Autumn is upon us!

Autumn is upon us! It began yesterday but here in Florida, you couldn't tell.

Saturday agenda-race!

I had quite a selection, so the decision was difficult:

1. NY super spartan
2. 5k run for hunger
3. new life impact 5k
4. sickle cell sprint 5k
5. Miami children's hospital 5k
6. alpha omega invitational (xc)

Remaining in state eliminates #1. Strike the last=cross country. Sadly, I could only pick 1 event. Therefore, I decided to select an inaugural event. That got rid of my favorite #4 and cost me a trophy; bad move in hindsight. Now, there were 3 races I haven't done. I passed on the closest race (#5) because my calls & emails were ignored, setting a bad precedence. Since #2 gave me chance for a double workout, #3 was cut; also, a bad move in hindsight since I couldve been top 3 over there.

My time was less than stellar but sufficient for an age group win. If there was a master title, it would've gotten away anyway. What I did like is that I was guaranteed hardware (finisher medal was given) but by the grace of God, I placed in the top 5.

Bonus event-5k walk for hunger

This was my chance to have fun, as there was no pressure, therefore, no need for speed. However, what really made it special was the cameo appearance of Linda. In fact, she agreed to walk with me & she is doing well on her come back. I am certain that if she sticks with me, she will be back in form like the good ol' days when we were 'the couple'. No awards, unless I include her, but a good time. The course was scenic & different from the run. Love the post race refreshments.

Sunday agenda-race!

No brainer. Either trail run or escape to Miami; the latter! I return with my favorite teammates, Inga & Gene. We are actually returning co-ed relay champs but most will never know since I changed the name of the team. I formed a triathlon team of 3 runners, so I appropriately named the relay, '3 runners tri-ing to win. By the grace of God, we did just such, despite more competition. On a rare occasion, I was the fastest cyclist of all teams & top ten overall. Our team was 5th overall, including all male teams. In hindsight, if I had known it was gold or bust, I would've never formed the team; praise the Lord, we won.

Sep tee m bray!

Sep tee m bray! That's how September is pronounced in Spanish. This is also mid month crisis time.

Saturday agenda-UPS 5k

I couldn't find any other event, other than a seemly private one (5k sprint/stroll for recovery) so I ended up paying more to get less. What do I mean? Well, lets just say that ups didn't deliver when it came to my tech shirt. Excuse (possibly valid) was that they ran out of shirts and no savings was given to race day sign ups (still charged more).

Race was basically the tour of gables with a different name.  It was for the united way. I got surprised by JoAnn (channel 10) with an interview at the starting line. Then off to the races. I had a decent first mile then it went downhill from there. I surcame to the heat & humidity. I love the fact that finishers medal were given. Of course, I want the podium prize. Despite a less than stellar time, I won my age group by the grace of God & made the dirty dozen. The medal was nice, not 1 I ever had and featured a small spinning part. Post race was good also. The raffle seemed rigged but nevertheless, it was held.

Sunday agenda-race!

The following events were known by me:

1. muddy buddy (NY)
2. rnr PA half
3. trilogy bonus round

This was a no-brainer. We, Spencer and I, are the defending trilogy duathlon relay champions. This race is required to complete the series and he is back!

Bad news for me as it was windy, plus, still hot and humid. As for him, we was tired after doing a long run previously. The bonus round is typically the most attended as it is the last one. There were so many more relays this day. Despite so many challenges for us to overcome, we prevailed. In fact, we had the fastest combined time (overall)! Praise the Lord!

We made great strides, finally reaching the top. Race 1, 3rd overall. Race 2, 2nd overall. Race 3, I got a substitute as Spence was out of town. The replacement performed well, repeating the Race 2, 2nd overall finish. This was just to compete as 1 gets thrown out. In our finale, we take overall. We improved a slot at every showing! Thank you, Tim, for stepping aside as a teammate a giving us this opportunity. He & we win our respective overall titles for 2011!

9/11 anniversery weekend

9/11 anniversery weekend is upon us. Can you believe its been a decade since this national disaster occured? My condolences to all the victims & praises to all the heroes, like the firefighters, to did their best to assist in this untimely matter. 9/11 was a day of diasaster, but we can't let them (terrorists) ruin our lives.

Saturday agenda-race!

There were a plethora of events on this day:

1. PA spartan sprint
2. camp boggy creek challenge ride (Eustis, FL)
3. jeff annas firefighter 5k (WPB)
4. tunnel to toweres 5k
5. sickle cell anemia walk/run 5k
6. tarzans cup championship
7. alpha omega invitational (xc)
8. 5k freedom run

Eliminate #1 immediately (out of state). #2 is not a race; off the list. Knock off non 5ks (6 & 7). #5=been there, done that. #3=furthest 'local' race;#8=closest 5k. Both 4 and 8 were inaugurals; I chose the former because it was advertised at a low rate first.

Oh what a mistake. I was the largest of all the events! On top of that, I hate the course (bridge x2). I had to deal with that plus the heat and humidity. Additionally, I had not fully recovered from illness, which already hampered my training. The chip timing was so slow that no results were posted, even after an hour from the race winner, not even online! I felt so bad, I had to leave without even knowing if I placed. I found out later I did but have no award to show for it. One plus is that I finished high enough to get a commemorative finishers medal. Thank you Jesus.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not many choices (they wont let me do a 5-15 kid tri) but yet I pulled a double header!

Event 1=race-firefighters 5k
Event 2=fun run-firefighter 5k miami

I didnt get any hardware from either of those events! However, the race needs explanation.

Event 1-firefighters 5k

As a member of runner's depot racing team, this was a 'mandatory' appearance; It is put on by the company. Now for the synopis, Clint Eastwood style:

The good: We (RD) had a great turnout, I got finishers medal
The bad: Although I have soul, I lost my sole (right shoe), costing me time & position, only 1 master title
The ugly: I didnt place, therefore no trophy, still sick

Event 2-firefighter 5k fun run

Now I had 2 reasons to leave the first event-no award & more exercise! This event was on the way home & hosted by a new running store (iRun) formed by runner friends. This event was designed to honor the fire fighters during 9/11. We kept a slow pace & many, including yours truly, held & passed the american flag like an olympic torch. I was dressed so patriotic, that I was interviewed by somebody asking why I did this event. I explained it was the last of 3. This weekend was a diasaster in the since that I missed an award that I won in event 1, wasnt fast enough to win a trophy in event 2 (wouldve in previous age cat) & couldnt get an award in a fun run. Although I continue to struggle, I thank God I can still do compete.

Running season is back!

Running season is back! This weekend marks the unofficial start of the Running season.

Saturday agenda-race!

I considered the following events:

1. Jon Z MDA 5k (n port)
2. john clay 5k (Naples)
3. fall fling 5k
4. king of the hill 5k

After much consideration, I passed on the first 2 then focused on the last 2. I chose #3 but found out it was cancelled, leaving me either #4 or bust. Sorry, its too difficult for me not to race, especially since I couldn't 1 weekend last month.

I pretty much got what I expected-a tough time battling the hills in the heat & humidity; the horrible H's. Now for the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: got finishers dog tag & beat some guys that have been beating me lately with a sub 20, sub 6 mile.
The bad:  the horrible H's, desired race cancelled, didn't break 19, didn't make dirty dozen.
The ugly: didn't place despite efforts, paced slowed significantly after a great first mile.

This race was being run probably as family oriented, all day event. I had to leave, especially since I had no hardware and the proposed BBQ is designed for meat eaters. I didn't feel well enough to compete in any of the other events they were holding. For those fortunate enough to place, big medals were given. I admit they were good but disappointed that masters didn't go 3 deep, stripping me of hardware!

This day would have been a total disaster if it hadn't been for Linda. She surprised me by making it down and we had a nice lunch & what not. Wish we would've been together longer but beats the alternative.

Sunday agenda-race!

These are races on my radar:

a. Disneyland half
b. rnr half (VA)
c. labor day tri/du

Scratch the first 2 due to distance & cost and go with the final one. Besides, we are in prime position to win the broward county series. Pam was supposed to swim but ended up doing a 100 dash due to the cancellation of the swim (lake contaminated). After that, biz as usual. By the grace of God, I got a PR on the bike before handing off to Mike K. Although much slower than usual, he did the best he could considering he got injured, which lead to mild depression, which lead to overeating, which lead to gaining weight (negative chain reaction)  plus lack of training (conditions). We were the top team & top ten overall; WTG & praise the Lord!

Monday agenda-labor day!

Have a happy one! This is my chance to train. Unfortunately, I was sick so I had to scrap my original plan of a 12 mile skate and did an easy 2 mile recovery jog. Then, suffer the day accomplishing nothing; I hate that!

Close call

Close call it was when hurricane Irene was approaching Florida. Not only couldve caused a lot of damage but my champ race & inaugural tri were in jeopardy.

Saturday agenda-race!

There was a selection but only 1 wise choice:

1. MA spartan sprint (day 1)
2. siesta key du/tri
3. n collier regional rampage 5k
4. cell-ebration 5k

Rule out 1 due to extreme distance. #2 is also far & is part of the FFW series in which I have not done any races to qualify for the series, so strike 2. #4 is closest in proximity but a series race will automatically overrule, so there you go.

This was championship day. I need to complete 1 series today (elite) then pick up for another (summer sizzler) already completed. I entered the series this year as defending champion but it was in jeopardy by teammate Jon. By the grace of God, he opted out, giving me a chance. Remember, its just that; a chance. I still have to do my job to seal the deal. Praise the Lord, I felt good (internal conditions favorable). Although still well short of where I need to be, it was my best time in the series. I got the master title & was 4th overall; a blessing in disguise. I almost got 3rd overall but that would not be in my best interest in this case. Thanks to God, I am now the only 2 time champion of the elite series!

Sunday agenda-race!

There still was quite a selection but only 1 wise choice:

a. MA spartan sprint (day 2)
b. muddy buddy (MN)
c. oleta trail run 5/10/half
d. Miami speed triathlon

You can rule out a & b, since both are out of state. c=been there, done that; d. wins!

The Miami speed triathlon was an inaugural event held at the homestead speedway & featured both sprint & Olympic distances. I got my fastest male swimmer James & trusty runner Gene as partners. The sprint had a swimmer longer than my original choice for a swimmer (Inga) desired, 750 m. The day started off as a disaster as all athletes were held up at the entrance for more than a half hour. He performed as expected, giving us a great start. After passing several bikes, I was all alone. The course was not well marked so I lost a lot of time, sometimes nearly stopped to get help. I passed the torch to Gene to seal the deal for the team. Collectively, we were the top relay team and 5th overall! Praise the Lord!