Another local small race! The course for this race benefitting the Enterprise Museum was similar to that of the Enterprise Spooktacular 5k back in October.

Training & Goals
The usual. Still injured! My goals haven't changed for the last few races: work on my running gait; come in under 40 minutes; keep up my run:walk ratio of 2:1.

Race Day: March 16, 2019
This is another race that's very close to home. I had picked up my packet ahead of time. I biked over to the Enterprise museum Saturday morning and secured my bike. Soon it was time to run, but our start was delayed a bit as they marked the course. Luckily it was overcast and not hot at a pleasant 66°F at the start with a sticky 100% humidity.

Mile 1: 12:08
I started running my usual intervals. During my first walk break I bumped into Karen, a WVR teammamte. We decided to run together. We started out on the local trail before turning into neighborhoods of Enterprise and running along Lake Monroe for a bit.

Mile 2: 12:11
Karen pushed me on the run intervals!

Mile 3+: 12:05, 1:18
It was a gun start with a chip finish. I ended with my fastest 5K time since September.

After Party
Each runner received two beer tickets at the end so the atmosphere at the after party was pretty laid back. There were also bananas, oranges, crackers, granola bars, and bagels. Soda and water was offered as well. The age group awards were given out and the raffle winner were announced.

Recommendation
It's a small one! The course was well-marked and staffed with volunteers to keep runners safe from traffic. Free beer at the end with plenty of other treats available. I'll run this again. Recommended.

Chip time: 37:43
Placement details: 9/15 in Age Group, 67 out of 119 total finishers
Race Amenities: Unisex tech shirt and small finisher medal for all. Free beer!
Cost: $18

Report written March 16, 2019

Medal and running photos with Karen (c) Bill VanHorn; finish line video screenshot & group photo provided by race

Running with the Chromies is a local charity race that benefits Welcoming Hearts, a nonprofit dedicated to helping those with special needs, including families of individuals with Downs Syndrome. This was the first year a 10K was offered alongside the 5K. I ran the 5K before in 2016 and 2018.

Training & Goals
Still injured. I need to work on my running gait and other things but my head's just not in it. My goal for the race was as before: work on my running gait; come in under 40 minutes; keep up my run:walk ratio of 2:1.

Race Day: March 9, 2019
I biked to Gemini Springs and picked up my packet. I had a lot of time to kill before the race so I walked around the park for a while. It was a nice morning. The temperature was about 70°F with 78% humidity when I started running at 9AM.

Mile 1: 12:39

Mile 2: 12:54

Mile 3+: 12:52, 1:24*

I have a lot of problems with this race. It's super close to my home and so easy to attend, but this may have been my last year running. There are a lot of things the race directors could do to improve the runner experience. I don't like badmouthing a charity race but I didn't enjoy myself and I know why so here it is.

Suggestions for Improvement

1. Please give finisher medals out after the race. The medals came in our initial packet and this is the only race I have ever experienced this. To me it just screams out that no one involved in the organization has ever run a race before or did any basic research. It's strange and runners miss out on a sense of accomplishment by not receiving the finisher's medal at the appropriate time.

1.5 Along those lines, how about some new medals maybe? My medal from 2019 is identical to the medal from 2018. Really?

2. I wish this race (and all races) would stop using plastic cups at the water stop. Please use paper cups, or better yet, encourage runners to bring their own bottles. The 5K water stop was filling the plastic cups from a spouted water cooler.

3. Please improve the course monitor situation! Upon returning to Gemini Springs after the out-and-back portion of the race, runners were supposed to turn onto the sidewalk adjacent to the park entrance road. We had run out along the exit road. There were no monitors or marshals out on the course for this crucial turn and several runners missed it, running a short course. As I came up on the turn, two bike marshalls came racing out and turned the runner who was in front of me around so she was on the right course.

4. Please start the races earlier. The 10K began at 8:30AM and the 5K at 9:00AM. Sunrise was at 6:42AM. Running two hours after sunrise on a potentially warm spring day is not a great idea. Plenty of races have different distances start the race at the same time or, if staggered, with a much shorter 10-15 minute break.

If they didn't stagger the races, volunteers wouldn't have to block the access roads two different times.

I suspect the late start time for the races might have to do with the festival, which begins at 10AM. If that is the case, it would be better to have the race finish by the festival. More runners might stay for that event if the finish line was nearby (as it was in 2016).

5. [EDIT] Sorry but I have to add another potentially petty nitpick. It's awesome when a race offers free photos, but posting them 11 days after race day isn't great. Other races that offer free photos usually have the pictures up within 24 hours in my experience. Like most of the other problems I have with this race, it's not a very big deal, but other races (similar in size and scope) do it so much better.

There were other small annoyances or missed opportunities and signs of mild disorganization, like no national anthem before the race, no bananas at the finish line, lack of direction / volunteers at the finish line (it was unclear where water was, and I heard others expecting to get their medal).

Recommendation
Sorry.

Chip time: 39:47
Placement details: 6/13 in AG, 41/94 overall
Race Amenities: Mediocre shirt, medal
Cost: $27.50

Report written March 15, 2019

I ran the small Turtle Trek 5K race in Ponce Inlet on March 2, 2019. The race is a fundraiser for the Volusia/Flagler Turtle Patrol, a group that works to protect nesting sea turtles in these two central Florida counties. 2019 was the second annual race.

Training & Goals
Still injured! I wanted to run Turtle Trek last year but I had a conflicting race. I've been seeing a sports chiropractor to help with my Achilles pain. I have been advised to make some changes to my running gait. This is hard! I also have some exercises to strengthen related muscles and those are hard too. I had a nearly pain-free short run earlier in the week. The pain is not completely gone but I finally have some hope I can get back at it. Now I have to work on losing some of this depression weight I've gained and getting my cardio fitness back to where it was. Goals for this race were to work on my running gait and hopefully come in under 40 minutes (ugh). I also hoped to keep up my run:walk ratio of 2:1.

Race Day: March 2, 2019
I arrived at the race site way too early for this little 130-participant race. I got my packet and sat in my car until it was almost time to line up. It was about 63°F at the start with overcast skies and 94% humidity.

Mile 1: 12:15
This was a simple out-and-back course with a small lollipop at the end. We headed out going north on Peninsula Drive from the Ponce Inlet lighthouse. You know how they say the first mile is a liar? I should have warmed up before the race because I felt horrible during this first mile.

Mile 2: 12:01
I felt better after warming up a bit. The course was well staffed with volunteers and local law enforcement keeping cars off of the road. We turned around at Loggerhead Court to head back to the lighthouse.

Mile 3+: 12:09, 2:09
A short detour from the out-and-back had us turn onto Beach Street and then down Sailfish Drive, a hard-packed dirt road, before heading back to the lighthouse for the finish.

After the Race
There were plenty of treats for runners afterwards, including the expected water and bananas. Granola bars, danishes, mini muffins, and other treats were also available. Pretty good spread for such a small race.

Recommendation
This is a well-run little charity race for a great cause. The USATF-certified course was well manned and the race offered average amenities. The awards were super cute; I wish there were participant medals for us also-rans. Anyway I would recommend this little race for locals.

Chip time: 38:34
Placement details: 4/6 in Age Group; 57th out of 130 overall participants
Race Amenities: Average unisex t-shirt
Cost: $22.75

Report written March 3, 2019

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon weekend made some changes for 2019, including adding a Saturday 5K and moving up the Sunday 5K to start shortly after the half marathon. I had planned to run the half marathon for the third year in a row. Read my previous reports from 2017 and 2018. I was glad to have the option to transfer to the Dual 5K Challenge. Following the Beachin' It 5K Saturday night, next up was the Lap the Track race on the famous Daytona Beach International Speedway.

Training & Goals
[Cue the usual of late] My right Achilles tendon is still bothering me so I haven't been running very much. No training, no goals.

Race Day: February 10, 2019
The venue for the finish line was changed for 2019. Parking was close to the finish line at One Daytona, across the road from the Speedway. I missed driving inside and parking the car in the middle of the race track. But everything went very smoothly at the new venue with plenty of volunteers to help guide us to the parking area and the event start.

My club's awesome pacers paced the half marathon and a lot of other club members ran as well. We had a group photo before the half runners took off.

Rain was threatening once more and it was a bit gloomy again with overcast skies. It was 66°F at the start with 94% humidity.

Mile 1: 12:42
The first two miles took us around the race track. I was a bit achy from the Beachin' It 5K the night before (complete lack of training) so took it slow.

Mile 2: 13:06
Achy but at least enjoying the run on the track.

Mile 3+: 13:17, 1:33
The last mile took us out of the track to a small out-and-back before we crossed International Speedway Boulevard via a pedestrian bridge. It was funny running up and down the wide access ramps; I thought we'd cross the road. Tried to push it at the end and felt ok crossing the finish line. It was fun to hear my name announced (see short video below).

After Party
Vendors and food and drink were immediately adjacent to the finish line. There was a nice spread including free beer and various snacks from First Watch, Ben & Jerry's, and other vendors. I stayed to watch a few of the first half marathoners come in before heading out for the day.

Recommendation
Organizers continue to do a great job with the events of this race weekend. Recommended.

Chip time: 40:42
Placement details: 13/45 AG and 354/668 overall
Race Amenities: Finisher medal for all, soft cotton gender-specific shirt, challenge medal for completing Dual 5K Challenge
Cost: $68.32 for the Dual 5K Challenge

Report written February 11, 2019

Group and finish line photo (c) Almost There Photography

The Daytona Beach Half Marathon weekend made some changes for 2019, including adding a Saturday 5K to the challenge options. I had planned to run the half marathon for the third year in a row (read my previous reports from 2017 and 2018). Because of my current shape I was glad to have the option to transfer to the Dual 5K Challenge. First up, a beach 5K on Saturday evening.

Training & Goals
[Cue the usual of late] My right Achilles tendon is still bothering me so I haven't been running very much. No training, no goals.

Race Day: February 9, 2019
I parked at the Ocean Center and walked to the start. Packet pickup was quick and easy and bag drop was available for those of us who needed it. Restrooms were available at the host venue LandShark Bar & Grill.

It was 64°F at the start with 88% humidity. It had been threatening rain most of the day with mist, fog, and drizzle. Rain held off until after the run.

Mile 1: 12:25
A bit of soft sand right at the start but then we were running on hard sand with the wind strongly at our backs. Wee! I felt pretty good.

Mile 2: 12:00
Wind still at our backs until the turnaround. I felt good until the wind hit my face. Ugh.

Mile 3+: 13:01, 1:27
So running back in the headwind was no fun, but I was still really happy with the run and felt great. My Achilles didn't bother very much at all. Sunday afternoon, though...

After Party
There was a nice spread out for the runners, with free beer and beef sliders and something else (no vegetarian option so I'm foggy on the details) warm being served. It started spitting rain so I headed back to the car fairly soon after finishing.

Recommendation
Runners could register for this race as a stand-alone or as a Speedway Challenge with the half marathon on Sunday or as a Dual 5K Challenge with Lap the Track on Sunday. This was the first year for the Beachin' It 5K and I think the organizers did a great job. Recommended, along with the rest of the Daytona Beach Half Marathon weekend events.

Chip time: 38:46
Placement details: 18/40 AG and 269/492 overall
Race Amenities: Finisher medal for all, soft cotton gender-specific shirt
Cost: $68.32 for the Dual 5K Challenge

Report written February 11, 2019

Branded race photo (c) Almost There Photography

I signed up for another trail run, Seminole State Forest -- Run for the Woods, even though I don't really like running trails and I broke a rib on my last trail race. What's wrong with me? Anyway, money raised from these races (a 5K and half marathon were also available) is used for facility and park improvements.

Training & Goals
[Cue the usual of late] My right Achilles tendon is still bothering me so I haven't been running very much. This race was walker friendly though so I thought I'd give it a try. Trail running should be gentler on my injury as well. No goal in mind, though I thought I'd finish in about 2 hours.

Race Day: February 3, 2019
I had to pick up my packet the morning of, but since Seminole State Forest is close to home I didn't have to leave crazy early. Friendly volunteers helped guide everyone to parking. Packet pickup was easy and efficient. I knew it would probably be wet on the course so I wore old shoes. We had an informative pre-race briefing before we were let loose on the trails.

It was 63°F at the start with 100% humidity. It was foggy, misty, and overcast.

Mile 1, 2: 13:01, 14:09
The early miles were mostly single-track so I kept pace and took shorter walking breaks when I could move to the side. There were a couple of wet spots that we could avoid by stepping around. All three distances started out on the same course and everything was extremely well marked and clear. Arrows and colored ribbons or tape showed the way. No chance of getting lost (even me!). Awesome.

Mile 3, 4, 5: 20:23, 19:40, 19:38
Water, water everywhere! Plus mud. Walking, sloshing, slipping, fretting! I guess looking back it was a little bit fun but at the time I was just hating life and cursing myself for ever registering. Racing usually makes me feel like a kid but this kind of running makes me feel like an old lady because I'm constantly worrying about falling down or losing a shoe in the muck.

Mile 6, 7+: 17:42, 15:27, 4:01
Mostly dry but I was over it! I mean the trail and the park are beautiful but I have to stop getting this runner's amnesia that lets me sign up for more trail races. Halp?

After Party
Free beer for all runners! Snacks and treats, green chili, PBJs, and more. Better than average food and beverage spread. There were also fun booths from local nature groups, the Central Florida Zoo, and government natural resources agencies. The Avian Reconditioning Center brought a couple of education birds and the Orianne Society brought along a pair of Indigo Snakes. Definitely my kind of vendor action.

Recommendation
Volunteers were incredibly friendly and helpful. The event organization was smooth from start to finish. The courses were marked to perfection. Great swag. Highly recommended for trail run fans. Ugh, how much do you want to bet I'll be there next year? Pls send help.

Chip time: 2:03:38
Placement details: 45/71 female participants; 82/110 overall
Race Amenities: Very nice soft unisex shirt, nice medal, great food spread and free beer
Cost: $42.25

Report written February 10, 2019

Finisher photo (c) Almost There Photography

The MeStrong 5K in Deland, Florida, is a huge small town race put on by a local cancer charity and fund-raising group. 2019 was the fifth running of this race that grows larger each year; in 2019 they had over 5,000 registrants! This is a really great charity group; you can learn more about MeStrong here.

The popular race goes through the streets of and around downtown Deland. The 3.1 mile course is lined with spectators and the 2019 line-up had 48 (!!!) different cheer zones. Local businesses and student organizations from Stetson University cheer the runners along with live bands and other groups.

Goals
Arthur joined me for this race! We walked the course with countless others -- we were in a huge sea of people!

Race Day: February 2, 2019
I had picked up our packets the day before so all we had to do race morning was find a parking spot. I hopped in for the group photo with my run club West Volusia Runners and then Arthur and I made our way to the back of the start area.

It was 63°F at the start with 94% humidity. Rain and possible thunderstorms were predicted for the morning but held off. It was gloomy but we stayed dry!

Mile 1: 15:33
We started near the back but ended up walking a lot faster than many fellow back-of-the-packers. There was a lot of bobbing and weaving, even among the walkers.

Mile 2: 15:52
The on-course entertainment kept us smiling the whole time.

Mile 3+: 15:21, 2:03
Electric energy down the finish chute! What fun!

After Party
MeStrong takes over downtown Deland with sponsor booths and food and drink vendors. A lot of shops and restaurants opened early for the runners. The after party is legendary! Arthur and I had plans for the day so we unfortunately did not stay too long.

Recommendation
Excellent race organization. Fun on-course entertainment and great after party. Highly recommended.

Chip time: 48:39
Placement details: 48/300 in AG; 2192/4248 overall
Race Amenities: Nice cotton race shirt (no finisher medals), great after party
Cost: $38.25

Report written February 10, 2019

MeStrong branded photos (c) Almost There Photography

The fourth annual Shark Bite Half Marathon and 5K took place on January 20, 2019. This fun and popular event happens in the shark bite capital of the world, New Smyrna Beach, Florida. The charity Girls on the Run Volusia County is associated with the race.

Training & Goals
My right Achilles tendon is still bothering me so I haven't been running very much. While running the tendon isn't painful. The pain sets in later and lasts a couple of days, depending on how much I ran. My endurance has taken a huge hit with the lack of regular cardio. Shortly before race day I traded my half marathon bib with another runner's 5K bib. I hoped to complete the 5K in under 40 minutes.

Race Day: January 20, 2019
I left home around 5:45AM and managed to find a parking spot about a half mile from the start line. I hung out by our club's tent until it was time to run. After a quick group photo I got my bib and shirt from my trade partner and the half marathoners were off at 7:30AM. When the 5K started 10 minutes later it was a cool 59°F with partly cloudy skies. As the morning continued the sky cleared and the wind started howling. It was brutal for parts of the half marathon. Luckily for all the predicted rain passed through the area before the races started.

Mile 1: 12:19
I've been running 2:1 intervals so that's what I started off with. I felt okay.

Mile 2: 12:09
Geesh, I started feeling extra winded pretty fast. I kept up my run:walk at 2:1 through mile 2.

Mile 3+: 13:02, 1:20
Super winded, super high heart rate. I switched to 1:2 for the last mile, feeling completely exhausted. Ugh.

After Party
Legendary! Have a local craft beer in your new finisher's pint glass! Enjoy a slice of piping hot pizza! Ride the mechanical shark! I had fun cheering the half marathoners as they came in, including so many WVR members and the club's amazing team of pacers.

Recommendation
Great swag and a smooth operation. You can't ask for more. Highly recommended.

Chip time: 38:48
Race Amenities: Swag: huge finisher medal, pint glass, and super soft casual t-shirt for all finishers of both races; finisher hat for top 10% half marathon runners; free race photos. All this plus an after party including beer, pizza, vendors and a mechanical shark
Cost: $55.06 (discounted price for half marathon)

edited finisher certificate (my name in place of the bib owner's)

Report written January 22, 2019

Group and professional race photos (c) Almost There Photography

The inaugural Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundation Half Marathon was announced earlier this year. The race boasted a one-of-a-kind course around historic space launch facilities that are normally not open to the public. The beneficiary would be the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse Foundataion, and the finish line would be right beside the iconic 150-year-old structure. I signed up right away. Later, a 10K option was added, and boy, am I glad it was. Still suffering from some Achilles issues, I dropped down to the 10K race day morning.

Goals
The usual goal lately applied here once more: to finish and not further injure myself. I knew there would be a lot of walking.

Race Day: November 11, 2018
It was made clear that security would be tight for this race, which took place on Cape Canaveral Air Force Base property. I aimed to arrive early, especially since runners had to be shuttled from the parking lot to the start line. I left home around 4AM and had the car parked by 5:30AM. I had no problems but I know several runners who arrived later than me were stuck getting into the parking lot. The start of the race was eventually delayed due to the backup. We had a nice sunrise while we waited.

It was 72°F at the start with sunny skies and about 83% humidity.

Mile 1: 12:19
I knew the course would take us to old spaceflight locations but I was not sure exactly what we'd see or experience. I aimed to take it easy and not worry about stopping for photos or if I wasn't feeling great. There wasn't a lot to see during the first mile, which took us out along Phillips Parkway. The road is named after the Director of NASA during the Apollo Missions, Samuel C. Phillips.

Mile 2: 12:32
We took a right turn onto Pier Road, heading east. Here we passed some administrative buildings in current use and we were not allowed to take photographs of them.

Mile 3: 17:17
Shortly into this mile we passed the old Launch Complex 25, used for several missile test launches from 1959 to 1979. Now we were starting to see some interesting things, and I took my time to look around and take photos. Before turning left onto an unnamed service road, we ran up a small hill, used as a rocket camera tracking mound, for some ocean views and first our peek at Launch Complexes 5 and 6 to the northwest. We could see a rocket in the distance. Besides this hill the race was entirely flat.

Mile 4: 18:18
We ran right by Launch Complexes 5 and 6. LC-5 and LC-6 were both used to launch Jupiter, Juno, and Redstone rockets in the 1950s and early 1960s. They are no longer used. A Mercury Redstone rocket stands on the site. Lots of runners stopped to take pictures.

We took a right turn onto Museum Circle, which looped around the Air Force Space and Missle Museum, on old Launch Complex 26. This museum is accessible to the public via NASA bus tours only. Running around the site, we saw lots of artifacts outside, including a Delta IV Common Booster Core (CBC), a Titan I, and various Gantry and Blockhouse buildings.

Mile 5: 15:05
We headed out onto IRBM (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missle) Road. This was a long straight piece with little shade. We could see some more old defunct launch pad complexes in the distance (LC-17, LC-18, LC-31, LC-32). We turned left onto Flight Control Road.

Mile 6+: 18:06, 4:28
The final mile took us down Flight Control Road before turning right onto Lighthouse Road, heading for the lighthouse. We passed some storage buildings used to keep wreckage of the Space Shuttle Challenger.

The 10K ran the same course as the first part of the half marathon; 10K runners walked another kilometer to the main finish line party where the half marathon ended. We were treated to this fun quote from Neil Armstrong after we got our medals.

After Party
There was a lot going on after the race. Water, bananas, pizza and beer were on offer. The lighthouse was open for tours. And another awesome treat: Hangar C was open. Completed in 1954, Hangar C is one of the oldest structures on Canaveral Air Force Station property. It is the oldest surviving structure. It was originally used for missile assembly, but today it is a museum warehouse. It sits close to the lighthouse.

Inside Hangar C are various restored rockets, drones, and missile-related equipment. Dr. Wenher von Braun had an office in the building in the mid 1950s. 

Recommendation
I am all about races in unique places. All of the old rockets and buildings and space history were very cool. I was hurting a bit in the second half so while I was disappointed to not run the half marathon, I knew I made the right choice. This was a well-run race in a seemingly difficult location. There were fine amenities and treats after the race. I enjoyed it a lot and I hope it will continue because I would love to run the half. Highly recommended.

Chip time: 1:37:59
Placement details: 233 out of 343 women; 353 overall out of 500 finishers
Race Amenities: Long sleeve tech shirt and medal for all
Cost: $87.95 (I had paid for the half; this includes $7.95 processing fee)

Report written November 25, 2018

My second marathon, the world's biggest marathon, is in the books! At first I was a bit bummed about my slow time but now I'm feeling proud to have finished and very grateful I did not hurt myself or aggravate my injury.

I started the race with 53,120 others. And 52,812 of us finished! That's an astounding 99.4% finish rate. The 2018 New York City Marathon was a record-breaker.

Here's a video from New York's ABC affiliate of the finish line from the first finishers until the six hour mark. I cross at around 7:39:36 on the video's clock time.

After meeting up with Arthur in the family reunion area, we walked back to our hotel so I could freshen up. Arthur found a pub just two blocks away where we could get some food and beer. The bad news was it was on the second floor. Going up was fine. Going down was fine, too, but I had to go backwards. Arthur laughed at me.

We were so, so lucky with the weather on race day. It rained all morning on Monday. We took a long walk, checking out some more city sights and getting in some nice slow recovery walking miles. I felt good. We checked out the dismantling of the finish line in Central Park. We had a look at the extremely long line to get into the Marathon Pavilion and noped out. Arthur took some photos of me with my medal.

I hadn't found anything at the Expo that I really had to have, besides the visor I got, but I was feeling a little sad for not having a souvenir shirt. We walked into a running store on the way back to the hotel and I saw a shirt I kind of liked. Arthur asked if I saw the back -- OMG I love it!

My Garmin running watch sent my race data to Strava, who sent it to Relive, who made this fun video (named "Lunch Run" LOL) showing the route:

Relive 'Lunch Run'

Speaking of Strava, they made a little summary video of the race and training. I don't think the numbers are right, including my start time being two hours off, but it's a cute little video summary, I guess.

Back home, I took it extremely easy, with no running. I didn't carry my medal around all week but I did bring it to my volunteer shift at the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey to show it to my buddy Trouble the Bald Eagle.

Here's one last look at my stats (the final finisher numbers and my placement are still considered to be unofficial, so there is a discrepancy between the final number of finishers mentioned in the Runner's World article and the graphic below).