Gasparilla

Today is the final day of the month & the close of black history month. We've been noticeably ripped off as usual as we were given the shortest month of the year to commemorate all the progress of our race.
I had not planned to do Gasparilla again after that last time I went with my dad to do the PT cruiser challenge because I had done everything I could do at Gasparilla in Tampa except the marathon relay. For that reason and the fact that it was announced that this year will be the final marathon held by the organization 'compelled' me to go once again.

I passed on a plethora of events to be a part of history. I missed my favorite carnival Miami 8k, but since the walk was for fun, I would have been a mere spectator. The most popular on sat was 5k for a better day, where this year, I may have met my match (fast master field), diploma dash, guardians of hope 5k. Sunday was run-walk n roll, sun runners 10k & barefoot on the beach; I would have done the latter because of Kelly.

Saturday agenda-15k/5k

Due to the lure of the out-augural marathon, much like the Goofy challenge, I wanted to go out with a bang. I did the first two PT cruiser challenges, which features a 15k followed by 5k on Sat, then the next day, the marathon.; this was later renamed the Bud ultra. Jon W did & won the smaller version, which concludes with a half. I had to run carefully so as not to burn out for the relay the next day. I ran the 15k at a quick, but comfortable pace. The 5k, however, was just comfortable & had to be done while it was drizzling. Also, I got to it late, as I was on the outside looking in when the gun went off. Fortunately, the Lord allowed me to complete them both fast enough to earn the distinction of top 10 %. Special, colorful mug were given to those who qualified. It was cold, & even with that drizzled, it was still better than Disney.

Sunday agenda-marathon

This would be my first relay at Gasparilla & the last time it will be held. It was a 4 person relay, 7 miles each except for the anchor (5.2). In order to complete the challenge, I had to be the start leg. I had to run a 7 minute (or better) pace to be an asset to the team. This was more of a challenge than the ultra. By the grace of God, I was on pace for my leg & redeemed myself for the dismal performance at Disney with a sub 4 hour marathon finish. After I handed off to my teammate, I immediately reduced my pace to insure a finish. Now history is set, as I competed in the last marathon, both as an individual & a relay, plus the final ultra challenge. Weather was drier but much colder. All events offered finisher's medals. Post race was good on Sat but poor on Sunday. Our team made the top 5 overall out of over 140 teams! I was the elder as the rest of the team were young teenagers!

Like a marine, I exercised their motto because my request for Friday off was denied. Therefore, I had to drive directly from work to the site. Since I arrived around 1:00, I mimicked A1A by sleeping in my car. It's not cost effective to pay full price for 2-3 hours of sleep. I had to improvise by figuring out how to get there & rest, aware I would have inadequate sleep & under poor conditions (no bed), adapt to those conditions & overcome these challenges. I made a few stops along the way to break the monotony. Once I did those events, I was able to secure lodging. I am elated that I completed all events without injury. I'm off to run some more!

Feh Brair Oh!

Feh Brair Oh (Febrero), Spanish for February. Ya, we're already in the 3rd week.

Saturday morning agenda-5k

Still elated that I'm in the middle of running season. There was at least 1 race each in the tri county area. Furthest was for the love of children 5k, timed by my favorite timing company, Accuchip. Since I already had plans to travel, this one was easily eliminated. In Broward, ESM put on their 5k but it was so poorly advertised, I didn't realize it was happening until the last minute, so I missed it anyway. However, George won his age group over there. I used the proximity rule & raced in Miami. I was upstaged by Walthon for the master title so I had to settle for best of my age group. I was running conservatively because I did not want to be worn down for the night race, in which my performance may be critical for the team I set up. I was on pace for a 20, but was forced to pick up the pace in the final mile when 2 master runners caught up & threatened to pass me. I passed my friend Gene when this occurred & broke 20. Plaques to top 3 & overall master. The rest of us got the generic type medal with a sticker center. Post race was pathetic. Worse, the course was longer when they moved the starting line. The only positive was that it was cheaper than most at less than $15. I am not likely to repeat this one based on this year.

Saturday evening agenda-5k

The famous Edison festival of lights was set for this night. I was a member of the open championship team last year, representing runners depot. We had 4 members, making me the wild card & we won with Mike Korir as the top performer; Jon W was on board. This year, I formed a master championship but Jon declined to be on it. He stated he was looking for another team with better (meaning much faster) runners; his loss. Meanwhile, I chose Mike Kelly, an up & coming runner who has, to my dismay, beaten me a few times, making him both a rival & friend. Originally slated as a wild card, like I was last year, George McCuen's time would now count as I had only the bare minimum to form a team. Many questioned my judgement when I chose to use him because of his age, but as team captain, I base my decisions on various factors but age is not one of them. Only a handful realize that he is nationally ranked in the top 3 & he steadily wins his age group on a regular basis. My major concern was which Bell would show up, considering recent struggles I have endured. By the grace of God, I got my best time in over 6 months & the personal record of the year. This result made me the top performer. Right after me was Mike Kelly, elated because he broke 19 for the first time ever! George was pleased to better his time from his morning race. I am proud of my teammates & elated that they all got trophies for their individual efforts which led to our surprise victory. We are the 2010 top male master championship team! The runner up was about 2 minutes behind. Congrats to all. Mike came with his 2 daughters & I bestowed on them honorary team medals as a token for the beginning of their athletic endevours. As team captain, I accepted the one team trophy & will put it on display at Runners depot. This was Mike's 1st team victory ever ,but the 2nd this year for George & I. It was the first time my teammates ever raced in ft. myers. The post race was 5 star with pizza, beer, & the usual stuff. They had raffles as well. Prior to the race, a spectacular fireworks display occurred. Immediately after the race, the parade began. Jon W was 2nd in our age group & I followed. Mike got 3rd while George won his category.

Sunday agenda-race

If I wanted to win an award, I would have done the SoBe fit 5k but I am still in the endurance portion of the running season so I opted for distance by doing the 5th annual A1A. I already prepared myself for a poor race because I was aware I would be diminished from having done 2 events prior, plus inadequate sleep conditions. I got back so late & was so far from home that I opted to sleep a couple of hours in my car. Praise the Lord, I was able to finish with a decent time despite dismal conditions (this time not the weather, as that was good). 4-5 stars regarding post race. Medal was unique; it opened up like a clam to reveal the race designs. Anton, of runners depot, won the half easily. Spencer did well (marathon) & got a pr. Louis took his age group. John G ran his best race. This was my fourth half of the year, 5th distance race.

Olympic proportions

This is a weekend of Olympic proportions. Today in Lincolns birthday while tonight, the opening ceremony officially begins the winter Olympics in 2010. Tomorrow sets between that & 2 holidays and marks the new moon. Sunday is valentines day & Monday is presidents day, the observed day for both Lincoln & Washington. They didn't want Abraham to have his own day so they combined those 2 presidents together & dubbed it as their day. Much like Obama, Lincoln took over during troubled times. I felt George was lucky to be the first president and other than that, he didn't really do much to make a difference. Well, my dad set me straight on that, as he reminded me that if he hadn't been instrumental in many battles, USA wouldn't exist. For that reason, he was a perfect candidate for president; the inaugural.

Saturday agenda-race!

There was a race in each county I normally race. In my county, the festival of the poor 5k. In palm beach county, loop around the 6k. Lastly, in Broward, woman's wellness 5k. The former qualified as an inaugural, as I have done the latter two, but I had my mind set in advance, so I passed on that. The 6k I did before but if I would have done it again, it would have been as a couple with someone. Due to the distance, passed on that as well. I have good memories of the wellness race, so I selected that. Jon W won as usual, but due to my poor performance, I not only failed to break 19 but I allowed 2 people I normally beat defeat me for the top slots. Fortunately, I didn't fall too far from honor as the Lord allowed me to capture the master title. Just prior to the race, I convinced George (won his age group) to join me in team competition & we won the 'odd couple' title. The announcer basically said that we fit that description to a tee. This day marked my first team victory of the year & first master title of the month. Disappointing was that all those who placed, including overall, only got medals.

Sunday agenda-race again

Thank God for the running season as there were many to choose from again. I did the inaugural melbourne music half marathon last year, so no reason to travel so far this year. Besides, I was committed to the run through central park 5k because it is one of two events put on by my 'boss'-runners' depot. I had to miss the valentines 5k in Miami, which had couples divisions, the MESO wishing well 5k in which I told the fellow New Yorker race director I would do if there were no conflicts (George placed over there, along with Mike K) and the tour de Broward, which also featured a cycling events, as well as a 5k. I had to fight hard to get past Jeff P, but we both lost the master title to Walthon; I had to settle for top in my age division. However, despite that, I was pleased because I got under 19 and made the top ten. This one had a great post race, & even better, the awards were trophies. The representation of Runner's Depot was phenomenal. Spencer won the race, Louis M. places in age group, along with other teammates, such as the injured Allan N.

Super bowl XLIV

Super bowl XLIV also coincides with my age, since the match up between the best of the AFC vs the NFC began in the same year I was born. Today was national wear red day in regards to heart disease/awareness, which hits close to home. February is also black history month & began this Monday. Tuesday, the 2nd, also marked my 2 year anniversary as a member on the runner's depot racing team. The weekend will be super!

Saturday morning agenda-5k

There were a plethora of events in the morn. Guess which one I chose?

a. Melbourne 5k (& 10)
b. delray beach 5k
c. race for faith 5k
d. maroone 5k
e. walk for wishes 5k

Last year, I did the inaugural melbourne music half marathon. The full was a double loop; ya'll know I hate that. I was not very impressed but admit the bridges were a challenge. This year, they held smaller distance races that can serve as a tune up for the main event. I opted against it due to distance.

b. Although less distant, it would still be quite a drive considering I live south of Kendall; I passed on it.

c. Also in Palm beach county, this posed the same challenge in regards to getting to it. My best choices left were both in Broward.

Using the been there, done that rule, I skipped d for e. Due to ING half, I was still tight & had to compete against a fresh master, Walthon. Needless to say, I lost the battle against him and had to settle for runner up. Despite failing to break 19, my overall position was the best of the year & did not come easy. I had to outlast Humberto to earn this distinction. This was a master's race as the top 3 overall were all over 40! Yep, we aint dead yet so watch out, kids! All participants who placed got medals so you know I was disappointed.

Saturday evening agenda-5k

This was a fun run put together by the boca raton road runners in front of their headquarters, runners edge. I found just days before and scrambled to put together a team. When we got there to register, we found out that this was not a traditional 5k. Teammates had to be tied together by the wrists in order to vy for an award (gift certificates). Naturally, the BRR club had loaded every category with top caliber runners on their racing team so that #1 no outsiders would win & #2 have an awesome showing for the team. In light of this, the prospective teammate decided to run as individual, leaving me with no choice but to follow suit. The run was more challenging than expected due to the heavy winds. Also, it got cold fast. The post race was the best of the weekend. In fact, I rate it 5 star, as it had hot meals (burgers), plenty of food & snacks, plus sufficient drinks to quench the thirst. I got in a good training run & had fun at the same time.

Sunday agenda-5k

Well, since I passed on repeating the melbourne music half marathon, I had a choice between a race in Dade county (tribute to the military) or Broward (butterfly 5k). I chose the latter because #1 the categories are limited, decreasing my chances at a victory, #2 the best I could get would be a medal, #3 Although a 5k was available, only 10k participants would be eligible for an award. Considering I have already competed a marathon & 3 halves, I opted for a shorter distance. Although I failed to win my category by mere seconds, I was elated that it was under 19. The results gave me optimism that my recovery from injury is coming to pass. I finally got the monkey off my back by breaking 19 & finishing in the top ten.