Race Recap: Riverside Dash 5K 2019

This was my 3rd year participating in the Riverside Dash. You can see my previous reports here: Riverside Dash 5K 2017 and Riverside Dash 15K 2018. This year I did the 5K. The course for the 5K goes along the river front in Sanford and then through streets of downtown before returning to Fort Mellon Park. It's a very nice course.

Training & Goals
I felt okay after last weekend's races at Disney. My Achilles still doesn't feel right and I'm starting to wonder if that might be my new normal and I need to buck up and start running again and stop eating everything in sight. Anyway. No particular goals for this morning. Finish upright, don't die.

Race Day: April 14, 2019
I had picked up my packet ahead of time and the race is really close to home so I didn't have to leave too early. I found a good parking spot a few blocks from the start/finish area. I brought along my Oofos to change into after the race and my shirt, which was a bit on the small side, to exchange after the race. Bag check was smooth and easy. Soon the 15K runners took off and 10 minutes later it was time for us 5K participants. It was a warm 75°F with 89% humidity at the start. Fortunately the skies were cloudy so we didn't have any scorching sun to deal with along with the heat and humidity.

Mile 1: 12:44
The race starts at Fort Mellon Park and takes runners along the lakefront on Seminole Boulevard before turning back along 1st Street into downtown Sanford. Once I started moving I felt a lot of annoying little aches in my legs and knees. Took it easy with slow 2:1 run:walk intervals.

Mile 2: 13:00
This part of the race takes runners briefly along the lakefront at the marina and Veterans Memorial Park before turning back into downtown Sanford. There were at least 3 water stops before we finished mile 2, and I think we hit at least two more (on the out-and-back portion) on the course. I walked all of them -- the heat and humidity really got to me. My legs started to warm up but I felt like my heart was racing.

Mile 3+: 14:10, 2:09
The last mile had us on 1st Street once more, now running back the way we came, headed to the start/finish at Fort Mellon Park. I switched to a 1:2 run:walk interval because I was feeling extremely winded. Yeah, that will happen with no training.

After Party
I didn't stick around too long after the race. Like last year, a nice breakfast buffet was offered to runners, but I wasn't hungry. I did have a beer and spin the wheel at a couple of vendor booths before heading home.

Recommendation
This race is a regional favorite for the scenic courses for both the 5K and the 15K, great support, and generous after party. This year the medals were particularly nice and a soft cotton shirt was offered instead of tech (I like when races change this up from year to year). I continue to highly recommend this event.

Chip time: 41:57
Placement details: 23/39 in age group; 319 out of 501 finishers
Race Amenities: Nice gender-specific soft cotton shirt, nice finisher medals for all, nice fresh food and beer spread after the race
Cost: $33.50

Report written April 14, 2019

Amy running downtown photo (c) Almost There Photography