Yom Kippur

Happy Yom Kippur! Yep, another Jewish holiday is upon us, and although I am Christian, I have no problem showing some respect. Like me, they believe in a higher power. It the holiest time of year.

Saturday agenda-5k

I already did a sickle cell 5k in Dade county;this one was in Broward. I saw Tim Nichols at the trilogy du'ing but today was his 1st 5k since moving back to Florida, or at least Broward. He'd ultimately beat me, as expected, to win the race but amazing did so without breaking 18. The top 3 overall were under 19; praise the Lord, I was one of them. However, something unusual happened. Like in Dade, I was 2nd male overall but my actual position was actually 3rd in the race. How can this happen? The overall female winner got past me by running sub 18:30!

Runner's Depot cleaned up by taking the top 2 male slots, the master (Allan) & Louis his age group. Jon was a no show.

Sunday agenda-triathlon

I have been involved with the escape to Miami triathlon since its inception 5 years ago. This was the inaugural year for sprint relays. I convinced a triathlete to just do the swim (her least favorite discipline) so that we could compete. I am indebted to her for being so gracious. Easier, was the runner, Gene. He was excited because he hadn't done a 5k in a while & it would be over a bridge. I was equally excited because I've always done the Olympic, either on wheels or run (I am a land lover), never the sprint. It was longer than usual, 13 miles. Although Inga was disappointed with her swim, she was in the top 3 of the relays. I thank God for allowing me to have another stellar ride to help the team. Gene did well on the run, never got passed. We beat all relays, including an all male team and on top of that, had the 5th fastest time of the sprint competition. We made history because we are the first sprint (co-ed) relay champions!

Honorable mention

* George wins is age group in 5k
* Linda made her debut in the escape Olympic & finishes, despite all odds
* Mike Nunez wins the sprint tri
* Edmundo was 2nd overall in the Olympic

Rosh Hashanah

Happy new year (Rosh Hashanah)! I wish good tidings to all my Jewish friends. Although I'm not, I love holidays!

Saturday agenda-5k

For so many years, I missed this event due to relay commitments with multirace series. After completing it, I realize I didn't really miss out, based on the award I got. My lack of fitness was evident based on the clock but this was due poor training as a result of injury & personal problems. However, I love the theme & idea of the race. The masters (40+ in age dubbed 'over the hill) went first (loved that) then 5 minutes later, the sub-masters (called the young & the restless) got to go. This staggered start is similar to the run for the roses, in which all ladies went 1st then the guy can try to catch 'em if you can! Unfortunately, the fastest of the tail group cant get to the top runners but instead must dodge the slower ones. Despite a dismal time, I won my age group & was 4th overall.

Sunday agenda-trilogy finale

I still laugh at how multirace runs a trilogy with 4 events, but this year, I am thankful. Our swimmer, Jenny, could not make the 3rd one, which would have been the final. This is dubbed the bonus round, true if you do all of them; the event with the slowest time gets dropped. Despite being 14 weeks pregnant, she agreed to swim (I was assured she was cleared by her doctor) in order to keep the team intact, as required by the new rules. She warned us (Matt, the runner & I) that we'd have to step it up because of her condition. Thank goodness we're good as a team. Can you believe she still broke 8 minutes? Of course, that's way off her normal pace which is often top swimmer out of the water but better than average. For some reason, our runner struggled, but despite that, he was among the top 3 fastest for the final leg among relay teams. I prayed for a great time on the bike because that it the longest portion of the tri & often dictates whether or not anyone sees the podium; the Lord answered. Although I failed to get the 22 average I set out for, I was in the upper 21's & got my personal best. The time was the 2nd fastest of all relays; woooo! If I didn't have that stellar performance, we were in jeopardy of getting beat by a team only a few points off our lead, and worse, a spot on the podium. We were the top co-ed relay team (even listed on the results) all the way up to the point awards were given out, then all of a sudden, we heard we were 2nd. Some mystery team was snuck in at the last possible moment to dash our hopes. That team just happened to win all splits as well. Ok, so we are runner ups and they won this battle but our combined efforts put us in the position to win the war (series)! This was our only loss (not first) but the fact we did so well was a testament to our determination. Imagine, a pregnant woman, the runner on a bike & the runner having a tough day, get set up (mystery team) & still go home with hardware; God is good.

Honorable mention

* Linda completes the 5k & the tri (#3)
* Linda completes the trilogy series & makes the top ten (#8 (pts)) of her age group
* George wins age group in 5k & du despite injury

Start of the running season

This weekend is the unofficial start of the running season. Although running is really year round, it is deemed as such because, #1 it's very hot during late spring and all of summer so races become sporadic at best & #2 beginning now, there will be at least 2 events (1 sat & 1 sun) each weekend from this point to the end of year (excluding Christmas time) and continues into the next year until about mid June. Next month, the distance races begin; more on that in October.

Saturday agenda-publix series

Since George & I are in the du series, we did not attend any 5k today. The multisport season has not yet ended, so I will still be involved with them while competing in running races until November, the season end of that sport. Unlike running, there really is an off season. In my 18 year career, I've only done 1 in December. Multirace used to have them in January (only company to dare), but due to poor attendance (mostly due to cold weather), he wisely followed the lead of everyone else. I heard February is slated for elimination for the same reason. Although hot & humid, the wind was not much of a factor, allowing me to have a good bike time. There was an elite duathlon relay created just for them (no such category existed by ESM in the publix series) consisting of Elliot Mason & Rob Childers, owner of multirace. Naturally, they won & although uncontested, the result would have been the same. In terms of individual performance, in the 1st run, I was 3rd overall. I lost minimal positions on the bike, being passed mostly by triathletes and finished strong on the final run to earn 2nd overall in the entire event, top in my category. Next stop-the championship!

Sunday agenda-5k

I would have gone to the safety 5k in Aventura because it is closer to my home & I'd have a better chance at winning, but I can't because this is a club race (Runner's Depot); my loyalty is intact. This race is the unofficial start of the running season despite the other 5k and is an RRCA championship race. The odds of me placing are slim but I must show allegiance to the team & will do my best to represent.

I woke up with my right heel injured but you know the code of the Bell. Naturally, I had to rely on the Lord to get through the race and pray that I do well enough to get on the podium. You know the gospel song, 'he might not come when you need him (not immediately upon request) but he'll be there right on time'; it came to pass. I got my cake (top in age group) & eat it too (under 19); thank you, Lord.

Oh, by the way, this event gave out rare trophies, while the other were common medals. Glad God led me the right way.

Honorable mention

* Luis M wins age group
* top 2 overall were Mike K & Jon W (Runner's Depot teammates)
* master winner was Mike T (Runner's Depot teammate)
* George won his age group at the other race

9-11-9

Today marks the 8th anniversary of America's worst tragedy in modern times. Please pay your respects & give your condolences for all those innocent victims & brave heroes who suffered, both directly & indirectly, from this cowardice attack, especially those who paid the ultimate price-their lives. I also feel for those still alive but were involved in some fashion, such as the widows, children, etc. In the last millennium, pearl harbor was the target. In this one, it was the first time we (USA) was attacked on the continental United States. Even worse, some of our major landmarks were earmarked, using non-military aircraft (commercial airplanes) with disregard for human life. I pray all those responsible will be brought to justice.

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Labor day weekend '09

Happy labor day, everybody! don't labor too hard.

Saturday agenda-5k

After missing year, Jon & I made a triumphant return to the Jon Z MDA 5k, now the 5th annual. Since I do so many events, I forgot where it was, other than that it was on the west coast of Florida. By the grace of God, the results were similar as the last time-he won the race, I captured the master title. The difference was that there weren't any runners between Jon & I the last time. Still on the comeback from injury, I struggled to break 19. Plus, there was a lot more competition this time

Sunday agenda-5k

This was the only local race this weekend. Called dash at dawn 5k, it drew about 300 people despite having no age group awards. Much like the prediction run, only the top ten men & women would receive an award. Having learned from my mistake, this time I accepted the challenge, aware that I could leave with nothing. When the race began, it appeared as such. However, I had a strategy. I decided prior to the start that if it seemed hopeless by mile 2, I'll back off and jog the last mile. Fortunately, the field spread out & I felt good. I was blessed to beat half the field that could place & break 19 (barely) to boot!

Monday agenda-labor day

Although there was a race far away, I decided to mitigate damages & train (labor) at home. I did my famous vuelta de busway to Florida city.