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!