This year's WPRR was the 40th anniversary of the race, and the 6th time that I have run the event. It's a race that I always recommend to fellow runners, and I think it's the best 10k around the area. They also offer a 2 mile option, or you can go all in and do the Distance Dare, which is both the 10k and 2-miler.

I carpooled to the race with my weekday running buddy, Annikki since I'm not living close to Winter Park right now. We found street parking pretty easily, and were close to Park Avenue, where the race starts and finishes. Walking into the race area, I quickly spotted a number of my Orlando Galloway friends.

Once we all made the obligatory port-o-let stop, we chatted for a bit before heading over to the starting area. It's not a corral set-up per say, you just line up according to your pace. We placed ourselves before the walkers and after the 12MM sign.

Before we knew it, the gun went off and the race had begun. I opted to stick with a 30:30 interval (run to walk), as it's become my favorite. A few of my Galloway friends were with me, and we only spaced out from one another after the first half of a mile or mile.

I was keeping a nice pace, and I wondered if I could keep it up. Ended up that I went out a bit too fast, a mistake that tends to happen even still to me. LOL! But, I still felt okay, I knew I was pushing myself, but I wasn't feeling bad.

The last half though of the race got to me. Took all I had to keep pushing and it became a mental game of telling myself that it was just a 5k (the things we tell ourselves)...the bricks on the course are rough in some areas, so that doesn't help matters either. We may run on these streets every weekend, but that doesn't make them easier!

Ended up finishing with a nice time, one I'm proud of, but wasn't a 10k PR for me. This is a race that I have a complicated relationship with because of those brick roads! I love it enough though that that challenge makes me come back just about every year.

After the race, Annikki and I signed up to take advantage of the VIP access. The food in the VIP section was awesome! They had some great vegan options which I loved a lot. There really was something for everyone which doesn't tend to happen at races for post-race food, VIP or not. So, I'd recommend the VIP experience as well.

The Winter Park Road Race always has a great medal, so if it's bling you seek, you don't want to miss it! And, they tend to give out pint glasses the last couple of years as well to finishers.

My full blog review:
http://girlsgotsole.com/blog/race-recap-2017-winter-park-road-race/