2. The Last Run (early December)

The Last Run is was a 5k race (last I heard, it’s actually closer to 3 miles now) run by the City of Albany Office of Special Events brings together 1700 runners in the Capital District for a night time race from City Hall, through the Capital Holiday Lights display in Washington Park, and back. It’s something I’ve wanted to do for several years since I moved to Albany Albany (as opposed to Loudonville, right outside of Albany), but I never seem to sign up quickly enough. (I was informed by the Director of Special Events next time I could just give her a call to get into the race…#tuilipperks?)

Like, a tenth of the snacks we helped arrange. The perfect fan formation was insisted upon because of the fact that apparently people are very particular about how their snacks are arranged after they have run. Or something.

Yesterday at the event, I helped with packet pick-up, which was an absolute tease (and also an incredibly long 4 hours to be standing on my feet). I’ve been a runner for over ten years, which is incredible to think about, but despite the normal ebbs and flows, highs and lows, and joys and heartbreaks that I’ve found to define running for over a decade, I’ve trained and competed pretty consistently up until maybe two or three years ago when this whole medical school deal began.

Me, Tara, and Kelly. Note the extreme jealousy on my face knowing that they are about to run and I get to direct people to bathrooms. Running >>>>> almost everything else >>>>> directing people to the bathroom.

Running is absolutely and will always be my first love, but since concluding my collegiate running career I’ve been in a pretty stable state of loving the freedom of skipping running to go to an impromptu hot yoga class with a friend, biking outside on particularly beautiful day, and throwing my heart and soul (and almost my back out) into kickboxing when all I want to do is punch someone in the face while simultaneously being jealous of people’s new PRs, qualifications for prestigious running races, and loaded training logs I once knew to be my own norm.

So you might be able to imagine my sentiments while handing out shirts for four hours to eager runners, dressed in red and green, with bells and flashing holiday lights, excitement and nervousness in the air: I was insanely jealous. Perhaps next year I’ll be able to add to this post after having completed the event, but it is, for sure, on my Albany Bucket List that lives in my head and grows exponentially as residency creeps and creeps and creeps (i.e. slowly) towards me, a residency that may or may not keep me in the Albany area.

The Last Run

When and Where: Early December; Downtown, beginning at City Hall (24 Eagle St.)

Highlights: Running, duh; unique night race that goes through the Capital Holiday Lights in Washington Park; roads closed off and well marshaled (safety); huge event that draws tens of thousands of people out from hibernation each December

Cost: $25 to 35, depending on when you sign up

Good for: Families, friends, date (don’t let her win; she doesn’t want you to let her win)

Would I go again?: Yes…but actually compete.