Bill Hogan 3.5 mile Race Recap 1/1/17

~ Chocolaterunsjudy
nyd17
We have to keep meeting like this

The Hudson Mohawk Road Runners Club puts on what they call the winter series. They are, at their heart, a supported long run:

  • There are water stops
  • There are course marshals
  • There are different distances to choose from
  • There is food afterwards
  • There are photographers
  • There is no fee for club members; $5 for non-members

What they are not:

  • They are not chip timed
  • They are not accurately measured
  • They are not scenic

This is my one running streak — I’m not a streaker. I don’t get streaks. I can be prone to injury and nagging aches, and I’m pretty self motivated, so streaking is not for me. I do enjoy doing some of the local races . . . again and again and again.

Packet Pickup
There are no packets, since there are no bibs or chips or medals. I like the fact that the race doesn’t start until noon, even though I don’t stay up til midnight on New Year’s, but it does make eating a little funky.

The runner club really upped their game with signs on the door for registered (I never do), not registered, 3.5 and half (yes, there’s half marathon option). Although I still managed to end up at the wrong table. I told them I thought what they did was great, but that signs on the tables would be great too. I don’t think they listened (they pointed out that there were signs on the doors, and yes, I saw them).

They generously volunteer their time, so I said again how much I liked the new setup.

Plan — what plan?
Seriously, there was no plan for this race. I thought I’d just take it easy, but then I get out there with the speedy runners and I don’t. Not my slowest, not my fastest. But I did keep all of my laps under 11 mm . . .  just.

So how’d that work for me?

  1. Mile 1: 10:58. Some moderate inclines and declines. Roughly 20 seconds slower than last year.
  2. Mile 2: 10:38. Mostly flat. About 10 seconds slower than last year.
  3. Mile 3: 10:58. Mostly a long, slow decline. I thought I’d pick up speed here, oh well! About 20 seconds slower than last year — why I’m not faster on the downhill — no idea. But it happened last year, too.
  4. Last .7: 10:28. Almost 1 minute faster than last year. It takes me a while to get warmed up . .  .

My times for this race:

  • 2011: 38:48
  • 2012: 40:40
  • 2013: 41:15
  • 2014: 40:45
  • 2015:  39:22
  • 2016: 38:45
  • 2017: 40:03

The weather & dressing
The weather was quite similar to last year: mid 30s, slight wind. I wore my Skirtsports Heartbreaker Skirt, Free Flow Long Sleeve top (I’m a Skirtsports Ambassador), and Fabletics JoJo Jacket (not an affiliate link). No gloves.

I’m pretty happy with how I dressed — I probably should have gone with capris instead of the leggings, but the jacket allows me to ventilate as needed.

What I Saw/Felt
I left at 10:30 — parking fills up fast — but I was there early. Like, way too early. I had time to use the real bathrooms . . . twice. When I came down the second time, there was Darlene, who had put her bag next to mine . . . not knowing that it was my bag.

I’d had time to chat briefly chat with my friend Lisa D, and find out a little more about her new job. She’d been looking forever and is very happy — she’s is such a nice person, so I’m so happy for her.

We chatted for a while and then my friend Chris arrived — hopefully we’ll all be running Wineglass together. I went into the outer room to warm up about 10 minutes before the race; Darlene was chatting with friends, Chris went outside before me, although in the end, we lined up together.

Chris and I kept passing each other that first mile, but we were both doing our own thing and eventually I lost her. I never saw Darlene — or any other of the runners I know. I was chasing a couple of girls for a while, passing them, behind them, passing them — I was bummed that they finished ahead of me in the end, but so it goes.

What really bummed me out? No pizza post race! I was really looking forward to that and the half a banana and half a PB sandwich I made myself just didn’t hit the spot — and I was famished by the time I got home.

Was the race well run?
Yes, the race is very well run. Especially considering it’s free (or very inexpensive if you’re not a member).

The course marshals do their jobs well (and the weather is usually not this nice).

It’s not chip timed, as I said, but there is a finish clock and you’re handed a numbered index card as you cross the finish line to write down your time. There was also a table at the finish line — outside! — so that you could hand in your card right away — brrrr! It might have been nice running weather, but I’d be really cold having to sit out there.

Will I run it again next year? Yes, I hope to continue my streak — unless I’m celebrating New Years someplace really warm!

image

I’m linking up with MCM Mama Runs, Marcia’s Healthy Slice, and My No Guilt Life for the Tuesdays on the Run linkup; because the more, the merrier, right?

30 thoughts on “Bill Hogan 3.5 mile Race Recap 1/1/17”

  1. Feel the same way about the race. I will post my recap (that is written) probably on Thurs.

    This was only my 2nd time running it. We used to go up to LG on NYE.) I will probably continue to run it now that we got boring LOL.

    I didn’t miss the pizza – I had 2 cups of soup and at least 5 pieces of the cranberry bread.

    I was surprised at my time. I thought my time last year was slower but it was not. So far this relaxing thing is working.

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    1. I think I like it mostly because I like starting the year with a “race” and because there are usually friends there (although I did it many years without knowing people, basically).

      The race itself? Nothing terribly interesting about it. Which is why there are no photos from it (from me, anyway).

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  6. I wish I had a race with such a long streak, some races are just fun to do year to year! We have a similar winter series in Bucks County, PA…I’m not a member of the running club so they charge $20 per event…hopefully my bf and I will get to check one out! Nice job on your race!

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    1. Wow — $20 is a lot! If you’re not a member of this club, it’s only $5. It’s a good deal!

      Otherwise it’s hard to run around here in the winter (as I’m sure it is there, too).

      Bucks County is so pretty! But hilly.

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  8. That is great you have done it so many years! you have been really consistent with your times… all looking good to me 🙂
    Water stops are appreciated, but any food at a free race is really nice. Do they usually serve pizza, or did they run out?

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  10. Sounds like a fun race! I like that its laid back so you can just take it easy if you want. But also nice to have a cheap/free supported long run! Great way to start the year!

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  11. This sounds like so much fun! Also, a lot like my New Years Day event….multiple distances, etc. We don’t have much of a turnout but this is small town Iowa LOL People think “runners” run in the summer and hibernate int he winter. ha!

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    1. It starts at noon, but you need to get there much earlier because parking is tight. Although I got there too early . . . maybe I should’ve warmed up with some running while I was waiting. 🙂

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