Holiday weekend

It's thanksgiving weekend, the prelude to Christmas. Since this weekend is devoted to capitalism, I will resort to the politically correct term Holiday.

Friday agenda-black!

After a disappointing result the previous day (low), I had to figure out how to train while the black Friday frenzy was on. Yes, I got caught in it but did minimal spending. Much of what I got was needed, including grocery shopping.

Saturday agenda-jingle down main street 5k

Today was a surprising high. Although not as cool as on thanksgiving, it was cooler than it had been just last month. I got to see many of the Niketown old school running mates, Louis, Keith, Courtney W. and the ever elusive Freddy. All competed but the last 2 was merely training. When the gun went off, so did the field. Gradually, many started dropping like flies. In the final mile, I was someone who looked like a master so I employed my patented master kick to get past him through the finish. Little did I know it was also someone I had never beaten in my 17 year illustrious 'career'. I won the master title, redeeming myself for the week. Amazingly, no one was between me & the kid wonder, Jeffrey. Although I failed to meet my goal (beat my best time of the year), I succeed in capturing the master title with a come from behind victory.

Sunday agenda-the last day

Yes, it is the last day of November & the last chance to race or train. I forwent the former in lieu of the latter due to the following:

1. need to pay my respects to my fallen partner, Jolie (death=low)
2. only event I knew is far (space coast marathon or half)
3. only event I knew costly ($75 just for the half)
4. eliminated the only category we (dad & I) were interested in at this time- 2 person relay

Expounding on #1, a celebration of sorts was held at Nikki beach in her honor. It was fitting to do this on the last day of the month. I was treated as family by her family & was allowed to say my piece, along with other family & friends. I saw pictures of her at various events, including the one she loved the most-St Anthony's triathlon. We competed there, & even though we missed placing by 1 slot, we had a good time trying. Her mom released her ashes into the Atlantic ocean to conclude the ceremony. She often swam there & lived less than a mile from there. She literally began the year with an accident & ended in a similar fashion. In the multisport world, we were a force to reckon with. Although merely friends, we mended well as a relay as if we were married. She was the cyclist in most, swam in some. She was a winner, often stubborn like me, & never liked to quit, even after a few falls. She'll always be my partner in spirit;a true athlete.

Monday agenda-cyber

Cyber Monday; this is the online version of black Friday, basically a new high tech tradition. Unfortunately, I began way before this day. I will be needing those shoes I bought for an upcoming event.

Honorable mention
+NTOS=NikeTown Old School, NTNS=NikeTown New School


* thanksgiving eve, John Donaldson (NTOS) came into my office to renew his DL.
* thanksgiving day & jingle, of NTOS were Leo, Louis Best, Courtney W & yours truly
* jingle 5k, also of NTOS were Freddy,& Keith
* of NTNS, at both=Gene & Felipe, thanksgiving=Jonathan, Mike N & Adam
* John G, Jeffrey T & George all got 1st at jingle
* I beat Colin for the 1st time ever
* anyone I may have missed, I ain't mad at ya, I'm just gettin' old
* congrats to all that competed!

I realize more than ever that life is short. 1st, Babbette Kulka (triathlete), ironman finisher, dies mysteriously while swim training, then Dell Rodgers, a former co-worker hired along with me & others, dies of a heart attack, then finally, the closest of all to me, Jolie, suffers a coma from a hit & run & then finally passes away. I'm beginning to understand this rap song called 'my life'.

Thanksgiving

I wish everyone a happy one! Apart from running, mine was boring. I didn't do like everybody else & have a large turkey dinner with all the fixin's. For starters, I don't eat meat. However, I did remember that we all should give thanks to God that we're all alive today. In addition, I thank him for allowing me to compete & train, especially with pretty good weather. I thank him for my parents who gave me life. Considering all of the people (some famous), including many close friends, who died this year, like one of my favorite gospel songs says, "I thank the Lord I'm still alive".

Thursday agenda-turkey trot

Within the tri county area, nearly 6,000 people participated in an event. From north to south, the run 4 the pies drew nearly 1200 & was a four mile run. In Broward, the tamarac turkey trot attracted over 1300. I competed in the largest one-blue cross, blue shield turkey trot in Miami. Put on by PR racing, it offered both a 5k & 10k and pulled over 2700 finishers!

Facts
1. run 4 the pies=4 miler, 1 master title, 3 overall
2. tamarac turkey trot=5k, no master title, 3 overall
3. Miami turkey trot=5k or 10k, 1 master title, 3 overall

Highlights

* I got 2nd behind the freshman, Edmundo
* Ronnie wins the tamarac
* Runner's Depot teammates Louis M & George win age group at tamarac
* teammate John G ran in low 19's
* Niketown running mates win in respective age groups. They are Adam (1), Mike N (2), Jonathan (1)
* Niketown running mates that participated included Felipe & his lady, Leo, Asha in the 10k
* Former Niketown running mate Courtney W won his age group in 10k
* Omarto wins Miami 5k, Elliot M=3rd overall

If I missed anyone, its purely unintentional. Don't forget, I am getting old.

Mastery

Since overall is not realistic to me, the master title is attainable, but difficult. I set that as a goal, & off I went.

Saturday agenda-5k

The delray turkey trot was held in west palm beach, but in a rare occurrence, I forwent that event in lieu of training. I had my reasons:
1. Last time I did it, I had to wait for them to mail a medal to me.
2. Far-its in delray!
3. Did I mention that they gave out medals the last time I did it?

Later, I regretted that decision because I found out from George that this time they gave out trophies. In terms of racing, I knew I'd meet my minimum standard (2 in a weekend) with a double header.

Sunday morning agenda-Wilton manors 5k

Going into this event as a 2 time master champion, the pressure was on me to continue the tradition. Jeffrey got his fastest time ever-17:49 & was barely 15 secs off of Jon W! The weather was near perfect-cool to cold, no wind plus the course was flat; a runner's dream. In order to defend my title, I had to run my 2nd best time of the year, thus far. Praise the Lord, I was able to three-peat! Two major running clubs showed up, Runner's Depot & running wild. The former performed Admiralty. Jon, Louis, & yours truly at the forefront. The overall female of the other team edged me out at the end, but truthfully, I did not match the challenge because, #1 I knew I had to run again later on & #2, she's not in my sex/category. This was a 4 star flash race, lacking only a hot meal. They had a raffle but I didn't win.

Sunday afternoon agenda-sunset 5k

This was a charity event to support Tyler S Goldberg, who was tragically killed last year. I really felt more this year than ever because of the death of a former co-worker (Dell) & a teammate (Jollie). Although my time was about 20 seconds slower than earlier, the end result was the same-master winner. Obviously, my performance was affected by, #1 the fact I ran earlier, #2 it got windy & #3, 2 or 3 hills (twice). By the grace of God, I was able to get past most to win the title in 4th position. Jon finally won 1 of his three events, although I don't think he should've been as disappointed as he was with his runner up overall victory on Saturday. Right behind him was
Felipe. Between him & I was some kid. For meat eaters, this was a 5 star race due to the hot dogs, chicken & some other; 3-4 stars for everyone else.

Sweet & sour

This was a rollercoaster type weekend with many ups & downs. Counting from Thursday to Tuesday, so many events occured.

Friday=sour

I woke up & a cd rack that stood for over 8 years all of a sudden fell down. Little did I know that it was a prelude to a tragedy. I received a message that Jollie, my relay partner from 2 years ago, slipped into a coma.

Saturday agenda-fantasy of lights 5k

This one was always a competitive event, plus actually had a cap of 1,500 entrants & had to sign up at least 2 weeks in advance. On top of that, it was night race, an event I loathe but won't shun, especially if there's nothing else. I prepared as best as I could. Praise the lord! I got my best time of the year for a 5k. They gave an unusual 5 places for the master category & I was fortunate to get the last slot. Unique was that the recipient's picture was taken & placed within the curved glass award. Great amenities (*****) but this time, no raffle. With the victory, sweet.

Prior to going to the event was my visit to the hospital. She was all hooked up to equipment & didn't look good. I spoke & prayed then off I went to the aforementioned; condition was sour, but seeing her was sweet. Post event, my dad & I stayed overnight at a hotel because it was senseless for me to drive all the way back south then come back up with little rest (dad carpools with me) to tackle a distance race. I'd be asking for another dismal race.

Sunday agenda-inaugural 13.1 marathon

On independence day, I committed to this event, so I relinquished my chance to place in a 5k. I decided to work on my endurance & be rewarded for such (finishers medal). I took off fast for the 1st 2 miles with a 6:30 but immediately dropped pace & probably was worse than 8 by the end but the average was acceptable. My dad had yet another PR plus placed in his age group. It was a 5 far flash race with the pancake breakfast, along with other post race refreshments.

Afterwards, I made my final trip to the hospital. This time, I met up with a lot of supporters, family & friends alike. I spent at least 1 1/2 hours there before I finally had to leave. They were hoping she go quickly & peacefully, but I reminded them that she was always a stubborn fighter and I knew she would not go easy. Later, I learned she finally went on; my condolences to the family. While that is sour, the fact that I will always remember her is sweet.

Monday & Tuesday marked birthdays for Samm & my sis, respectively; sweet for them.

Oh, so close!

Following that dismal performance in NY last weekend, I decided to return to my 'specialty'-the 5k. However, to do this, I had to travel to the county I vowed I would avoid-Palm beach. Since the gas prices have been dropping, the idea has become more plausable. Well, good thing resolutions were made to be broken.

Saturday agenda-walk tall, run free 5k

Sometimes I'm a sucker for races with a cause & this one was for epilepsy. I skipped the local race (lighthouse run) to travel up there because I don't like the direction in which that race is going. What do I mean? Remember that I began running 17 years ago. This event offers both a 5k & a 10k. While this still holds true, back then, not only could you run both, but they offered a discount for taking on such a challenge; now, they both start at the same time. Most races give you the respect of calling out your name to receive your hard fought hardware. Last time I did it, we lined up like in a government cheese line, asked the name & place, then were given a generic frame after stratching the name off the list. Back then, lots of giveaways & food; now, very little of anything & basic food less than what I can get for running at niketown for free.

Ironically, both races were timed by splitsecondtiming. This was my comeback 5k & was selected under the 'been there, done that' rule, overriding the proximity rule. With less than a hundred participants, I had the chance to win. In the first mile, I was the relucant leader. Mile 2, I was in the lead pack. Final mile, the marathon fatique (lactic acid build up) set in & I slipped into a battle for 2nd. Although the lord didn't allow me to win this one as I hoped, he did allow for the next best distinction-overall runner up. On top of that, I was able to break 19, a feat I struggled with, even without the marathon torture. I almost lost that position but the master kick held off that competitor. Top winner & master got a small, crystal object, 2nd & 3rd got plaques. Top age group winners got a trophy, while the silver & bronze were medals. A good amount & variety of food & drink were offered, a 3 to 4 star flash race.

Sunday agenda-herbalife Boca PAL

This event now offers a 5k (2nd annual) in addition to the half marathon. Fresh off a full, I decided to focus on speed, an element sorely lacked last week. My dad did the half & broke another PR by finishing with a 2:01. In addition to that, he tied me in number of age group victories for that distance-one. Yeah, its hard for us to place in distance races. I experience similiar problems that occurred the previous day. Mile 1-ahead of the master winner. 2nd mile, al lado (aside) the master runner. Final mile, lack of recovery=title slipped away. God did grant the top age group title, while finishing under 19 within the top ten. Qualified as a five star flash race because of the pancakes, plus a good amount of other nourishment. All awards were uniform, a ceramic tile with race data. Finisher's medal to all half'ers.

Honorable mention

* Jonathan M got 2nd overall.
* Jon W placed in 2 races.
* Jeffrey broke 18!
* Gary tops his age group.

NY

I had to fore go 2 local races to revisit my home state of New York to run their marathon. Having been ripped off in their stupid, biased lottery system twice, I jumped at the chance to enter after a miracle victory that allowed me to qualify. Even with that, I was given a hard time, at first being placed in that horrible lottery despite qualifying for guaranteed entry. After a few emails & having to submit more proof, they reluctantly obliged. I decided to do this for the following reasons:

1. Prior to the marathon. I wanted my name to be recorded.
2. I don't plan on doing it again, unless invited or I get rich; the former is the least likely.
3. I don't know if I could even afford it again (high gas prices made flight more expensive, plus the entry fee, hotel, travel & other related expenses).

Weekend agenda-New York city marathon

I had go up without any support. I learned the hard way between those who are friends and those who are people you know; most fell under the latter. Also, most concealed that they were even going but of those who admitted it, only one had a legitimate excuse. Oh well. That is why in God I trust. Although I had to sacrifice a good time (clockwise), I still had a good time in that I was able to finish.

The good:
a. I finished & got my medal.
b. I escaped without injury.
c. the weather, other than the wind.

The bad:
a. lack of support, other than my dad.
b. the cost (entry, hotel, plane).
c. accomodations (1 bedroom with no bath).

The ugly:
a. failed to meet self imposed time limit of 4 hours.
b. nyrrc rule of putting all in a ups bag forced me to carry a heavy jacket (cant afford to throw out).
c. discovered shoes were falling apart the night before & due to b., I had no backup.

Despite the obvious challenges- cold, wind, bridges & hills, plus lack of a tune-up run, I had to deal with the heavy jacket.

Honorable mention

Congrats to my fellow runners who ran NY. Many more may have run but the following I know for a fact:
* Felipe, niketown
* Aldo V, runners depot teammate
* Renee G, owner of runners depot & teammate
* Josh L, miami feet owner + niketown
* Allan Miller, runners depot teammate