Never Too Old To Try
Have you ever set a goal, pushed your limits, and crossed the finish line knowing you gave it your all? It’s not easy to do it, but holy cow! It feels SOO good! It’s been a while, but the Queen Bee has decided it’s time to put the body – and the brain – to the test once again. Are you ready to take on The Alley Pond 5-Mile Challenge with me?
The 40th running of the Alley Pond 5-Mile Challenge is on April 27th, 2025 and I’m gonna do my best to cross that finish line! The first time I took on the challenge as a nutrition student at Queens College, I crossed the the finish line cursing, “Drats! I bleep-ing $%!$% bleep!” It was so hard and I was totally unprepared.
The next time I crossed the finish line, I was laughing, “I can’t believe I did it!” I was the new mother of twins and I got myself through the course with mental fortitude, “I did it before, I can do it again!” The twins are 19 years old (they’re old, I’m not!), and I don’t know what’s gong to happen at the finish line! All I know is I’m going to try!
The Best Road Race In Queens
The Alley Pond 5-Mile Challenge has a reputation as one of the best races in Queens. It’s a challenging course – both hilly and beautiful. It goes through Alley Pond Park on the historical Vanderbilt Motor Parkway. The Park was created by a glacier during the last ice age; it features meadows, forests, tidal flats, and fresh and saltwater wetlands. You won’t see any traffic lights or cars, because the entire USTAF certified course is inside the beautiful park.
The 5-mile course is designed to challenge you with a mix of elevation changes, including a rather interesting uphill start! The course winds though wooded areas, wetlands, and open fields, all particularly beautiful at the beginning of spring. It is well marked and measured with accurate splits, so you can set your goals and track them as you move along The Challenge.
The Alley Pond Striders have been around for 45 years and this is the club’s 40th year of running the 5-Mile Challenge. The club members are walkers and runners with diverse fitness abilities, but they share a common goal of supporting good health and community. Proceeds from the run are dedicated to the Our Lady of Lourdes Food Pantry in Queens Village where they are currently assisting a case load of 456 families through times of food insecurity.
Sweet Surprises for Signing Up
The race application can be found inside the Alley Pond Fieldhouse (Winchester and Union Turnpike), but you can easily register for the race online on the Elite Feats website; they are the professionals behind the scenes that help make the race a stellar event from start to finish.
Before the race, Lorine, the owner of Swaying Tree Yoga, will be leading a gentle warm-up and stretching session for participants. I wouldn’t miss it if I were you…warming up before a race that starts up hill is especially important to activate your muscles and to prevent injury.
The Queen Bee definitely won’t miss it because Lorine always makes me smile. And interestingly, smiling while running can enhance performance! It triggers the release of endorphins, which can make the run feel easier and more enjoyable. HA! I also read it can also help relax facial muscles and promote better breathing! I’m IN…how ’bout you?
If you’d like to bee a part of the “Queen Bee Brigade”, send us a message. We’ll have a special Backyard Bees surprise for you when you cross the finish line – it doesn’t matter if you walk or run across, just finish and you can share the buzz with the Queen!
Early bird registration ends on April 9th, so make a commitment and get your discounted entry fee AND a dri-fit T-shirt!
Ready or Not, Here I Come!
Now that my twins are 19 years old, I feel a mix of anxiety and excitement about participating again. I know Iām not fully ready, but that has never stopped me from pushing my limits. Fitness is a journey, and facing challenges head-on is a beautiful part of it. I am determined to give the course my best shot one more time. – I still have about 60 days to get ready! So, join me as I lace up my running shoes and prepare to embrace the great outdoors once again!
Backyard Bees is about more than just the bees – bee green with me!
