Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend actually begins on thursday with Thanksgiving, then bleeds into black friday, the official start and busiest day of the christmas season (holiday for the politically correct). The thanksgiving weekend will conclude with cyber monday, the high tech version of black friday (all deals available online).

Saturday agenda-voice of love 5k

With only 1 race in the tri-county area, the selection was simple. It was unusual as this was a cross country race, conducted entire on grass on the par 3 golf course. No doubt, it was scenic but also quite challenging. Noticeably missing-George & Jon; thankfully for me, the latter didnt.

Sunday agenda-race!

Today, I had 2 choices for been there, done that events:

1. posnack sprint for the finish 5k
2. space coast half & full marathon

Love them both but stuck closer to home. Thank goodness because I didnt realize how much I was affected by yesterday until the race started. My legs felt heavy plus I felt tired. The markham course has hills plus it was windy. Hey, I gotta come up with excuses for my dismal performance. Fortunately, if I were to have a bad day, this was a good day for that. My age group position was not affected by my lackluster showing, only the overall. Although considered low quantity, it was a high quality field. The master winner was so fast that even Walthon couldn't catch him & he had a decent run! Post race was nice, including a raffle I didnt win.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! The Lord has blessed me with yet another & this year is the 10th anniversery in my house. By the grace of God, its also the first time I ever had a celebration with family & friends here; I always go out. The idea was from a friend who is like family & did the leg work; I simply host it here. But before I pig out, you know the deal.

Today's agenda-turkey trot!

You know I am gonna race; nothing new here. The question is, which one?

a. race for the pies 4 miler
b. JCC turkey trot 5k
c. Tamarac turkey trot 5k
d. turkey tri (Broward)
e. turkey trot 5k (Dade)
f. run Miami turkey trot 5k & 10k

1 day I will do a. since it is the only race held previous to this year that I have not done. I skipped b. and the trophy opportunity to do an inaugural; ya'll know I couldn't turn that down. c. was too fast & too many bad experiences. I don't swim so scratch d. The last one had the most entrants & also was fast but I couldve placed still.

I seemed that everything that could go wrong did but I hung in there to log in another master victory. What went wrong. A late start race (8) that was delayed 15-20 minutes. Hot & humid by then plus windy. Ground was wet from previous rain. I was tired for some reason with heavy legs (internal condition). There were mile markers but no clocks. The bib chip system failed so they went to manual scoring. Due to the time constraints, only top 3 overall called & given their medals & gift baskets. Everybody else has to wait for them to be sent by mail. Also, you have to wait to get your official time (none printed or displayed) so I don't know what I did but I did make the top ten and was the fastest old guy who didn't make the top 3.

Post race was average & so little, everything exhausted quickly. I am happy I had an alternative to the tried & true & the guy legitimately tried his best to make this work.

Honorable mention

I know somebody will be missed (too many raced today) & congrats to all but I'm listing the ones I can remember at this time:

* Gene R got 2nd ag (f)
* Leo (STOL) 2nd ag (f)
* Allan W didn't place (4th) but got PR at (c)
* Courtney W got PR & 2nd ag at (c)
* Rachelle G won female overall at (b)
* George tops ag at (c)

Full moon weekend

I took tell it was a Full moon weekend by the turn of events leading up to & into the weekend. At work, got some of the strangest customers plus found out I'm being reassigned (temporarily) to one of the 'worst' offices (a bit a far) despite a mock survey asking which office is closer to me. I contacted 'friends' who didn't reply & even got a message from someone I don't remember. Read on!

Saturday agenda-5k

The following were up for grabs:

a. ragnar relay (actually began yesterday) from port richey to daytona beach
b. delray turkey trot 5k
c. coral springs turkey trot
d. Dolphins cycling challenge (actually began yesterday)
e. the smart ride (actually began Thursday) from Miami to key west
f. mariner 5k (islamorada)

Scratch c. immediately due to cancellation; it was my first choice (I think inaugural 5k). I was not invited nor could scramble up enough runners for a., so that's out. Running races automatically override any type of cycling tours or rides, eliminating d. & e. Once I realized that c. was no more, I had to choose between b. or f. if I was gonna race at all. I chose b. by recommendation of George plus the 'been there, done that' rule regarding f.

Guess what? It's time for the break down Clint Eastwood style!

The good-I beat Matt T in a 5k for the first time in years plus broke 19! I received a trophy & was 6th overall! Divisions catered to the older athlete (80+).

The bad-footworks style categories (no top 3 nor master), & a mystery runner added, forcing me down to 3rd age group. Average post race.

The ugly-la perra danielle, the bad race director, who gave me a hard time; average looking with ugly heart, as far as I am concerned. I was to be comped, was not; no problem. She really didn't care about my explanation of who I am, circumstances, etc. I was told to & filled out a confusing race ap in the dark that I really shouldn't have had to do then was hassled over a $5 difference when I really shouldn't have had to pay to begin with. She chose not work with me (used can't, the word George warned me about) & gave me an attitude about it. She basically called me a liar. Any intelligent person would know that I would not travel 3 counties, amassing nearly 90 miles one way, just to purger myself. She was also the brain child for those horrific categories for those competitive age groups. On top of that, no clocks at each mile.

I used that negative energy from her to draw positive results; thank you Lord.
Sunday agenda-5k
More choices; love it:
1. runner's classic (Orlando)
2. women's half marathon
3. Tyler S Goldberg sunset run 5k
4. run wild for the environment 5k
5. muddy buddy (Miami)

My original choice was 5. because it finally came down to my county & was an inaugural but could not get a partner so I was forced to pass on it. The reason for skipping 2. is obvious. The next choice was #4. Jon W recommended 1. Since I am single with no one to answer to, I decided on #1, also because I had never done it.

This was both a good & bad decision. The latter would be because I could've been in the top 3 overall, master at worst at #4. Also, the race I did did not give any trophies, plaques or medals.

The former gave out prizes in lieu of awards. However, it was the experience that was priceless. I got to race among 2 legends, Frank Shorter & Bill Rodgers. I got their signatures on my race bib as well as speaking to them both at the start & post race. This had a post race spread like no other, even better than many marathons I've been to. The best 5k post was previously the Edison festival of lights. I was able to beat Joe from a rival racing team & made the top ten. I was 2nd in my category, missing the top position by 3 seconds!

Jon & I had to rush back because we had a triple header weekend!

Sunday afternoon agenda-5k

Only one-the Tyler S Goldberg sunset run. Great cause & I was impressed the mom of the deceased spoke to me personally & thanked me for coming. I was very tired, having no rest between races so I knew this would be tactical. On top of that, the course goes over bridges & the wind was greater than it was in morning. Also, it was hotter & more humid since it was in the afternoon. Despite these challenges, the Lord allowed me to win the master title with a dismal time and still make the top ten! Disappointing is that all divisions, even titles, were medals with no designations. Pleased that the categories are good-top 3 & a master title (great=3 in this one). Excellent post race. Great day for runner's depot as all 3 entrants took top titles. Jon won & Chris was the runner up.

Honorable mention

* George completes triple header as well, winning age group in all
* Jon W wins a race on both days, master (4th oa) was worst position.

Mid month crisis (Nov)

Mid month crisis time again as I struggle to break 19. Luckily, I succeeded once this month, although barely.

There was a rare Friday race (Waterford) but I opted out based on past experience (only top overall, no master plus I got jipped a position at award ceremony (posted winner several times on time sheet)). The racewalk division was eliminated, as was my interest. Congrats to Ronnie for winning the event.

Saturday agenda-key run!

There were 2 events with multiple distances:

1. key Biscayne lighthouse run 5k & 1ok
2. key largo bridge run (half, 10k, 5k)

I skipped on #1 when the dual race option was eliminated. On top of that, no award ceremony; look for name & pick up award.

Last year, this event was called the jewfish creek half marathon but was renamed for this year. After I found out the hard way that it was 10 year age groups & no master title, I decided on the short distance 5k so I can have a chance to take home some hardware other than a finishers medal. I wanted an easy run but got challenged by last year's age group winner Allan W, who also set the course record; he was 3rd overall but only the top was given last year. This year, they improved by recognizing the top 3. By the grace of God, I got that last slot. after applying the master kick in the last stretch. With no master title, he was bumped to age group but also successfully defends his title despite dropping a position. Judging by the times, you can see this was a tactical race designed to overcome the challenges (bridges & wind from north) presented to us. I was both happy & disappointed; the latter because I was mere seconds from second! In the fact, the winning time is one I should have beaten; can't really complain.

Sunday agenda-race!

Better selection:

a. muddy buddy (AZ)
b. rock n roll San Antonio half/full
c. Naples on the run 20k
d. 13.1 ft lauderdale
e. Miami man (du/tri)

Passed on the 1st 3 due to proximity. The most logical is e. but considering how much I struggled & how much it cost last year, I went with d. I been there, done that with both events. Besides, this year, the organizers have now created a series medal for doing 3 or more of their races & this was the kick off!

I found out the Spencer was going to be a pacer & chose the 1:30 group, a time I can do on my best day. Weather, minus the wind, was favorable, but not the course (a tunnel & a bridge). Another teammate was with the 1:40 group, a decent time but not one that satisfies me. Well, actually, compared to the Halloween half, it would be a dramatic improvement. This was Spencer's first time a pacer (same for wife Julie (1:50)), so he wound up running ahead of schedule, giving all those who kept up PRs; his wife was spot on. Praise the Lord, I finished between them & got a PR for the year. I told them prior to the start I'd be happy to be sandwiched between them & it came to fruition.

Veteran's day

Veteran's day, have a happy one! Please remember to show your props for our troops who have served & are currently serving to protect our freedom because it aint free.

Today's agenda-race!

In honor of the soldiers, some races are being held today and I had a chance to do a double header. I declined on the morning race due to the following:

a. proximity (required a lot of driving)
b. 7 am (normally a plus except when far)
c. cost (distance=more gas & the prices have gone up sharply)
d. scheduling (required lots of adjustments, reducing rest time)

The other race is in the evening, normally a disadvantage. Although still a drive (ft myers), much less than Melbourne, plus I'm able to rest in advance. One plus is that I have done this before so it wont be totally foreign.

Considering the following, I did well:
1. big race (high quantity & quality)
2. bridge
3. wind factor upon return
4. long drive to get to race

I was fortunate to make the podium by capturing the last slot in my age group & was in the top 25. Unfortunately, with no master titles, I was bumped to that when Jon W failed to make the top 3. Although 'microscopic', it was a trophy. Decent post race since massage was available.

Fall back!

Daylight savings time! Fall back! time to set the clocks back an hour & in the autumn, you get an extra hour of sleep; woo hoo!

Saturday agenda-5k

I had quite a selection to deal with but unfortunately, could only pick one:

1. wellington community fitness run & walk (palm beach)
2. CCA 5k
3. medal of honor 5k
4. walk for food allergy (Dade)
5. MDCC 5k (Dade) (unconfirmed, heard thru grapevine)

Passed on the last 2; #4=2 mile fun run/walk, however, was possible to do if I rushed over. #5 since unconfirmed, & heard thru grapevine, I couldn't chance doing another like last Saturday. #1 declined due to proximity. I originally planned on #3 (inaugural) but remembered doing #2.

Fall back also applies to racing, unfortunately. Judging by the results, I should've done #3; hindsight is 20/20. I selected to return to this event. The weather was cold but refreshing. When the race started, I was barely in the top 20 but as it progressed, many dropped until I was blessed to be in the top ten (5th overall). Despite that, I didn't win my age group! I was unaware that there was no master title here (bummer, since it was at the race I wanted at first). On top of that, the top 6 were all masters except 3rd overall! However, with the lackluster time, I was fortunate to place at all. The time fell back from my sub 19 and the position fell back from my overall win.

Sunday agenda-race!

The decision was eazy- pass on muddy buddy (CA) and the NYC marathon (dislike lottery entry) due to proximity, and on the carl sagan day 5k (fun run) because I didnt know about til afterwards, to do the boca pal. Next was either do the half or the 5k. I chose the latter for redemption but finally did a tack on workout and completed over 7 miles after the fact, for a total mileage of ten this day. This way, I got the best of both worlds.

It was a mass start for both the 5k & the half. Once the turnaround came, I could better see my position. I was pleased to have a sub 6 first mile but unfortunately, did not maintain this average pace. I sprinted in the last stretch of the mile and was blessed to break 19, even if it was by a split second. I fell short of 2nd master by 3 seconds, forcing me to settle for the last master slot; a decent consolation. They had a 5 star post race with the pancakes & waffles, in addition to the other goodies. Top 3 overall & masters got plaques, all else, clear mugs. Weather was still cold enough to wear tights & long sleeve.

Honorable mention

* runners depot dominates at the NYC
* Courtney W was 4 oa at half
* George wins ag both days