Decade!

Today is the last day of June & while that's true for all, for me it's special because it I've been in my house for a Decade! Can you believe that? By the grace of God, I was the first in my family to own a home built from scratch (new, not pre owned), and through thick & thin, I still live here. Thank you Lord.

who knee oh!

who knee oh, that's how you pronounce this month in Spanish. Today marks the 1 yr Anniversary of the death of 2 icons, the king of pop, Michael Jackson & my poster pin up favorite as a child, Farah Fawlett. May they rest in peace. This day is a stark reminder of the reality that life is short. We need to praise the Lord for whatever blessings we have, like running. Train & race while you can; I know I will.

Saturday agenda-5k

This is the last weekend of month in which I can race. I could've & would've done the freedom 5k in Broward but the allure of being in a 5k series was just overwhelming. I rolled the dice and made the trek to Naples for race #1. My chances were good as it went 5 deep in age groups, just what I needed on memorial day. I ran well for 2 miles before I began to fade. However, it was miminal as it was in the last mile that I advanced to the 4th overall position. I managed to capture the master title, even though all the awards looked the same and had no division distinctions. I saw that unique glass awards were to be given. I was thinking that the award would be made out of glass but came to find out they were drinking glasses; can't say they lied. They had decent post race refreshments. This was an inaugural race (love those) and held in Sugden park (was beautiful).

Sunday agenda-adventure race.

Remember this line of a rap song - 'you can meet on the trail, it's going down'? I do & it did. Down2earth put on a trail race of three distances- 5k, 10k & half marathon. I did the latter because I needed to do a long run. I was made to pay for that decision. This was my first ever trail event, so you can bet I didn't sleep well (anxious & nervous). It is also my last race of the month. The race start was scheduled for 7:30, late enough for a distance event; try over a half hour later! It was extremely hot & humid, spared from the worst by the shady course. The most treacherous part was the 1st loop, which went through a stream, making my shoes wet immediately. Lots of mud, rocks & roots but worse were the slower people from the shorter races blocking the very narrow paths. I did a lot of ducking, dodging & jumping to avoid them & maintain some speed but ultimately, that would wear me down. Judging by time, it seems I may have only done ten miles but it was the toughest training run I have done thus far this year. I got blisters within that first loop & suffered throughout the race. Post race was horrific as there was no food whatsoever. However, water & mix one was available.

Summer time!

It has already felt like summer time for months now but on Monday, it will be official. To all the men out there who are fathers, (or potential, like me) happy father's day tomorrow.

Saturday agenda-roll

I found a race in cape coral again & like last week, I declined again & opted for training. My discipline selection was simple this time. Considering that I will be in a duathlon on dad day, other than racewalk, the last activity I do is skate. So, I pulled out my inlines & completed a half marathon minus the half iron swim distance (do the math) but failed to break an hour due to various factors. It was hot, humid, a bit windy and I in turn was fatiguing. I had a near fall & had to dodge some traffic, all reducing my speed.

Sunday agenda-trilogy

This was the day to tri. I passed on the dad's day tri because #1, I'd have to get a swimmer, #2 travel (Melbourne) and finally, it coincides with a local multisport event. This day marks the first of the trilogy series. I still laugh because there are 4 races in it! I am a bit nervous & excited because it features the inaugural du series and therefore my first time ever competing as in individual in it. Previously, I was only able to participate by means of relay because only the triathlon existed at first, and later, although both were held, only the tri counted. It is a competitive series so I will need all the help I can get from the powers above (God). What was expected was the heat & humidity. What through me for loop was the head wind I would encounter on the return trip cycling. I was in the top ten on the sprint mile but slipped a few positions while riding. To the bridge, no problem. After the turn around, I struggled to be over 16 on the flat, whereas going up, I did 15 up the bridge! After that was the final run, in which the pre-summer temps affected most profoundly. It was so bad that a competitor that was ahead of me & beats me all the time in 5k's literally stopped to get water & I beat him for the first time in like a decade (final mile). My time was pathetic (failed to break 21) but the overall performance was sufficient for the top honor in my age division & a respectable top ten finish; no woman beat me. I competed among the big boys but I must improve on the upcoming events; this is a decent start.

FYI

Ironically, my inline training took longer than the actual race the next day & that race featured 2 disciplines!

Bolt!

Bolt! That's what comes to mind whenever I think of track & field. With a lack of local races, it's time for me to break out my spikes once again & work on those 'fast' twitch fibers!

Saturday agenda

Morning-roll

Although there were several events available, including a tri & du, I passed on them do to the distance (all either extreme west or north of my proximity in Florida). With that travel also comes expense. I must conserve because I have need to do this a bit latter on for more meaningful events.

I found out about a ride commencing from Bike Tech & anyone who knows me, is aware I won't sit around my house so I got up & gave it a try. Late start (8 am) so weather was a factor. I rode with the group to a certain point where, like the Elite ride, I met up with someone, chatted then lost the group. I tagged on with others until off the key then returned solo to finish. I was a nice training ride that left me feeling like I am prepared for the next multisport event.

Afternoon-run

The Northwest track and field classic actually began yesterday, but not for masters. My first & only event of today was the 1500 meter run. When I arrived, it was hot & humid, a bit windy and sun blaring & I had to sweat it out with a long delay at packet pickup. By the time we were up, God was merciful, as clouds came in to block the sun. I actually had competition this time & had to settle for 3rd master but I won my age group, as did the rest. I worked hard not to finish last. Speaking of Bolt, Usain did not race in New York upon doctors advice. He stated his next race will be in July; I don't have that luxury. Jon & Jeffrey took the top 2 slots at a race on the west coast of Florida; only 1 overall awarded. I'll see you tomorrow!

Sunday agenda-more track!

Still no local races so this will be the weekend for track work, except that it is a race as well. This day will fill out the rest of the events I selected; this will be an all day occasion. I use this is event largely as a speed training session since track is not my forte. I was not allowed to run the 800 meter I signed up for but I did manage to do 4 events this day. I had a chance to be on a 4x400 relay by invite but declined for fear of letting down the team (tired after all those events previously run plus the heat & humidity). I won my age group in all categories but was the sole participant. As far the master position, I was 3rd in all running events. Check out how I faired below (in order in which they were held):

1. 1500 meter racewalk- 9:13=personal best & overall winner!
2. 3000 meter run-11:40=1 ag, 3 master (disappointed with time)
3. 200 meter run-:32=1 ag, 3 master, considered personal best since I never did prior
4. 400 meter run-1:08=1 ag, 3 master (5 seconds slower than my season best)

Although I earned the 2010 40-44 MVP master (got max points for all gold), it was initially given to a relative (with less points) of the race organizer, Mr. Holt. Less the age group, I was given that title.

This was a serious race (not a flash one), as there were no refreshments, other than water & some sport drink (powder) and no t-shirt. However, you could purchase a meal &/or snacks from the vendors, set up mainly for the spectators. Oh, you can by a T-shirt &/or cap separately from the race organizers. Not a fan of the timing system & definitely not happy with the lack of a clock; oh, well

Cane season

The Cane season is upon us. No, not the Miami Hurricanes (yea, I miss football) but rather the storms that mostly affect Miami. It began Monday but right now our biggest problem remains the oil spill. I still don't know how they can call it a leak when thousands of gallons are gushing out.

Saturday agenda-race!

Three events were scheduled locally:

1. multirace tradewinds du & tri
2. walk for Haiti
3. kids in distress 5k or 5 miler

Originally, I conspired with Mike K to do a tri relay & he was to select the swimmer. That fell through, so we were planning on a du relay. I was gonna sign up Wednesday but my phone line was out due to no fault of my own (I paid the bill). It was repaired the next day & immediately after work, I went on the computer to sign up only to discover it was sold out. God works in mysterious ways. With only a flyer, I did not chance #2 because it seemed like a late starting fun run/walk; no timing company picked it up. So at the last moment, I picked the latter.

The 5 miler was tempting, especially since less than 50 signed up for it but considering this race was to start at 8 (late), I passed on that; great decision. It didn't take off until 15 minutes later & my race, another 5+ after that! With hardly a cloud in the sky, the heat & humidity was intense. On top of that, it wasn't my favorite course. We had to go over a bridge twice & there are various turns but this year, a trail section (street construction broke up the asphalt) with dirt that was cramped because one side of the street was blocked off. Fortunately, not a high quality field but a decent quantity showed. Although always in the top ten, my best position was 3rd (basically pacing with Allan W) until after the final hill. I managed to close the gap between him & I after I slipped back on the way up the last bridge. At some point, he said he broke down & told me to go ahead; God works in mysterious ways. I did such & we both made the top 3 overall but only the top was awarded. That means I slipped to top master & he, top in age group. Plaques for overall, medals to the rest. Amazingly, no master title for the 5 miler! Other than the donkey ditch female dog who claimed to be the coordinator (she hassled me because she was jealous I found a nice spot to park), the race was not too shabby. I hate that location (Huzienga park) because of the parking & the course but I also hate not racing so I sucked it up. Post race qualified as 5 star due to the hot meal (pancakes) & a decent spread. No raffles but sufficient booths to look at.

Sunday agenda-race

Much like yesterday, three events were scheduled locally:

1. muddy buddy (San Jose, CA)
2. race for the magic bullet 5k
3. Miami nice triathlon
4. twilight 5k

On this day, it is actually possible to do 2 events since #4 is a night race. The first one is on the east coast of America; too far at this time. The choice to be made in the morning was between 2 & 3. Again, a last moment decision was made to get a team together for #3.

Sunday morning agenda-triathlon

This year, Miami nice will be held twice & the race director said she took my advice of giving an award to each teammate rather than only 1 per team. That was the only reason I even considered doing this event again. This year I've been met with extreme difficulty organizing teams. Very few swimmers want to do that or are willing to pay so I had to get Tachi again (Miami pace) to help me. Yep, another blind date. I didn't meet the swimmer (Melissa) until today and had to wait till race day for the cyclist, also the bearer of the team package. Whenever I do that, it is much like the roll the dice races I often do, you don't know what to expect. I've had some that were near last & some that were the best; it's a mystery! The swimmer was misdirected & did not start in the relay wave (big scare because in the past a team I was on lost due to that) but rather the next one. Luckily, the chip time was used. We started in a deficit & had to work up the ranks to secure 2nd among 9 teams. I had passed at least 1 on the run. The run was longer than a 5k (clocked at over 21) even though I am sure my pace was equivalent to my previous race. Despite that, it was the fastest split of all teams, always my goal! We also were 15 overall in the field. Due to the method of entry, there was confusion & I was told that we raced as a team under an individual (was not the case) so I left disappointed during the award ceremony. Our second place win is proof positive that God works in mysterious ways. This means that I have to figure out how to get my award after the fact, the same way I found out about our victory; oh well. 5 star post race refreshments & a tech shirt I never got were nice, Miami nice.

Sunday evening agenda-5k

The twilight 5k used to have both run & walk awards. Since the latter was eliminated & the categories are horrific (similar to the 5 miler of the previous day), this event will be used as additional training & sometimes I serve as a pacer for whomever can use my services. Besides, at this hour (7 pm), the heat & humidity is oppressive or like last year, rainy.

The overall winners got running shoes, everybody else who placed got medals. Judging by the results, I didn't have a chance. Since Jon did not win, he fell to top age group, which would have bumped me out (4th). Everybody in my age group who placed broke 19 & frankly, I am not running normally these days. Fortunately, I am still intelligent & was wise to opt for training. I discovered that I need to work on my racewalking, since my time was almost 2 minutes off pace! Luckily, that went unrecorded. 5 star post race with pizza being served among all the other stuff. Lots of free stuff, making this a nice flash race. Footworks accomplished their goal of making money whether you run or not. They had an awesome sale with shoes as low as $5. I have plenty but got sucked in like in a hurricane & wound up spending some money on deals too good to pass up. My dad made out like a 'bandit' but it was well overdue. He was thankful I informed him of the sale. I happy to see many fellow runners out there, including the likes of Jonathan, Diana, Jon & Jeffrey (they did different events this weekend), Berta, Heber and last but not least, my dad. George was surprisingly M.I.A. but won his age group in the du & 5k in the morning; we did not cross paths this weekend.