March madness

This weekend closes out march madness for me. No, I'm not talking about college basketball, but rather, all my racing.

Saturday agenda-Panther prowl 5k

This was an inaugural event held at the arena known as the Bank United center, where the Florida Panthers (hockey team) play. The last time I remember racing here was the inaugural JAFCO 5k almost 8 years ago! The race started & finished on a hill (entrance area). The course consisted of an outer loop followed by an inner loop to the finish. When the gun went off, I was maybe in 12-15 place, with 2 women in front. After half a mile, I moved up to 6th. After 1 mile, I was passed by both Walthon & Allen (teammate). We remained nearby in a master pack until mile 2. Ya'll know that I like to own the final mile. Believe it or not, I had to get past Walthon first before I could catch Allen, because he was running very good today. We fought hard, but by the grace of God, I won the battle to seize the 3rd overall slot, behind teammate Tim Nicholls. This race also marked the second time that no one was between us. I rate as a top notch 4 star flash race. With packet pickup, I got a quality cap, entry into the Panther's last game (I gave to a former teammate of Premier), in addition to the traditional T-shirt. Amenities included the usual (bananas, oranges, bagels & water) plus Dunkin' donut holes, orange juice, & sports drink. They had a raffle, with some autographed memorabilia. The award was unique (crystal like) & the first I've gotten ever! I'd recommend it again.

Sunday agenda-celebrity 5k

This was the 2nd annual & my 2nd appearance. I had to pass on other events to do this one. Xterra triathlon & duathlon (off-road), and the snowbird century ride were held on the same day. This event drew over two thousand finishers. I struggled in this one due to late start time, the bridge and the wind. When the dust cleared, Ramon redeemed himself by winning the master title. Somebody I don't know won my age group & I discovered I edged out two competitors to get my spot. 3 star flash race. Add a star if you include that finisher's medals were given and trophies to all those fortunate enough to place.

Worthy of mention

* upon leaving sawgrass mills, I stopped at a gas station to play the lottery. I got a horrible scare when the start would not start. After a bit of time, my co-pilot, God, had me play like McGuyver (might be spelled wrong) and I got it going with a make shift repair.
* Kevin (teammate from Nautica tri) placed in top 3 overall.
* Gene (teammate from marathon relay) placed 3rd.

Easter weekend 08

Happy belated Easter! I was so busy, I didn't have time to post on the weekend. I hope you all remember that this is actually a holiday to celebrate Jesus Christ's resurrection, and not just a day to hunt for buried eggs supposedly left by a bunny rabbit.

Saturday agenda-riverwalk

This event hosted both a 5 miler & a 5k; I chose the latter. The former went off first, then 20 minutes later, my event. The 5 miler was required for anyone who signed up for the 3 for the road series. Since I missed a race (shamrock 4 miler), I decided not to punish myself with the longer distance. After about 2 miles, I caught up to and was getting challenged by someone who appeared to be in my division. Unfortunately, he won the sprint battle to the finish. However, I found out that he was a senior in age group prior, saving me from further defeat. I placed second, only to Tim, teammate, in the master division. This was a 5 star flash race, with IHOP pancake breakfast, in addition to other treats (pastry, jamba juice, etc). The awards were limited edition prints.

Sunday agenda-Easter

To my dismay, no events were available, so I opted to crosstrain on my bike. I made it a long ride, estimated to be at least 40 miles. I went from my home in west Palmetto bay (Perrine) to the end of the busway south (Florida city). Going down was tougher due to wind conditions. Later on, I met up with friends & family and enjoyed the rest of the day, despite the bad weather conditions (lots of rain & some wind).

Honorable mention

* Met with Sam, fill in the missing letters- I L_ _ E U!
*Fred finished
* Silvia & George win again

Luck of the Irish?

Luck of the Irish? I saw a woman with a T-shirt that read, "kiss me, I'm not Irish";I second that notion. Ha ha! Happy St. Patrick's day. Actually, the title shall refer to how events turned out this weekend.

Saturday morning agenda-Miramar 5k

This day had so many to choose from. Far away, was race for the cure & close was a fun beach walk, both of which I passed on. I turned down one of my favorites, run like a bunny 5k, in lieu of this one. Jon won this one with ease. The battle was for second. At first, I paced with Steve (ultimately 4th overall, 1st in age group), but kept thinking in mind to adjust to whomever vies for the 2nd position. Kid wonder, Jeff, stepped up to the plate, passing us both. He lead till mile 2, then I decided to pace side by side with him. Once the opportunity was right, I used my patented master kick to earn that position. Since top 3 overall was not offered, I fell to top master, & he to age group. Runner's depot captured the top titles, which were plaques. Jeffrey got 1st in age group with the 3rd overall slot, earning a trophy. Note that 3rd place in age group received medals.

Saturday afternoon agenda-Miami mile

Due to a conflict last year, I missed this one when it was in the morning on Miami beach. This year, they wisely put it toward the night, plus it was close to home. The course was out & back on the busway! I hated the turn around but they really had no choice. I entered two of the 5 events.

Trivia 1: guess which two I did:
a. fast mile
b. stroller mile
c. master & student mile
d. march madness mile
e. open mile

Trivia 2: guess which ones Brian Sharkey did:
a. fast mile
b. stroller mile
c. master & student mile
d. march madness mile
e. open mile

In the fast mile, runners are supposed to run sub 6, but that didn't happen last year. This year was quite different as the winners of this event (only top 3 overall awards given) all broke 5 minutes!

In the stroller mile (my idea was ripped off), runners had to use a stroller to compete. Only overall (male & female ) was given to those who had a live child inside. No man entered, ruling out both he & I.

In the master & student mile, two generations were mixed, with the young toward the east & the other toward the west. Ramon P showed up to race. The student mile included primary & secondary levels. A master must be at least 40 years old. The top 5 male masters broke 6 minutes! Same occurred with the middle school division. Remarkably, the top 3 in these group beat high school entrants! In the mixed heat, the 2 fastest were 'old' guys.

In the march madness mile, participant dressed according to their selected schools, such as Miami Central High or UM. Amazing, none of those were represented. Only overall given.

In the open mile, age groups were given. This one was another battle. Going up (south) against the wind, I was about 10th place & but on the return trip, I finished in 6th, by passed a couple of kids & masters.

And now the moment you've been waiting for. Trivia 1=c & e. In c, good news & bad news. Bad=I got out sprinted in the last half mile, falling to 2nd. Good=I beat Ramon for the 1st time ever, causing him to drop out of e. In e, I won my age group (40-49). Trivia 2=a, d & e. In the last event, he had to battle back for the victory. Brian was the only person to get 3 golds. Only medals were given.

Sunday agenda-Miami International Triathlon

This was an inaugural event put on by Elite cycling (sponsored 2 of the trilogy races for our team last year) & swim, bike & run. The venue was held at the dilapidated Miami marine stadium, a place I had never been in my entire running career. That did make this intriguing. I had Kevin, a teammate last year in a du relay, on the bike & he hand picked Karla (was 2nd overall out of the water at escape last year) to swim. Mike N picked Cody, a pro, to bike & Felipe to run. Unfortunately, the inexperience of the race directors showed as there were no categories. Mike was smart to form an all male team, as they naturally won. Our team was the top co-ed relay, but since no such title was given, we had to settle for 2nd overall relay. I quickly informed staff as to how unfair this is. An all female team would have no chance, unless they had elites. Most elites don't do relays. They had a pre race dinner but I had to miss that in order to compete. The post race refreshments were good. Top notch were that trophies were given.

Honorable mention

* Freddy got 1st age at miramar
* Berta did the march madness as a Gator & got 3rd in the open.
* George won again at miramar plus at shamrock
* Louis got 2nd (after George)
* Jon placed also at shamrock

Spring forward

Well, it's that time of the year again. We gotta spring forward early (in the past, it was closer to and/or within my month). Along with the spring forward, I have to bounce back. First, from my worst bout of the flu that lasted about a month. Secondly will be addressed after my agendas.

Saturday agenda-Ocean drive 5k

A repeat visit, thanks to long lasting friend Steve, who helped me to sign up. Post race was at Nikki's beach in SoBe. Already affected by the previous day (still no treadmill, amongst all), I didn't look good. Samm dropped due to injury & my dad, already shaky about the sprint races, was discouraged by the weather. I got caught in the rain on the way up & when I got there, there was a gigantic lake, uh, puddle, at the finish line! On top of that, it was windy. I kept thinking to myself that I've trained in worse plus everybody else is subjected to this as well. I laid the load on the Lord & decided to see how it would play out. By mile 1, some unknown woman passed me & wound up as the overall female winner. By mile 2, I was in a battle with the 2nd overall woman, the same one that online appeared to beat me, when reality, she did not. I paced with her until the sprint zone & then put on the master kick. By the grace of God, I won the master title! While waiting for the awards, I hung out with fellow athletes, eating & chatting, as usual. The post race refreshment, though good, was average. The glass awards were nice but given only to the top 3 overall, top 3 overall masters, and top age group;everyone else got medals.

Sunday agenda-Cooper city 5k

I remember doing this one but forgot why. When I saw the trophies, my memory was jogged. Today was nearly the opposite. It was cool & dry & although still windy, I was much less. I expected to do a lot better but that didn't pan out. I, unfortunately, lost the battle for the master title because many of the heavy weights showed up aiming for the Jim Richardson honor. The winner gets his name engraved amongst all previous winners on a gigantic trophy (you do not get) & some extra incentive. I had to settle for the top of my age group. However, I felt the need to get past teammate Allan & a noticeably struggling Walthon, both of which were in front of me early in the race. This event had a better post race 'party', about 3 1/2 - 4 stars.

Synopsis of 3 day occurrence. Clint style:

The good: I placed on both days with time under 19 & to the best of my knowledge, we are still friends.
The bad: today's time was worse than yesterday, despite better weather (cool & dry), plus the master titles were swept by much faster comrades. I didn't get to see my lady friend.
The ugly: yesterday, it rained while going to the event. That was enough to discourage my dad from doing it. Sammy still needed to recover from injury;get well soon. Before all this, I got the 'dear john' call I dreaded to think about prior to the race.

Honorable mention

* Gene placed despite poor performance (self-judged).
* Rubio family does well, with felipe 3rd overall!
* George tops his group on both days.
* Jon did well at gate river 15k, won today's event.
* Fred raced again
* Silvia wins again

SAMMtastic

Well, as you all know, Samm & I really 'dig' each other. This year, I feel as though I won the ultimate prize for my efforts through the years. This professor is no doubt SAMMtastic!

Friday agenda-Calle 8

This event was changed for the worst. Last year, they had the traditional 8k run, as this year, but eliminated awards for the 5k walk. Knowing my chances were slim at best, plus the fact that I'll be racing over the weekend, I did not sign up for the event. However, it did not mean I was not going to be a part of it. I used the event as training run, especially necessary since my treadmill has been broken for about a week. Planned was a mile rabbit for a fantastic 4 teammate, Gene, to start him off well. Can you believe we ran that mile under 6 minutes? I dropped to a fast walk then paced a friend to mile 2; she continued, I turned around. Upon the turnaround, I was at mile 3(cut off a mile from the 8k course). I then paced with 2 sisters, the younger, faster one first till mile 4. I paced with the other one until the finish. I worked out more than planned. Now, for the complaints. From those who stuck around (I left early because I didn't park in a proper place), the paella was not there, instead small portions of some type of meat;I would have left hungry even if they were large amounts. The award was that Styrofoam crap I got last year, only a bit thicker. Also, less giveaways. Plus side, finisher medals for the fast, minus for the slow.

Saturday agenda-5k for a better day

This day actually started on some bad notes. #1, I had to go back to get my wallet, #2, I left later than desired & the worst, Samm not only couldn't run (injured) but didn't make it to the event, although with good reason. However, since I knew we'd meet sometime after the race & my performance as a rabbit, I was reassured. For the first time since I got sick (almost a month), I finally broke 19 and had decent mile splits. I turned out that that was required to guarantee a spot on the podium. Split second timing screwed up on the timing and swapped my time & position with the overall female. Although that did not affect the awards, online, it wipes out the fact that I beat all the women and was 9th overall with my age group victory. Finally, a decent award-a dolphin clock mounted on a 'marble' base. The post race refreshments were fine.

Sunday agenda-Hooters to Hooters half marathon

As a man, the title alone got my attention. Seriously, it was an inaugural event with low online turnout. In addition to that, I felt the need to redeem myself from the dismal A1A performance. With all support I received from Samm, I felt as though I was in a win-win situation. She promised she'd be there at the finish & kept to that. The day started off nice and cool, borderline cold. For the first time ever, I had about a 6 minute first mile. I had to cut that back though in order to finish this distance. I remained largely on target until I hit the bridge. Twas at this point I got passed up by many runners. Also, I decided to use the Nike+ Ipod system. When I made it through the finish line, #1 I saw I missed my mark (break an hour and a half) by about a minute, #2 gave my baby a big hug, #3 she took off my chip. For a meat eater, a 5 star race with the legendary chicken wings. For the first time in years, I placed in a distance and had to wait for it. They extended the wait with the bogus raffles & palm beach pick (jump around the age groups, leaving me near last). The gave out a glass mug & had the winners take a picture with a back drop of at least a dozen Hooter girls; neat.

Road trip

The pre half marathon trip consisted of the drive from Broward to Ft Myers after a great, home cooked meal; Samm made it seem quick. Maybe it's true that time flies when you're having fun. After I got the packet, we found a place, ate, and had a good time together.

We finally made to a beach to settle down then began the post half marathon trip. It was the reverse of the previous day, but I helped out a little bit. Before I went home, I was invited to 'mama's kitchen', a gourmet restaurant as far as I am concerned for the post race meal.

Honorable mention

* Sammy, for going to an event she did not compete in
* Sammy, for volunteering, caring as usual.
* Samm's mom, 'chef' of the wonderful meals.
* Jon placed 4th in the half
* Chuck (co-owner of Runner's depot) & wife competed, she placed.
* In the 5k, a teammate of last year, Inga, placed.