My, yo!

My, yo! That's how you pronounce this month in Spanish. This is already an unusual weekend as I got to race before it began, a rare occasion.

Friday agenda-5k

I discovered a race on a weekday morning that is not even a holiday. Because of that, I had to get permission from my boss to come in late, even though I previously volunteered to open (to help out) for the rest of the term at the office. Actually, that would not have mattered since the race started when the job does, still needing the go ahead. Since she is married to a marine & I am certain appreciates my hard work, she agreed. The application stated this was the 20th annual runway 5k but it was the first time for me. Timed by Accuchip & put on by the US coast guard, it marks a pre memorial day tribute through running. The race site was so difficult to find that even the GPS failed. However, God did not; I arrived. It was incredibly hot & humid, in fact, merciless because there's no shade on the airstrip. I was still tight from last week coupled with improper preparation for this event. I was an average race in terms of post race. However, it had the worst age categories I've done since the 50th anniversary of Royal Palm beach-overall male & female, 3 deep in age groups. Sounds normal like footworks? Think again! Only 2 categories-17 & under or 18 & over! The top 2 ran in the low 16's, 3rd broke 19. The battle was for 4th & by the grace of God, I got that, taking the last slot in the adult group. I had to leave to go to work so I don't know what kind of award was given but hopefully much better than that track meet. To my surprise, Jon was not here.

Saturday agenda-race!

Thus far, a great weekend. Plenty to choose from this day. Check it out (from furthest to near):

1. Fargo marathon
2. quest in quiet waters (inaugural adventure tri)
3. covenant house 5k
4. memorial hospital miramar 5k
5. tour of the gables 5k

Passed on the first due to distance. #2 actually slipped my radar but brought to light by Samm. Sounded like fun but I already committed to a 5k. #2, 3 & 4 were all inaugurals. The last one was the most established being the 15th annual. Can you believe I began running before that? #4 was too mysterious since no timing company listed it, therefore don't know what awards or age groups, if any, are involved, so #4 won. Conditions were better than on Friday. Less hot & humid on a 2 lap shady course (Birch). The last mile was the greatest battle for me but by the grace of God, I got past the overall female & the master winner to capture the last overall position. I should have been second but lost in the sprint while trying to get around a bandit. Also, I failed to break 19 as intended but I can deal with it. To my surprise, trophies were given out to all, slightly bigger for the overalls & master. Once again, Jon not in sight;I'm sure he won somewhere else. 3-4 star post race, no raffles.
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Sunday agenda-race!

Still plenty to choose from this day. Check it out (from furthest to near):

1. Muddy buddy (Nashville) My best friends moved to TN years ago.
2. space coast bikearathon (viera, fl)
3. publix singer island du/tri
4. AEF inaugural 5k
5. oleta la roootaaa mt bike series


Scratch the out of state events. I almost always pass on cycling only events, eliminating #2 & #5. I would've done #4 because 1. its a 5k & 2. an inaugural but I had already promised to form a team to honor my external fallen partner, Jolie so #3, it is. The team was (a) 'tribute to Jolie' and it was long overdue. I was disappointed that no one in the athletic community did anything to pay homage to her contribution to the multisport world so I finally stepped up after 2 years to do just such. I couldn't get teammates that actually knew her so I selected a friend & rival to take my position (run) & he picked someone (Pam) to swim and the relay was on! My role was her role back in the day when we competed & won so many awards. The weather conditions were bad-choppy ocean & windy, in addition to the heat & humidity. The swimmer understandably struggled so we began in a severe deficit. The spirit of Jolie entered my soul & despite the slowest time versus the relay field (was better than the average of individuals), it was my personal best, fastest time ever despite the wind! I never broke the 22 mph average until this day & I exceeded that convincingly. Scary fact is that I would've been faster had it not been for the unblocked traffic & stragglers from early waves in blocking position (I aint getting penalized again). I was glad the course was altered to avoid the bridge. The drawback, however, was that it was 2 loops, in which the second puts you into race congestion. The runner, Mike Kelly, was disappointed with his time even though he was the fastest in the field. It is because of his speed & tenacity that he was selected in the first place. We missed 2nd place was mere seconds and he noticed this time was lost in transition. It was both his & her first relay. I am certain that whenever we compete again, our chemistry will be better, allowing for faster transitioning. Anyway, we got on the podium where we belong. Next time, we will get higher, like to the top!

Look back to 2006 to see how we (Jolie & I)won in the S. Fl duathlon series & competed in the publix tri series. We competed in St Anthony's & escape to Miami, as well. History was made this day as 3 situations took place that never happened before in my 19 year 'career':

1. First time I ever formed a team & raced in honor of someone.
2. First time I ever broke the 22 minute average cycling in a race.
3. First time I ever willingly surrendered an award I earned. This was to complete the honor.

We were a great team whenever she chose to compete with me until death did we part. Jolie, my eternal partner, love you always!