Susan G. Komen for the Cure

This is my third time running this race. Again this year, I chose to race on a team with Albany Law School (where I work). There were about 19 of us (mostly students). We even had our own moisture wicking shirt.

I also planned to meet some friends here.

This is such an emotional race. I have so many friends who have survived a bout with breast cancer. This is why I choose to do this race each year. This is the sign I pinned to my back:

The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. Sunny and cool – in the 50’s. I was cold when I arrived. My hubby came to the race and I made him take a pic before I met my group. (He hates taking photos.)

I then found some of the runners from the law school and tried to get a photo before starting the race.

Then I bumped into a tennis friend (the one who started me running) and her niece (a former student of mine). We started the race together.

I tried to get them to start near the front. But while we were talking a hundred or so runners ended up in front of us.

The race began and it was crowded. It took a while to get going and I tried to cut through the crowd and run up the BIG hill.

The race continued through the streets of Albany and then around Washington Park…I always think that’s flat but it’s not.

I tried to pace myself. My first mile was about 9:55, my 2nd around 19:35 and then I got a little tired during the 3rd mile. I heard an OLD guy breathing really LOUD and tried to pace myself with him…breathe out when he did but I couldn’t keep up (I later found out that he was 76!!!!). Then I spotted a law student & ran with her for awhile but she’s 22 and ahead she went. Finally I spotted the finish line and ran as fast as I could when I saw that I would finish under 30 minutes.

The gun time was 29:31 but my chip time was 29:10!! I’ll take it. Finally under 30 minutes for a 5k! Not a PR but my 2nd best.

Race Stats:
Gun time – 29:31
825/2147
7/63 (55-59 age group)
Chip time: 29:10
Pace – 9:24

After the race, I bumped into 2 runners (Cindy P & Kritstin K) from dailymile.com and Brigid, a runner from the begining running group. I finally found my hubby who was supposed to see me finish & take pic but of course, he was still watching and waiting when I arrived…

We then went home & I left to watch my friends play in the Super Seniors tennis championship. Then I visited with my mentee, went shopping & out to dinner. A full day!!

Happy Running. Hope you all had a good day!

I know this is an old wives tale, but it works for me.

It’s been raining for 2 days. I do not RUN IN THE RAIN!!

Luckily I did run Tues evening. It was an awful run…too humid, too tired, too hungry. After 2 miles I could barely move but managed to run/walk 2 more miles.

I ran again Wed evening and felt so much better. I did 3 miles.

Now I keep my fingers crossed that the rain will stop. Tomorrow is the Susan G. Komen Race for Cure. I am running on a team with students & staff at the law school where I work. I think there are 19 of us. We have a team tee shirt – moisture wicking one too!!

I will be running for: Judy, Mary Ann, Maria, Ava, Sally, Phyllis –my friends who have survived breast cancer and for Dottie —who did not!

What is my goal for this race?

It’s going to be very crowded – probably at least 3,000 racers. It starts up hill and it’s slow going until the park. So, it’s not a race for a PR.

My 2008 time was 32:49, my 2009 time was 31:15. Those were both gun times not chip times. My chip time this year for the Freihofers (same course) was 30:39. My goal, I guess, is under 30:39!

Happy Running! Have a nice weekend and good luck to all those racing!