Orlando Race Report: Lady Track Shack 5K 2018

I ran the Lady Track Shack 5K on January 27th. This is a long-running local all-women 5K race that celebrates women's health and raises money for mammograms for members of the community in need.

Training & Goals
I've been struggling a bit with motivation and keeping up an extremely modest weekly base are about all the miles I've managed to log lately. I was just looking for a good tempo run and hoped to avoid tripping on Orlando's cobbled roads.

Race Day: January 27, 2018
I had picked up my shirt and bib prior to race day so I didn't have to worry about getting to the event early. Arthur drove down with me and we found a spot to park the car in a nearby parking garage. We followed pink people to the race staging area, which had a lot of vendors and activity. With over 2K runners, the race lineup stretched around a corner. It was 63°F at the start with 83% humidity.

Mile 1: 11:13
I was a bit late getting to the starting area so I found myself towards the back.

It took me over two and a half minutes to cross the starting mat! I had to walk on and off while I made my way through the sea of pink. It was a fun atmosphere, with lots of runners in costume and many groups of women running or walking together.

Mile 2: 11:28
The field thinned out a bit but there was still some bobbing and weaving. We passed a DJ playing music behind Track Shack at around the halfway point.

Mile 3+: 10:53, 1:39
The approach to the finish line was full of spectators. I tried to pick it up at the end for a strong finish. This was a slower 5K for me but I was happy with the run.

After the Race
All runners received a finisher medal as well as a small plant as a finisher gift. I picked out a little palm. I got a banana and a bottle of water and found Arthur. We looked around the runner village for a while and I got a couple of treat samples before we headed back to the car.

Recommendation
Track Shack events are typically slick and well-run, and this race was no different. Support on the course was very good and there was a lot to look at and do at the start/finish area. The race supports a great local cause. Recommended.

Chip time: 35:11
Placement details: 61th of 255 in Age Group, 618th overall out of 2213 finishers
Race Amenities: Long sleeve Raw Threads t-shirt, nice medal, choice of baby plant
Cost: $30.00

Report written February 7, 2018

Professional race photos (c) BB Action Photo