Local 5K Race Report: DeBary 5K 2016 or: That Time I Forgot My Garmin

The DeBary 5K is sponsored in large part by a local contracting company, DBK. Proceeds go towards DeBary Elementary School and the Kruid Foundation. The 2016 race was the 2nd annual.

Training & Goals
I had just come back from a 10-day holiday in Costa Rica a few days before race day, and I wasn't back into any kind of structured running regimen at all (I managed one weak 2-mile run while on vacation). With our summer heat I figure I won't be getting any PRs until the fall at best, so my goal was to finish within a reasonable time and have fun.

Race Day: May 21, 2016
As I was getting ready to bike to the start, I had a funny feeling I was forgetting something. Bib, check. Phone and holder, check. Bike lock and keys, check. DBK is just a short ride away and I left home at around 7AM, about a half hour before starting time. It wasn't until I got my bike secured that I realized I forgot my Garmin! Oh no! Racing without my little pace buddy was no fun at all. Hopefully that won't happen again. It was about 72° at the start but the sun wasn't beating down on us just yet and there was a cool(ish) breeze. There was a great atmosphere around the start with the race emcee and DJ and others leading dances and other antics. The race party was well stocked with bounce houses and a huge water slide set up, food vendors, a face painter, and free beer for runners at the end of the race.

Mile 1: 9:43*
How fast am I going? Am I going to PR? I feel like I'm going incredibly slow. It's okay, I won't PR, no problem. Should I slow down? I have no idea. Haven't we run a mile yet?

Mile 2: 9:46*
I feel like I'm running too fast. Slow down... That's too slow. Or is it? I have no idea. Should I take a walk break? Have I been running 4 minutes? 8 minutes? 24 minutes? I have no idea. Haven't we run two miles yet?

Mile 3+: 10:16*, 2:11*
Could I still PR? I have no idea. I feel like I'm pushing... but I think I've taken more walking breaks than I should have. Oh, I can hear the race emcee... Finishers are under 31 minutes -- okay, that's clear, no PR! I can still finish strong. Let's go!

Arthur and I had plans to go to Disney for the day (typical race day --> Disney fun day!) so I only had time for a quick selfie with the mayor of DeBary before I headed home!

Chip time: 31:06
Placement details: 14 of 45 in age group, 121th overall out of 491 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a ladies tech shirt, finisher's medal, nice swag bag with rubber DBK mascot and other nice goodies.
Cost: $25.00

*I used my phone to track the race but I started and ended the timer with a large buffer since it takes me a moment to get the phone into and out of my arm holder.

Report written May 31, 2016

Featured photo & running photo (c) Almost There Photography