Prince S

Prince S meaning fluctuates depends on which day you want to address.

Saturday agenda-race!

Yesterday, Prince S stood for Prince Slow since once again I failed to break 19, plus to add insult to injury, I allowed someone I could beat & have beaten to get the best of me.
This was the list of races I was considering:

1. Gasparilla 15k/ 5k (day 1)
2. race for faith 5k/10k
3. William f boynton memorial 5k
4. 5k for a better day
5. law enforcement expo 5k

Gas is going up so I have to consider racing closer to home. With that in mind, plus ap fees, scratch #1 (Tampa) & #2 (W Palm bch). 3 & 4 were close enough to consider a double header, eliminating #5. First up, #3.

Although my first time, it was the 2nd annual at that location (Pompano). Weather was comfortable but for some reason, I felt a bit tight & tired. Luckily, it was a low quality, & this time, low quantity race. Despite a dismal time, I managed to be 3rd overall; thank you Lord! The post race looked good but I had to take off quick to make the next race.

#4 became impossible due to the stupidity of the cops blocking the streets. Rather than allow me to head south while no one was present (big gap between runners, joggers & walkers), they forced me to head north without directions or care. Once I got the run around & took the long way around the event, the best I could do was visit & I did just that. A lot was going down. Check it out Clint Eastwood style:

The good: Allan Walton wins his first race. George takes a golden title. Post race refreshments.
The bad: Shannon couldn't make it. I was late to event.
The ugly: I couldn't compete nor win here. Louis Best falls & is hospitalized; DNF.

Afterwards, I had to head up to Orlando for the next event.

Sunday agenda-race!

This was the list of races I was considering:

a. Gasparilla half/5+3k (day 2)
b. Disney princess half
c. emb(race) 5k (boca)
d. riverwalk 5 mile/5k
e. tour de broward (ride, run,walk)

Thus far, if I don't make day 1, forget about day 2; a. is out. e. was like a fun run type of event; off the list. d.= been there, done that. It has a 5 star post race 'party' & features prints as awards. However, I would have probably done c. since it was an inaugural if I hadn't formed a team for b.

This is my first revisit to this event but 3rd annual. The inaugural year, I used this event initially as a fun training run to close out the distance quarter (#6 of all the halves completed) but wound up doing my 2nd fastest time ever!

Prince S here stands for what it sounds like & it was what I was for day. I picked Cinderella as my character because, just like her, I was transformed from my normal self to one as grandeur but will return to normal at (my case, before) midnight. As usual, I dressed appropriate to conditions. No man was allowed in corral A, so us men had to absorb an 8 minute delay before the start of corral B, the best position we could get. Also, no man could place, not even if you win the race (which Jonathan did the past 2 years), except as a teammate with a woman. That last option attracted me back to this female event.

By the grace of God, I got the most improved female runner I know, Rachelle. She has broken 1:30 twice already, bypassing my best ever. On top of that, she has been running more frequently. Thankfully, she repeated this performance & placed as an individual. Meanwhile, I struggled to match my A1A time (average, at best) and was fortunate I didn't hurt the team. Aptly titled by yours truly, ' the beauty and a beast', we were 2nd overall team, past over 700 finishing teams! The only team that beat us featured a man who had the fastest time of all finishers & the woman matched my teammate. Post race was disappointing considering the entry fee. Hopefully, the expression, ' patience is a virtue' holds true since all awards (except top 3 overall) will be mailed.

Full moon weekend

Full moon weekend is here & began last night.

Saturday agenda-5k

I had the choice of:

1. Lakes of meadows (Dade)
2. healthy choice 5k (Broward)
3. Edison festival of lights 5k (night race in Ft Myers)

Last year, I did a triple header weekend & could've done that this year but passed on that due to the following:

a. Last year, I got back so late I had to sleep in my car
b. on a slump, therefore risking the chance of not placing after such a long drive
c. gas went up, plus a lot of driving
d. had to take dad along for packet pick up

I miss that night race because we won the master title without heavy weights like a Jon W. Aware that Mike K & George are still dealing with injury coupled with the fact that I am struggling, the odds were against us successfully defending the title.

I passed on proximity since dad & I have to pick up our half packets at the expo in Broward anyway. Plus, I don't remember doing this race before. The full moon effect continued as my time stunk but luckily, it was not a high quality race. I had to settle for second master & by the grace of God, made the top ten. Better, my dad got to witness this.

Afterwards, we went to the expo & met up with Linda.

Sunday agenda-half

The following choice were on my 2 do list:

1. livestrong half marathon (TX)
2. A1A half/full marathon
3. oleta trail run (5/10/half)
4. carnaval miami 8k

Title givesaway that 4. was eliminated despite close proximity. Many, including my friend Jonathan protested that event because tradition was broken when #1 it was moved from calle ocho & #2 moved from night to day. #1 was too far but I wouldve liked it since it was an inaugural. I struggled too much at #3 so when other options are available, I will those; #2 wins!

I did the 1st 2 A1A full marathons & encountered difficulties so decided this is not the event for that but I will still be involved by doing the half marathon. This is half marathon #4 for the year, 1st of this month. Goal was to break 1:40 & that came to pass by the grace of God. I escaped without injury other than my ego. I couldve, shouldve, would've done better but didnt. I got a list of excuses such as no sleep (loud music past midnight), wind but the bottom line is that I didn't get the job done (not including finishing).

Honorable mention

* Louis makes the podium at the 8k, rep'n the RD in my town
* Dad finishes 2nd half of year, 3 for the season.
* Rachelle was 8 overall female, places in age group with a sub 1:30
* Runners depot well represented, including the half win by Anton, & Spencer in top ten in the marathon.
* Linda finishes 2nd half of year.

Valentine weekend

I dub this Valentine weekend since it precedes the celebrated day.

Saturday agenda-5k

The choice was simple for me considering my overriding option whenever faced with choosing between races.

1. 26.2 with Donna 5k (Jax)
2. dances with dirt (pasco county)
3. fairway 5k
4. woman's wellness 5k
5. race to end homelessness 5k

I easily eliminated the first 3 due to distance, although the last one is within the tri county area (Boca). Glad I skipped #3 since it was cold & rainy and that was run entirely on a grass golf course. The last one would be the most viable option (closest) but is only a 5k while #3 offered a team option, so it won.

In keeping with Valentine weekend, GFLRRC offered the couples division. I go in as half of the defending champion (odd couple division). As team captain, I selected a new partner, not quite as odd as last year (George). In fact, she is good a runner as she looks & has improved dramatically.

Despite my pathetic time, I was third overall by the grace of God; she was 2nd overall female. Since we both placed in the top 3 in our respective sex categories, we naturally won team division; thank you Lord. I'm disappointed we have to share that award but happy it was better (more normal) than last years.

Sunday agenda-5k

The choice was simple for me despite the choices:
1. 26.2 with Donna (Jax)
2. miles for meso 8k (Boca)
3. I care I cure I run 5k
4. run through central park 5k

#1=too far. #3 brought back memories as I won the inaugural on my inaugural day as a member of runners depot. #2 put on my a fellow new yorker for a good cause. Unfortunately, both had to be bumped due to my commitment to runners depot. They put on #4 & both races conflict with this event.

The racing team turnout was tremendous. I expected this & knew I need to perform at my best just to have a chance to place. Despite failing to break 19 again, praise the Lord, my time was good enough to win my age group & place in the top ten! FYI-within that top ten, 50% were on the team!

Honorable mention

* West family stole the show as Spencer took 2nd overall (missed the top slot by mere seconds) and his wife (Julie) won the female overall slot.
* Louis Molina returned & made the podium again
* Rachelle gets 2nd overall twice over the weekend, the 1st race help us win the odd couple team title!
* George placed at both of his events

Super bowl XLV weekend!

Super bowl XLV weekend! Before I watch that, I have my own line up of super events. The tradition began when I was born, so my USAT age matches that of the biggest game in sports.

Saturday agenda-race!

This weekend is super because I have the chance to be involved in 3 events on the same day!

Below are the following events up for consideration today:

a. horse rescue stampede 5k
b. maroone marti gras 5k
c. walk for wishes 5k
d. heart & sole 5k
e. walk like MADD 5k (fun run)

Due to logistics, b. was eliminated. Also, I don't like the bridge nor lack of free parking there. Although d. was closer to home for a morning race, it only had 3 categories- 17<,18-54,>54; I have enough trouble in my normal age group, plus I'd be limited to that race. As a bonus, e. was on the agenda but I had less than an hour to get there after the dust cleared. I was convinced to alter my plans by a significant other, eliminating a 3rd event for the day. Amazingly, 2 events (d. & e.) were scheduled in a city that rarely has running events-Homestead.

Race 1-horse rescue stampede 5k

This was my first time doing this one & the first time I remember running a race on the other side of tradewinds (west of sample). Therefore, the course was totally foreign. To both my surprise & dismay, there was a better turnout than expected (higher quality, lower quantity). I failed to break 19 but at least I was in the low range. I was fortunate to make the dirty dozen but didn't win my age group. I found this out after the fact because I had to leave immediately to go to the next race.

Race 2-walk for wishes 5k

By the grace of God, I made it in time to begin this race; this was partly due to a later start. Unfortunately, it was much hotter & more humid, coupled with the fact that I ran. I got my worst 5k time of the year, a personal worst. Remarkably, I won my age group & made the top ten (high quantity, low quality) despite that.

Event 3 never happened as I arrived home with insufficient time to participate. I did something else instead.

Sunday agenda-race!

Below are the following events up for consideration this day:

1. melbourne & beaches music marathon (& half)
2. dade city half marathan
3. club med triathlon
4. butterfly 5k
5. tribute to the military 5k

I passed on the distance events. #3 requires a swimmer, so that's out. I remember that #4 draws a higher quality field & I'm not up to par right now. Besides, I get a rare opportunity to race in my county. Afterward, toward the evening, time to watch the super bowl & the commercials.

My struggles continue.

The good-won my age group & made the dirty dozen
The bad-barely broke 20 despite a 6 min first mile, gave out dog tags (no trophies)
The ugly-race was won with a low 18, an attainable time in my prime.