Saturday, February 5, 2011

Polar Cap 4 Miler

At the start ready to go!
I already have a race in February under my belt.  This morning I got up early and drove to Lake George, New York for the Polar Cap 4 Miler. I have run this race the last 4 years and I have always gotten an age group award - it makes it worth the drive.  There are no races near me in the winter so it's don't race or drive, an easy decision believe me.  I couldn't talk anyone into going with me but I knew Darlene from My First 5K and More..... was going to be there.  I met her last summer at the Silks and Satins 5K in Saratoga! She loves to race and has now expanded beyond 5Ks so I suspect I will see even more of her. I may even get her over to Vermont for a race this summer!
Inside before the race!



Last year it was FREEZING at this race. Today the temp. was perfect. I think it was 15 but it may have been warmer than that. I was def. overdressed, I know that!   Oh well, I survived.  I started out somewhat slow and goofed up my GPS so I have no splits.  My overall time was 36:46 for a pace of 9:12.  My second mile was my fastest with my third mile being the slowest.   There is a l........o...........n............g hill during Mile 3. Truthfully as I approached the finish and saw that it still said 36 something I was happy!

Okay I just went and looked. I was  a minute slower than last year.  It is the slowest I have ever run this race.  But....... how long can I say I am coming back from my injury for?  At some point I have to stop playing that card!
Our age group prize!

Darlene finishing.....


Showing off our Age Group Loot



I was 2nd in my age group. Darlene was 3rd so we both got a prize and were happy. We got soup mugs with the race pic and Age Group Winner on it. I think they designed it just for me but they put winner instead of rocks!
The shirt


After I did a little shopping.  I looked out the window of the store I was in and it had started to snow. I left but it was already too late. The drive home was TERRIBLE mostly due to the visibility which was pretty nil!  I made it but it took much longer than the way down.
The drive home.........this is where the visibility was
actually not bad!

30 comments:

TP said...

Way to go on the races. I wish it would stop with all the snow already :-)

Andrew Opala said...

Looks like you enjoy the winter running!

Tina @GottaRunNow said...

That's a great finishing time and you haven't been racing for very long! 15 is a perfect temp? Brr!

Marlene said...

I think you can still say you're coming back from injury. :) Regardless, you ran a GREAT race! Congrats on the AG award!!

Jill said...

Well, my long run pace is about a minute and a half slower than it was at this time last year...so yep, you get to use that injury card for a VERY long time. I hope to be up to my old pace by October, if I'm lucky. Great race, lady...I've never met anyone who one a soup cup before, that is pretty dang cool! Congratulations. And 15 degrees is ideal? You and I have totally different perceptions of ideal...I was cursing the 31 degree I ran outside today. :)

Pat said...

Congrats on the race. I'm sure it was a misprint on the mug. I bet they really meant for it to say Rocks instead of Winner, lol.

2 Slow 4 Boston said...

I know the question has already been posed, but 15º is ideal? Maybe if the race was indoors.

Pahla said...

However long you were off from injury (x2) is my rule of thumb for saying I'm "just coming back" from injury.
Congrats on a terrific race and I LOVE that AG award!! I don't think I would consider 15 degrees the perfect temperature for anything.

Kandi said...

Congrats on your AG award! Love the award and the nice shirts. Glad you made it home safely in that snow!!

MCM Mama said...

Congrats on the age group award! I could never live with that kind of snow. I'd never get to leave my house. ;o)

Jennifer said...

Congrats on the hardware, and it's usefull hardware too!

Average Woman Runner said...

Nice run! Congratulations on the award - it's so nice when they give away something useful :)

jennifer said...

I think if you have to suffer through an injury you get to use that card FOREVER!!! Congrats on the race and the AG award!

Jenn said...

That was me. Signed in under the wrong account!

Christina said...

Congrats on the AG award!
I cant figure out how does one drive in snow like that. :)

Unknown said...

Yeah for prizes in your age group! Do you realize you used 15 degrees in the same sentence as "perfect?" That's just crazy!!

Liz said...

I wouldn't worry about your time. Only one minute slower is pretty good considering how long you were out of running. You are still coming back from injury - it takes a while!

Amy said...

Congratulations on your age group award and how cool you got to run with Darlene! I am really looking forward to meeting up with Fran this fall.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on the AG win, I love it when they give us stuff we can use in our lives! Glad you made it home safely and I hope to finally meet you at St. Paddy's day 8k!! :)

Ewa said...

15F, coming off injury and second place. You ROCK! Congrats!
I really don't miss driving in snow.

Suzy said...

Congrats on the AG and a good race!

Unknown said...

congrats on the AG award!!

Anne said...

Congrats on a great race and an AG award!! Also, always cool to meet up with a fellow blogger :) One day, it'll be you and me!

Darlene said...

I see that a lot of bloggers don't like the cold like me. But as you know the weather was PERFECT! Sorry you got caught in the storm. I headed South & hit rain. It was so nice to see you again & I'm sure we will run together at another time (when the weather is nicer.) Good luck in your next race.

Fran said...

How cool that you and Darlene met again. It looks like cold but fun!

Char said...

You were lucky that the weather held out for the race. Nice loot

Jamie said...

glad you made it home okay! congrats on the Feb race and the AG award!

Katie A. said...

Whoo hoo! Congrats on the AG win!!! And I think it's fair to say that you can use the injury excuse as long as you need to, but to me you are doing amazing!!!
Have a wonderful week!!

Richelle said...

Way to go on the AG award! :) Great race!

Lindsay said...

Congrats on the AG award! They knew you were coming so they tailored the award just for you :)