Local Race Recap: Inaugural Be Healthy 5K 2022
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I ran the inaugural Be Healthy 5K charity race for a local non-profit community health center on Saturday, September 24th. The race was put on by Track Shack and took place in Sanford, following a familiar route from Fort Mellon Park, along the beautiful lakefront, and through downtown Sanford.
Training & Goals
Since January 1st I've been working on coming back after a period of no running, managing knee pain, and working on losing some pandemic weight. It hasn't been going too well. During the first months of the year I saw progess with weight loss, but the summer has been a disaster. My knees have also been a problem; regular steroid shots seem to lose their effectiveness earlier each time and take longer to provide relief. So it's not great. By race morning I was three weeks out of running at all and had very low expectations.
I also decided to use this race as my run for the 2022 Virtual Global Energy Race 5K. I don't normally like to "double up" a virtual race with another event, but I felt stressed during the week long race window, due to various factors, and I don't have time for that. Doubling up helped save my sanity.
I picked up a new running watch, the Garmin 245, and I would be using it for the first time during the race. I set up easy 1:2 run:walk intervals and aimed to do what I felt up to, after a walking warm-up.
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/750x_fit/_Be-Healthy-Club-Mates.png)
Race Day: September 24, 2022
I had picked up my packet at Track Shack prior to race day. Parking is easy in Sanford so I aimed to arrive about 20 minutes before the race start time of 7:30AM and that worked out just fine. I met up with some club mates before the race began.
I wore a polyester honeycomb shirt that was perfect for the event, so at least I looked cute. It was a pleasant 73°F with 83% humidity when I started my race at 7:31AM.
Mile 1: 13:33
This mile takes runners along Lake Monroe and swings around Fort Mellon Park. I walked for 3 minutes before taking up the 1:2 run:walk intervals. My knees felt okay after warming up.
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/980x_fit/_Be-Healthy-BBA-On-the-Run.jpg)
Mile 2: 14:08
Weeks of no activity = bad performance. Ugh. I felt bad, put pressed on. My knees weren't too bad, luckily. My heart and lungs were screaming, though.
Mile 3+: 14:27; 1:41
As always on this familiar course, the run back towards the start/finish at Fort Mellon Park is into the sun. It felt hot. I was happy to turn back onto that last shaded stretch.
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/980x_fit/_Be-Healthy-BBA-Finish.jpg)
After the Race
Track Shack puts on good events, and this inaugural race was no exception. There were several sponsor tents set up from local health-related businesses, and plenty of water and snacks for runners. I think there was beer as well, but I headed out quickly after crossing the finish line and didn't get to partake.
Recommendation
Sanford + Track Shack = a good event. There was good course support and safety officers, fine start/finish activities, ample snacks and water, and good swag. This is a flat and fast course; recommended.
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/980x_fit/_Be-Healthy-Certificate.png)
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/980x_fit/_Global-Energy-2022-Certificate.png)
Chip time: 43:47
Placement details: 21/37 in Age Group; 327/482 overall
Race Amenities: Gender-specific soft cotton tee, finisher medal for all.
Cost: $33
Watermarked race photos (c) BB Action Photo
![](https://www.werunforfun.com/assets/uploads/9/750x_fit/2022-Be-Healthy-Shirt.jpg)
Addendum 1/20/23: I gave this shirt away (Goodwill) in January 2023
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