Freihofer's Run for Women race report.

OK, I told you all about how great the running group is and their special gift to me. Now I'll get on with the actual race report. First, here's a look at the crew (minus a few) before the race:

Darlene, Jen M, Melissa, Janis, me, Jen F, Bridget

And here I am sharing a hug with Conal:

(Yes, I'm wearing my "Running for Two" shirt!)

After the hug, I went to line up with 3500 or so other women. The race starts in front of the New York State Museum, on a two-lane avenue that thins out about a quarter mile in to the route. It gets super crowded there in the beginning!

I was fortunate to find a decent place to line up, more toward the front than I would have liked, in part because I had to pee right before the start so I was a little on the late side. No matter, I was where I was and I was just happy to be doing the race.

Since the day was so warm and humid, I'd more or less wiped my A goal (27 min or better) out of my mind and told myself to go out and run, but run comfortably. There was no need to push it and risk overheating.

So, when the gun went off, that's what I did. I ran. Soon enough, I had settled into a good pace and felt that I was running well. I passed the first mile in 8:59. Shortly after that was the first water stop and I slowed just a bit, grabbed a cup and drank on the run.

The second mile of the race winds through the south side of Albany's Washington Park and there are two sneaky uphills so it can be tricky. I continued to feel strong and I even found myself thanking the spectators for their exuberant cheers. Normally, I'm so focused on a specific pace that I am pushing and pushing and not paying attention to those nice people who shout encouragement to the runners. It was a nice change of pace (har, har) to appreciate the spectators!

I went through mile 2 in 17:47 and started to concentrate on running strong for the third mile. Of course, my mind couldn't help but start trying to do the math to see if I could finish under 27 minutes. I knew I would have to really push in order to make that happen and I also knew that I didn't feel like I should. As I said, it was hot and, well, at 5.5 months pregnant the heat isn't something you mess around with.

So, I ran on. When we turned out of the park on to Madison Ave, which marks the straightaway to the finish line, I felt myself pick up the pace a little. And once I hit the downhill to the finish, I poured it on.

Here I am, bringing it home:

I crossed the line in 27:28 -- so close to my A goal! My bib time, however, was 27:11 and I'll take it!

Race stats:

Net time: 27:11 (8:45/mi pace)
Mile 1: 8:59
Mile 2: 8:48
Mile 3: 8:28
Last .1: 1:23
Age group place: 64/421
Overall place: 668/3521

So, yay me. Getting it done for all the pregnant runners out there!

Now, how did my awesome new runners do? Um . . . they did GREAT! Man, oh, man. They really did. This was their first race and these mamas gave it their all and made me so proud! Here's how they finished:

Janis: 31:09
Bridget: 32:47
Jen M.: 33:18
Jen F.: 35:29
Lisa: 38:02

Great, right? The best part is that they looked so happy afterward and they are already talking about their next races! How cool is that?

One of the runners has run many races but has been trying to get back to running after having her baby (who is just 6-months old):

Melissa: 30:58

And then there were my super-duper running blogger buddies who helped out over the past three months, supporting the new runners, showing up at group runs and generally being good friends and runners:

Darlene: 30:39
Suzy: 30:53
Amanda: 31:06

Everyone did SO WELL! I mean, check us out:

Melissa, Amanda, Darlene, me, Jen M, Janis, Jen F, Lisa
Bridget, Suzy (kneeling)

Those are some happy runners :-)

After the race we hung out a bit and chatted and hugged and cried and did all that fun stuff. Then, it was time for the kids' run. This was Conal's first race and it was a quick 50m. Since he's just in the little guy category, I had to run with him.

See the tongue in the corner of his mouth? That kid is focused! He loved running the race, almost as much as I did.

Once we got home, it was time to kick things in to high gear to finish preparing for an afternoon birthday celebration for Conal (and me). We had a house and backyard full of almost 60 people and I, insane woman that I am, was making pretty much all the food. Fortunately, I'd done most everything on Friday so Saturday was just the final touches. The party was great fun and even though I forgot to put out one of the chicken dishes I had made, I think everything went well. At least everyone let me think it did ;-)

Do you think I was wiped out on Sunday? Sure was! It was all worth it.

Have a great day, everyone!

~ Felice

PS: Have you entered my two giveaways over here?