2026 Winter Park 10k

“10k:  It’s too far to sprint, but too short to jog.”

(Unknown)

My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to experience life, adventures, and travel.  This is not the most poetic statement I have ever made but I like the clarity it provides for my readers.  What do you call your current journey?  It may be time to give it a name and share it with your people.  Just saying! 😊

I’ve expressed my affinity for the Orlando Track Shack and the folks that run this club.  I started running with Track Shack back in 2012 and still consider it my home run club even though I live in Fort Pierce which is about an hour and a half southeast of the club headquarters.  No worries, I still get over to the Orlando area to participate in Track Shack events that fit my run schedule.

This was my eighth time running the Winter Park 10k and I enjoy the experience more each year.  It is the last race in the Track Shack Running Series, and it attracts thousands of runners to the paved street of Winter Park.  The after party is always epic with great food, beer and giveaways.  The 2026 Winter Park 10k was not just another run on the calendar for me.  It was a checkpoint, a reflection, and a quiet reminder of why I continue to run.  I love the experience!

I got to Track Shack after work on Friday to pick up my race bib.  The shop was not crowded this year, so it appears most runners got there either the day before or earlier in the day.  I was able to go to the front counter and collect my race swag with no issues.  I did a quick look around to see if there were new items I didn’t already have in my collection.  I got a small bag of CBD gummies on this trip but didn’t see anything else I needed or wanted.

I left Track Shack and headed to Buffalo Wild Wings in Oviedo for my wings and beer.  Yes, I’m a creature of habit and normally have the same meal at the same location.  Fun fact, I don’t experiment with food or drinks prior to a race.  I learned my lessons a few years back.

I made my way across the street to my hotel to get off my feet and relax a bit.  I also wanted to get in some extra stretching because my Iliotibial (IT) band has been causing me some issues.  The issues have not stopped me from running but there is a bit of discomfort.  No excuses! 😊 I went to bed early so I could get up and make the drive back over to Winter Park for the race.

I had to park a little further out than normal this year.  I attribute this to the larger race field this year.  The additional distance allowed me more warmup time prior to heading to the start line to test myself against the Winter Park brick streets.

I entered the race corral without a preconceived finish time.  I wanted to run a solid race and gauge my fitness levels before my longer races coming up in Louisville, Kentucky (10-miler) and Nashville, Tennessee (Half Marathon). I was not out to prove anything but wanted to test myself around the great Orlando running community.  I settled into my pace early in the race and focused on my foot rhythm and breathing.  It was another humid Florida morning, and I wanted to make sure I didn’t get out too fast.

I started having real conversations with myself at the halfway point.  I always have a race strategy and started to focus on ensuring I stayed within myself.  The halfway point of this race has a small incline and a lot of runners decided to walk the incline and then start running again.  I slowed my pace but kept pushing forward towards the finish line.  The voices in my head went away and I just concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other—simple concept, huh? 😊

The thing that made this race meaningful wasn’t just the distance. It was what it represented: another level of growth. At this stage in life, every run is an investment in longevity, clarity, and leadership. Running continues to teach me lessons that carry far beyond the pavement—patience, resilience, and the importance of showing up consistently.

The 2026 Winter Park 10K reminded me that progress isn’t always loud. Sometimes it’s steady, controlled, and deeply personal. And sometimes, that’s exactly what makes it powerful.

Where do you get your power?

Irie!

“Racing is the fun part; it’s the reward for all the hard work.”

(Kara Goucher)