I ran this race last year and remembered it being fun (even though there were hills) so I signed up again.

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 cool and cloudy.  It was about 50 degrees when I left the house. It was predicted to warm up to the 70’s later.  Actually perfect running weather for a change.

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

ready to race in purple

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

Believe it or not, I didn’t know anyone at this race.

So I just patiently waited until it was time for everyone to walk down to the water for the start.

Of course, while waiting for the gun to go off, I wound up talking to some older runners… about future races and running shoes.

I planned to start near the front since there were no timing chips or start line but I was chatting and forgot.

I must say that this was one of 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 hilly course.

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 wasn’t warm but I walked through the first water stop anyway but very quickly.

Lately I am having trouble running fast.  I am trying but my breathing is labored and my legs just won’t go.  ( guess that’s why runners do speed drills!)

Eventually the course looped around and you headed back to the start.  I passed 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 especially with my falling history.

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

can I catch her?

nope. she’s too fast

I tried unsuccessfully to pass a 10 year old.

but I will beat 30 minutes!

yes, I will!

But at least I finished under 30 minutes! 29:25

Splits:

mile 1 – 9:38
mile 2 – 9:44
mile 3 – 9:06
.14 – 8:43

At least, I was 24 seconds faster than last year but slower than last week’s 5k.

After the 5K, there was a one mile race.  Not for kids but for everyone.  It looked like fun last year so I signed up for this one too (I am crazy like that.)

Of course after the hilly 3.1 miles, my legs were too tired to run even ONE mile but I wanted to give it my best shot.

However, I never ran it before and I didn’t know where they would start the race. I was chatting with an older runner about injuries (what else?) and I noticed that they were not starting the second race and it was almost time.

So I asked and they said, the it started a mile into the course and finished in the same spot as the 5k.  Well, that made sense.

Would I have enough time to get to the start? Probably not but I started running.

I ran and ran but unfortunately I wasn’t there yet when I heard the gun go off to start the race.  So I moved over and let the runners go by and then continued to the start and started running.

I was last, of course, and tired since I just race a 5k plus an additional mile getting to the start.

But I did pass a few people.

relaxed…

now serious!

Garmin time was 9:46.

Then they gave out the awards and I won third place in my age group in both races. 

betar byway 5k

moreau mile

Even a faster time wouldn’t have gotten me ahead the speedier ladies.

I will definitely do this race again.  I loved the course and the scenery.  Next time, maybe I’ll try to run up that  hill and now I know where the Moreau Mile race starts.

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.

my hubby on our boat

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

in my happy place

with lots of post race snacks

Several boating  friends joined us.

and an insect friend

Very relaxing.

We ended the day with a nice dinner at a new restaurant in town.

Racing+Boating=Perfect Sunday

I am also linking up with Jessica from The Silvah Lining for the Race Recap Link Up.

Happy Running! What did you do this weekend? Did you run or race?

9:30 am

This is the only race that I’ve run every year! This is my 8th time!!!!!

My first FRW in 2008:

Due to construction, they changed the course.

They said that this course would be faster…less congested and have a less steep hill at the start and finish.

I did run parts of the new course a few weeks ago.

As with this race every year, I never know what will happen…

Anyway, I should be recovering not running a 5K.  I just race a half marathon last Sunday. As you know, my feet are not what I would like them to be (but it is what is…)

But how could I miss my 8th Freihofer’s Run for Women?

And my FIRST Freihofer Training Challenge…

5 pm group at our first meeting. There are 3 other groups

Training is a loose term. I kinda just showed up.  Monday runs were always after a Sunday long run and I never attended the Saturday runs.  I even missed the last 2 Mondays.

But I was excited to be part of it and support all the runners who would be finishing their FIRST 5k.  And see my “advanced” buddies who would hopefully PR.

As I have done every year, the day before I walked to Empire State Plaza concourse at lunch to go to the expo and pick up my race packet.

For convenience, I parked at work and walked to the start.  I do this every year.  However, this year with the new course, it was an even longer hike. Like 2 1/2 miles!

I bumped into a runner from the Challenge group and we chatted the most of the way. We cut through the Empire State Plaza to use real restrooms.

It was strange to walk down Madison Avenue and not see the race banners and not see the giant poster on the bridge.

pics from last year…

And the weather…it was HOT!! in the high 70’s, sunny and VERY humid.  Plus the race doesn’t start until 9:30 am – too late a start with this type of weather.

We got to the race location and immediately located the Challenge Group Tent and a lot of first time 5k runners. It was pretty early but I bumped into so many runners that I knew.

Catching up with everyone made the time go by quicker.

In fact I was talking while the Challenge group took their group photo. To my defense, it was supposed to be taken at 9:00 am and they took it at 8:55.

I even met Judith, fellow blogger and Skirt Sports Ambassador.  We both had yellow bibs so we walked to the start together.

Although it was very crowded, there were about 1000 less runners than last year. I’m not sure why. (new route, weather??)

Instead of the usual singing of the national anthem, the bells from City Hall played the song.  Usually I am moved to tears, but not this time.  In fact, the whole event, seemed to lack the usual enthusiasm and excitement.

I think changing the route from Madison Ave to Washington lost a lot of crowd support.  The street is wider and there is no bridge overlook, etc.

pic from Troy Record

Anyway, with the new start, it didn’t take as long to get moving and the first hill was longer but not as steep.

pic from Troy Record

As soon as I started, I got the feeling that my legs were not as recovered as I had hoped.  They were moving but so slowly.

When I got into the park and looked at my time, I was shocked at how slow it was.  Usually mile 1 is my fastest. Yes, it was HOT and HUMID but we had a breeze at our backs.

I am smiling because I see my friend Allison with her camera

I continued to trudge along and couldn’t wait to walk at the first water stop around mile 1.5.

This course had you run around more of the park and it also seemed to avoid the bigger hills of the park.

You would think that I would have a faster time.

Nope.  I was dying.  I told myself that I would not walk until the next water stop.  That was around mile 2.5.

Finally we left the park and headed downhill to the finish.  Not the steep downhill that we used to have but at least it was downhill.

I ran as fast as I could.  I was determined not to finish over 30 minutes.

And I did not.

I grabbed a bagel and some chocolate milk.  It was definitely less congested this year.  No long lines for food.

I ran into lots of runners again that I knew.  Beside Holly, everyone seem to have a disappointing finish time.

with Laurie from the Turkey Trot training group.

The first time runners were so excited.  That put a smile on my face. I quickly put my disappointment in the back of mind and congratulated them on their achievement.

I walked around a bit until they posted the results and then I saw some folks that I work with.

Christine, a law prof and Alicia, the Dean

The Dean went to law school with the mayor.

me & the mayor

As I left, I walked by the elites who finished the race in 15-16 minutes.

the top 5

the top American finshers

I may not have run the race that I wanted but I still enjoyed myself. And my FEET DID NOT HURT! (until the walk home)

You get what you put in.  I did not do the speed workouts so I can’t be disappointed that my time was slower than last year. I also just ran a half marathon and I am no spring chicken.

Splits:

mile 1- 9:26
mile 2- 9:38
mile 3 – 9:17
14 –  7:25

Chip time – 29:22  (that was slower than the hilly Mastodon 5k where I fell 😦 )

Afterwards, I walked back to my car (uphill for 2 1/2 miles). My feet started to hurt..a lot!

I had planned to run 7 more miles.

Instead I drove to the park and shuffled my way to 2 painful miles.  (Remember I have another half marathon in 2 weeks!!)

very peaceful …all the runners are gone

Guess what?  I have another 5k next Sunday!!

I am also linking up with Jessica from The Silvah Lining for the Race Recap Link Up.

Happy Running!  Do you race this weekend? If so, how did it go?