Whoa, it's time for the Daytona Beach Half Marathon weekend already?! I ran the half marathon in 2017 for my 3rd fastest 13.1 and again in 2018. Last year they added a new Saturday afternoon beach 5K, which could be added to either (5K or 13.1) Sunday race for a challenge. I ran the Dual 5K challenge last year and again this year.
Training & Goals
Following most of December in a walking boot and another month of PT I am cleared to run, but I need to ease back in as I lost a lot of fitness and gained a lot of weight in the last year.
My knees have been hurting a lot lately so I probably am going to need some help with them. My Achilles still feels weak but it seems that doing the stretching and strengthening exercises keeps the lingering pain away.
For this race I wanted to keep up my regular intervals, which are at 45:30 run:walk, for the entire distance. Since this was a beach run in the middle of a sunny day, I didn't have any thoughts of improving my most recent best time. I also hadn't run since last weekend's races, hoping it might provide my knees a chance to heal.
Race Day: February 8, 2020
Arthur came with me to this race on Saturday afternoon. We parked the car and made the .7 mile walk to the start area. I picked up my packet and we waited for the race to begin at 2PM. It was about 64°F at the start with 54% humidity and bright sunshine.
Mile 1: 12:36
I felt okay. It was nice to run on the beach. The sand was hardpacked and firm, great for running.
Mile 2: 12:39
Mile 3+: 12:43, 1:38
Textbook positive splits but not terrible, I guess. I was pleased at least that I kept up the pace, more or less, without any elongated walking breaks. I don't know which I find more brutal, running in high humidity or direct bright sunlight. 
After Party
There were sliders and little beers for runners after the race. Race DJ was there to entertain. Arthur and I had plans to do some birding before dinner so we didn't stay long at all.
Recommendation
This was the second year for the Beachin' It 5K and I think the organizers did a great job once again. Recommended, as a stand-alone or as part of a 2-day challenge. I'll have more to say about tomorrow's main event in my next post.
Chip time: 39:31
Placement details: 21/42 in Age Group; 263rd out of 475 finishers
Race Amenities: Gender-specific tech shirts (mediocre but much better than last year's simple thin cotton shirts that ran small), finisher medal for all
Cost: $51 for both 5K races in the challenge.
Report written February 10, 2020
Branded photos (c) Almost There Photography
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