Memorial day weekend

Memorial day weekend is upon us. Let us all show our respect for the troops who gave the ultimate sacrifice to protect & defend our freedom. Too many people enjoy the off at the beach while, for the soldiers, life is a bitch! Also, this is the last weekend in May.

Saturday agenda-train!

Believe it or not, I did not race. The last ride by Elite cycling was on. I rode to the store but had shift/slipping problems. Had to get that fixed then rode back home.

Sunday agenda-race!

Very simple for me, either tradewinds tri or off trail run. After choosing the former, do I solo or relay? After selecting my teammates from the season opener tri, same venue, the race was on! Mike K was coming off an injury plus a new one (mostly soreness) created having by fun the previous day. Fortunately, Pam got a PR, as did I, in our respective disciplines. We not only won the relay (co-ed) division but was the only team to break an hour! Praise the Lord!

Monday agenda-race!

I had to chose between proximity & tried and true (weston memorial) over the other one in Boca; big mistake! Despite logging in my fastest 5k time of the year (by a second), I didnt even make the top 5 in my age group (off by 1), whereas in the previous group, I would've gotten 3rd. If it hadn't been for the finishers medal (1st time ever doing this), I would've walked away empty handed (less a tshirt). They had a pancake breakfast but that was about it. I took off to get my penalty run (required if I fail to break 19 or make the podium) out the way then back to the drawing board!

The end?

A whole bunch of hype was made by some religious group looking for publicity, I think, that today would be the last day of earth, (judgement day) then rapture for those who qualify. While I hope to go up to meet & stay with my maker, now is not the time. Man likes to set concrete dates and times; only God knows what & when he wants to do something. Pray and do your best. Special props to the troops; it's armed forces day.

Saturday agenda-race!

I had a nice selection today:

1. muddy buddy (TN)
2. madeira beach mini tri
3. club med race series (5k/10k/sprint/Olympic)
4. covenant house 5k
5. siennas steps 5k
6. tarzans cup adventure race
7. tour de gables 5k

Eliminate 1, 2 & 3 due to distance. #6  is not a standard run. The last one was the closest but also has among the worst age divisions; I pass. I like both 4 & 5 but can only choose 1. Using the been there, done that rule, #5 won.

External conditions were bad (hot, humid & a bit windy). I wasn't at my best so I was not pleased when Walthon, Humberto & Gene showed up. The former won as expected and I was challenged by the latter as I feared for an elite position. Even though my time was nothing to write home about, I was blessed by the Lord to overcome 3 great masters (I was 5th beginning final mile) & take the last overall position (3rd). The guy I passed near last moment turned out to be a master & had I failed, I would've fallen to age group since no master title was offered. Medals were given to all who placed.

Sunday agenda-race!

Easier to choose from this list:

a. madeira beach sprint tri
b. walk-it! challenge 5k (fun run)
c. stride for hope 5k
d. let my people run 5k

a. requires a swimmer so that's out. I won't do fun runs over local races; strike b. I don't remember where c. was nor if awards were available so I took a tried & true.

It was run on a familiar course (fantasy of lights) unlike the last one. Remarkably, I did much worse but left pleased because the good Lord gave me enough power & speed to get past a runner I didn't realize was a master to take that title. Luckily, 4th overall clinched that position, a fight that was won in the final mile. Plaques to overall & master, medals to the rest.

Mid month crisis (May)

The Mid month crisis has returned, this time in May. Yesterday was the infamous Friday the 13th. I have yet to break 19, however, I refuse to retire.

Saturday agenda-race!

I had a plethora of choices but could only do 1:

a. river rock sports festival (VA)
b. carolinas super spartan
c. muddy buddy (2 days in Austin)
d. fit2run 4 miler
e. pal of hallandale 5k
f. MS breakaway to key largo (2 day)
g. keys 100

Eliminate the first 3 due to distance. I was invited to join a team with Spencer, an elite runner, but was informed with too short a notice and was unable to get the finances together; scratch. f. is a non competitive fund raising ride and you know running races override. With 5k as my favorite distance, plus the proximity rule, d. loses!

I was also drawn to e. because, in the 20+ years I've been racing, I never did one that had us run on a horse track. Technically, no matter what I do, I get a PR. The race began with the famous horn tune that begins a horse race. We bagan on the hard packed dirt track and the lap was almost a mile. The 2nd mile took us through the parking lot and concession area (weaving) then back on the track for the final mile. It seemed funny seeing those furlong markers. I tried to stay near the rail but mostly wanted to be on the hardest paths. When the dust cleared, I made the dirty dozen and won my age group. I was not happy that I failed to beat someone I usually do but now I'm in a different category. I was actually surprised I broke 20 considered 2/3 of the race was on dirt! The top 3 masters all broke 19; Allan W was not in that number! He did win is his age group, my former. Sadly, he moves into mine in a few months. Gotta take advantage while I can. All overalls got special awards, plus a medal. The rest of us who placed just got medals. I was hoping for a master title but lost the bet!

Sunday agenda-race!

From the selection below, the choice was simpler:

a. JCC posnack 5k
b. run for relief 5k
c. tri Miami (& du)
d. MS breakaway back to Miami (2 day)

It's the middle of the month! Normally, I would do c. but decided to do an inaugural race, b. It was to help out Haiti and began at peacock park. Again, history, as I have never done a race that began & finished there. The course was better than ALS/CPA as there were only 2 turn arounds, while every where else was straight. The clouds kept it cooler but the winds picked up, making for a challenge. My buddy Gene took off like a bat out of hell & broke the first mile in 5:48. I was happy I broke 6 minutes for the first time in months! However, we both broke down in the subsequent mile, plus his shoe laces came undone; I passed him halfway through that mile. When the dust cleared, I was fifth overall, top master but since that title was not offered, I had to settle for age group. Jon W was in the top 3, getting a specially made award; I picked his up as he went to another event. The rest of us got medals. The crisis continues as I failed to break 19 but at least the success continued as well when I made the podium.

As I proceeded home, I got stuck in traffic (cops held us) waiting for some cyclists to cross. When this happened again toward the busway near home, I realized event d. was in effect. I stopped at the SAG, chatted a bit then went home, got my bike and joined in. When I reached the 2nd SAG, I met up with friends (Suzy & Jacky). I rode with them until I reached a street I knew passes by another friend. It began to rain, I said hello to her then headed home. Yep, it got really bad. Stopped by the original SAG, chatted then concluded the exercise day. I wound up doing about 19 miles in total & got a flat less than a quarter mile from my home; bummer! The crisis continues.

Congrats to all who competed or participated in activities.

Mother's day weekend

Mother's day weekend is upon us. Cinco de Mayo passed by on Thursday. Yesterday, I yelled 'T.G.I.F.!

Saturday agenda-race!

Seems like everybody wanted to cram races on today so as to spend time with their mothers tomorrow. Good for them, bad for us athletes. Check out today's selection below:

1. county line 5k (englewood)
2. turtle trot 5k (Jupiter)
3. race for the arts 5k (lake worth)
4. big cardio 5k
5. run for the roses 5k
6. lou gehrigs disease 5k/10k (Miami)

You think #6 would have been my choice because its the closest to my home but not! They have no master title and I assume they would be unceremonious like the cpa 1040k if I were fortunate enough to place. On top of that, the best I could get is a medal. 1 is definitely out. I passed on 2 & 3 since both were deep north in palm beach county. Also, had a bad experience at #3 last time. I have done 4 & 5 before but this time I was forced to choose one since they both start around the same time.

I ran for the roses because:

1. 3 deep with several title categories
2. mystery award (usually not a medal).
3. couple option

Although I couldve been 3 oa in the race I originally planned on doing, this one almost guaranteed me an award & I sure needed to cash in as I was not feeling so well. I scrambled to get another female as the one I selected originally did not show up. When the dust cleared, I was blessed by the Lord to take the last master spot despite a dismal performance. Congratulations to Pam R on winning her age group & taking the grandma title. Oh by the way, we did well enough to win the odd couple title! Pam racked up 3 awards & won in a raffle to boot!

Sunday's agenda-mother's day

Hope all mothers & potentials have a happy one. By the grace of God, I got to participate in 2 events.

Event 1: Chi running clinic/fun run featuring Bryan Huberty

I found out about this near the last minute. With no woman to be with, I might as well exercise so I added this to my regimen. I saw more people I knew than I expected. We began at Alice Wainright over the rick but I had to use the bathroom. I continued til a point across from the marine stadium then turned around & headed back. I did approximately 4 miles. After some hydration (O.N.E. was out there), I took off for the next one.

Event 2: K-swiss fun run

This was put on by mother & owner of footworks, Laurie; she did a great job & I wished her a happy mom day. We began at an unusual location, took to the Nike trail, crossed the bridge, then head over the grass (my variation), on the back road then cut through grass to get back on red road to return to the start. I tried on a pair of K-swiss (felt good). They had hot breakfast available & mimosa (had 1 by mistake). K-swiss had t-shirts & towels ready & there was plenty to drink. A bounce house was set up for the kids. This was kind of a small scale version of the footworks fun run of the past that was held at night.

After that, a visit to mom then homeward to work & rest. Quite a weekend.

April showers bring May flowers

April showers bring May flowers or lots of races? As a runner, I choose the latter. This is a transition weekend, perfect for the title.

Tonights's agenda-corporate run

Many, especially Ronnie Hollassie, run this seriously but for most this is their only active participation in running for the year. The majority are walkers. The field over 20k strong. Except for my initial year's dealing with this race, I use it primarily for training, usually to reinforce my walking skills. Since I don't work in the Gables any more, travel to it is even worse. Plus parking in downtown is very difficult. The first time in years, I passed on it at the last moment; I actually had dressed to go but race start was in 45 minutes & I was still at home. Heard through the grapevine that the bridge went up delaying the entire field; glad I passed on it.

Tomorrow's agenda-TGI 5k

An inaugural evening race held in palm beach county. I have to pass due to the following:

1. Start time is 15 minutes after I get out of work
2. distance-located in downtown west palm beach
3. cost-entry fee is high (includes sun fest concert) and gas to travel

Plus, I'm not fond of night races. Lots of rain today, truly April showers.

Saturday's agenda-race!

This is the last day of the month for racing and decided to choose 1 from the following:

1. Kentucky derby marathon
2. Nashville marathon
3. Georgia spartan sprint
4. rock the run 5k
5. kids in distress cross country beach run/walk

Due to extreme distance, eliminate the first 3. I struggled enough with barefoot on beach, plus it seemed more like a fun run so #4 wins!

This is my last race of the month. I did this one before so therefore I was aware of course (lots of turns & up the ramp finish). The late start insured a hot & humid race. what I couldn't imagine was the faulty start. It started 5 minutes later & the lead vehicle (on right side of road)did not move at first then went slowly. Worse, a marching band was positioned on the left side of road. Most of us went nearly single file between them while others ran off road in the grass and we lead in front of the lead vehicle! I had to watch my footing due to wet ground as well. When the dust cleared, I was fortunate to win my age group despite barely clearing 20 & made the baker's dozen; God is good!

Despite all of that, I was impressed with the improvements that were made. Last year, the men's cotton tshirts ran out & they promised to mail it; that didn't happen. This year, tech shirts were given out & I actually got one! I think I got some kind of medal last year but this year, a unique trophy I never got before; amazing, since I've been racing over 20 years. They retained the catered breakfast-good but made parking difficult-bad. I wish masters went 3 deep.

Sunday's agenda-race!

This is the first day of the month for racing and decided to choose 1 from the following:

a. st anthony's triathlon
b. madd dash 5k
c. sallarulos race for champions 5k
d. down & dirty 5/10k

Lack of a swimmer rules out a. I originally planned on d. but got locked out, therefore I had to make a quick decision. Normally, I would do an inaugural (b.) and in hindsight, would have been the right choice but my dislike with the parking and the course, I instead stuck to tried & true.

Big mistake! It was a high quality race. Despite a better performance, I had to settle for 2nd in my age group. If I had been in the previous category, I would have won easily, even with a 7 minute pace! Instead, all who placed were sub 20; praise the Lord I met the challenge. Runner's depot showed out here, with Chris winning & Jon a close 2nd. Louis won his age group. A couple of other teammate made their mark as well. Picking races is often like rolling dice; this time I crapped out. I forfeited a master title & plaque for an age group medal. Average post race. The event organizer spent too much time giving out plaques for sponsors & just as long giving out medals to the athletes.

I gotta train more instead of stopping to smell the may flowers.