Bullish & up

The title maybe familiar to those in the stock market, but that's not what I'm referring to. It is regarding my weekend.

In case ya'll didn't know, today is my dad's birthday! That also means his sign is Taurus, the bull. Plus, he moved up to the next age group, since this is his transition year.

Saturday agenda-bull run

Put on by BRRR, this event offered both a 5k and a 10k. I chose the former, especially since I was aware of the rolling hills & the A1A breeze. Teammate Louis chose the latter and won his age group. This was my first time doing this one but it had been run for 3 decades. Sonia surprised me in 2 ways: #1, she chose the 5k and #2 she decided to jog, instead of run fast, as usual. Despite that, she still beat me and many other men. I had a heck of a challenge. The same guy I had to deal with at riverwalk was here, and I caught up to him by mid 2nd mile. It came down to a sprint, and with him being a sprinter, who does track work, I lost that battle. Luckily, he's still a submaster, but I don't know when he'll switch this year. The master winner broke 18, so Colin & some other guy took their age groups, as I did.

To my amazement, this race qualified as what I call a 5 star flash race, with a pancake breakfast, fruit & snacks (cookies & such), in addition to water & sports drink. There was a bounce house & a kiddie dash for the children, making this a nice family event. Although I heard through the grapevine that the awards were better last year, I loved the large bull trophy for the overall (I'm not fast enough to get that) and I liked the plaques given out this year to the age groupers. They also had a raffle. It was worth the long drive up.

Sunday agenda-run up

This was my first time doing a stair climbing event. I really wanted to do a 5k but I was unable locate one. My choices were:
a. train
b. do nothing
c. this event

While a. is a viable option, I elected to invoke the 'been there, done that' rule, normally reserved for picking between running races; this time it was been a. & c. Plus, anyone who knows me understands that b. is not in my vocabulary.

I tried to tips from Asha & Courtney, some fellow niketown runners who have done this before, but they were tight lipped. I don't blame them but their experience could've helped me avoid some pitfalls. I tried to do like the title, but quickly realized that wouldn't last for long. I had to resort to my marathon mentality & experience to survive this one. By the grace of God, I won my age group. Although I had to fight to get it, the series medal was available to those who completed at least 6 of their events;I did them all. The post race was 3 1/2 - 4 stars, plenty to eat. This one had a raffle too, but it's always poorly done. I remember winning but not getting a nike card, twice. The first time, they ran out & offered no substitute, and the second time, I was given a substitute instead of what I won and wanted. Now, I believe I won't even be called, while today, somebody was called twice. I think I have better odds of getting struck by lightning twice than actually getting a nike gift card once! All those who placed got a medal, the only difference was in the ribbon. No master title was offered.

Honorable mention

* Louis Molina takes the 10k age group title.
* George wins his age group despite injury.
* Runner's Depot had representation in every category.

Patriot's day

Happy a happy one. Congratulations to all finishers of the Boston marathon today. I commemoriam, I skated 14 miles in training, then capped off with a couple of sprints.

Passover weekend

To those of the Jewish, happy passover. The term also applied to certain events this weekend.
Saturday agenda-Stampede in the park 5k

Yesterday was more than expected, both good & bad. It began bad. I got caught in traffic both in Dade & Broward, due to accidents & road construction. To avoid the latter, I took an exit (I tried to passover the delay) & got pulled over (wish I were passed over). The Lord above got me outta that, but it added to my delay. I got to the race later than I wanted. Luckily, I left early enough to absorb these incidents. I didn't have the time to warm up. When the gun went off, I was in about 12th place, I cut it half near mile 2. The last mile was the thriller, as it came down to a battle for the third slot. I knew that 3rd overall trophy was smaller than the 1st overall master. I, once again, was faced with the dilemma-go for size (of the prize) or honor (best possible position)? What would pre do? the latter, of course! I managed to outsprint the challenger to earn my spot.
Surprisingly, they had a pancake breakfast, but with lack of other goodies (only basic oranges, & bagels), I rate it as 4 stars.

I passed over the walk and roll-athon because it was a non-competitive event that would interfere with the competitive race chosen.

Bonus activity

A runner told me that she does dragon boat races & that event was gonna start shortly, right near where the 5k was. Naturally, I went to check it out. It was interesting and looked like fun. The team captain want me to join them but ya'll know that running supersedes other events (it passed over it) & they hold them on Saturdays, interfering with 5k's.

Upon leaving that, I saw some college event featuring football. I passed over that for the next event.

Perhaps the best unexpected treat was the walk for wildlife event. It was catered to pets, with a couple of events, like dog rodeo and several tents dedicated to pets. Fitting that pet supermarket was a title sponsor. For adults, there was a 2 0r 3 mile walk, with or without pets. There were activities for kids, like a bounce house & games; truly an event for family. An Italian restaurant gave out samples & many booths had giveaways, largely for pets. I got a few things for my brother.

After taking care of business with my team sponsor, Runner's Depot, I discovered there was a health fair across the street! There, you can get many tests that normally will cost you, for free. Plus, you meat eaters could have a hot dog or hamburger with a soda.

Sunday agenda-Multirace.com

I called it by the name of race director because they offered both a du and triathlon. I chose the former as a team. Gene had to run twice on the same for the first time ever; I couldn't get another person. Did I forget to mention that I got there later than I wanted by passing over intended exit(took wrong exit)? We had to hustle to get the packets and then set up within half an hour! He ran an incredible 5:36 mile, the 2nd best overall of all duathletes, relay or not. Today, I rode the bike and got a personal best of 38:08 for ten miles, breaking 21 minutes for 1st time ever! He did anchor run just under a six minute pace, also, the 2nd best overall, best among the relays. My record breaking ride was 2nd overall among duathletes. Our team won, basically because of the run. Luckily, my bike time was competitive enough to allow him to be within range to beat her running. Gene put us in the lead, so much so I almost got lost (I never started on the bike as a race leader before). When the dust cleared, we dropped to 15th place, including both du & triathletes. He cut that down greatly. Biggest blunder-failure to provide t-shirts to pre-registered athletes! Amenities were good, no hot meals.

I passed over the aids walk Miami because it was a non-competitive event that would interfere with the competitive race chosen.

Honorable mention

* Walthon (the one I got by) & Humberto won in the master division.
* Gary, co-owner of Premier, my former team, won age group.
* Despite injury, George wins category on both days.
* Mike wins age group, despite injury
* Mike's family (wife & 2 kids) won 2nd in co-ed
* The team we beat, both hubby & wife are friends of mine

Birthday blast

I'm having a birthday blast of fitness. I am racing the weekend, advance to intermediate (in my age group), then race on tax day.

Saturday agenda-5k?

Guess which of the following events I did that occurred this day:
1. Talk the talk, walk the walk (tropical park)
2. Tour of the Gables 5k
3. Swim Miami (midtown)
4. Climb (the Wachovia) Miami
5. Walk, run for sickle cell anemia 5k
6. 2008 walk to defeat ALS
7. Kids in distress 5k (Markham park)

Of all those mentioned, for the first time, only one was in Broward, and that wasn't in the north part!

Ok, for all my loyal fans (ha ha), ya'll know you can eliminate #3. Jenny C., swimmer of the 2007 co-ed relay trilogy champions (Du Tri Harder) decided to do this one, foiling my chances of having her on a relay team this weekend.

Next, strike out any event that does not give awards;ya'll know I am a competitor. That'll be numbers 1 & 6.

In the past when I was a gym rat, my knees didn't take kindly to step machines. Although I may consider it sometime now because of my improved physique & conditioning, I can not choose that over a running race. Wipe out four.

The only viable options left are 2, 5 and 7. The former was the closest in proximity and the latter, the furthest.

Runner's Depot had an overall winner between 2 of the 3 above races!

Neither 2. Tour of the Gables 5k, nor 5. Walk, run for sickle cell anemia 5k offered a master title. 7, Kids in distress 5k (Markham park) had the overall master title, the same timing company that put on the race last week where that title eluded me.

Since I was forced to choose one (I'd do multiple if actually possible), I rifled through the aforementioned criteria, plus
a. proximity
b. cause (some health or charity)
c. been there, done that rule

By selecting b., choice 2, the closest to me, was eliminated.
By taking c., choice 2 & 7 lost.

It's been a long time since I ran at Dolphin stadium. When the gun went off, 3 kids sprinted out & had me beat for 500 meters. Sadly for them, this was not a track and field event. Once we hit the corner, they became impediments, forcing me to break stride to avoid collisions. On the same site (formerly Joe Robbie stadium) where I recorded my first overall victory at the now defunct Boyscout 5k, history repeats itself at this one. Biggest difference is that this one is undisputed. At the boyscout race, I was 4th overall, but declared the winner when the top 3 were disqualified by the race director, beloved Dave Shula, for going cutting the course (went the wrong way)! I have to break down my rating in the following manner:
1. 5 stars for meat lovers, since hot dogs & hamburgers were served.
2. 2 stars for all others=bananas, uncut oranges & donuts that disappeared before anyone (runners) could get any.
3. 4 star flash race=lots of giveaways, a health fair & band battle.
4. plaques to overall, and 3d medals for age group.
5. course excellent, flat with only one sharp turn around.

The battle of the bands featured my high school Miami Central Rockets vs Carol City vs the defending champions, Norland. Unfortunately, my Rockets had too many freshman & were eliminated. The other two played great but Carol city had more umph! They had guys who worked cymbals like I never seen, plus a lot more dancing. Therefore, the new champs won a grand for the victory. The former champs got half & Central got a quarter of the top prize.

Also, one of the announcers was 99 Jamz celebrity, Supa Cindy! The winners took a picture with her on stage.

Sunday agenda-triathlon

Two were scheduled this day- FAU wellness and Nautica. The former is a well established sprint triathlon that draws a competitive field and is far for me (Boca raton). The latter is an inaugural with strange distances. By the time I could get a swimmer to pay, nautica was sold out. I wanted to compete so bad, I travelled far to do that dreaded all or nothing relay up in boca. The cyclist was the husband of elite woman triathlete, Diane. He picked a swimmer & he was happy I wanted to run because he was facing double duty. Unfortunately for us, our swimmer struggled and took twice as long as the swimmer of the winning team. Although he (Keith, the cyclist) had his best time and I was the fastest runner of all the teams, the deficit was too great to overcome. We were the first losers (2nd place) and now this year, I suffered my first relay defeat, 2nd team loss & 3rd time leaving an event without any hardware. What a lousy way to close out my sophomore year! I'm gonna cling onto Saturday. I give the race 4 1/2 stars for the amenities, because there was plenty to eat and drink. They missed 5 stars because no hot meal was served. I give them only 1 star for depriving relays of awards. I advise all athletes to avoid relays in this event because it is treated as low as cockroaches & the race director basically didn't care. She won't budge on her idea of how the event can be improved and left me with the notion, "if you don't like it, don't do it"; I'll second that and pass in the future, especially if I have to pay.

Monday agenda-advancement

I age another year by advancing to intermediate in my age group. Unfortunately, it's not getting any easier. Other than my training ride, this day is uneventful. However, I am thankful for all that God gives me.

Tuesday agenda-run on tax day

Normally, this day is reserved for training at Niketown. However, it fell on the tax deadline day. The purpose of training is to race, therefore an event will override. The CPA 1040k was held, hosted by PR racing. They offered a 10k, which went off first, then the 5k. I chose the latter for the following reasons:
1. 10k fee is higher
2. on a sub 19 drought for weeks
3. night race (don't like them but will accept)
4. poor success rate with this distance

I seemed to struggle in the first mile as Jeffrey & Gene passed me, despite the sub 6 minute pace. By mile 2, I got in a groove and began to get on track. When the dust cleared, somebody in my age group beat me. Since no master titles were given, I dropped to 2nd. No big deal, since the only difference with the medals were the color of the ribbons. 3 1/2 to 4 stars as a flash race. Plenty to eat. I don't like the mock raffle but it was held.

Honorable mention

* Teammate Jon Williams won (kids in distress) taking steps 5k & 2nd overall in the cpa 5k
* Freddy took 3rd overall (sickle cell)
* Berta won 2nd in age group (sickle cell) & did the cpa 5k
* I saw Sammy's friend (walked) but not her
* Adam of Niketown won (overall) his 1st race (tour of gables).
* George won his age group (taking steps 5k) & runner up at fau
* Diane Calloway places again (fau)
* Teammate Allan completes 5k (kids) & fau
* Cassie completes a tri (nautica)
* Felipe takes 2nd (nautica) & top age group in cpa 10k (4th overall)
* Gene got 2nd age group at cpa
* Jeffrey topped his age group & broke 19
* Rosa, a teammate of my 1st Miami man, did the 10k
* Terry, the other teammate of my 1st Miami man, also did the 10k

April showers

Friday marked an anniversary of the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, a man, I feel, was sent by God to improve the civil rights of the oppressed. Although black Americans were the largest recipients, we were not the only ones. Most Hispanics today forgot how they were classified on our level in the past. Although men loved women, it was not shown in terms of civil rights. As Dr. King stated he might not get there (the promised land of freedom) with us, his dream did become reality, not perfect, but way better than before he got involved. He knew that he, like Jesus, would be persecuted and ultimately murdered, for making changes to benefit society. Oh, by the way, those are my heroes. Let us all pay our respects to the ultimate civil rights leader.

Saturday agenda-5k?

Two 5k events were held, one south and one north. I passed on both of them, due to the distance. I now must forfeit some races because of the rising gas prices. The one south was turtle kraals 5k in key west and the north was an inaugural-Rooney's 5k in Jupiter. Instead, I cross trained on inline skates, going 1.1 miles short of a half marathon in under an hour, among my best times, despite the wind! Normally, I avoid strenuous work prior to a race, but I heard it was going to rain for sure on Sunday, so I cut the grass. It's a big yard, so that took several hours to do that solo.

Sunday agenda-5k?

Yes! It was called let my people run. Although it barely drew a hundred people, the top guys were high quality & I was in danger of leaving without an award. I didn't realize how much all that I did yesterday was going to affect me today. On top of that, I got a nagging foot injury last week that has not left yet. I failed to break 19, and like Serena Williams did in game #2 of the finals yesterday, I literally gave away the master title. I had to settle for a generic age group medal while he stayed awhile, all giddy (yep, he left when he lost the last 2 times) with his trophy. I got a wake up call! I can't assume he running well. He did a time I should of, while my below par performance left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Although nothing great to write home about, they had their best post race refreshment party. Did I mention that it was raining & was windy before and during the race, especially after the 15 minute delay for no valid reason? Without time splits, I was unaware how poorly I was running. Since God did allow me to place, I have no real right to complain, but hey, that's human nature.

Honorable mention

* the April showers let loose in the evening
* teammate Allen won his age group
* george won again