March madness '10

March madness is here, but not just NCAA basketball. I went 'mad' as well with racing.

Saturday agenda-race

I am giddy with happiness because today was loaded with races but sad because I had to choose; no double header possible. This is what I had to select from:

a. panther prowl 5k b. palm 100
c. Florida brain cancer 5k
d. race for research half marathon

The first 2, been there, done that. I enjoyed them both but opted for the last 2 because they were inaugurals. Unfortunately, c. began a half hour after d. Both were held by the same organizer & these races were held far in port St. Lucie. Its not worth it for me to drive that far just for a 5k whenever local options are available, so you bet I did the half. Besides, upon completion, it ties my record for last year of 6 halves with the 1st quarter of the year! FYI-I beat last year by adding an extra marathon. On top of that, I brought my dad up to run as well. He wound up with his best half time of his running season, as did I. I had to key in on the 2nd overall woman & we paced each other till the final mile. At this point, I picked up but it was too little, too late as I was beaten by about 15 seconds for the last podium slot under the ten year age groups. Had it been the normal 5 year age categories, I would've locked that last position. Fortunately, the race director was understood my point & I was postumately (according to their set up since I did earn it) awarded afterwards. I will remain 4th in the officially standings, however. They had decent post race refreshments. Course was flat & weather, minus the wind, was great (cool). Drawback was there were no clocks but there were mile markers. Actually, it may have been better I didn't know the times at each mile. It was great that chip timing (Accuchip) was used on a 1st time race in no where land (my GPS couldn't even find it).

Sunday agenda-race again!

Today is palm Sunday! For travelers or anyone in the 50+DC marathon club, the Knoxville marathon was today & the zooma austin half as well. Cyclists got to ride the snowbird century today. I did this one before and, had there been no races I liked, I would've been there; its close to home. Triathletes competed in the great clermont on this day. I chose to stay closer to home & enjoy my favorite distance & discipline with the kendra's kisses 5k. Many surprises occurred, both good & bad. Starting with the good, many of my old niketown racing teammates showed up, Louis Best, Courtney W & a cameo appearance from the legendary Ronnie Holassie. Amazingly, although he ran, he did not race (pacing a friend); I beat Ronnie! Runners Depot teammate Spencer West was a shoo-in to win, but because there were no signs or lead cyclist to display which direction to turn, the lead runners went left when the course was set up in the opposite direction. With the top guys dropping out in disgust, I temporarily went from 7th to first, but that was short lived. Apart from the wind, the temperature was good. I was disappointed that there was no master title, because I would've won that. Therefore, I got no trophy & fell to age group. However, the medals were nice, something I rarely say. Post race refreshments were good. I was fortunate to place high considering I was still tight from the endurance race.

The NCCA has its final four, but ironically, 4 is the number I had to deal with this time. In this 4th week of March, I was 4th at the half in my age category & 4th overall in the 5k and the 4th time I was in the 19's this month, something I want to 4get!

Spring time!

It's Spring time! officially, as of today.

Saturday agenda-5k

If I had both time & money, I might've done the national marathon or the run wild 5k (prelude to ING marathon in Georgia) today, but since that's not the case, I had either a run (riverwalk or support the troops 5k) or ride (clean air ride). The latter was a bit of a travel (withlacoochee trail) & since it is not a race, it was easily eliminated. Support the troops was a 5k in Palm beach (furthest local race), while Riverwalk had both a 5k & 5 mile option. Most great runners choose the latter but with my current schedule & struggles, I chose the former. It was a wise decision, as I had gotten sick from somebody at work, coupled with lack of sleep due to loud music all week. I had to have some sympathy as the neighbor's eldest son was murdered & that is apparently his way of recovering; He was buried today, even though this occurred 2 weeks ago. By the grace of God, I got in the back door to take home some hardware- a print from a local artist. I could've had 2nd by 5 secs but was unable to match up in the sprint zone due to my condition; oh well. I gotta bounce back tomorrow & place high. This had a 5 star post race refreshments as they served pancakes, in addition to fruit, various pastries (my favorite) & breads. Plus, some giveaways but no raffle. I'd like to blame the courser (bridge) but I was aware of it & dealt with that in the past. Weather was nice upper 50's, low 60's, so the blame resides in me. In prime condition, I would've had a master title, but instead had to rely on luck just to be within the top age slots.

Sunday agenda-5k

3 seemed to be my number, as in this 3rd week of the 3rd month of the year, this is the 3rd time this month that I placed 3rd in my age group! The terrible 3's are not only reserved for kids. I was a bit warmer & a lot windier this day, between tropical storm and category 1 hurricane force. In order to live within my means, I chose to stay home rather than travel for the ING Georgia marathon or the shamrock marathon. Besides, I've already done 2 marathons this year anyway & I haven't even completed the first quarter of the year yet! I was involved in yet another big race, reported by channel 7 as one of the largest of its kind in America; nearly 2000 finished! As much as I suffered, I must thank God, because despite a dismal performance, I made the top 1% and a spot on the podium next to running legend Frank Shorter! In fact, I consider him to be the only celebrity that showed up. I felt honored that he remembered me at the starting line. I followed Walthon's lead & drafted as he recommended for 2 miles before I surcame to the illness, & was forced to drop back. I was happy to break 20 & beat yesterday's time, especially since conditions were worse. Post race was good, plus some giveaways, but no raffle.

Honorable mention

* George wins at both events I did
* Connie completes 1st 5k as a master
* Noe does his 1st 5k
* Walthon beats me at both events I did
* Jon W is MIA at both but if he raced, I'm sure he won

Spring forward

Spring forward because it's daylight savings weekend. On top of that, I'm gonna spring forward with my life. Set your clocks & c u @ the races!

Saturday morning agenda- double header!

I actually had the chance to do a triple today but declined due to injury & distance. Luckily, not severe enough to stop me. This weekend is an athlete's paradise!

These are the races I had to chose from today:

a. St Paddy 4 miler
b. run to stop MS
c. ocean drive 5k
d. race for the cure (estero)
e. shamrock, walk & run (winter haven)

I passed on the last 2 due to distance & the fact that I could only chose 1 race. a. is not my specialty plus interferes with double header.

Race #1=b.

I thought I'd be alone but I was wrong! Some heavyweights showed up. Luiza Souza won the race, Walthon Maxwell broke 18 to take 2nd, Humberto Vidal broke 19 & forced me to run harder (just what I was trying to avoid) & was 4th overall; thanx to him, I was third overall & got my best time of the year! Postrace was good, 3-4 star but I could not partake as I made a B line to my car to head to the next one. George won & was given the duty to collect; great friend. It was cool (the good) & windy (the bad); the fact I had to leave early was the ugly.

Race #2=c.

The main event of the day, always drawing at least a grand because #1, its in Miami beach & #2, put on by the race organizers of the ING marathon. No one can accuse me of avoiding big races & be telling the truth! The odds were against me because of the following: 1. fatigue factor (ran hard at 1st race) 2. windier (on the beach, no wind blocks) 3. hotter (started late at 8:30) Initially, the ocean drive 5k was to be my only race but since it starts so late, it left the door open for opportunity. The late start was critical in order to do a double header. Since I chose go up against the big boys with less than the best (above factors), I am considered lucky (blessed) that I was able to squeeze into my category for a podium spot. Normally, there's no master title, or if they have one, its not 3 deep but the running gods (there's only 1) smiled upon me. Even with that, the guy who won here in my age group was nearly 30 seconds slower than I was in the previous race; ironic, huh? On top of that, I was darn lucky to get a medal because my time was a minute slower, plus, in the last mile, I was outrun (lost my position on the turn around) & had to outsprint in the final stretch to gain my ultimate spot (18th). I made the top 20 (not percent) out of thousands.

Sunday agenda-5k

Remember that this weekend is an athlete's paradise! These are the events I had to chose from today:

a. Jim Richardson 5k
b. Inspiration run
c. shamrock 10 miler & 5k
d. sarasota half marathon
e. pedal for pal bike tour (not a race)
f. Miami International Triathlon
g. rock n roll Dallas half marathon

Rule out the last one due to time & expense. Since I race, all fun runs & events are automatically eliminated; scratch e. I've done enough distance races so I'll save d. for another year. Same with c., plus been there, done that. Also, it is the furthest in my tri-county area. I couldn't get a swimmer so f. is out. The best choice would have been b. but considering my struggles of late, I have to consider the race with the most categories; a. wins!

I wish running the race was as easy as the decision to pick one. I expected to be challenged this day but could not seem to rise to the occasion. Despite the 15k yesterday, Jon W found a way win this race past Spencer. It was a great day for Runner's Depot as the top 3 were on the team. 3rd overall was also the top cooper city resident, Tim N. Walthon had another stellar day (was 2nd overall yesterday) as he took the top master title. I let a master title get away by my poor performance & the fact that Allen Notkin was having a great day; all master winners broke 19. My failure to do so dropped me to age group but at least I was at the top of that. My spirit was broken & courtney took advantage with an amazing sprint to beat me through the finish line. Since he was not in my age group, I apparently didn't care. Luckily, I still made the top ten. Dick Beardsley, Boston marathon record holder, not only made a cameo appearance but ran and won his age category. I had the honor of having my picture taken next to him and my award autographed as well.

Synopsis

All in all, this was a great weekend. Praise the Lord for allowing me to compete despite injuries and place in all events I endeavored to do. I was very pleased to have a double header on the same day, which was a last minute decision. I lost a bit of sleep (daylight savings time) & pride (having been beaten by those I normally beat & failing to break 19 twice), but was still victorious by reaching the podium. All get out there & run; see you at the races!

19

No, that's not my age but does reflect how I feel. Actually, today marks the anniversary of my athletic carreer. Thanks to my dad, I began running 19 years ago this day. My first race-the now defunct Doral fore miler. Ironically, the Doral 5k was held yesterday but I skipped that for the 15k challenge, to be expounded upon. This weekend brought back many memories.

Saturday agenda-the challenge!

In an attempt to mimic the race the lakes 15k challenge that I did last year, the key west southernmost runners held their inaugural version yesterday at sombrero beach in marathon key, near the site of the famous 7 mile bridge run. I passed on a possible easy win at the Doral 5k, & the walk to defeat ALS to do this one. Ya'll know that 5k's are my specialty but ya'll also know that it is difficult for me to turn down challenges & inaugurals;this was both. To my dismay, it was very windy, I'd go as far as to say nearly category 1 hurricane force. On top of that, it was cold out. The race began against the headwind, so by mile 2, I was sufficiently worn out already. Instead, I had to pace myself in survival mode since the day's factors were coupled with insufficient recovery from last week's events. I can assure you that all the other competitors were mostly fresh, even John W didn't do a marathon last week. I discovered that only the top 2 of any category would be rewarded but I took the risk anyway. When the dust cleared, despite a poor time, I did take my age group in the 10k, a rare occurrence for me, as that is not my distance of choice. After a brief pause, it was time for the 5k. The lingering effects of previous events affected by performance here; I failed to break 20. I had to settle for 2nd but was pleased because this time I had a legitimate excuse. Previously, I was only doing a 5k with horrific results like that. Since the age group winner was not in the challenge, I was in line to win my division for the 15k challenge. However, I learned that only overall in categories would be given and double dipping was allowed. Naturally, Jon W (in my age group), who was overall winner in both races would those titles & leave me 'high & dry'. Sensing my disgust, the man in charge of the SMR organization stepped in and rectified the matter; I got a trophy for my well deserved accomplishment. Post race was 5 star for meat eaters, minus 1 for the rest. I loved the goody bag itself, tshirt was average. They a raffle but it didn't matter to me; I came up short like Gary Coleman.

Sunday agenda-half crazy

I deem this day half crazy because there were at least 3 happening today. On top of that, it was my 5th half of the year; yep, I am half crazy. Originally, I had planned on a team event in Orlando at the Disney princess but I got the run around by my chosen partner & eventually stood up so I chose to select another with a team option. Besides, I had been there, done that & it was the most expensive of the 3. Normally, I would stay at home & do the 13.1 in Miami Beach & for many reasons, I should have but there was no team option & I had been there, done that. Although I had been to the inaugural hooters to hooters half, this year was their inaugural half marathon relay. Having never done that before, this was a no-brainer. What better way to celebrate this anniversary than to select the man that started all this (running) madness, my dad! In order keep up with last year, I also needed to complete the distance. Unfortunately, because I am so honest, I let the race officials know of my intentions; this later bit me in the butt. I ran the first half of the half (6.6 miles) just under a 7 minute pace & was told I was the first one to do an exchange. I ran to mile 7 with my dad, then took off somewhat. Although my finishing time was average at best, by mere seconds, it was the best of the year thus far. I fell short of placing largely due to fatigue; I ran too much! Surprisingly, my dad & I won the male relay with 1:49 until the title was stripped from us by the time keeper & given to the team that was initially 4th place with a 2:02 plus had a time of 1:46. My theory was that the lead runner of that time did as I did and outran his team, only I was faster than him. When the timer gave them the option of choosing which time they wanted to use, obviously, they picked the fastest time. My dad's theory was that both ran individually, much like Disney's princess but instead of combined times (this event not set up that way), they used the fastest time. The team claimed that a runner ran in with his wife at a latter time, but any runner knows better than to cross the finish line twice with a chip In any case, that was grounds for disqualification. Since that team was local, they let them win as hometown favorites. I had been there, done that in regards to awards, which was a glass; bor-ing. Pathetically, it was an all or nothing event. This finishers medal were a hideous gray. Post race food was 5 star for meat eating drinkers; deduct 3 stars for the rest of us. The bright spot were the goody bags & tech shirt. This biggest thing to savour was the camaraderie between my dad & I. We clicked well as a relay & had fun. My props to teammates Louis M & Spencer W for winning in their respective categories.