July 12, 2025 – 8:00 am

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

in 2008 – my first year of running

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

It’s funny how things have changed. AJH was trying to convince me to run a longer race than a 5k. Since then I have completed over 70 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, 2023 and 2024  (28:27, 27:37, 27:28, 28:18, 28:05, 30:03)

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

Due to the Pandemic, they discontinued this race for 3 years.

Two years ago, the organizers of the Firecracker 4 race took over this race and I decided to sign up.

I shocked myself with a decent pace so again I thought why not and my running friends were busy this weekend so it was a good excuse to skip my long run.

Here is the map for the course that I ran in past years:

15 turns in this course!!

Here’s the 2023 course:

pretty similar… they have kept this course for 2024 and 2025.

I didn’t get much running during the week – too many other activities such as tennis, pickleball, hikes, and HEAT/HUMIDITY. Plus my ankle/achilles has been weirdly tight since tennis/pickleball on Monday.

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.

It wasn’t raining where I  live but I should have checked the forecast where I would be racing (about 45 mi, north).

It started to rain during my drive.

And there were no available parking lots this year so you had to park on the street.

Eventually I found a spot and now it was pouring.

I grabbed an umbrella and got my shirt/bib.

You also got a free ticket to the race track.

I went back to my car to drop off my shirt and now it was thundering and lightning… awesome?

But of course, I was going to run this race…

So I headed back… with my umbrella (that I would stash somewhere).

It is usually a very popular race but I didn’t see anyone I knew. I bet that most were seeking cover…

Of course, I needed a pre-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 I forgot that there was no timing mat or start line (and I started my watch late.)

Miles 1-3.1:

No reason to recap this race mile by mile.

There was torrential rain… The rain did not let up and rained harder and harder and the puddles got bigger and bigger.

the video is on VB/IG)

There was thunder and lightning so it got scary.

I started out at a decent pace because I wanted to get done but as the puddles became lakes, it was hard to keep up any kind of pace.

Plus I felt my gait was off and my ankle or achilles (can’t figure out which) was still tight. So I walked much more often the second half.

I managed to sprint across the finish line and not fall.

Post Race Activities:

I grabbed a water and found my umbrella.

I checked the results and I came in 2nd but I decided that I didn’t need another medal and left.

Additional Race Reflections:

Yes, it was an early morning and a long drive.

A miserably wet race (but not hot!)

And yes, it should have been a 7 mile long run as part of my half marathon training (Run 4 the River – Aug. 30).

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 was expected.

Positives:

• Well organized race
• Well marked course with many course marshals (even in the rain)
• Flat course
• Immediate results
• 5 year age groups for awards
• Free ticket to the race track.

Negatives:

• RAIN!
• Only bananas post race.
• Unisex shirts
• No parking lots

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:

July 27

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? Would you race in a thunderstorm? Please share.

Since today is Tuesday, I’m linking up with Zenaida (The Running Teacher) and Jenn (Runs with Pugs).

and tomorrow:

I’m also linking up with: co-hosts Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner, Mile by Mile, and Runs with Pugs

JULY 5, 2025 – 9:00 AM

I signed up for the “New” Indian Ladder Farms Spiked Apple 5k for several reasons:

• I love Spiked Cider and Cider Donuts.
• This year, I wanted to run some NEW races.
• It offered cool swag (shirt, medal, wine glass).
• It is in a very scenic area (https://youtu.be/XLMtIsBf6As)
• It was originally scheduled on June 21.
• It was local.
• The charity:

Training:

If you follow my posts, you also know that I am not strict about following a training plan. But I do try to do those weekday short runs (Mon, Tues, Wed this week).

And oops, there was a 5k the day before!!

But truthfully, if it’s fewer miles than a half marathon, I just go out and run it. At this stage of my racing, I don’t think about getting PRs.

Pre-Race Activities and Preparations:

As I mentioned, this was a brand new race for this area (I believe the company sponsors this race elsewhere).

I have participated in several trail run/walks at here at Indian Ladder Farms.

But I was glad when they said the race course would NOT be on technical trails. (I am NOT a trail runner.) But it would be 2 loops and some grassy sections and some paved.

This race was only for fun… no pizza the night  before.  I think there was hot dogs, salad and ice cream followed by fireworks.

Race Day:

My Race Plan:

Do not get injured!! And most importantly, have fun!!

I would most likely do a lot of walking… because my legs would be tired after the 4 mile race I ran the day before and it’s hard to run fast on grass.

I hesitate to even call this a “RACE.”

Advertised Course Map:

TWO Loops

Elevation:

I arrived early and parked in the grassy parking lot.

start and finish line in the distance…

I collected my shirt and bib.

What I thought was odd was that they gave you your medal before the race began.

And they said that you could wait and just get your donut and cider and NOT run the race at all??

Um… I was planned to do the race!!

It was crowded for a new race…  probably over 250 runners. I race fairly often, as you know, and I didn’t recognize anymore?!

Maybe these people weren’t runners or maybe most local runners did the 4 miler the day before?

Anyway, I put my medal and shirt back in my car (so no post race medal pic)…

and got ready to head to the start…

Finally, someone I knew showed up.

happy to hang out with Linda

We discussed our race strategy which was the same since she had also run the Firecracker 4 the day before… slow running, walk often!

As I expected, there were many walkers and always annoying when they start in front.

We began on a rocky dirt road and then continued onto grass.

I ran slowly until there was a hill and then I walked.

This pace continued until the end.

Although it was advertised (see above) as a two loop course, there was several turn arounds. It was very confusing since runners were on different loops  and often it was hard to know where to go…

They needed more course marshals on the turns but runners just kept running. I heard several runners saying that they went the wrong way.

I did not although I almost missed turning into the finish line.

Since the course did not go into the woods, it was very sunny and more humid that the day before.

I was glad to not be racing.

I occasionally glanced at my Garmin and was surprised when I saw that I completed 3.1 miles and there was no finish line in sight.

Eventually I did finish this 3.6 mile 5k!!

and then waited for Linda to arrive.

Actual course map:

and elevation:

Post Race Activities:

Since we  already had our medals, Linda and I headed to the building with the cider and donuts.

I checked my email and saw that I won my age group (as I was the only one!!)

When we were approaching the building, I asked someone where the awards were given out.  She replied that she didn’t know but would taken me to someone who did know.  We went in the back, through the kitchen and eventually found out that the awards were way back at the race finish line.

I may have groaned since we were very sweaty and thirsty.

She handed us two freshly baked cider donuts and two glasses of cold cider…. ahead of a LONG line of race finishers.

Did we feel guilty?? Maybe  just  a little plus she didn’t take our tickets…

We then headed back to the finish.. and I got a golden star pin as my award.

By the time, we headed out to our cars, the line was miles long (so no temptation to wait and use our drink &  donut tickets for seconds..)

Additional Race Reflections:

Racing two days in a row is not ideal (esp. at my age.)

I was happy with my finish time. Yes, it was slow but running on grass and dirt is not easy…

I am unbelievably happy that after the race, my legs/feet felt fine.. no pain anywhere (always a good thing at my age.)

All in all, I thought this was a fun race. No regrets.

The Good:

• Easy packet pick-up before the race.
• Lots of parking.
• Trail but not a technical one.
• Cool swag esp. the wine glass.
• Many porta-potties in addition to real bathrooms
• A cool medal (that is also a bottle opener).
• Free finisher photo.
• Cold spiked cider for all.
• Warm cider donut for all.
• Important charity.
• Virtual option.

The Bad:

• The DATE! (last minute change but they did option a refund.)
• 10 year age groups (but it wasn’t a huge race.)
• Confusing course.
• Long line for refreshments.
• Course was over 3.1 miles!!
• Cotton race shirts

Would I recommend this race?

Yes.

But since there are many other races in the area during the summer, I doubt I would repeat this one unless my friends decided to do it.

Final Stats:

more accurate pace

Next Up:

July 12, 2025