Easter weekend

Easter weekend is upon us. Yesterday was good Friday and tomorrow is Easter itself, the day our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ was risen. Therefore, I think of today as 'the calm before the storm'. Apparently, many race directors did too as today is loaded with races & nothing for tomorrow.

Today's agenda-race!

These are the events up for consideration:

1. inaugural women for women 5k-10k (lake worth)
2. blue barrettes for SIDS (boca)
3. egg hunt du/tri
4. run like a bunny 5k
5. spartan race at oleta
6. sun smart 5k

Eliminate the first=women only! After my struggles at barefoot at the beach, and expenses, I ruled out #5. Last year, I began the publix du series with #3 but since that series was eliminated & the fact that I'll be forced into the toughest age group, I passed on it this year. Based on last year's results and my current performance, I had to rule out #4.

Morning agenda-sun smart 5k

I missed this last year and would have passed on it again if the race director had not visited Niketown to promote it plus listen to my input to add 3 master titles. I also suggested plaques for the overall positions. Based on conditions (external=course, late start plus heat, humidity and wind, internal=tight & tired), this worked for me in regards to a podium finish; praise the Lord! It was costly to get in (toll+park fee=$7.50), and then there's the race entry. Medals for age groupers were decent, as was the post race festivities. This was the closest one to my house; proximity rules!

Evening agenda-blue barrettes for SIDS 5k

Since no race (rumored only 1 in entire state of Florida & was very far) was scheduled for Easter, I chose this one to make up the difference. I missed this last year due to distance (Boca) and time (6 pm) but I remembered that George did it back then. Although the odds were stacked against me, I was blessed by God to still place. I dont plan on doing this one again for the following reasons:

1. no overall titles
2. no master titles
3. 10 year age groups

Jon bumped me to 2nd age group due to all of the above, meaning I was lucky to get that generic medal (no date, place, barely tells you what the name of the race was). Post race was superb for meat eaters, pathetic for me.

Sunday's agenda-Easter!

Day to recognize our Lord and savior's resurrection. They tried to take him out but failed. I felt blessed to have made the top ten & the podium in both races this weekend. I used this day to train on my bike. Originally, I set out to do a memorial ride in regards to several cyclists killed within a week's span but I missed the group. So, I rode solo from Viscaya through Bill Bagg's park to Virginia key (took all roads) & on way back, got a flat. I had to ride about 4 miles like that back to my car, making for a very tough training session. The Lord allowed me to survive this.

Taxing birthday weekend

This is a Taxing birthday weekend. Why? Yesterday marked yet another milestone in my life-it was my birthday! On top of that, this is a transition year. Already, I made over 20 years since my first race. Now, I just graduated from the previous age category to the 45-49, the toughest group yet. I now have to contend with the likes of Walthon, Mike Kelly, Humberto, Allan (both of them), Brian Keno, Matt Triggs, the list goes on. Pray for me.

Before I made the transition, it was possible to do a corporate run in palm beach on the last day of my previous age group but I passed due to the distance & other personal obligations.

Today's agenda-CPA 1040k

This event was held on the normal deadline day but in observance of a certain holiday, it was moved to Monday. I usually do this event to make a 3 race weekend but made a bold move and declined on the following grounds:

1. nursing an injury. I was fortunate to place despite that last weekend
2. night race. It was very hot & humid as expected.
3. cost. entry fee too much.
4. generic medals. if I were lucky to place, the best I'd get is a medal with a sticker on it.

I did visit to cheer on my friends. I did .5 k with Leo to get him on track. Congrats to STOL's Gene & Leo on placing, along with the legendary Fred.

They all did the 5k. The 10k went off first.

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I had to choose from:

a. child of the sun urban sprint tri (lakeland)
b. skirts on the run 5k (fun in ft myers)
c. YMCA 5k (boca)
d. barefoot on the beach 5k
e. fight for air climb

Without a swimmer, strike a. b. was a woman's fun run event, strike on 2 accounts, plus far. The last one doesn't involve running at all, strike that. Since d. was put on by Kelly B, a good triathlete friend, I passed on c.

This event was unique in that you are not allowed to use running shoes. You must be barefoot or like such (socks & vibrims allowed). Plus the course was on soft sand. It was more challenging than I realized. This was my first race under my new age category. Despite my struggles, the Lord allowed me to place in the dirty dozen (top ten male) and win my age group. It was a late start race on a hot & humid day with absolutely no shade plus was windy.

Sunday agenda-race!

This is what sparked my interest:

1. wahine (diva) half marathon at Honolulu
2. Pittsburgh marathon
3. wellness tri (boca)
4. AEF 5k
5. oleta trail run 5/10/half

Passed on the first because not only was it very far but was for women only. #2 also too far. The last one was the closest but I'd rather a traditional race rather than a trail one. Without a swimmer, 3 is out but however, I did visit to say hello to fellow multisport athletes after I completed #4.

I don't remember this race before but definitely ran the course (Markham park). Although the external conditions improved (not as hot due to cloud cover & hardly any wind), my internal conditions worsened. I felt tight plus the injury plagued me worse. I had to do a few striders to try & shake it out. Even though this was a low quantity race, I saw a high quality field. Many who I feared my show, did. Walthon, Allan N, Humberto, to name a few. By the grace of God, I made the top ten & the center master title! That earned me a plaque in lieu of a medal & 1st master win within my new age category.

Monday agenda-tax deadline day!

Not to worry. I already filed. To all runners around the world, it's the day for the Boston marathon; congrats to all finishers.

Honorable mention

* Runners Depot ruled over the weekend & I thank the Lord I was able to contribute. Special note: Chris O won the 5k I did on Sunday. Spencer survived tough conditions. Mike, Renee & many more finished well.
* Linda finally does a relay; sadly, not with me. Congrats to the team on the finish.

last leg

I call this weekend last leg because its the last time I race in this age category.

I am forced to graduate to the next level, which unfortunately, is even more difficult than the one I'm in. Also, my right side torso has been bothering me for a few days, kinda having me run on my last leg.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I was aware of in terms of races:

1. muddy buddy (Orlando)
2. sharks tooth 10k (Venice)
3. rayz awareness 5k (ormond beach)
4. Rooney's 5k (Jupiter)
5. walk to cure diabetes (boca)
6. aids walk (sobe)
7. 7 mile bridge (keys)

Thanks to the rising gas prices, it was easy to eliminate any event not in the quad-county area; strike 1,2,3. The last one has a virtually impossible entry system & as far as I'm concerned, overrated (entry sys & cost). On top of that, I would not place even if I had a PR. I passed on the charity 'fun run' types, leaving #4.

Unlike Caroline M, I didn't do my research, & found out the hard way that this was a high quality race. On top of that, high quantity, with over 600 registered. Plus, I had to contend with an injury I got after training at the STOL run. By the grace of God, I was able squeek in and make the podium. 3 gals got by me but I staved off the 4th.

The post race party I have to rate as 6 star, first time I ever did that. Why? It was a professionally catered breakfast that featured pancakes, eggs, french toast (best I ever dad), and potatoes in addition to sausage & bacon, all hot. Tradition drink plus orange juice. Best I've had all year, including the distance races. Happy I got another glass award.

Just last week, I failed to beat the bear at the Karhu 5k. I redeemed myself by beating the bunny this day. The prize paled in comparison. I got a t-shirt but missed out on free shoes; oh, well.

Sunday agenda-race!

There was a better selection of events today but I could only choose one:

a. Iron girl half  5k
b. the Phil 10k
c. race for the magic bullet 5k
d. pines 5k pursuit
e. nautica triathlon

You can rule out a.=women only. e. requires a swimmer & the lack of that removed it from my schedule. I heard good things about b. from a friend who did the inaugural last year but due to rising gas prices, I pass. Since I had success the previous day with Accuchiptiming scoring that event, I stuck with them today; d. is out!

Although this was a low quantity race, enough quality showed up to concern me. In fact, that plus the fact my injury worsened, cost me the master title & the wonderful glass trophy I once won in the past. It was so bad, I was back in the position of praying that I place at all, just like the previous event.

It turned out to be an interesting race. I noticed pre-meditated collaboration between a female contender for overall title & a male runner for an opposing racing team. Meanwhile, there was woman representing my racing team, Runners depot, who was in second place approaching mile 1. Once my injury started to subside, I decided to help pace her to victory. We got past them after about a mile & a half. She stuck with until the sprint zone whereas I took off. This time I wanted to beat all the woman, reversing my fate of the Rooney 5k. Except for 3rd overall, the top 5 all broke 19 and consisted of master runners. I was the first overall male who didn't break 19!

This one featured a 5 star post race, since it had pancakes & eggs plus those meats. However, the eggs didn't compare to that of Rooneys. Not so happy that only medals were given to age groupers but it beat the alternative. I've had worse. At least these had info & had 3D image. I improved in position but not in time. Course had bridges & 2 sharp turn arounds plus my internal condition.

April fool!

Based on yesterday, I felt like Friday, April fool!

Friday agenda-5k

I got overall at the Syracuse 5k! I had outkick the nearest competitor with my patented 'master kick'.

Saturday agenda-race!

Last year, I was blessed to win a race & an airline to boot. So much has been happening that it slipped my mind til near the last minute. Now, it was either use it or lose; I chose the former and decided to visit my home state. My decision forced me to miss the following events:

1. seafarers 5k
2. food allergy 5k
3. loop the lake ride
4. run to stop MS

However, the Lord gave me an offer I couldn't refuse-a double header! Yeah, I would have been able to this at 'home' but this opportunity allowed for personal achievements. Believe it or not, I have never placed in any U.S. state other than Florida in regards to a sporting event! The events where staged at the same place as the world's fair, Flushing Meadows park, across from the Mets stadium. This was my first race in Queens, the last burrough I lived in as a child way back.

Saturday agenda 1-Karhu 5k

Forced to miss this in Miami because it started after the half, I got my chance up north when they did the reverse. Unfortunately, the started late, which would affect the next event. Karhu learned from their drastic error in Miami in regards to the beat the bear promotion. They hired an extremely fast runner but just in case he failed, the stipulation was the first ten that beat him win shoes, regardless of sex. Guess what? Synopsis, Clint Eastwood style:

The good: I won my age category & made the top ten!
The bad: I still couldn't beat the bear & a woman beat me to boot!
The ugly: I barely broke 22 minutes, the worst 5k this year!

Saturday agenda 2-half marathon

This is the main event. Due to the late start & logistics (where I finished as opposed to where the start is), I was extremely late to start. In fact, I couldn't get timed properly because the start mat was removed due to the looping course & bib # interference at finish. That plus the 'circumstances' damaged my ego so I wound up using this as an easy training run. Even though I began last under all, I finished somewhere mid-pack. Also, this is half #9 for the year!

what are the circumstances? Due to limited finances & insufficient planning, I did not get a hotel. I left Friday night & got there Saturday morning, about 1 am. I took the last bus to its end & then was forced to transfer to get to my destination. Once there, I had to search on foot as to where it was staged (another hour). Once there, I had to hide somewhere from the frigid weather (barely 40) and wind; not again! When I left Miami, it was in the 80's.

Sunday agenda-race!

Aware that my previous day's activities would weaken me, I chose the multirace season opener tri as a relay. This also would be my first multisport event of the year. However, I had to skip the following to accomplish this:

a. gumbo limbo 10k
b. vista view 360
c. run to stop MS
d. aids walk Miami

I picked the same teammates I used last year to honor my fallen lifetime partner, Jollie-Pam to swim & Mike to run. She improved on her swim & he held up well on the run. I was surprised & pleased with my bike split; All that off season cycling paid off! We won the co-ed triathlon division and broke an hour in the process.

Honorable mention

* the Friday agenda is an April fool joke! Sadly, that didn't happen.
* Runners depot wins the vista view relay
* George back on the scene & the podium, #1 ag
* Jon W runs (& places in) 5+ events within 3 days!
* Congrats to all my RD teammates with their respective wins in their respective races