Deltona's Love Your Heart 5K was a nearby race that I could bike to, so registering was practically inevitable. The cute cupid finisher's medal didn't hurt, either. This race took place at Deltona Middle School and benefitted the American Heart Association. The out-and-back course followed the bike trail spur from the school to Thornby Park and back.

Training & Goals
This was my second of four races in February. I had been running 3 times per week for several months, usually two short runs of 5K and a longer run. Three days prior to the race I had my longest run at 7.5 miles. I was hoping to beat my previous 5K PR.

Race Day: February 13, 2016
I rode up to the school and looked around for somewhere to park. I secured my bike and went to packet pickup (early pickup had been cancelled last minute due to an unknown snafu). After getting my bib, shirt, and goodie bag, I went back to my bike to put everything away and attach my bib to my shirt. As I walked back to the start area I heard the emcee mention that the race was not timed. I was confused for a moment because I thought I had read it was chip-timed when I signed up. Indeed my bib was chipless though, so I guessed I misread the situation. A few minutes later the emcee corrected himself and said we'd be passing a timing mat at the start and finish of the race. Then I was really, really confused. How would they record our times? In all of my prior timed races, the chip was affixed to the bib. I found the race director, Jennifer, and asked her how it was supposed to work, and she pointed at my shoe. Huh? Oh no, I didn't get my shoe tag at packet pickup! I was paying attention at pickup, I swear, but no one offered me my tag at the time. I felt like an idiot as we ran over to the pickup tables and found my tag. There weren't any zip ties so I laced it through my shoelace and trotted back to the starting area in time for the national anthem. It was 54°F and partly cloudy at the start.

Mile 1: 10:06
Since I was late to the starting area I wound up far back in the pack, but I didn't mind. The airhorn blew and we were off. Leaving the school grounds, we had to cross a major road before hitting the bike path. Traffic was stopped for us. Somewhere before the M1 marker we passed a dead cat on the side of the road. I had seen it biking there earlier in the week. The next time I biked the path, vultures had taken care of it.

Mile 2: 10:33
Right around M1 we turned into a neighborhood for a little jog before heading back to the bike path and running towards the turn-around at Thornby Park.

Mile 3+: 10:22, 1:33
As I approached the street crossing heading back to the school, I saw that officers were letting some cars through, and stopping some runners. I was a bit bummed as I was heading for a PR. Lucky for me I was just slow enough (haha!) to miss stopping as the officers halted traffic again to let runners through. As I raced to the finish line, the race director came tearing out, apologizing to us for being stopped. She was going to yell at the traffic cops. For this race I ran 5:1 intervals (run 5 minutes, walk 1 minute). I skipped my last walk break and "sprinted" at the finish for another PR.

Chip time: 32:20 (1:14 PR)
Placement details: 10th in age, 107th overall out of 274 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a long sleeve ladies tech shirt and a finisher medal for all.
Cost: $25.00 (registered by post; no fee)

Report written March 9, 2016
Featured photo (c) Almost There Photography

So I kind of signed up for the Volusia Pines Elementary 5K on a whim. I was looking for races on RunSignUp.com and this nearby event came up. There weren't a lot of participants listed and the price was right ($10) so I thought I'd go for it. After I registered online, I realized I hadn't been asked my shirt size. And that it wasn't a timed race, which was something I'd meant to avoid. RunSignUp allowed cancellation for a while before the registration went through, so I cancelled my registration and sent an inquiry to the race director... who thanked me profusely for signing up. I got the t-shirt business sorted out and signed up again for the race. The race was to raise money for the school's kindergarten playground.

Training & Goals
I had been running 3 times per week for several months, usually two short runs of 5K and a longer run. Since the race wasn't timed, I wasn't worried about making a PR.

Race Day: February 6, 2016
This was the first race I went to by myself. I really downplayed it to my husband, plus I was going to be racing three more times in February. When I arrived at the school, the gate was still locked with two cars in front of me. After we got inside and I parked the car, I went out to pick up my shirt and bib. The race director showed us the route, which was mapped out on a whiteboard. We would be running two loops around the parking lot, and then two loops outside of the school. As I wasn't at all familiar with the area, I asked if there would be pointers out on the course. We were assured it was so -- phew!

The race was supposed to begin at 8:00AM, but we didn't start lining up until about 8:15. In total there were 72 people registered for the race, with about 1/3 of them being students and nearly everyone else associated with the school as a parent or teacher. A group of totally adorable little cheerleaders performed a few cheer routines before the race. It was 54°F and partly cloudy at the start.

Mile 1: 10:51
We ran around the parking lot twice. There were a lot of walkers so I passed a bunch of people on these two loops. Then we headed out on a rural road and followed a farm field.

Mile 2: 10:44
We turned into a small woods that ran alongside the school grounds. The water stop was being manned by two older students who just sat behind the table. The table was pretty obscured by a boundary fence so I didn't even see the water until I was right on top of it. We passed the school and headed into the second loop.

Mile 3+: 10:53, 5:07*
What a pretty course! I thanked the people directing us and stopping traffic. Along the farm field I started passing a few other runners. Heading into the woods, I saw a lot of walkers just finishing up their first loop. I didn't see anyone running in front of me any more. As I ran back into the school parking lot, I was unsure of how to reach the finish line. Loop the parking lot again? Or run to the finish "backwards"? I saw the cheerleaders and race director motioning me towards them so I headed in their direction to finish the race.

The race director handed me a little medal with an envelope and said "Congratulations, first adult"! What. I laughed and said, "You're kidding!" No joke, but I couldn't stop laughing, and then smiling like an idiot. I got a little first place medal, a $20 Walmart gift certificate, and a $5 ice cream parlor gift certificate. The cheerleaders gave out medals to the next few finishers, too.

The course was a bit long. My Garmin put me at having run just under 3.5 miles (5K is about 3.1 miles). Another runner mentioned the same.

Garmin GPS time: 33:34
Placement details: 1st overall out of 72 registrants.
Race Amenities: Swag included a cotton t-shirt. And of course my sweet sweet 1st place medal (no finisher's medals).
Cost: $13.00 including $3 transaction fee

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written March 9, 2016

My first race of 2016! The Soaring Soles 5K and 10K races started just down the street from our house. How could I resist a race I could walk to, and that offered free unlimited beer to participants? The dual races raised money for Volusia County Special Olympics on behalf of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.

Training & Goals
At this point I had been running 3 times per week for about five months. Runs around this time ranged in length from about 3 to just over 4 miles. My previous race was three weeks prior and I hoped to PR.

Race Day: January 10, 2016
I walked over to the start line down the street about a half hour before race time and watched the beer vendor set up. It was unseasonably warm and humid, about 70°F and cloudy at the start.

Mile 1: 10:58
Both races started at the same time. 10K racers split just after mile 1; this was very well marked.

Mile 2: 11:05
The 10K runners joined us again just before the marker for mile 2.

Mile 3+: 11:00, 2:13*
I was very happy to PR again in this race!

There was someone walking around in an eagle suit -- of course I had to get a photo after the run! I also enjoyed a couple of big beers from Central 28 Brewery. Yum!

Chip time: 34:20 (1:47 PR)
Placement details: 5th in age, 41st overall out of 113 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a cotton t-shirt and a finisher medal for all. Fun Bald Eagle character photo op. :)
Cost: $22.70 including $2.70 transaction fee.

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written March 9, 2016

The Naughty or Nice 5K in Lake Mary was my third race. Costumes were encouraged, and lots of people dressed up as elves or Santa Claus. One woman dressed like an angel and I heard a lot of jingle bells on the run. I wore a festive outfit and got photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus and a candy cane stilt walker.

Training & Goals
Prior to this race I had been running 3 times per week for almost five months. Runs around this time ranged in length from about 3 to about 4 miles. I had been fighting a head cold before the race so I didn't expect to PR.

Race Day: December 19, 2015
Driving to the start and parking were uneventful. It was good weather for running: 46°F and sunny.

Mile 1: 11:24
We started in front of Front Running Sports in Lake Mary and headed down a nice multi-use trail.

Mile 2: 11:38
Jingle all the way!

Mile 3+: 11:45, 2:09*
Even though I didn't expect to PR, I was still disappointed to see I finished slower than my previous race. That didn't stop me from having two celebratory Munchkins afterwards.

Chip time: 36:07 (NO PR)
Placement details: 26th in age, 231st overall out of 373 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a cotton ladies t-shirt and a nice big finisher medal. Various holiday character photo ops including Santa & Mrs. Claus.
Cost: $28.00 including $3 transaction fee.

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written March 9, 2016

The Peace Love Cure 5K in Sanford was my second race. It was a nice out-and-back course through downtown Sanford and along the waterfront. Proceeds went to the American Diabetes Association.

Training & Goals
I had started training using run/walk intervals and I intended to try this out in the race. I did approximately 5 minutes of running with 1 minute walk breaks. After a disappointing time in my first 5K, I only hoped to finish faster than my last race.

Race Day: November 14, 2015
We found parking in downtown Sanford and I made my way to the starting area. I stood far back in the corral for the 7:30AM start. It was warm at 61°F and sunny.

Mile 1: 10:57

Mile 2: 11:23

Mile 3+: 11:44, 1:53*
Walking breaks improved my overall pace, it seems! I was very happy with this time.

Chip time: 35:15 (5:46 PR)
Placement details: 24th in age, 174th overall out of 343 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a long sleeve women's tech tee and my first finisher medal.
Cost: $33.30 including $3.30 transaction fee and $5 coupon (registered late)

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written March 9, 2016

My first race! I started running in August 2015 with a Couch to 5K program. After I was over halfway through the program I decided to sign up for a 5K race that would occur close to the end, and the Lighthouse Loop 5K fit the bill. There was a half marathon race along with the 5K. Lighthouse Loop is a great local race that benefits Volusia County school athletic programs.

Training & Goals
I got my Garmin Forerunner 15 running watch just prior to this race. Using MapMyFitness on my iPhone had led me to believe I could finish the race in well under 40 minutes. I'm not sure if my phone gave me optimistic statistics or I was too busy smiling like a fool to run fast in this first race, but sub-40 didn't happen! By raceday I had been running three times a week for almost 3 months, with most runs around 5K. In addition to hoping for a good time, I also aimed to run the entire race without walking breaks.

Race Day: October 25, 2015
We left home in the dark to head to the coast for the race. Volunteers pointed us to parking and I think we must have arrived just in time to park along the road across the river from the starting line. Those arriving later probably had to hoof it a bit more but there was ample parking for all participants. Arthur walked with me part of the way across the bridge to the start. It was 73°F when the race began shortly after 7:15AM.

Mile 1: 13:50
We started over the Dunlawton Bridge right at the start of the race. I stood far back in the starting area and navigated around a bunch of stroller-runners as I traversed the bridge.

Mile 2: 12:56
The race was a lollipop route and as I headed for the small loop at the turnaround I was amazed that people were already on their way back. They were so fast!

Mile 3+: 13:10, 2:17*
I got a little bit lost at the end. I blinked and suddenly everyone that was in front of me disappeared -- I didn't realize there was a sharp turn into the finish area. I stumbled a bit as spectators frantically pointed me in the right direction. Oops!

The after party was great, but I felt a bit guilty eating the delicious breakfast buffet as a 5K runner. There were people there who ran 4x what I did!

Chip time: 41:01
Placement details: 13th in age, 197th overall out of 321 finishers
Race Amenities: Swag included a sleeveless women's tech t-shirt and a flat reuseable backpack goodie bag. Medals for half marathon runners only.  There was also a nice post-race spread with bananas and a free hot buffet breakfast from Aunt Catfish on the River.
Cost: $28.00 including $3 transaction fee.

*I often forget to turn off my Garmin after a race, so the final time is skewed.

Report written March 9, 2016