Local 10K Race Report: Remarkable River Racing Series 2016

There are three events in the Remarkable River Racing Series. The first event was a 5K at the end of February that I did not attend. I ran in second event, the 10K (which was accompanied by a 5K); a 15K/5K race will take place on September 25th. The racing series benefits the non-profit Building Remarkable Communities charity, a Volusia county group that works to eradicate domestic violence.

Training & Goals
Summertime is the off-season for racing. It's hot, it's humid, and it's the time of year when running in Florida really sucks. My goal for the summer was just to maintain fitness and be ready for race training when I start up at the beginning of August. I joined the West Volusia Runners club and participated in the Summer Challenge to run 100 miles with the group from the beginning of May through to the end of July. Certain races could be applied to the Challenge's miles and this was one of them. I was looking forward to running my second 10K race with no particular goal in mind but a hope to PR.

Race Day: June 12, 2016
The race took place in Port Orange and with an early start time of 6:30AM, I had to get up pretty early to make it to the starting line on time. I got very lucky with a nearby parking spot, picked up my packet, and dropped off my goodies in the car. I headed back to wait in the miles-long portapotty line. I kept looking at my watch -- I thought there was no way I'd get my business done before the gun went off. Luckily the line moved quickly and I managed to hop out and get ready to race with about 90 seconds to spare. I had a moment to snap a quick photo before being funneled into the starting area and heading out to run. It was 73° with 100% humidity and a light cooling coastal breeze at start time.

Mile 1: 10:01
The race starts out following the Halifax River along Halifax Drive. Watching the sun rise over the water was a nice race perk. Before the M1 marker the 10K runners split from the 5K and took a jog into the neighborhood before heading back to follow the riverfront.

Mile 2: 10:27

Mile 3: 10:37
The turn-around was a cul-de-sac where Riverside Drive dead-ends.

Mile 4: 10:31
Except for a brief jog into a residential street around M4, the course was a straightforward out-and-back run.

Mile 5: 10:40

Mile 6+: 10:46, 2:30*
I was very happy to cross the finish line with a nice 3+ minute Personal Record (PR)!

Chip time: 1:05:22 (3:05 PR)
Placement details: 8/25 in age group; 111th overall out of 261 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a ladies tech shirt, finisher medal, generic goodie bag, and a motivational book. Another outstanding hot breakfast buffet from Aunt Catfish's on the River.
Cost: $33.61 (used $5 coupon; includes $3.61 Active.com fee)

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written July 29, 2016

Featured & running photos (c) Almost There Photography