyched because I am running it with Sue, it’s in Central Park and it’s called the France 8k Run. (I’m trying to forget that I’ll have to run up Cat and Harlem hills.)

Um, what should I wear?

Yup. FRANCE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Remember I was French teacher for over 20 years and I love anything French (esp. food and art).

what do you think?

Glad I signed up early.

Image may contain: text

Over coffee…

I’d tell you that I kinda had an injury. If you don’t write about it, it doesn’t exist, right?

Last Saturday afternoon, I think I tweaked my peroneal tendon …in my GOOD ankle. I’m not sure when…either carrying laundry down the stairs or while gardening. I just remember hearing something snap/pull. I ignored because it didn’t hurt. It didn’t bother me on Sunday (but I didn’t do anything.) and then on Monday when I went to run, it hurt. Did I stop running? Of course not. I tried to not bend my ankle and run in a way that it didn’t hurt and walk often.

Yes, I was bummed.

So on Tuesday, I didn’t run but I wore my hubby’s ankle support and played tennis. And it hurt so did I stop? No way but I only played one set and then sat out.

So now I was really bummed.

Not enough to take a running break. I wore the ankle support and ran on Wednesday. And guess what? It didn’t hurt AT ALL!!!!!

3.5 pain-free miles

I ran again with Alyssa on Thursday.

More miles with zero pain

I’m not convinced that it is perfectly fine.

my new work attire (with a dress)

We’ll see how the ankle reacts to 8.4 hilly miles.

Happy Running! Got anything to spill? Share it here! Anyone ever race the France 8k? Ever ignore an injury and it gets better?

August 4, 2017 by Darlene

Friday Five 2.0: My Favorite Races

Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Running on Happy & Fairytales and Fitness for the Friday Five 2.0 linkup! Join in! Don’t forget to link back to your hostesses and visit some other bloggers.

My topic for today is: Five Favorite Races

You know that I love to race and I have run A LOT of RACES so it is hard for me to pick just FIVE.

Just to be interesting, I will pick 5 different distances.

Here they are:

1. Freihofer’s Run for Women (5k) – it is ALL women (more than 4000)– all ages, all sizes, veterans, newbies, elites, walkers. When I ran it the first year that I started running (2008), it made feel like a “real” runner. Finishing it after suffering a serious injury (2012) helped me believe that I could be a runner again. And then in 2013, completing it with a broken foot showed me how strong (or maybe stubborn) I was.

2012 – in newspaper

: FRW – 2017

I love the downhill finish of this race and I also enjoy running through Washington Park in Albany, NY where I often run after work.

The location is convenient since I can park in town and walk to the race to avoid the traffic and confusion. There is an expo the day before where you get free Freihofers cookies and a loaf of bread.

2. Troy Turkey Trot (10K) – This 10K takes place on Thanksgiving Day and it a good way to burn some calories before your big meal. It’s the most popular race in the area and so there are lots of runners and even more in the 5k that follows the 10k (10,000 total). This is also the race that got me involved in a running group. I have joined the training group each year and it convinced me that participating in a group is a great thing and have since joined a training group for the Freihofer’s race.

: 2016 – 10K

The course is fairly flat and is my current 10K PR. 🙂

3. Stockade-athon (15k) – This race is the oldest 15k in the country. It takes place in the fall so the foliage is pretty and you run around Central Park and through the oldest parts of the city of Schenectady, NY.

: 2015

It is a popular local race for me so you run into a lot of familiar faces. The end of the race features food such as pizza, hot soup and cozy indoor seating at Proctors Theatre.

4. Adirondack Distance Run (10 miler) – There aren’t many 10 mile races around and this is a great one. It has a point-to-point course that starts in the village of Lake George, NY and ends in Bolton Landing. It takes place in early summer so it is not too hot or humid yet.

: 2016

The course is rolling hills but you don’t mind since you are running along Lake George the whole way.

the end of the race

This is the route that I drive each weekend to go on our boat.

Since our marina is next door to the beach, I can have friends cheering for me at the finish line.

5. Naples News Half Marathon (13.1) – This race is special because it was my first half marathon. It was also held in one my favorite vacation spots. I go there every year with my tennis friends. The race was held on my wedding anniversary and my hubby was there waiting at the finish line. Plus if you live in the NE, January in Florida is a great getaway.

The course is beautiful with many views of the Gulf.

At one point, a priest blessed runners with holy water.

I don’t plan to repeat any of my half marathon races but maybe someday I will run this one again.

Happy Running! What are your 5 favorite races? Have you run any of the above?

July 23, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 7.17.17-7.23.17

So excited to be this week’s host of the Weekly Wrap!!

As usual, last week was busy. Take a read below:

Last Week:

Monday – If you read my previous week’s update, you know that I spent the weekend with my tennis friends at a house on the Schroon River. Well, I convinced one of my friends to stay over Sunday night so we could go hiking the next day. The forecast was for thunderstorms but we got lucky and it didn’t rain until we were done.

While my friend was sleeping, I snuck out for coffee and an early morning run.

It was wonderful. Love the sights and sounds of the Adirondacks.

Then we decided to hike Pinnacle Point and Cat and Thomas Mountains in Bolton Landing. I had hiked them before but it was much more fun with company. It started to rain on our way down Thomas so we did not climb Cat Mountain as planned.

top = view from lunch bottom left = top of Pinnacle Pt, bottom right = top of Thomas Mt.

Afterwards, we drove into town (the rain had stopped) and had lunch overlooking Lake George before heading home. What a fun way to spend a day off from work.

Tuesday – I also took today off from work. Some of my friends and I decided to go to the NY Botanical Gardens in the Bronx to see the Chihuly sculptures. It was fantastic.

the sculptures were amazing and mixed throughout the gardens

a busy day that ended with an Italian dinner and pastries in Little Italy of the Bronx

Wednesday – Back to work on a very hot, humid day. Alyssa and I sweated out 3.5 miles. To do something different, we decided to run through downtown Albany looking for the Nipper miniature dog statues.

we found 5 out of 20 and ended our run back on the bike path

Thursday – Another work day. It was warm and humid with a threat of rain but I stayed dry during my post-work run. From the rain not the sweat!!

Not easy in this heat. Lots of walking during this one.

Friday – A busy work day and a scheduled rest day. I did stop off at the gym on my way home to use the machines before I had to rush off to s farewell party for a coworker.

view from the bar

Saturday – Today I ran the Silks and Satins 5k (for the 6th time). It was warm and humid but still a fun time. I met up with a lot of runners that I knew and even came in 3rd in my age group.

27:37 (gun time) = course PR

Afterwards, I stopped off at the Zim Smith Trail and ran in the opposite direction from last weekend to get in some more miles before heading home.

It was cloudier than during the race but warmer. I struggled to get these miles in but rewarded myself nicely afterwards.

In the evening, one of the ladies who is running the Wineglass Half on Oct 1 organized a get-together for the runners participating. It was a fun evening.

Sunday – Mah jongg weekend at the Schroon River house got postponed. (I wasn’t disappointed because I went there last weekend.) My hubby talked me into coming up to the lake. (It didn’t take much arm twisting.)

19 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Tuesday – 3 mile run
Wednesday – rest, hair appt
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – rest, gym, mah jongg
Saturday – 9 mile run, boating
Sunday – rest, boating

Please link up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

Click the link below to Wrap Up With Us:

Happy Running! How is your running going? What’s new with you? Please share.

July 20, 2017 by Darlene

TOLT: Skirt Sports

Since it is Thursday, I’m linking up today with Amanda for Thinking Out Loud Thursday.

thinking out loud

Here’s what I’m thinking about today:

Skirt Sports!!

You know that I almost exclusively wear their skirts in all seasons.

Well, there are exciting things happening this month.

#31DaysofSkirtSports Challenge

This challenge has been going on all month and it’s not too late to participate. There’s a theme each day and you just post a photo to Instagram showing your interpretation. It’s lots of fun to see what others post.

New Patterns

This is Romance but there is also Fly Away, Love Triangle and more to come.

It’s that time of year when the new skirt patterns for the Fall season arrive. And I love them all and don’t know how long I can refrain from purchasing anything.

I am featured on the title page of the website!! Psyched to be chosen!!

So if you want to buy a new skirt, check out the Sale page or use this code for a 20% discount: FWC20

Happy Running! Do you wear Skirt Sports? What are you thinking about today?

July 18, 2017 by Darlene

TOTR: Summer Running – Love it or Hate it?

Don’t forget to Link-up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia and either meet some new bloggers or catch up with ones you already know.

This week’s Topic is: What do you love/hate about summer running?

Love:

Less Layers

My running bag seems practically empty. I can get changed in minutes.

I ran after work with just shoes, tank, skirt, cap. Easy Peasy.

Sunshine

I love the SUN!! It motivates me to get outside and get my dose of Vitamin D!!

Longer Days.

As a working runner, this is especially important to me. It is no fun running in the dark after work. When it is dark, it limits the places where I can run.

no lights on the rail trail so I can only run here after work in the summer.

More Racing Ops.

In the winter, there are very few if any races scheduled for the weekend. In the summer, there are many. I can choose by distance, location, type of course, etc. I am in my glory as a runner who loves to race.

Silks & Satins 5K -my next race on 7/22

No Training Runs

I run my half marathons in the other three seasons. So in the summer, I can just relax. I run when and where I what. I run whatever distance I want.

I could meet Judy for a run, run at her pace and not worry. Or I could have run a faster 3 miles. Running for fun is the BEST.

Hate:

Mosquitos/Ticks/Black Flies

I am very susceptible to insect bites so I need to always apply insect repellent. Sometimes I am lax and I pay the price with lots of itchy bites.

Humidity

Dry heat is great but when it is humid, it is tough to get the miles in and the speed.

this was a tough run

More Laundry

Less layers but they are sweaty. That means that I can’t wear items more than once like I do in the other seasons.

Competing Activities

In the summer, there’s hiking, tennis, boating, outdoor music and plays. It’s hard to fit it all in and sometimes, I just skip the run in favor of a summer-only activity.

can only go on our boat in the summer

So I think I LOVE summer running more than I hate it.

Does that mean I should move to a warmer, sunnier climate?

Happy Running! What do you love and/or hate about running?

July 17, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update – 7.10.17-7.16.17

Last Week:

Monday – Though I ran on Sunday, I wasn’t sure if I would get any more runs in for the rest of the week so I ran from work, around UAlbany and back before meeting an old friend for dinner and drinks.

Humidity returned ugh!! The A must be for (u)Albany.

Tuesday – Off to Rochester for work (4 hr drive). I didn’t think I’d have time to run. But when there’s a will, there’s a way. I asked around the hotel and found my way to the Erie Canal. Loved the run. Wish I had more time but had to meet someone for dinner.

3 miles along the Erie Canal

Wednesday – Worked all day and then drove home (in the rain). A tiring rest day.
Thursday – Another rainy day. I went to the gym after work. When I was finished, it had stopped raining so I went for a quick run before it started raining again.

Friday – Of course, the day started out raining but it was a scheduled rest day. Played mah jongg in the evening.

Good bye party for one friend moving south.

Saturday – Decided to get in a run on my way up to (Chestertown) Schroon River to spend the weekend with my tennis friends.

It was warm and humid but dry. But it rained in Chestertown. So my friends hadn’t played yet and I arrived there in time to play tennis with them.

Had a great day of eating, hiking, sightseeing, etc.

Sunday – Some of the tennis ladies left and others arrived. We had another great day of tennis and hanging out by the river.

17.5 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 3 mile run, hiking
Tuesday – rest, visit to Chihully exhibit at NYBG
Wednesday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Thursday – 4 mile run
Friday – rest, mah jongg
Saturday – 5k race + more miles, party
Sunday – rest, maj jongg party at Schroon River

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s guest host is Christine @ Into the Glimmer

Happy Running! How is your running going?

July 10, 2017 by Darlene

Running Update: 7.3.17-7.9.17

Last Week:

Monday – My hubby and friends were still at the lake but I was working. I made the best of it by meeting Alyssa after work to run in the park and then my BFF to walk in the mall.

Tuesday – 4th of July Holiday = day off from work. Yay! Back up to the lake, of course.

Perfect weather for a BBQ with friends, a short hike and fireworks at the marina.

view from sitting on the back of our boat

Wednesday – Got home very late the night before due to watching the fireworks but had a short day at work before catching the train to NYC. After I arrived, I rushed to my hotel, changed my clothes and took the subway to Brooklyn. I had signed up for an evening 5k.

it was quite an interesting experience running with the Brooklyn “elites” but I managed to win my AG (27:52) & got my award from the 96 yr old race founder.

Thursday – Stuck indoors all day for work. As soon as I was done, I changed into running clothes and ran a few miles along the river.

Then I ran back to the hotel to change and set out again in hopes of getting cheap seats to a show.

I had the best NYC pizza for dinner and the play was good too!!

Friday – Another work day in the Big Apple and a rainy one. At least I had a planned rest day. I went for a walk at lunch (In the rain) but after work had to get my luggage at the hotel and then catch the train home.

it stopped raining by the end of my walk

Saturday – I had planned on a 5k on Sunday but hadn’t registered and decided to skip it and run for fun. But my mistake was believing the weather forecast which said rain early then clearing. Well it was clear early and then stormed on and off ALL day. I did all my errands but at 5 pm I gave up trying to run.

Sunday – Instead I ran up at the lake before we went out on the lake.

I forgot how hilly this route was but at least it was not humid

just what the doctor ordered – a restful day with friends and a view followed by pizza & ice cream

16 miles done with 4 runs and 3 rest days

This Week:

Monday – 4 mile run, dinner with an old friend
Tuesday – rest, driving 4 hrs to Rochester, NY
Wednesday – work in Rochester, driving home
Thursday – 4 mile run with Alyssa
Friday – rest
Saturday – 7 mile run, tennis, fun with friends on the Schroon River
Sunday – tennis, fun with friends on the Schroon River

Once again, I am linking up for the Weekly Wrap hosted by these wonderful bloggers Holly @ HoHoRuns and Tricia @ MissSippiPiddlin. See rules here.

This week’s guest host is Christine @ Into the Glimmer

Happy Running! How is your running going? Are you have a fun summer?

July 7, 2017 by Darlene

Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series 5K #4 Race Recap

Al Goldstein Summer Speed Series #4 – July 5, 2017 – 7:10 pm

If you follow my blog, you know that I often get sent to NYC for work.

Usually, I just try to squeeze in a run on the East River, Hudson River or in Central Park.

run from my last visit to NYC

For this trip, I found a race!!!!

Woo Hoo!

So apparently during the summer months on alternating Wednesdays at 7:10 pm, there is a cheap ($7.50 – in past years it was $5) 5k in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.

Here’s all I could find out about the race from the NYCRuns website:

We’re gearing up for another great summer of evening 5K races! You don’t have to be fast to enter, but these races will help you find out how fast you can be!
Big news for 2017: we now have chip timing! All runners will receive their actual race time.
Races will start and end at the Bluestone Cafe at Lakeside Center.
There, we will offer:

Bib pickup starting at 6pm

Bag check

Lockers available for a fee

Bathrooms (real ones!)

Water after the race

5 year Age group awards ceremony after the race

Plus some free photos off their site (from the last 5k):

Sounds like fun, right?

There were almost 600 runners at the last race!!! (but only 3 in my age group 🙂 )

So all I had to do is take a 2h45 hour train ride to Manhattan, check into my hotel, figure out what subway to take and get to Prospect Park by 6:30 pm or so.

suffering from a back ache during this inaugural poorly planned race (10/10/15)

I have run in Prospect Park once before for the RNR Brooklyn Half Marathon and I remember it being very hilly – like Central Park.

Below is the course map. However, I didn’t remember where the hills were…

But no worries. This was purely for another racing experience and hopefully a fun one.

So this time, there were no snafus in getting to the city from Albany. No problems with the hotel. All I had to do was figure out how to get to the race. No one at the hotel was helpful. I wanted to run over the Brooklyn Bridge and then go to the race.

F train to the B train

Unfortunately there didn’t seem to be a way if I did that I could also get to the correct subway (at least I wasn’t sure how to) to get to Prospect Park.

So I played it safe and took 2 subways and arrived at the entrance of Prospect Park. Very Early.

I walked over to the Botanical Gardens across the street but they were already were closed so I just walked into the park.

I had no idea how to get to the race start in this huge park but luckily I bumped into a race volunteer whom I followed.

I did a little exploring before I got my bib.

those are turtles (I hoped that I would not be running like one LOL)

yes, that algae is pretty disgusting

Finally I headed to the Lakeside Center (where there were local kids cooling off in the pool/fountain) to get my bib.

I was able to check a bag, use the (real) restroom, get some water and relax at a shady picnic table.

It was still an hour before the race was scheduled to start so that’s exactly what I did. It was very warm (in the mid 80s) and I made sure to drink water to remain hydrated.

Little by little, the runners arrived.

Definitely an interesting experience running in a new place where I knew NO ONE! The runners all seemed to look like the stereotyped “serious runner”. You know what I mean. (Later I would notice that 25 of them finished with less than average 6 min pace per mile!!)

Finally it was time to migrate toward the start in the park. It was quite a walk (close to a mile, I bet)

heading to the start

This year for the first time, the race provided chip timing. I still lined up not too far away from the starting line. Then chatted with some runners about the race. I found out that it started with a long uphill (but not steep like CP), then there were rolling hills and eventually it looped back to finish.

looking bored while waiting to begin

I should have warmed up but I didn’t And after sitting on the train for almost 3 hours, 45 min on the subway and then sitting at the café, my legs were stiff.

and I’m off…

I started running the first mile and I just couldn’t get going. Or maybe it was the heat or the uphill, but I was running so slow.

Mile 2 was better but there were no water stops. You had to stop at a water fountain in the park. I did not and by mile 3, I was crashing.

I had a walk a few times but when I saw the clock at the finish line, the competitive me came out.

I got up enough energy to sprint and finish a few seconds over 28 minutes (which turned out to be 27:52 chip time.)

No water at the finish line. You had to walk back to the café. So I just sat in the shade for a while to catch my breath.

Once I felt better, I started walking following the runners.

Well, it turned out they were leaving the park. I was walking in the WRONG direction.

I had to return to get my bag and I wanted to check the race results.

By this point, I got a second wind and ran back to the finish and to the café.

I checked the results and was surprised that I was FIRST in my age group.

27:52 – finished 250 out of 378

I didn’t have to wait long before they started the awards ceremony. The finish times were amazing!!

And the founder of the race, Al Goldstein was there and took a photo with each winner.

BTW: He is 96 years old!!

A nice lady took my photo and I hers. She won her 65-69 age group.

: July – Brooklyn 5k

We chatted for a while. It was her first summer series race. She was babysitting her daughter’s apartment nearby. And she was nice enough to walk me to the subway. (A much shorter walk if you entered at the right entrance.)

It was late by the time I got back to my hotel. (And I got to see the Brooklyn Bridge from the subway as we rode outside over the East River!)

But I did enjoy my first Brooklyn 5k!!

Race Splits
mile 1- 9:15
mile 2 – 8:45
mile 3 – 9:04
.14 – 7:09

Yes, my Garmin finally recorded my lap times!!

My topic for this Friday is: Why Run an Impromptu Race is a New City

It gets you moving (running.)
You don’t have to figure out a safe running route.
You run in a new place.
You meet new people.
It gets you out of your comfort zone.

Of course, I was tempted to relax in my hotel room, enjoy a nice meal in a restaurant, visit a museum or even take in a show.

But I am glad that I took on this new adventure. (Nothing ventured, nothing gained, right?)

Happy Running! Ever run a race solo in an unfamiliar place?

July 5, 2017 by Darlene

Wednesday Word: Development

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The first Wednesday of each month, the Deb from Deb Runs will be providing a word about which to blog. Kind of like a nice little blog prompt. Posts can be fitness or health related, but don’t have to be, so really anyone can play along. Just be sure to link up with InLinkz on Deb’s main post, and share the love by reading and commenting on other’s participant’s posts.

Today’s word is Development.