Race Recap: United With The Blue 5K 2023

I participated in the second annual United With The Blue 5K in Lake Mary, Florida. The race director is a WVR club mate and the event honors law enforcement fallen officers and raises funds for two related charities: Law Enforcement United and Team Blueline.

I had to participate last year virtually due to a conflict; I was happy to participate in person this year.

Training & Goals
I've been having a lot of knee pain. I meant to try easy run:walk intervals as my knees would allow.

Race Day: November 5, 2023
This race takes place on the Cross-Seminole Trail from Front Running Sports in Lake Mary. It's a familiar out-and-back course on a popular multi-use trail that several local races use. It's an easy 15 minute drive from home and I was able to find a great parking spot, pick up my packet, and stow my stuff before the race started. I had bad timing as I apparently missed our club group photos by a minute.

Mile 1: 14:57
After a short walking warm-up, I mixed in some short running spurts, but my knees weren't having it. 

Mile 2: 14:52
I did my best power walk for miles 2 and 3. 

Mile 3+: 15:11, 2:19
There were a lot of walkers on the course, so I didn't feel too alone. 

After the Race
There were treats for runners at the end of the run, including candy, munchkins, half bananas, and beer from Tactical Brewing Company. WVR won a trophy for having the largest team. I stayed for some of the awards ceremony before heading home. 

Recommendation
This is a good race that supports a great cause. It's a nice run on a beautiful local trail. Recommended.

Chip time: 47:15 
Placement details: 5/11 in Age Group, 155th out of 200 finishers.
Race Amenities: Tech unisex t-shirt and finisher medal for all.
Cost: $21.19

All photos (c) Almost There Photography

Comments

Be the first to comment

Comments with links or HTML will be deleted. Your comment will be published pending approval.
Your email address will not be published

Race Report: Disney Star Wars Dark Side 5K 2017

Woo hoo, it was time for my second Dark Side weekend! The Dark Side 5K last year was my first runDisney event and I learned a lot! I had a ton of fun then and even more fun this time since I knew better what to expect....

Local Race Recap: DBK 5K 2018

The DBK 5K is sponsored by a local contracting company. The 2018 race was the 4th annual; I ran this one previously in 2016. Training & GoalsI was finally starting to feel like my injury was behind me following my fall and suspected fractured/bruised rib(s) at...

Race Recap: Star Wars Dark Side 5K 2018

Woo hoo, it's my favorite race weekend! This was my third year participating in the Dark Side races and my third consecutive Dark Side 5K. I signed up for the challenge on the first day of registration, but I waited on the 5K. It eventually sold out and...

Race Recap: Saturn 5K (Apollo 11 50th Anniversary Race)

For the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission to the moon, a pair of commemorative races was organized to take place on Kennedy Space Center property. I wanted to run the Apollo 11K but that race had a 13 minute mile minimun that I wasn't sure...