Key

Considering the heat & humidity, hydration is KEY. Saturday, JW & I went to the southernmost point. Back in the day, Arsenio Hall had a late night program & used to have a segment called, "things that make you go, hmmmm." What would happen if you go to KEY east? hmmmm. Just a play on the name of the city KEY west. Sunday, is held on KEY Biscayne. My title is KEY!

Saturday agenda-conch pride 5k

My buddy Jon W recommended this one & he actually won it, but was listed as 2nd overall. How did this happen? The local favorite was declared the winner despite veering off course in the first mile. Granted, he jumped back in within the mile, but by running stealth for a half mile, I believe he threw off any competition. Most race officials would disqualify a 'course cutter' but that didn't happen. There is even a change he could get the course record for his age group despite not running the entire course! Amazing, huh? Meanwhile, yours truly was the fastest old guy (40+) and earned the distinction of overall master, despite a dismal time. The icing on the cake was winning a raffle prize. The award for the run was a foam tile. Although better than what they were giving for the overall walkers (certificate), it was still disappointing. The walk certificate was the only prize worse than that gift certificate;at least I could buy shoes with a slight discount, whereas the other, not.

Sunday agenda-Key Biscayne trilogy

This is a series for the tri but the du was offered that counted toward that series. This was a close race that we lost much like many athletes versus Michael Phelps. The kick off runner was 3rd overall, to get the team a good start. I set a personal course record on my bike, and although right behind him, the race officials put me back 7 seconds. The anchor had his PR but couldn't out sprint the young kid. Yes, we placed but lost the top slot by a mere 3 seconds! This was KEY for the team, as we still lead in the series. The icing on the cake was winning in another raffle! In both, I got stuff I could use & I don't recall ever winning something in back to back raffles.

Honorable mention

The following excerpt was taken from email from PRracing & does reflect the opinion of this author:

Run Miami News: Very Important Note About Running Death and Making The Streets Safe for Running: This past weekend, our running community suffered a tragic loss as Carlos Cardenes was struck by a vehicle while on a training run and passed away from the injuries. Our staff and our community of runners would like to offer our greatest sympathy and heavy hearts to his family and we take this opportunity to call upon the running community to respond in honor of Carlos Cardenes, the 12 bikers who were injured this same weekend, and every other athlete who shares the roads with vehicles in order to stay healthy and active. We want our community to always keep safety in mind and take precaution by using lights, reflectors, light colored clothes, running in groups and obeying traffic signals. At the same time, we invite members of the community to help us, our partners at the running stores and clubs to develop guidelines and regulations that we can try to enact on ourselves and hopefully on a legal level by presenting a solution to county and city government. We need more pathways and trails, large sidewalks like the one on Old Cutler Rd. in Palmetto Bay and a greater sense of awareness for drivers. I invite you to send emails to us with your ideas and hopefully we can find a dedicated group to help lead the charge in making the roads safer for runners and cyclists.

Series weekend

This weekend, I was committed to 2 5k series events. Saturday was on the east coast of Florida, while yesterday was on the west.

Saturday agenda-summer sizzler 5k

It was the usual-a hot, and humid 3 loop course. Up to mile 1, I was right behind my master counterpart, but unfortunately, I faded while he was consistent & he won the master title. He has swept me for that title in this series. However, even though I lost those battles, I won the war (the series). How? By the grace of God. I performed my best in all three events, while he & someone else missed a battle. I have successfully defended my 3rd place overall series winner title! On top of that, the legendary Gene W presented me with a special award- the most distant commuter in the series. He rolled the mini, big wheel pickup truck toward as he announced it. Go out & support him at the King of the hill 5k next Sunday. That race is in his honor.

Sunday agenda-Powerade 5k

At the recommendation of teammate Jon W, I decided to declare my entry into this series by competing at Ft desoto. For the first time, I traveled a long distance solo just to do a 5k. With the support of friends, I was able to reduce travel time on the same day going to the event. From their house, it took 2 hours;imagine from mine! The top 4 winners were from Miami & were last minute entries. Yeah, I was the last one of the aforementioned but took my age group. Unlike the top 3 overall, I am in the series, gunning for the victory in the war. They simply served as spoilers, reducing my points.

The above mentioned events gave out medals. I don't like that so much but its a whole lot better than the useless gift certificate that won last week. It is extremely limited (can only be used toward regularly priced shoes before Oct of this year at that particular running store).

The highlight of the weekend was my long awaited meeting with a famous author, poet and professor at a book show in Sunrise. Anyone well educated knows the importance of SAMMantics. Yep, I have a new found love for language.

Olympics

Well, the awesome opening ceremonies occurred yesterday, along with some events. Today, definitely, the games have begun! However, I have my own sports history to make. It may not be of Olympic proportions, but it these races mean a lot to me, and that's what counts. Whenever I can win, it is tantamount to getting the gold.

Saturday agenda-ING kick off 5k

This was considered a fun run but actually it was better. Although no age group awards were offered, they did give an incentive-top 30 male & female would receive finishers medals. My mission was to get that without over exertion. I helped pace Gene & set my qualifying time at 20 minutes; I was only 2 seconds slower.

Sunday agenda-Babbette Kulka celebration 5k

I normally don't do gift certificate as prize races but this was for a good cause. The race was for someone I knew through her coach, Hector, whose team I joined & began my relay team participation. Babette was an iron girl, triathlete, runner, you name it and died the way I'd prefer-doing something I like, rather than a stupid way, like a robbery, drunk driver, etc. The good=age group awards, including a master slot. The bad=hot& humid. The ugly-gift certificates in lieu of trophies. By the grace of God, I got under 19 & won my age group; the master title was elusive. Only seconds separated me from the 2nd.

Go USA & mike phelps!

N.F.L.

Well, I admit that I came up with the title after seeing an ad on TV that the NFL (National Football League) will be hosting an all star game the 1st Sunday of this month. However, the title is in reference to my performance-Not Fast Lately! I have been struggling with this extremely hot & humid weather and have been on drought in regards to breaking 19, which previously was easy;I may have taken that for granted. Here & there, I get a good race but time-wise, I am barely better the Miami Dolphins... well, maybe a lot better but you get my drift. By the grace of God, I have persisted, both in training, participation & winning, despite these set backs. Proof positive that prayer works!

Saturday agenda-summer sizzler, part 2

Due to my commitment to this series, I had to pass on the fit2run 4 miler, which hosted a club challenge. It was a money race, so it drew many people, including some that did part 1 and defeated yours truly. Due to NFL, the master title got away from me but amazingly, I still got in the top ten & fell to top in my expanded ten year age group. They gave out a different medal from the last race. The weather topped over 90 degrees after the 7:30 start. The master did a time I usually beat with ease, but not the case today.

Sunday agenda-Huntington's disease triathlon

The title reveals that it supported research for this disease. They held both an Olympic & sprint;we did the latter. Although less hot (rained in morning) due to cloudiness, the humidity was relentless. The sun came out to add to our misery. I brought in a new swimmer, Cathy, who competed in her first relay. I remembered her because she competed as an individual in the past. The runner, Gene, is fast becoming a veteran. We were in the hole when I started & I past at least 1 in the relay and got my personal best on the bike. The top ten time performance was the 2nd fastest of all relays, surprisingly. We took runner up to an expert team, whose cyclist posted a time similar to KC! Despite the top 3 (overall time) being the fastest of all relays, we came up short. I am proud of them and pleased to be on the podium.