OctoberFest!

OctoberFest! Lots of races, just on my schedule alone!

Saturday agenda-race!

Check out the itinerary:

1. 13.1 dallas
2. iron mudder (day 1)
3. halpatiokee hero walk
4. VBLA 2 miler
5. bull dog 5kdash
6. without limits racing (4 miler adventure)
7. ability explosion 5k
8. 1st priority fundrun

Due to finances, I automatically eliminated 1 & 2. #3 was a fun run; strike 2. #6 was an adventure race; strike 3. I passed on #5 & #8 to return to a race I won last year, #7.

Unfortunately, I am not running as well as last year plus better competition showed up once they learned of my victory. I was fortunate enough to take the last master slot with a time barely breaking 20. Believe it or not, I made the top ten. Loved the fact that trophies were given to all. My dad made his debut for this running season & took 3rd in the age group; not bad after a long layoff. I am so happy we are the BEST (Bell's Elite Sports Team )!

Thanks to Jon, I was able to pull off a double header as we did #4. It felt like a 5k but was actually 2 miles in soft sand. Going north, I had to fight strong winds. I dressed in costume (they were in the holiday spirit & had a category for those who dressed up to run). and won that division as well as being 3rd overall. They only offered top 3 overall & top 3 overall costumed finishers. By the grace of God, I placed in both, double dipping so to speak. Anything less meant no hardware; what a risk I took.

Sunday agenda-race!

Even more to choose from:

a. rnr st Louis marathon
b.  myrtle beach mini marathon
c. iron mudder (day 2)
d. Apalachicola marathon
e. wellington 10 miler/5k
f. rocktoberfest 10 miler
g. sarcoma 5k
h. schott 5k
i. walk to prevent suicide
j. gables bike day
k. homestead speedway

Due to finances, I automatically eliminated the first 4.  Strike 2 for the last 3 (no awards). In need of doing a long event, I passed on g & h, even though I liked the former. So, I did a 10 miler. Oh, yeah, there are 2 of them; the inaugural won!

Even though I had to travel, it was worth it. With more categories (5 deep in age), with good effort, I had a great opportunity to walk out with hardware, a difficult task for me with any race more than a 5k. Thankfully, this came to fruition. Praise the Lord, the weather was cool, allowing me to run well, make the top 20 and win a master title. However, no matter what happened, I was gonna have a PR as I never ran a ten miler before. This was put on by my favorite new timing company, Elite sports. I was there for their inaugural event last year.

Mid month crisis (Oct)

Mid month crisis (Oct) is evident as to what has occurred thus far.

Saturday agenda-race!

Other than the midwest spartan sprint in Il, I only found 2 'local' events, in different counties, but was able to do a double header, thanx to JW. I passed on an event that I agree with the cause (breast cancer), called race for the cure, in my town, because you cant win an award & I like to compete.

Event 1: AVDA 5k

Last year, I performed magnificantly, beating out a faster nemesis & taking 3rd overall. This year, sadly, I barely broke 20 and let all the master titles (plaques) slip by me, forcing me to settle for an age group medal. Lord, please dont let me suffer like the miami dolphins! The only bright side is a top ten finish sufficient for a podium spot. They had a great post race set up.

Event 2: women in distress 5k

A 'podunk' event that had a low turnout. This event had great intentions, as it raised money for abused women and was a family oriented program, featuring many local, christian artists & dancers performing. The offered a 5k run (15 laps on grass) and 5k walk (5 laps around park); I chose the latter, since I dont get many racewalk events now. No real awards but Jon won the run, I the walk. I got to speak & praised them on their efforts. It was fun.

Sunday agenda-race!

Seems like everybody picked this day to put on an event; I could only do one:

1. detroit marathon
2. muddy buddy dallas
3. ft lauderdale 15/30k training run
4. rb off road du/tri
5. parkland 5k
6. hope for vision 5k
7. xtreme race for the cure

Due to finances, you can scratch the 1st 2. #3 is a long fun run; strike 2. #4 strikes interest but unfortunately, some  idiot stole my mountain bike; strike that. I passed on 5 (big mistake, as I wouldve been in top 3) & 7.

I selected #6 because it was yet another inaugural 5k. Other than that, it was a bad choice. Synopis, Clint Eastwood style:

The good: top ten (6), podium finish (1 ag & was top master)
The bad: My time was worse than the last race.
The ugly: no master title was offered.

So, with no master titles to bring home, and failure to break 19, the mid month crisis continues.

Awk 2 bray

Awk 2 bray, thats how October in Spanish sounds.

Saturday agenda-race?

Not much happening. The following was on my schedule:

1. Seminole hard rock 5k
2. coach to first class invitational
3. march for cancer 5k

I found out the first was a private affair; strike 1. #2 was cross country & at vista view; strike 2. The latter was cancelled; strike 3, I'm out to train!

I decided to do a 10k inline skate followed by a 5k tempo training run. I got wet on the latter. Rain & wind all day. Hopefully, this subsides tomorrow.

Sunday agenda-race

A whole lot more events:

a. Chicago marathon
b. rnr denver marathon/half
c. muddy buddy San Jose
d. shark shuffle 5k
e. multirace championship Olympic tri

Due to finances, eliminate all events outside of Florida. Due to the later, once again I miss out on 1 of my favorite 5k's. I couldn't pass on the opportunity to be crowned the best tri team in Florida.

For 1 last time, Mike K & Pam S join me. It is their first series competition & my first with them (did only individual sprints prior). We had to qualify to get into this championship race so I didn't want let this chance go by. The toughest challenge for me was not the race itself but rather to convince them to travel from west palm beach to do nearly twice our normal distance. I been there, done that, but remember, a first for them.

The good: the bike (no rick) & run (not to the peninsula end) courses shortened due to inclement weather
The bad: the swim was normal distance.
The ugly: extremely windy & wet

We competed against a formidable team, who in fact, had a lead of over 3 minutes after the swim. My friend Estela acquired a 'pro' swimmer! When my turn came, I had to rely on my training & whatever strength God gave me to dig into that. The external conditions were against me but God is good. I pushed so hard, I got a PR average time. Believe or not, I was not able to pass her but caught her in transition! After that, Mike took over, passed her and we ultimately won! To quote Queen, 'we are the champions'!
Monday agenda-race?

Happy Columbus day! The state doesn't recognize this holiday, but fortunately, I took it off. I couldn't find any race but good ol' JW did; off we go!

Time for the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: I got on the podium (2nd age); inaugural 5k
The bad: generic medal, forgot my running gear.
The ugly: my time (course long), wack categories (no overall, master, ten year ag, 2 deep), no trophy (oa ag only, naturally Jon got that)

Under normal circumstances, I would've won my age group, at the very least, but if top 3 & master, I would've gotten the master title since I was 4th overall; oh, well. That's the way the cookie crumbles at the green dragon 5k.

Have a heart weekend

Have a heart weekend. That's what I call it, especially based on today.

Saturday agenda-race!

God made it possible to do a triple header but opted for double. Question was, what race to do first.

1. race for the cure (st petersburg)
2. Disney win &; dine half
3. American heart walk/run 5k
4. livestrong 5k/half
5. fight for air 5k

I decided to remain on the east coast, wiping out #1. Got shut out of #2 plus been there, done that. Due to fees, team commitment and chance for double header, #4 was eliminated.

Race #1: American heart walk/run 5k

On this one, i'll cut to the chase. I didn't get hardware because of the wack age categories (41-45), and only 1 per age group; they didnt have a heart this weekend. I wouldve been 2 in my age group with an award under normal circumstances. Average post race. Anyway, I had to take off to get to next event.

Race #2: fight for air 5k

Although I have run at Huizenga park before, the course was different. I already hated the normal but this one was worse in the since of the many curves & a sharp 180 that twisted my foot. Luckily, I recovered enough to finish decent, even though I lost more time with poorly marked finish. The post race qualified as five star with all the hot pizza the was available in addition to the norm. Sadly, I left without hardware again ( they didn't have a heart this weekend). Even though an award like ceremony was held, none was given. Was told they will be mailed; wish me luck as I still don't have my shirt from that ups 5k ( they didn't have a heart at all).

Even though I got no award to bring home, I got a hold of one prize, Linda. In fact, she won a prize without even doing a race! How? She won in the taco bell challenge; way 2 go!

Sunday agenda-race!

Many more to choose from but no double dipping:

a. rnr San Jose half
b. divas half (NY)
c. 13.1 Atlanta
d. dunns run 5k/mile
e. race the troops du/tri
f.  national livestrong  day (cycling)

Scratch any events outside of FL (a,b,c). I race over rides, eliminating f. I was scheduled to do d., especially since my likeness appeared on the brochure but event e was moved to the same day and I opted for that instead.

I chose a new partner, Julie. Many asked why I chose to do a relay when I am capable of du'ing all by myself. Well, I race solo all the time. God has given me so much over the years and this is my way of giving back to the athletic community. She is trying to make a come back & she said this helps to inspire her on that. She was very nervous & feared she would hurt the team. I saw the fire & desire in the eyes and that is what I need on a team. You don't have to be the best, just do your best.

Also, I gave back by showing my support toward the troops. I dressed in a manner reflecting the armed forces. To my surprise, Julie did as well. She did her bit, coming in right after George, then it was my time to shine. Despite not using my aero helmet, I posted a 21 average on the bike. My transition was much longer than usual because I had to take off the gloves to tie my shoes (fun part since I was in the spirit of the event). Although my time was nothing to write home about, by the grace of God, it was the 3rd fastest of all duathletes! We finished in the top ten and won the relay division. We were aptly named 'Supa man & wunda woman'!