Tag Archives: 5K

12 August 2011

Women’s Distance Festival – Binghamton

By Nicki

I have to admit that I have been woefully neglectful of my blog this summer.  I have been running – literally and figuratively – around a lot this summer so I am going to try and catch up these next few weeks as the kids, not quite sure why I still use plural as I only have one high school child left at home, get ready for the first day of school.

 

Back in July, I had originally had plans to run two different Women’s Distance Festival runs – one in Dryden at the beginning of the month and one in Binghamton at the end of the month.  The Dryden run did not happen for any number of reasons but there was a great opportunity that was taken advantage of instead.

 

July 29th, the day of the Binghamton run, rolled around and was in the middle of some of the hottest weather we had had in ages.  The race was not scheduled until 6:30 pm which was okay with me, even though I tend to run earlier rather than later.  I made zucchini brownies to take those with me for after the race.  The spread that is out after all the Triple Cities Runners’ Club events is always amazing.

 

About 3 pm, the area had a horrible thunderstorm.  Evidently, everyone was concerned.  My only thought was that the park would have water issues.  If that didn’t happen, it would be all good and the run would go on as planned.  Rain wouldn’t stop the run but the thunder and lightning might postpone it.  Luckily by 6:30, there was sun again.

 

A group of four of us met up to ride to the park together.  Two of the women have always been walkers.  The third was going to walk today because she had not been able to train during the summer like she would have liked and to support one of the other walkers.  When we got to the park, I found Carrie.  We had started other races together and hung out to start this one together.  I know that I am not as fast as Carrie but I can run one mile with her and pace her at the beginning.

 

The race was fantastic.  I hit a personal best for a 5K.  I do not tend to run a lot of 5Ks.  I am more a distance runner, no doubt about it.  I do, though, enjoy the 5K before and after – the camaraderie.

 

Since getting my DSLR, I can’t run with it so I have no photos of this race.  I will point you to this Facebook video and hope you can get to it - http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150272348536380&comments&set=t.501500406&type=1

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2 January 2011

2011 Race Schedule

By Nicki

So I know that most people list “resolutions” at the beginning of a new year.  I have already told you all where I stand on the word resolution.  I will say that some of my 2011 goals – which are in rough form at the moment but will be here soon – involve running.  I can’t imagine my life without running.  To that end, here is my 2011 race schedule to date.

Before I let you see the race plans, let me say I intend to run two marathons, four to five half marathons (five if I have issues and only run one marathon), a hand full of 5Ks and some other races that I just really loved last year.  I am planning on topping out at 1600 miles for the year.

January 2011:   The January Freeze Series hosted by the Triple Cities Runners’ Club will be my only January races.  I am not driving to Cazenovia for the Chili Chilly this year.  I am planning on running at least one, and hopefully more than one, of these 10K races at Otsiningo Park.  I also intend – for me, the girl who swore she would never run a race – to join TCRC this year.

February 2011:  My first marathon is slated for February 19th.  This is a family trip to Myrtle Beach.  Hotel room is booked.  Kids are looking forward to the trip.  Youngest thinks he will bike the day after the marathon, just not sure how far as he doesn’t want to do the 100K ride without someone else doing it with him (don’t even think of looking at me!).

March 2011:  I am going for two races in March. I am going to run the St. Patrick’s 4 miler on March 12th in Binghamton and then travel to Rock Hill for the Celebrate Life Half Marathon.  This is a beautiful race and I fully intend to be there.  There is an outside possibility I will run the Chenango Fork XV at the end of the month but not totally sure on that race yet.

April 2011:  I am running the Skunk Cabbage Half Marathon in Ithaca on April 10th.

May 2011: I am running the Mountain Goat 10 miler the first Sunday of the month.  I am hoping that it is slightly less warm – it was 80 plus at the finish last year – than last year.  I am running the inaugural Binghamton Bridge Run Half Marathon on May 15th.

June 2011:  I am running the Vestal XX on June 18th.  I am also intending to do the Red Dress Run at the end of the month. The Red Dress Run is a 5K and is held on a weeknight.

July 2011:  I am running the Boilermaker in Utica again.  I loved this race last year, even though it freaked me out to take eight minutes to reach the start line as there were so many people registered and running the race.  I am also hoping Jeanne is putting together a 5K to benefit the Newark Valley High School cross country team.  While I am not a grass runner, I had a blast at this run.

August 2011:  My friend Chris is trying to convince me to participate in the Cayuga Lake Triathlon.  I am not totally sure about this but it is August 7th.  On the running front, I am looking at the Turning Stone half marathon on August 21st.  Last year I did the Catharine Valley Half  which was a trail run sort of.  While it was nice, Turning Stone is just a couple hours away and will help me in reaching my goal of four half marathons this year.

September 2011:  I would love to head to Delaware to run in the Dogfish Dash which is a 10K but I am hoping to run a second marathon in October so will run the Ithaca 5&10 again this month.  This will be a birthday run for me this year.  Can’t think of a better way to turn 50.

October 2011:  I learned a lesson last year when I didn’t register in time to run the Wineglass Marathon that I need to plan ahead.  Unfortunately, I am now torn.  I will run either Wineglass at the beginning of October or will run the inaugural Empire marathon in Syracuse mid-October.  I do have to take into consideration that this is my son’s senior year in high school which may come into which weekend is better for me to be running a marathon.

November 2011:  I will run the Turkey Trot 8K that TCRC has as it benefits the scholarship program they have.  Last year’s Turkey Trot allowed TCRC to give out four $1000 scholarships this year.

December 2011: Again, I will register for the It’s a Wonderful Run 5K.   Hopefully, I will not feel like crap and not go to the race.  I will also run the Y’s Resolution Run at the end of the month as that was fantastic!

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23 June 2010

Red Dress Race – A 5K Recap

By Nicki

I am not a short distance runner.  I just about mile two or so am getting into a groove.  I like the longer distances.  I love my seven or eight mile training runs.  I do not particularly like a 5K race.  I have, though – as of last night, run three of them.

My first race ever was a 5K.  I loved it.  It was not quite the same as the marathon I had been a spectator at a couple months prior but it was fun.  There were all ages and abilities which made me feel right at home as I was new to this whole idea.  Then, I ran a second 5K in winter.  It was frigid and hilly and, well, a challenge.  There were different ages and abilities but it was not as fun as that first one.

Last night I ran my third 5K.  This one was a cause race.  It benefit the Crime Victims’ Assistance Center, a non-profit that is near and dear to my heart.  Every entrant was to wear a red dress.  Have to say that my red Victoria’s Secret piece was minor compared to those in red full-length formal wear or the men in red dresses.  Yes, there will be photos at the end here.

The race was just less than a full 5K.  To get the extra three-tenths of a mile, runners would have had to go around the back parking lot at Maine-Endwell High School.  The school is in the middle of a huge capital project and the parking lot is a mess.  There is a hole that is big enough to lose a small car in so the race ended at 2.87 miles.

This race is not an easy race.  There is a hill that is about a mile long and no leveling off along it about a half mile into the course.  There are more hills after that also.  Good news is that it is a downhill finish to the school entrance.  I ran it well but slowed at the end to run with a young girl about 13 who was having trouble.  I just ran whatever speed she was running to help her get to the finish.

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18 February 2010

Chilly Chili 5K

By Nicki

I admit it has taken me a while to write about my second ever race – the Chilly Chili 5K in Cazenovia, New York.

Cazenovia is a small village outside of Syracuse, New York.  There is a small liberal arts college in town and a lake.  On top of the Chilly Chili in February, there is a 10 mile race around the lake on July 4th.

The Chilly Chili was amazingly well attended.  There were over 1100 runners and this was on a Sunday that the Super Bowl was on and the temps were below 20F – that’s air temp.  I am sure wind chills were close to 0F that day.

The course is well marked.  While not lined with villagers, there were many who braved the cold and snow to cheer on the runners and walkers.  The after party consisted of a chili contest among local restaurants and beer tasting.  Below are some shots from the Athletic Center at Cazenovia College during the after party.

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12 December 2009

My First Race

By Nicki

Today is the day.  Back in the summer of 2007, when I started walking every day, I swore I would never be a runner.  About two months through summer and Labor Day rolled around and I started running.

I laugh because at first it was running to the  next mailbox then walking a bit.  Then, I would find two or three mailboxes in a row and run between them.  Then, more walking.

Today I will run a race.  Even when I decided I liked running, I would laugh at people who would ask, “why don’t you sign up for this or that?”  I would gently explain the running was health thing.  I did it for me, alone.  I even went so far as to tell a friend I was running away from all the diseases my parents and heredity were trying to give me.

Today, that will change.  I am set to run the It’s a Wonderful Run 5K in Seneca Falls.  It is going to be cold so it is good that it is only a bit over 3 miles.  It is going to in the evening so it is good I have some reflective items.

Today, I will join the camaraderie of running from somewhere other than the side of the road.  Today, I will run a race.  Today, I will aim to finish – as most first timers aim to do.  Today, I will aim for a number but will not tell anyone what that number is.  Today, I will run!

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