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.