Steambath 5K

[SumoRunner]

At least it felt that way. Nasty day for a race in upstate NY, a small community fun run in Mechanicville, NY. It was already over 80 degrees and high humidity at the start. I ran the first mile about the way I wanted, 9:25, but then the heat got to me. I didn't do too badly, just under 31 minutes but the last two years I was around 28 for this one. At each water stop - and they put three of them out there - I took two cups and dumped it on my head. That didn't help. There were several local residents with garden hoses offering a spray. Mostly their aim was low and they just got my shorts and feet wet. That didn't help either. At the finish I got some water, iced tea and watermelon in me and a 2nd place age group trophy. That helped a lot.

Next up, the mile on Tuesday night. The weather might be even worse for that, but it'll be over quicker.

 

[tprice54]

Jack, someday you have to come over and try the Utica Boilermakler 15k. Sunday morning here was cooler (low 70's), and free beer at the finish at the Saranac Brewery.

 

[MarkU]

Congrats on the 2nd place! Be careful in that heat...
Mark

 

[SumoRunner]

Jack, someday you have to come over and try the Utica Boilermakler 15k. Sunday morning here was cooler (low 70's), and free beer at the finish at the Saranac Brewery.

I never run long races in the summer. I'm more enamored of track meets in July & August. Even a 5K is a stretch for me right now. I also prefer small fields. I don't do well in large crowds. This one was perhaps a bit more than 100 runners and B'maker is 13,000. The biggest one I do every year is the Schenectady Stockade-athon 15K in November with about 1,200.

Speaking of 5K. My next one will be a Senior's race on Aug 8 called No Kids Allowed. You have to be 60 or older to enter.

And speaking of 1200, the local Mohawk Hudson River Marathon reached it's limit of 1200 last week. That has never happened before. I have been volunteering on it since the beginning, 27 years now. For the first few years it was 150-200 runners. It slowly grew to 400-500 until last year it leapt over 700 for no clear reason and now has sold out at 1200 three full months in advance. It also has a companion half and they expect to reach the limit on that soon too.

I don't know what caused this sruge in marathon fever the last couple years but it doesn't stop there. The Tuesday night T&F meets I've been going to since the early 80s have been overcrowded this season too and not just running. The shot put has been busier than I've ever seen before. Lots of young folks.

 

[kodi]

Good job, even in the heat and humidity. We'd be happy to have 80º here about now. It doesn't even get that low at night. Saturday's swim at 5:30 was 95 and the run at 6:15 was 98.
I'm with you on race sizes, I like the smaller marathons 5000-7000 is good. As for the increase in attendance, I think more and more everyone is starting to be more weight conscious and running is the best way to lose it....at least for me.

 

[tprice54]

Jack, the Mohawk Hudson Marathon has been getting great reviews around here as both a good race and a good Boston qualifier. I'm not surprised the cap was reached...it speaks well of the organization.