To train or race?

To train or race? That is the question.

Saturday agenda-race?

I found a few events:

a. muddy buddy (Vancouver, bc)
b. ft desoto du/tri
c. striders 4+ mile fun run
d. Tarzan's cup 5k/10k

Definitely not a.; not even in the USA!. a race will automatically override a fun run; strike c. I thought about d. due to proximity but a well respected runner did 1 & didn't recommend it.  I like b. but with gas prices high, entry fee & the distance, I reluctantly passed. On top of that, I remember that last year, I got there at midnight; I was fortunate Shannon let me sleep a few hours on the vacant bed.

I did a long overdue distance run. It was a mystery distance but I always wondered what it would be like to run from my house, head west toward & through Larry & Penny (E & N outer), then take 137 ave to coral reef dr, head south on fairway heights dr to home! Using a Garmin I got from runner's depot, it measured nearly 11 miles. It was hot and humid, partly cloudy when I began but became fully cloudy 1/3 in. About 2/3 into the run, it rained, so I returned soaking wet but cooler. Took longer than I'd like but I survived.

Sunday agenda-race?

I found some more events:

a. rnr Chicago half marathon
b. run like a diva haf (CO)
c. 13.1 Minneapolis
d. ace of diamonds 5k

I have no plans to do anything out of state at this time, leaving only d. Clearwater is even farther than ft desoto, plus its only a 5k. I decline. Instead, I planned on meeting with some athlete friends to do the Miami man bike route. Unfortunately, they were AWOL so I had to cycle back home. I decided to skate 12 miles. To my dismay, I rapidly declined due to the heat, humidity and wind. I had to settle with being about 3 minute off pace; a halftime, I was less than a minute off. My shining moment was catching up to a cyclist first mile & briefly passing him in the second.

Therefore, you answer is-train!

Summer sizzler series time!

Summer sizzler series time! Well, it's a sizzling summer, often with record heat indexes & both events are series races.

Saturday agenda-race!

Had a few choices outside my 'local' area but only 1 within-ING kick off 5k. No way I'm gonna a fun run over race, plus today was the finale of the 3d run shoppe Summer sizzler series (officially titled). This time, Jon W wasn't here (won another 5k) so I had to travel far by myself. It began cooler but quickly heated up as the sun rose. Remarkably, I felt better and this reflected in my time. Although far short of where I need to be, it was the best of the series. By the grace of God, I was duly rewarded and got a trophy (master winner)for the 1st time ever in this series, instead of the generic in the previous 2. Many people were cheering on a local favorite to beat me & he did succeed by 5 seconds. Luckily, he was given the grand master title (correct way to award) & not strip me of my title. You see, when more than 1 title is given, you must limit the runner to within that group, just like age groups. So I was the fastest within the master group (40-49) since grandmaster is (50-59) & the senior grandmaster will now be 60 & up. This is usually more fair. However, if money was involved, that's a different story.

Sunday agenda-race!

On the quest to defend the du trilogy relay champ title. Bad news-Spencer was out of town with his wife. Good news-a got a suitable replacement, Allan Walton. Can you believe I (runner's depot) selected someone from a rival racing team? Friendship overrides all; next is talent! As a team captain, you must put aside little things like team affiliation, or even language (once had someone who barely spoke English) and seek the best person to accomplish your goal-victory! By the grace of God, we matched the overall position of the last event, 2nd overall and the overall relay team. I also got a PR on the bike in the process. This was Allan's first time on a relay, so I believe. Cant wait til the bonus round!.

Aw goss toe!

Aw goss toe! That's how Agosto is pronounced in Spanish. This is the opening weekend of August.

Saturday agenda-race!

1. Vermont spartan beast 10+ mile
2.moss park race series (began last night, ended today)
3. race for trace (ft Myers)
4. beat the heat 5k (st Lucie)

I actually did a 2 mile skate in lieu of a morning race. However, at the last minute, I found it difficult to go the entire weekend without racing, so- have car, will travel.

I passed on #1 (requires flying), #2, the 2nd furthest event & #3, far on the west side plus an early start. So, off I try to beat the heat.

Unfortunately, I failed to beat the heat! Why? I not only failed to break 19 but worse, was in mid 20's. I watched the master title run by me while I was suffering in the extreme heat & humidity. I was tired from the long solo drive to port st. Lucie. Oh yeah, it was an afternoon race. Enough with the excuses, I fell short. However, I was pleased that the race was so small, I made the top ten & the top of my age group, so at least I don't return home empty handed; I got a medal.

Sunday agenda-train

I couldn't find any races (except the providence half), so off I train. I normally mount the bike on cross train Monday, so I that & pulled out my skates. Afterwards, I satisfied the run element with 3 quarter mile mill runs. It was nearly a nightmare with no local races. Out of desperation, I did a race and didn't even get that right (time). Now, back to the drawing board.

Close out!

Close out! It's the final weekend of July.

Saturday agenda-race!

I return to eagle lakes 5k to defend my position in the elite race series. Hot & humid as expected. Unexpected, more entrants & faster to boot. Despite these facts, although my position was worse than last time, my finishing time improved & title as well (master). I sit in a good position to win a new age category since I cant defend the old one; thanks father time.

Sunday agenda-race!

I return to Huntington's tri with my favorite teammates, Inga & Gene. I appropriately named the relay, '3 runners tri-ing to win!' Inga is the only 1 of us that can swim. Gene doesn't even own a bike, so it was a no brainer for this team captain. We gel like a championship team every time. She swam well, nearly breaking ten minutes at this venue. Us guy were #1 of all in our category on the land events. I expected that of him, but shocked for yours truly; praise the Lord. We were the top co-ed relay team this year & the 2nd fastest of all teams, regardless of category. Overall position was 20th; awesome teammates!

Run, sweat, and cheers!

Run, sweat, and cheers! Yep, I edited a title of a race that edited a common expression, 'blood, sweat and tears'.

Thursday agenda-Run, sweat, and beers!

Yep, that's the title of the inaugural race I ran on an unusual night. I went into this race like a blind date, not knowing what to expect. I thank the Lord I made the podium (barely) because:

1. night race (tired after work)
2. far (traveled 3 counties)
3. no overall or master titles
4. ten year age groups

The award was a generic medal but I'll take that over the alternative. Post race was a meat lover's dream but nightmare 4 me.

Saturday agenda-race!

1. club med 5k/10k
2. tarzan's cup 5k/10k adventure
3. dreher park dash 5k
4. hemingway 5k

I passed on the first due to distance, although 4 could qualify as well. I wanted to do a normal race, so strike 2. I planned on #3 until a friend suggested carpooling. Since I haven't been down south in a minute, I agreed. Unfortunately, I discovered the hard way, after an extremely long wait (past 10 pm) that it was scaled down. Now, only top master plus the award was wood, no medals. Plaque if a title holder. On top of that, I didn't get a tshirt. However, the post race was still on point, 5 star with the pizza.

Sunday agenda-train

I passed on the club med tri for lack of a swimmer & decided to train. I got in a 10k skate followed by nearly a 3 mile run. The brick workout was a bit challenging with the heat & humidity.