Beekmantown Turkey Trot 5k: Race Recap

Last Saturday, I ventured to Beekmantown, NY to do their second annual turkey trot. Leading up to this race, I was so excited. I knew I was in a really good spot for a PR, and I’ve been feeling really strong lately so I knew it was possible. I was ready to give it my all!

I had pasta with my grandma’s sauce and meatballs for lunch the day before, so for dinner the night before I went to Buffalo Wild Wings for my favorite salad and a beer (found the last of the Sam Adam’s Octoberfest!). After relaxing for the rest of the night, I was ready for an earlier-than -welcome wake-up call the next morning.

Flat Sam was ready!

The race website said that race number pickup was only from 7-8 so I was at the elementary school at 7:40, for good measure. Thankfully they let us wait inside the school until the 9:00 race because it was cold. While I was staying positive in my mind that I knew I could rock the race, I was really worried about what to wear. I ended up being happy that I left my jacket in my car and only wore my vest on top of everything else. I ended up shedding my headband at mile 2 which felt good.

Before I left, I turned on the virtual pacer on my watch to an 8:35 goal pace. I needed just below an 8:50 to get a PR and I wanted some wiggle room. For the whole first mile it kept telling me I was above pace but I wasn’t worried until I reached .75 mi at 5:45. I slowed it right down and hit mile 1 at 8:21 – right on. It was a very slight downhill so I didn’t think any of it. Then the uphill started, and it never ended. It was gradual, but just enough to make me more uncomfortable. My pace kept dropping little by little, and before I knew it I was falling behind with my second mile being 8:52.

I wasn’t giving up, I wanted that PR so freaking badly. I thought I was going to hurl around mile 2.8 but that was kind of a good feeling – knowing I was giving it my all. I was so furious when I saw the clock say 27:17 and I still had the last push left to go. I ended up finishing in 27:35, 8 seconds behind my goal.  To say I was disappointed would be an understatement. I wanted to cry, I wanted to throw things, and if there weren’t kids around I probably would have screamed.

However, it’s not the end of the world. After getting to work, I gradually cheered up. When I saw on the results that I came in 20th out of 120, and 6th female, I was happier. If they did age groups, I would have come in second, being beat by just 20 seconds. A night out in Burlington with a good friend made me realize that missing my goal by 8 seconds wasn’t that big of a deal. It was cold, it was windy, and it was hilly. There will be other races. I gave it my all, and I should be happy with that. There’s a night 5K in Plattsburgh in a few weeks – I love running at night so that might be my next shot.

I have another Turkey Trot tomorrow! I was really looking to use it as a second attempt at a PR but I don’t think it’s going to happen. With the snow that we’re getting, it’s looking like it will be a messy run. I’m looking to put in a solid effort, finish in under 28:00 and not fall flat on my face.