For this month’s race in my 2014 Running Challenge, I originally planned to participate in The Electric Run, but because of their publicity rush from being featured on The Bachelor, they had to cancel the Orlando event to focus on all of the response they received. I am hoping that they make their way back to Orlando this year so that I can participate still!
So to take its place, I found a really unique 5k race that is held entirely off road within a state park. This month’s race is the 27th Real Florida 5k, 10k and Fun Walk at the Wekiwa Springs State Park.
I thought that was so unique because most races that I have run are all courses that are throughout cities and on main roads. Not only is this a new challenge for me to run a race completely on a trail road, but the environment is such a pleasing change of scenery.
I have been to the Wekiwa Springs State Park before to the camp grounds and to swim in the springs and it is such a great location. It really feels like you are escaping the craziness of Orlando for a little while to enjoy the outdoors and experience all of the nature that Florida has to offer.
The race is run for charity and the registration fee goes towards the preservation of the park and updating of the park facilities, which is very cool.
My Mom came into town to join me this time. I always love when she comes up to cheer me on at my races!
Rylee and Brett were supposed to come and greet me at the finish line as well, but the weather forecast was so bad and we didn’t want Rylee to get caught in the rain. It was scheduled to thunderstorm all day and it poured down in spurts on our entire way to the race. I thought for sure that it was going to be cancelled, but we pressed on anyways just to make sure.
We really lucked out! It cleared up right when we got there and stayed that way for the entire race!
When we got there, we checked in to get my race number and T-shirt.
The shirts were so cute, with the otter on them!
There was a 5k and a 10k at this race, and I signed up for the 5k. The 5k runners were called to the starting line about 10 minutes after the 10k runners took off.
I anxiously waited for them to blow the horn to start our portion of the race, wondering what the course was going to entail. I set my playlist and then we were off!
The trail was a winding and small dirt path with some sections of it only wide enough for one runner. The trail went through fields of high grass and had paths covered with pine needles. And due to mother nature, there was even a detour added to the route that had us runners heading off the path and around a large tree trunk that had fallen right into the course’s path.
At one point, I felt like Katniss from The Hunger Games as I ran down hill, jumping over divots in the sand and darting around large tree roots. It was pretty neat! Especially because I am obsessed with The Hunger Games! 
At the end of the race, everyone got a metal and cheered on the remaining runners. I was really excited to see little peanut butter and jelly squares at the snack table afterwards and enjoyed one along with a banana!
The rest of the day, we enjoyed some family time at home, watching movies as the rainy weather made its way to our part of town.
We made up for our time spent indoors the next day when the weather was much nicer. We took Rylee to the park for the first time!
We put her in the swing when we got there and she just loved it!
After pushing her for a little while, she had to start closing her eyes because the wind from swinging was making them water! She still laughed through it all and it was too cute!
I ended up grabbing her sunglasses (yes, she has heart-shaped sunglasses) from the car so it would help with the wind.
She was chillin’.
The swing was pretty much the only hit at the park. She was way too little for anything else there and was quite confused as to why I was putting her on top of some giant plastic dinosaur.
And she was not a fan of the slide either.
But I am so glad we got outside and went, because just her laugh alone when we stuck her in the swing and pushed those first few times was so worth it!
We will definitely be back to the park to play on the swings again and I am sure once Rylee can walk on her own, she will be owning that play ground!
Such a lovely time we had enjoying the outdoors.
I hope everyone else had a great weekend as well!
Question of the morning:
What is the most unique place you have ever run, or raced?
I’d love to hear from you in the comments section below!
And for my other race recaps check out The Color Run, the Zimmerman 10k and the Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon.
