M-I-A-M-I

To quote a rap song, "M-I-A-M-I, it's do or die". This was a rare weekend in that all my racing was local, right here in the magic city.

Saturday agenda-tropical 5k

I refer to this event as a tune-up race. The primary purpose is to set the tone for the next day, the main event. Time is actually secondary, which means that sometimes I may not challenge someone, even near the end. This year was cooler and less windy, which helped me to break 19 without great effort. I got outsprinted in the last stretch because I made no extreme effort to overcome the dare. Why? I knew that guy was not only fresh (did not do the Naples half) but this race was probably his only event for the weekend; I still faced doing the half marathon. Nevertheless, I still placed (2nd in age group) by the grace of God. I decided to cool down with my cool lady friend, Samantha halfway during her final mile in the race. All finishers are winners in my book because it is literally impossible to win without finishing; she accomplished this feat. Sadly lacking this year was the massage area. Also diminishing was the amount & variety of food & drink. Despite this, it was still fun.

Sunday agenda-ING miami half/full marathon

This is the main event! Due to the timing of registration last year, I was unable to get the lowest possible rate for the marathon. In order to simulate that price (the highest low rate for the half was close to the lowest rate for the full), I was compelled to sign up for my first ever half marathon since the inception of this event. This did add to some excitement. When the race started, I was with Leo, Caroline & Jonathan and all of us were left in the dust by Mike, Felipe & Adam. We all train at Niketown. I have both the utmost respect & sympathy for Leo, who, despite an early injury, completed the half. After completing my job (the half), I changed clothes to prepare for a secret surprise for my dad. I planned, & told only a hand full of friends, to pace with my dad during the 2nd half of the marathon to help him get through the marathon. I began at mile 12 & continued to the end, as planned, with my dad until we finished together. This was a welcome challenge for me & allowed me to experience the course changes & full marathon experience, rain, wind, sun & all.

Honorable mention

*My dad fulfilled the challenge (completed marathon as was mentioned in the Herald article refering to him as determined)
* Terry finally finished the Miami marathon.
* Mike, Felipe & Adam all finished under 1:25
* Caroline & Jonathan finished together; she qualifed for NY.
* Sammy got hardware for finishing the 5k
* Berta & Fred finished the 5k as well.

Have car, will travel

This was a triple header weekend leading up to one of my heroes- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Today commemorates his life's work to right the wrong so deeply rooted in America. Although much improvement has occurred, there's so much left to do. He got the ball rolling, and now we need to continue to strive for our rights.

Saturday agenda-run for the lions 5k

This was held in North port and was a 'roll the dice' race. Trophies were given to overall, top master & top grand master. Since I was 4th overall, the former was impossible, plus due to my age, the latter was not applicable. I am embarrassed to admit it but the 2nd overall person was the overall female winner. Unfortunately, the one between me & her was at least 40, therefore I had to settle for a 1st place medal. This was the epitome of flash races, lots of food, including pizza, wings (I cant eat that), smoothies, chips, cookies, sandwiches, etc. Plenty to drink, as well. Weather was nice, especially with the low wind.

Sunday agenda-Naples half marathon

I then headed down south, still on the west coast to prepare for the 'main event'. While much cooler, it was also windier. This wind slowed me down somewhat, as I tried to adjust. Due to lack of hot meals, it fell short of 5 stars as a flash race, but had plenty to eat (****).

Monday agenda-Dr. Martin Luther King Jr 5k

Having run so much, I previously elected to race walk the final race of the triple header. Another windy day. So windy that I lost a minute from last year's time. Luckily, my time was sufficient for the overall win. Unfortunately, due to cheating on the female side (excuse that was given), no one was awarded an airline ticket for the racewalk. I feel like I got ripped off, especially since I won fair & square. I got by the jog/walker female who entered both the run & walk with just my racewalking. 3 1/2 stars for the food.

Honorable mention

* Congrats to my dad, who not only completed Naples, but got in the Miami Herald the day after all these races I did.
* Ronnie Hollassie placed 1st in age group in the half & wins the 5k.
* Berta won a trophy in her age group at the 5k.
* Berta birthday was post Naples but celebrated pre Naples with Ann, Cassie & myself.
* Mike took his age group (the usual if he doesn't win the race).
* Felipe & his dad placed.

Disney

Walt Disney World hosted a half marathon on Saturday & a full on Sunday as part of their endurance series. I completed what I call the Pluto challenge. More on that later.

Saturday agenda- WDW half marathon

I had not planned on running this this year, but good friend Felipe said he had an extra bib. Ya'll know I'm always up for a challenge, so I accepted. Since I won't actually get credit for my performance (I wasn't signed up under my name), I did not plan on running hard. In fact, I wanted to run with my Ipod. However, once I agreed, my game plan was to be a rabbit for him for 3 miles, then cut back drastically, in preparation for the next day. While the pacing (6:30) went off as planned, I finished a lot faster than expected. That's both good & bad. In any case, I collected the coveted Donald duck medal.

Sunday agenda-WDW marathon

This was the main event! I officially registered for this one because it was an anniversary (15th) event. WDW created such a hoopla over it, declaring the finisher's medal as a top secret design. In the half, I used just the Ipod, but in this one, I wanted to incorporate the Nike plus system; big mistake. At about mile 2, as I was getting passed by teammate Caroline, the sensor stop registering, forcing me to scrap that plan & stick it out as in years past. I also decided to utilize only Chi running. While it was effective in energy conservation, the pace was just too slow. I barely made my self imposed time limit but did accomplish something never before done- I ran (jog speed) consistently without stopping or walking! I was reminded why I take off fast then hang on for dear life. I started off slow & got slower. Remarkably, my time was sufficient for a top 10 percent finish & I was the sixth Dade county resident to come in. Just like all those before me, I got the top secret Mickey mouse medal. Although the ribbon was bland (red only), the new design with the years (1994 till now) was nice.

Both events had plenty of refreshments. 1 added perk was the champion booth, where you display your finisher's medal to get a commemorative medal from that company plus a back pack, while supplies lasted. I did the first 2 goofy challenges (half on Sat & full on Sun) & did not like the treatment I received so I did not sign up this year. Well, finally they woke up. The finally gave a tech shirt for signing up for the challenge, in addition to the shirts for the 2 events and redesigned the medal with a recognizable image of the character rather than just a goofy hat. Oh, what's the Pluto challenge? It is similar to the goofy challenge (same distance),but without the amenities (no shirt, no medal).

Honorable mention

* My dad finished the marathon & beat about 2k people.
* Teammate Caroline was the top Dade finisher (3:23) with her PR & qualified again for Boston.
* Teammate Gene did his 1st Disney half.
* Co-worker Christy completed the Goofy, despite injury.
* Felipe finished his 1st Disney half, almost placing.
* Felipe's dad finished his 1st Disney half, almost placing.

The first week

This blog entry references the first week of this year!

Saturday agenda-John Lloyd 5k

This was the first time I ever came to this state park in my entire racing career! Held by T-4, a new company, this event hosted both a 5k & a 10k. Since I knew I'd be repeating my dual racing the next day, I opted for the former. The course, although out & back, was challenging. Why? We went out as normal, on asphalt, with the wind. The back was the problem. We had to run on sand & sometimes narrow paths against the ocean side wind. I was being challenged by Jeffrey Tait, child prodigy of running. Can you believe the winning time did not break 20? I escaped with third place, although I should've had 2nd overall but allowed too much space when going out, making it extremely difficult to overcome on the back. All awards were exactly the same, with only the accompanying ribbon as the generic identifier. I'll give 4 1/2 stars for flash race, since pancakes were available. They lost 1/2 a star because they weren't hot.

Sunday agenda-scholarship run

This was my second appearance. Last year, I set a precedence by being the first one in the history of that event to enter both the 10k (started around 7 am) and the 5k (started around 7:45 am). The 10k started late because Ronnie Hollassie had to go to the bathroom. I ran with him as a warm up to help him find it. Although I completed the 10k in under 43 minutes, the 5k took off on time, plus the fact that the timing company refused to give me both chips in advance, contributed to making me late. Despite all that, by the grace of God, I placed 3rd in both events! Sadly, this year was different. Using my favorite Clint Eastwood format:

The good-I beat both of last year's times & once again made the top ten percent.
The bad-Despite a better performance, I did not place in the 10k.
The ugly-Because of the bad, I suffered my 1st loss of the year.

Honorable mention

* I placed 1st in my age group, despite being tight from 10k warm-up.
* Ronnie Hollassie won both events
* Jon Williams placed in both events

2008

Happy new year! Yes, I did do a 'final' skate of the year, using most of Niketown's path. I met up with the 'old' or original Nike friends, old because the friends are infrequent to the 'club'. Earl & Barbie came from their 'new' home in Ohio;they have a valid excuse. The others don't. From there, I closed out the year (2007) with the new Nike friends. The party was hosted by elite friend Mike. He had 80 percent of all the tables, a live performer & some of the local legends-Boris, Manny, Edmundo-among others. I met much of his family, as well.

Now, what you've been waiting for-the top 3 Eastwood awards. Well, anyway, based on a certain movie.

Top 3 good, bad, ugly individual moments:

The good

1. I completed the ABC(2) self imposed challenge.
2. I won two series, summer 5k series (3 oa) & publix du elite champ.
3. I qualified for New York marathon at Naples half with PR(broke 1:30).
The bad

1. Got caught in rain for 2 marathons, Miami & A1A.
2. I did not place for the 2nd time at the Marti Gras 5k.
3. I lost my only chance to win a 5k & a 10k due to lactic acid leg lockup (2 oa).

The ugly

1. Caught hypothermia when after 2 hours, the freezing rain poured.
2. I was forced to forfeit entry (1st non-injury forfeiture in my history) in the rock 'n roll marathon due to AA snafu.
3. I sustained an injury (calf) upon a turn around in a 5k; had to compete next day.

Top 3 good, bad, & ugly team moments:

The good

1. Du Tri Harder wins the S. Fl triathlon & duathlon series, plus the Key biscayne trilogy series.
2. Third time was a charm for St. Anthony's & escape to Miami triathlons.
3. 2 all or nothing team victories-FAU tri & marathon of Palm beaches.

The bad

1. I missed team action at Miami man for the 1st time since its inception.
2. ace swimmer Stef moved out of Florida (good for her, but not for team) due to job advancement.
3. despite an all star cast, the makeshift 4x100 relay team I was involved with at bikila track meet did not win.

The ugly

1. original St. Anthony team disbanded when cyclist quit because her handpicked swimmer 'wimped out', leaving me stranded.
2. first tri of series, swimmer arrived late due to accident on highway, forcing cyclist to swim 'just in case'. Both swam well, but team failed to get top slot; we did place.
3. calamity at escape to Miami- team penalized to due cyclist's argument with ref, plus I suffered from apparent heat exhaustion.