Race Recap: Shark Bite 5K 2019

The fourth annual Shark Bite Half Marathon and 5K took place on January 20, 2019. This fun and popular event happens in the shark bite capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The charity Girls on the Run Volusia County is associated with the race.

Training & Goals
My right Achilles tendon is still bothering me so I haven't been running very much. While running the tendon isn't painful. The pain sets in later and lasts a couple of days, depending on how much I ran. My endurance has taken a huge hit with the lack of regular cardio. Shortly before race day I traded my half marathon bib with another runner's 5K bib. I hoped to complete the 5K in under 40 minutes.

Race Day: January 20, 2019
I left home around 5:45AM and managed to find a parking spot about a half mile from the start line. I hung out by our club's tent until it was time to run. After a quick group photo I got my bib and shirt from my trade partner and the half marathoners were off at 7:30AM. When the 5K started 10 minutes later it was a cool 59°F with partly cloudy skies. As the morning continued the sky cleared and the wind started howling. It was brutal for parts of the half marathon. Luckily for all the predicted rain passed through the area before the races started.

Mile 1: 12:19
I've been running 2:1 intervals so that's what I started off with. I felt okay.

Mile 2: 12:09
Geesh, I started feeling extra winded pretty fast. I kept up my run:walk at 2:1 through mile 2.

Mile 3+: 13:02, 1:20
Super winded, super high heart rate. I switched to 1:2 for the last mile, feeling completely exhausted. Ugh.

After Party
Legendary! Have a local craft beer in your new finisher's pint glass! Enjoy a slice of piping hot pizza! Ride the mechanical shark! I had fun cheering the half marathoners as they came in, including so many WVR members and the club's amazing team of pacers.

Recommendation
Great swag and a smooth operation. You can't ask for more. Highly recommended.

Chip time: 38:48
Race Amenities: Swag: huge finisher medal, pint glass, and super soft casual t-shirt for all finishers of both races; finisher hat for top 10% half marathon runners; free race photos. All this plus an after party including beer, pizza, vendors and a mechanical shark
Cost: $55.06 (discounted price for half marathon)

edited finisher certificate (my name in place of the bib owner's)

Report written January 22, 2019

Group and professional race photos (c) Almost There Photography