Spring break 09

I usually take a spring break for the purposes of spring cleaning around my birthday; did so again. However, I got very little done because of various interruptions, both pleasant & not. The latter included jury duty, car recall, dental appointment & a day of illness. Pleasant was the tax day 5k and a mini-vacation with a close friend. Also, Sunday was my dad's birthday;have a happy one.

Weekend agenda-race!

Saturday agenda featured the 7 mile bridge run, an event highly over-rated. The race organizer purposely make it difficult to impossible to get entry, raising the stock on an otherwise average event. No worry, I was certain I'd find something to race and I was right. In fact, I found a challenge with a total distance of 9.3 miles! A 15k challenge was the combined times of the 10k followed by a 5k.

1st agenda-10k

This would be my 1st straight 10k of the year! I was a bit nervous because 5k is my true niche but I reassured myself with the fact that I've been there, done that. The course was scenic in that it looped around a couple of lakes and challenging because it featured rolling hills, most of which rolled upwards. On top of that, the heat & humidity began to kick in halfway through. At that point, I was in the low 19's but the final tally revealed that I slowed down in the latter half. I fortunate to place 2nd but due to poor race management, anyone who chose the 15k challenged & placed, were inadvertently pulled from each individual race. They gave my trophy to someone who was 8 minutes slower than me! I had to wait to the end of the ceremony to get an equivalent that had an age group I am not in a hurry to get to-70- 74.

2nd agenda-5k

The 10k began at 7. I had to wait till 8:15 for the 5k start in order to complete the 15k challenge. I had so much time, I decided to use the bathroom & change wardrobe from Runner's Depot to UM attire; that heat had me sweating up a storm. Halfway through, I passed Linda, who unknowingly went off course due to poor signage. When the dust cleared, I finished 3rd overall but was given the master title after my insistance; that was the tallest trophy I received. I was also third overall in the 15k challenge. The one who was 2nd, beat me by about 2 minutes in the 10k, while I got him by about a minute in the 5k;he won by net time.

What I loved about the race was: #1 trophies, #2 offered the 15k challenge.
What I did not like: race director felt that each person should only get 1 trophy, even though I called in advance to verify the protocol and that there were 2 separate races. the 15k challenge was the combined time of the 2; a true 15k is from start to finish, no waiting.

Sunday agenda-vacation

I followed Linda's lead by travelling so far so she could meet & be with her friend over the weekend. This compelled me to forfeit racing on this day, & worse, all training. However, I won't complain because I probably needed the rest (nagging injury in right ankle/foot) and did have some fun. I would have done a 5k, either Rooney or Daniela, both events for a cause, but there will be others. Most don't realize that, while I may take a vacation from work, I do not in regards to fitness. It is treated like eat or sleep, it is daily!

Honorable mention

Linda completes seemingly a half marathon, even though registered in the 10k. How did this happen? Her pace caused her to intertwine between the two events. All participants had the same bib number (no differentiation between 5k or 10k (15k had arm bands)). The signage would was say race and show an arrow, but not which race. They had to change many signs for the 5k course & she was misdirected, causing her to run for a longer distance. She didn't give & did finish; for that, I am proud of her.

Topsy turvey

I heard of this but can't spell it. When trying to describe the turn of events this weekend, well actually, my entire birthday week, this is what came to mind.

Saturday agenda-stampede in the park

This race serves as a membership drive & was intended as a tune up for a main event; the former was consistent. Generally, this race is not that competitive but since there were no other races in broward, it attracted some of the best. Although the number in attendance was low, the level of competitiveness was high. Some of the best masters showed up, forcing me to have to run! With the likes of Walthon, Ralph G (strider), Humberto, Almir (premier) and Jeff P, I had to bring my A game. It was windy & the course was changed to include trails. Despite that, I was able to keep pace with Almir, but I lost in the .1 by .1. Yes, we finished with the same time but he edged me out. He truly earned the distinction of 2nd overall because once completed, he was laid out on the ground for 5 minutes;he spent everything for the title. I made him work hard for the honor; i was not generous. Our battle pulled me to my best time in years & we both were just 2 seconds from breaking 18!

Sunday agenda-triathlon

Despite the all or nothing concept for relays, I intended to compete using 2 new athletes. The runner was new to the business (multi-sport) but shows promise. The swimmer was experienced, but due to internal conditions (& possibly external (rip currents), she chose not to compete. Without a swimmer, I was compelled to fore go the event all together and merely train. I chose to cycle 14 miles because my role was to be on the bike.

Taxing

Well, today is tax day. It is the official deadline for filing your taxes to the IRS and is naturally a taxing experience for most people. Thus far, this is not the only taxing day I've had this week. Easter Sunday did not go down as planned because I not only missed my normal workout (no races) but church. Monday might as well been Friday the 13th because I got the Brittany Spear style rejection, a dear John text. Now I truly understand how Kevin Federline felt;a really taxing moment. On top of that, my lawnmower stopped working in the middle of the job (of cutting). Luckily, we kinda worked this out by yesterday, my birthday. It was taxing as well because I still felt that sting plus I had 2 appointments scheduled prior to Niketown. First, I brought in car for a scheduled recall (took up the whole morning & an hour into the afternoon) then I had to go the dentist in less than hour (no rest). I had to pay for the procedure due to limits in insurance; taxing.

The high notes were doing the Niketown training run with fellow runners at a very easy pace with some of the fastest in field, (Jon, Jonathan, Jeffrey) and renewed communication with my love. Now tonight, I must do my best in a rare mid-week night race. Not my favorite but I must be prepared for anything, even for a taxing experience!

Addendum:
Wednesday agenda-1040k

Unless falling over the weekend, this race is always held on tax filing deadline day. They offer both a 5k & a 10k; due to my load, I chose the former. After the initial rush, I squeeked into the top ten to place top in my age group.

My honorable mention goes to Asha, who actually remembered it was my birthday.

Easter 09

Happy Easter! Friday was good Friday. Strange that it was called that because it marks the day Jesus was crucified, which was a sad moment. However, the good may refer to the fact that he gave us the ultimate gift (salvation) with the ultimate sacrifice (the mortal life).

Saturday agenda-bull run

This event offered both a 5k & a 10k. The latter was a USATF championship race for active members. The former had poor signage, and even though Bob called out 5k turn around, he did not indicate where. Therefore, I ran more than a 5k. Luckily, I did not lose my age group position, only the overall position. The master title was won with a 17, well out of my range. Having done this last year, I chose this event over 2 others because I 'knew' we were gonna get trophies. Boy was I wrong! Except for the overall winner, all age groupers who placed got a general issue drinking glass. Post race qualified as 5 star, lots to eat, including a pancake breakfast.

Sunday agenda-Easter

Sadly, no race to be found. Instead, I did a training ride of about 17 miles from Pompano to Boca and back. I declared this a cross training day & did not run.

Honorable mention

* Thanks to Linda for hospitality
* teammate Jon W wins age group
* Linda takes on the 10k
* George wins again
* Lisa D got her age group

Palm 09

This entry is not timely, but like the USPS, better late than never. For those familiar with Jewish holidays, it actually began at sundown yesterday; happy passover.

Saturday agenda-taking steps 5k

This is my first race of the month & served as a tune up for the next day. There were so many cons against me: I woke up tired, it was windy, hot, humid and the course had some hills & a lot of curves. On top of that, many good master runners showed up vying for the title, including the likes of Emilio, Humberto & Billy;the latter I had never beaten. You know how I say that every dog has his day. Although I struggled, I was able to keep pace with Billy, who was within my range due to possible internal conditions. Thanks to the 'running Gods', I got past him with my patented master kick and defeated him for the 1st time ever! This put me on a high for the next event.

Sunday agenda-Nautica triathlon

This was my 1st relay of the month and also marked Palm Sunday. I was so excited because I was a part of a dream team. I asked Lisa Dorfman to run & she finally accepted. Because the original swimmer backed out due to financial hardship, Lisa selected somebody to replace her. She picked an elite, Boris F., winner of the trilogy series. I was more excited about that than doing an event that had been sold out. Even though I was unjustly penalized for staying in my lane past 2 cyclists in block position (riding on left side), the team was still #1.

Honorable mention

* Lisa won her age group at the 5k
* Linda beat her time of last 5k by over 2 minutes (unprecedented).
* George won again
* John G wins his age group