March madness '11

March madness '11 is here! However, I'm not talking about NCAA basketball. I'm talking about my 20 marriage to running (officially occurring near the beginning) and this month's activities.

Saturday agenda-race!

I picked a race & a fun event out of the following:

1. suntrust national marathon (DC)
2. club med triathlon
3. beach bum 5k
4. s25 relay (ft myers-jensen bch, began yesterday)
5. support our troops 5k
6. operation smile 1 mile walk
7. palm 100

Rule out #1=too far, #2=need swimmer. #3 & #4 were far enough to skip. #7=not on a team plus been there, done that. Although the 2nd annual, #5 was my first time doing this event.

This one truly qualified as March madness just by how it turned out. An elite female (Trish) won the entire event, plus accomplished that with 19+! The battle was for second overall & I had that for 2 miles until I was passed by somebody. The running Gods smiled on me because shortly after, his shoelaces came loose & he stopped to tied them. After regaining the 'lead', I struggled to maintain that; he caught up despite the incident! By the grace of God, my master kick propelled me to victory, taking my second male overall win of the year. As Jon would say, ' a tainted victory' since someone was in front of me. The guy who lost by a string, did so only by 2 seconds. At this point, I'll take what I can get.

After that, I went to #6, a fun walk designed to raise funds by & for primarily the dental industry. Yep, Linda was the one who invited me to show. I unofficially won this one, as well.

Sunday agenda-race!

More events to choose from:

a. rock n roll Dallas half
b. kendras kisses 5k
c. inspiration run 5k
d. snowbird century

Rule out a.=too far & d.='fun' ride. c. was within proximity but with no master title, based on my current performance, the odds were against me. Both b & c are been there, done that. b. won since the master titles were added to this event, increasing my chances of winning. When the dust cleared, I was 2nd master. Sadly, the trend has been a lost position each year. Congrats to Jonathan on his PR overall win at c.

Spring time!

Spring time! It is officially here tomorrow but already started down here Miami judging by the temperature.

Saturday agenda-ocean dr 5k

I'll just cut to the chase since I couldn't find any other race. Well, actually there was one in broward (dog paw) but it was too much like a fun run. Also, the race for research half (& 5k) took place but I was not too pleased that I lost due to the 10 yr age categories when I did the inaugural, plus the fact that it is quite far (tradition); found out afterwards that they did it right this year & I would've placed, barring any complications. I might as well stay closer to home. Besides, I was a bit under the weather. I'm sure you've heard the expression, 'God works in mysterious ways'; they're right! I had to go through a rigamorough (hard time) to get my number since I wanted to pre register yesterday but found out it closed out at Footworks an hour before I get out at work. Naturally, the staff wanted me to pay the exorbitant race day rate. The female in charge (US sports) refused to make any effort to help me no matter what my case was but by the grace of God, the race director I've known for years passed by me & said hello. We spoke, I explained & all was dealt with. Not like I was trying to race for free, just not ripped off (note: the high rate was without a t-shirt). In between all of that, I met up with the legendary Fred Franklin.

Considering I was sick last night & it continued today, I didn't know what to expect. This was one of those high quantity (2500+), high quality (fast runners, where the top 30 were sub 19:30). I knew I was suffering & even feared decimation when Freddy & Rachelle passed me by mile 1 (turned out they were having PR's). After a couple of miles, I began to feel better. When the dust cleared, I beat all but the overall female (out of towner) and made the podium. On top of that, barring an inaccurate course, it is the best 5k time of year! God worked his 'magic'. 

Sunday agenda-race!

To beat last year's record of 6 halves, I had to pass on the following:

1. Georgia marathon
2. trail series (5k/10/half)
3. MITriathlon

I picked the inaugural (yall know I like that) marco island half marathon bridge run. Weather was superb, cool & low wind (external conditions) but my internal conditions (illness) held me back somewhat. Oh, I almost forgot about the not so hot external conditions that slowed me somewhat-rolling hills & the bridge! Course was scenic & although a few turn arounds, only 1 was sharp; unfortunately, that was the one at the end of the bridge. When the dust cleared, I was blessed by the Lord to actually place despite failing to meet the Bell qualifying time. Also, made personal history by completing half #8 (7 solo) in the first quarter of a year and placing as a master in a distance race! God is good. The time was better than the 13.1 sobe.

Now I got some spring in my step! Note: the blogger is not allowing spaces so everything is cramped & crammed like tuna!

Spring forward!

Spring forward! Daylight savings time began today, forcing all to lose an hour of sleep; boo hoo! However, this also applies to life.

Saturday agenda-race!

Yesterday, I had to decide what I'd like to do to tune up for the main event. Check it out:

1. gate river run (Jax)
2. ramrock 5k (stuart)
3. sallys friends 5k (melbourne)
4. john dickinson 10k
5. st patricks 4 miler
6. march 4 hunger 5k

Due to distance, rule out 1,2, & 3. #4 was in the tri-county area (WPB) but was the furthest. It was tough decision but I ruled out #6, my favorite distance, due to the age categories. Since I am still struggling, worse than the Miami heat, I needed a race that offered the best chance for success without maximum effort (gotta save for the main event); #5 qualified.

Synopsis, Clint Eastwood style:

The good: got 2nd master
The bad: got beat by someone I usually beat (I shouldve won)
The ugly: the time (much slower than the last time I did it)

After that was the long drive solo to Sarasota.

Sunday agenda-main event!

Only had 4 that I thought of:

a. sarasota half
b. brandon shamrock classic 10k & 5k
c. shamrock classic 10 miler & 5k (Palm beach)
d. jim richardson 5k

The last one is my favorite & would've been my choice, ruling out b. & c. , if I hadn't committed to a. Ive missed this one for years until they added a relay division for the first time ever. This event makes half #7, but the first as a relay, for this year.

I selected my favorite partner, the one I teamed up with at the wine & dine last year to get 2nd male relay. He's been running great while I've been struggling. This time, I hoped I didn't let down the team. He did the start leg (5.5 miles, including bridges) while I anchored (7.6); this strategy was effective. Gene is notoriously excellent with bridge handling, as demonstrated last week at the 13.1. With 20 years under my belt, the experience, coupled with the extensive endurance racing I've done, made me better suited for larger distance. The weather was great (cool 45-50), except for some wind. By the grace of God, we were the fastest relay (only one to break 1:30), taking our category (male) by storm. We got medals as individuals & a large, curved glass award to share; Gene is in possession. Plus, the right for photo-ops. A good post race was available.

Honorable mention

Meanwhile, back on the home front, runners depot swept up at the cooper city 5k.

1. Spencer (runner for the inaugural du trilogy relay team champs) is overall winner.
2. Jeffrey Tait (kid wonder, trains under Jon)
3. Chris Oesch (elite master runner)
* Jon Williams wins the master title & the honor of his name on the legendary plaque/trophy.

First to worst

First to worst is how it went this weekend. I'm struggling in the Miami heat like the Miami heat!

Saturday agenda-race!

I love the choices but hate having to choose only one. The following is what I considered:

1. Champion 5k (Orlando)
2. march for cancer 5k (Broward)
3. sombrero beach run (Marathon)
4. hemophilia 5k
5. festival for the poor 5k
6. doral 5k

1.=far for me but congrats to Jonathan for winning it (16 & change). #3=been there, done that. they wanted to cheat me out of awards when i actually placed (normal age categories) in the 10k, 5k & 15k challenge. Luckily, the timer with southernmost runners knew me & made up for it. The rest were new to me. Proximity rules! But wait, that only ruled out 2 & maybe 4. #6 was held last year therefore what I thought was an inaugural won! I didnt know what to expect. Usually, theres an undercover runner out there. Amazing how the running God works. Elliot was there, but only as a volunteer. Keith was there & ran. Despite a dismal time due to both internal & external (wind, humidity) conditions, I lead most of the race, challenged only in the 1st mile by a teenager but when the dust cleared, no one was in front of me! The Lord gave me my first overall running victory of the year, just in time for my 20th anniversary since I began racing!

Sunday agenda-race!

I love the choices but I still hate having to choose only one. The following is what I considered:
a. shamrock 6k (winter haven) b. hooters to hooters half c. brain cancer 5k (WPB) d. autism speaks 5k (WPB) e. Karhu 5k f. 13.1 marathon

I skipped a & b due to distance, but also b= my dad & I got ripped off our win last year. Proximity rule also took out c & d. Since e & f are by the same people on the same day, I had to choose. e offered a beat the bear challenge I would have like to have taken since this task was easy but my lack of long runs lead me to the final selection.

The course was very challenging with 4 bridges, with the Rick & Julia Tuttle as the worst. It was humid but some heat was avoided due to the clouds. I struggled with those conditions plus the wind & internal conditions (tired & tight). By mile 4 (2nd bridge), I was already reverting to survival mode. I failed to qualify (Bell half standard) and got my worst half of the year! I was however elated I completed my 6th half of the year, tying last year's record. Finishers medal was good, as the post race (didnt care for the mushy paella).

Monday=20 anniversary since I began racing. My first ever race was the Doral fore miler. It was my dad's first short distance race. He chose a marathon as his first. I praise the Lord for allowing me to compete this long & hope for continued blessing til death do us part