More races?

Races are what motivates me.

It’s no secret that my training runs suck….I walk and walk and walk some more… so my pace is SLOOOOOOOW!

But in a race, for some strange reason, I run faster and if it’s 5 miles or less, I don’t usually have to stop and walk.

So I run a lot of races. They boost my confidence.

1. Mayor’s Race & Wellness Festival 10 miler (Palm Springs, CA)
2. HMRRC Winter Series #3 – 15K
3.  Polar Cap 4 mi
4. HMRRC Winter Series #4 – 7K
5.  Lighthouse 5k (St. Augustine, FL)
6.  Runnin of the Green 4 mi
7. LoveRun Half Marathon (Philadelphia, PA)
8. Delmar Dash 5m
9.  Bacon Hill Bonanza 5k
10. Rabbit Ramble 4m
11. Cherry Blossom 5k
12.  Spring Run Off 10K
13. Mom’s Day 5K
14. Freihofer’s Run for Women
15. Betar Byway 5K
16. Strawberry Fest 5K
17. Adirondack Distance 10m
18.  Saratoga Half Marathon

Yes, 18 races so far… (10 in March-May)!

Here’s how the rest of the summer is shaping up:

• 7-26-14 – Turning Point 5K – a new one and a trail race
• 8-03-14 – Care for Kids 5K  – a new one near where I stayed last weekend
• 8-09-14 – Camp Chingachgook 10k – a hilly 10k along Lake George which I ran in 2012 as my 1st 10K
• 8-16-14 – Jailhouse Rock 5k – a small local 5K that I have run in 2009, 2010, 2012
• 9-06-14 – MBPK 5k – another local 5k that I have run in 2012 and 2013
• 9-14-14 – Biggest Loser 10k – a new 10k at the Great Escape park near Lake George

I never PR in the summer.  I am usually injured or recovering from an injury.  This summer, I am healthy!! So you never know…

I haven’t run with any speed in the last 6 weeks due to training for the 10 miler and half marathon.

But this Saturday, I have a RACE! A 5k!

A new race at a new location (It used to held in Saratoga State park.) Now it takes place in Hudson Crossing Park, centered around Champlain Canal Lock 5 Island, just north of Schuylerville, on New York State’s Historic Scenic Byway, Route 4.

I passed by this park after the Bacon Hill 5K in April (which influenced to me to choose this race.)

this was the Hudson R in the spring near the park

I am a little nervous about the trail portion.  I have never run a trail race and my last trail run resulted in a fall.

photo from the triathlon there in June

So I am moving outside my comfort zone.

Race Goals:

• Run the whole thing.
• Not fall and get hurt.
• Not finish last.
• Finish under 30 minutes or close to 30 minutes.
• Have fun!

Happy Running!  Have you ever run a trail race?