Memorial day weekend

Memorial day weekend. For most, it's time to party, go to the beach or chill but really the day is for memoriam. Many died so that we can enjoy our freedom. Yes, I shall train & race, but this blog is evidence that I do respect & honor those who laid their lives so I can live mine; ya'll do the same.

Saturday agenda-long ride

I couldn't find any races in the tri-county area, so when I got an email that the Elite group was gonna ride, I accepted. This was my first group ride on a Saturday. I went up with them until they stopped at some eating establishment but returned solo, with the intention of returning home to take care of things. That changed when I spotted Aldo, teammate of runer's depot, appearing to set up an Accelerade display. The Elite cycling store opened early & had a post ride refreshment party.

Sunday agenda-roll

I gotta be careful what I do, so I pulled out my trusty inlines & skated half my usual distance of 12 miles as fast as I could; I was on a roll with sub 5 minute miles.

Monday agenda-memorial day classic 5k

There were 2 races I was aware of: one in boca & one in weston. Traditionally, I choose the latter due to proximity. I stuck with that. Ironically, Ronnie H came to run this race despite the fact that the team he represents put on the other event. Due to a team category, runner's depot was highly present. Today drew an all-star crowd. The slowest master was in the low 18's! I had to settle for top in my age group. Counting the pancakes, this would be considered a 5 star flash race. They had a bogus raffle that simulated the dreaded palm beach method.

FYI
I neglected to mention that run elements were added on both training days. Why? Because I am a runner and an athlete!

Honorable mention

* George won his group
* Louis, teammate, showed up despite injury

Pomp & circumstance

Pomp is the good but the circumstance(s) might not.

Saturday agenda-Publix duathlon

ESM held that plus a tri, but since I don't swim..you guessed it. This may be my last year doing this series, not due to my ability (still pomp) but to the circumstance-gas prices. A big circumstance occurred this day-a 45 minute delay. It made the challenge more difficult as we all got deeper into that record heat! The first run was pomp but once I got on the bike, circumstance. On the way back, #1 the sponge flew out of my hydration bottle, cause me to lose much of my drink, plus get splashed with the Accelerade. That was nothing to what happened next. I heard a loud noise while riding versus the wind and discovered the hard way that it came from my bike when I reached for the brakes to bank a turn it they moved down. Luckily, I was 3/4 done. I won my category (pomp) despite the circumstance(s). Another circumstance-awards were delayed until nearly noon; I was stuck out there in that record heat.

Sunday agenda-Daniela 5k

This was my first time doing this one. I was a bit tight from the du plus the heat was worse. This was my 2nd time in my entire athletic career that I did a race at John Lloyd park, and they both happened this year. The pomp-I broke 19, ending the drought in May. The circumstance(s)-3 top ranked masters showed up. Even though Walthon & Tim (teammate) ran fast enough (#2 & 3, respectively) to place in the top three, I still failed to capture the master title;I lost by a mere 4 seconds! I had to settle for being top of my age group. They had a decent post race, much like the du, but also had a raffle.

Mother's day

This weekend, I called anyone I could think of to wish a happy mom day, whether actual or potential. If I missed ya, sorry;I wish you a happy one too!

Saturday agenda-5k

A lot of events were held this day, prior to THE day. Guess which one I chose:
a. ALS 5k/10k in Miami
b. run for the roses in Broward
c. race for the arts in Palm Beach

Normally, I'd take a. due to proximity. However, I passed for one of the following reasons (guess):
a. I already preregistered for another event.
b. No master title
c. Medals instead of a better award
d. all of the above

I actually selected c. but I was unable to register online. Also, I had second thoughts considering how far it was (middle of the county). Therefore, as of Thursday, d. is the correct answer.

I knew that a. would likely give out medals & without the master title, decreased my odds at victory, b. had the most categories but the award is always a mystery (changes every race & year) and that c. would give out trophies (I won my age group there before) but the master title eluded me;I wanted to avenge that.

The run for the roses event was put on by the GFLRRC, headed by Cynthia, catered toward the women. They got a 5 minute head start & guys were told to catch 'em if they can. FYI-The overall male caught all but the top three! I cut my loss to about 20. I had a battle with Jeff P, a 50+ runner. Due to the extreme heat & humidity, and some hills, I was unable to beat him. Luckily for me, the race directors/organizers had various titles & he won the grandmaster title. Despite failing to break 19, I captured the master title. They had decent post race refreshments & a raffle. Louis made an appearance as a volunteer/supporter. In terms of awards, with this one, you roll the dice;I won! I got a curved glass plaque, nice. It happened to be the first time ever, since all the others were horizontal and this one was vertical.

Sunday agenda-mother's day

A du/tri in riviera beach was cancelled today, so rather than be lazy (not in my vocabulary), I did a long training ride. I hooked up with an Elite group. No, not the athletes but the store, headed by Olympians KC (he lead the ride) and JRod (out of town training for the Olympics). They helped to support the remaining 2 events of the KB trilogy last year. We wound up doing over 50 miles. After some recovery, I made some calls then headed out to visit my mom.

Honorable mention

* Gene, teammate, got his official PR & actually was faster than me
* Jon placed as usual
* Rubio family placed

May mastery

The title is a prelude to events.

Thursday agenda-corporate run

I began this month with a rare Thursday night run. I treated it as a training/fun run due to the following:

a. corporate run is designed only for employees of major companies. As the winner of this race found out when he won a similar one last month, if you don't meet this requirement, you will be disqualified.
b. a night race. I didn't take off time from work so I got there 15 minutes late.
c. too darn crowded (over 20 thousand).

I started dead last but finished somewhere in the middle of the pack, after a lot of ducking and dodging. There was a general post race refreshment area for anybody, but for those with a company, the company had their perks. It ranged from 1-5 stars, depending on what company you were with. I mastered the art of asking. I met many of the 'old' Niketown crew, including the winner, Ronnie.

Saturday agenda-run for the children 5k

I passed up the melanoma 5k in key Biscayne for this race out of respect to my friends, Gary & Adrienne, owners of Premier running, soccer, & tri, my former team. Additionally, I was held at a church, and I like those type. The course was not PR friendly because it had at least four turnarounds. On top of that, it was windy & humid. I did the best I could under those conditions & was blessed by the Lord with the master title! 4 stars on the post race party, which also had a raffle (i didn't win).

Sunday agenda-sprint for the finish 5k

Also, known as DPHDS 5k was next up. With my difficult of obtaining a swimmer, I passed up on the multisport event, also being held in key Biscayne. They offered both a sprint & an Olympic for the tri but only the latter for the du. My run partner didn't want to do the 10k, & really didn't feel like a 40k bike. Therefore, I returned to the same course in which I won the entire race, however my fate was not the same. Luiz showed up & took the title. However, God did grant me the next best title, master. I struggled with the high heat & humidity and feared I might leave without hardware, especially since the time was worse than the previous day. Luckily, it was sufficient to earn the largest plaque I ever received. I'd rate it as five star but instead of a hot meal, it was cold (ice cream);it's officially a 4 star event like the other. It too had a raffle & I still didn't win! Although my overall position improved, the time didn't.

Facts about both races:
* In broward county
* Had raffles
* 2 events held within proximity (key Biscayne)
* I got the master title
* I placed in the top ten
* I didn't see either George or Jon.

Honorable mention

* Mike got 2nd overall in the sprint tri