Track & feel

Since I could not find a standard race (5k), I accepted the challenge of the track. I decided to make this weekend one for speed training. Granted I could have done a duathlon, either here at Riviera beach (Multirace) or in the Bahamas (Publix series). Both Multirace & ESM offered a triathlon & duathlon. The former offered both for the relay & count toward their respective series, while the latter, only the tri but doesn't count toward their series. However, as an individual, both companies did allow completion to count toward the appropriate series. I could not get anyone to team up with me for the one in Palm beach county, as expected, because it is quite a drive. I am in the publix du series & would only that event, if I could afford to travel outside the U.S. Faced again with financial limitations, I chose to do a bunch of short (less than a 5k) races. Since I feel much better, I'll do the speed work.

Saturday agenda-Northwest track & field classic

The Miami Northwest express track club puts on this event, largely for kids & young adults, plus to promote its own agenda. The event drew people from various parts of the world, especially from the islands. Considering this event draws so many high caliber athletes, I entered it with the idea of using it as speed training. Since the organizers are well known for late starts & delays, I took care of personal issues prior to heading out. However, there were unexpected traffic delays & events that caused me to arrive at an untimely hour. Although I got there prior to the start of the 800 meter dash, I was not dressed & ready to run. By the time I was, the event went off, albeit early due to the combining of the submaster & master divisions. I had to wait around a few hours for the last possible race left- the 1500 meter run. Fortunately, I was able to get them to enter me, since the online registration didn't allow me to do such. Even though I was beaten by a few seconds by a rival master competitor, I still won my age group because he's in the next. I close out the day with the gold medal.

Sunday agenda-Northwest track & field classic

The Northwest track & field classic is actually a 3 day event that began on Friday. Naturally, I can't make a weekday, plus only a few events were held on that day. The workload increases as the event continues. Today was the final day for this running meet. Since I closed out with a 1500 meter event, I was fitting that I begin the day with that distance, only it was a race walk. This year, there were almost 4 times the people starting. Even though I started off last, I finished 3rd overall in the heat & top in age group. Next, the 3000 meter run. Similar to the prior event, I came from worst to first in age group. I was beat in the 1st lap, but those same kids were dropping like flies while I kept my pace. Although I lost to the same master runner, but now by a larger margin, I got past the female phenom who was on my relay team on the last lap. I ran a 100 meter dash that didn't count as warm up for the last event- 400 meter dash. This one was held like the 800 should have been-1 lap with only masters. To the surprise of all, including myself, I beat the field & captured the gold. I earned the 2007 MVP for my age category for this effort, plus for winning gold in all events I could enter (4). Having experience with their events, I brought peanut butter & jelly to eat through out the day and Accelerade for hydration. This event had no food & little drink for the athletes, therefore it can not get even a single star. However, for anyone, especially the spectators, you can buy hot dogs & such at the concession stand. I felt sorry for the dehydrated kid in the 1500 meter race walk who could not get even water from the nearby ambulance. Most races include the t-shirt with entry. I guess because it was low, you had to buy it. This race is reserved only for diehards.