No V M bray!

No V M bray! That's how November is pronounced in Spanish.

Saturday agenda-race!

I had a plethora to choose from:

1. ragnar relay (start in clearwater)
2. beach running world championships 10k & half
3. delray beach turkey trot
4. miles for mikayla
5. run for hunger 5k
6. take stock in children 5k
7. miracle run/walk 5k
8. tyler goldberg 5k

Eliminate the 1st 2. #3=been there, done that and liked it but I had to pass on that one and #4 (new) for a triple header opportunity.Thanks to God, I had the chance and even still, had to make a decision. Believe it or not, there were 3 in my county near me!

Race 1: run for hunger 5k

This was the 2nd closest to home, held at tropical park. 7 am start was nice, the rain was not. Yes, it rained on my parade, so to speak. It was a disappointingly low turnout for the host but just looking at my agenda above, you can see why. For the second time this month, I was second best but this time, I got blown away. I had to leave without award. I found out after the fact, I was dubbed the master champion (only top overall given, plus 10 yr age groups).

Race 2: miracle run/walk 5k

Aptly titled because it would've taken a miracle to beat Jon Williams. Oh wait, I jumped the gun. I was third for much of the race until some young kid challenged Jon. He quickly tore away from me (he paced me early) & him to the take and keep the lead. After nearly 2 miles, he burned out in pursuit, thus relinquishing his position to me; thank you very much. I was officially dubbed 2nd best once again (3rd ones the charm?). I waited a long time to get my award & Jon's, only to be disappointed that it was a paper certificate (no frame); oh, well.

Race 3: tyler goldberg 5k

I return once again to support the cause. Could you imagine if I got 2nd overall for the 3rd time this year? Well, if Chris didn't show up, along with 4 others, this would've come to fruition. By the grace of God, after a hard fought battle in the last mile, I captured the master title. The competitor lead most of the race. I was blessed because I was fatigued from the previous 2 races while he was fresh; thank you Lord.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not as many but still a selection:

a. ragnar relay (finish in daytona beach)
b. woman's half
c. purple stride 5k
d. muddy buddy

a. out by default; began yesterday. It should be obvious why I skipped b. I would've like to do c. but I set out to d. this year.

On high from yesterday, I was hyped to team up with a legend, Lisa Dorfman. It's rare to get her on relays with me due to her schedule and job, food fitness international, especially. I bought another mountain bike (1st was stolen) a couple of weeks ago to train but we used her lightweight titanium one instead. I started on the bike, she followed on the run. We leapfrogged disciplines while tackling obstacles until the mudpit. There, we wade through it then cross together through the finish line. Seemed easy but we got injured on the hidden hard asphalt beneath (assumed dirt or grass like surrounding). Dodging the slow people also killed time (our wave was next to last). Although we shouldve won, we took third in our category (1st 2 teams skipped obstacles). Since the awards look the same, we made no fuss. It was a lot of fun and I'd be interested in repeating this. However, we already discussed new strategy.

Wonderful weekend closed with 4 events, a triple header day plus a new event. God is good.

Veteran's weekend

Veteran's weekend actually began yesterday (Thursday) for me. I like to take the time to give propers to our troops for all they do to protect our freedom. Even if we shouldn't be fighting over there, they are doing their job to the best of their ability & should be repected for that. Most just enjoy the day off but this may not be possible if it were not for those soldiers who put their life on the line to make it happen. Many have paid the ultimate price. Remember, freedom is not free! Thanx, guys (& gals)!

Thursday agenda-waterford 5k

I did the first 2 of this event but it was what transpired in the last one I did that discourages me. The inaugural was the greatest one, unique trophies for all. The 2nd one reduced to generic medals, eliminated the walk division plus on top of that, I was listed as winner in my age group all the way through the awards ceremony but was announced 2nd; that was the last straw! Besides, its costly and I can't get off early from work so getting there is difficult. I like the staging though, with a nice post race setup. Congrats to my friends who competed. I did a mile & a quarter tempo run so as not to injure myself for the upcoming Veteran's weekend.

Friday agenda-midpoint madness 5k

Once in a lifetime day-11/11/11! I decided to return to this venue since I dont get & there were no races on friday. I give my props to the troops this day. many paid the ultimate price that enabled me (& others) to be able to run. I dont really like night races but it beats the alternative.

Praise the Lord I was able to place after a grave error committed by yours truly. I had to go to the bathroom near the last minute and didnt move with the quickness to get to the front of the line. The horn went off while I was in mid pack. I jumped the wall, practically sprinted for a quarter mile on other side of the road, then jumped back over to continue. I actually ran a low 19 but that wont reflect in the results due to my mistakes. I was blessed to leave with a trophy.

Saturday agenda-race!

A plethora of events to choose from:

1. get up gather & groove 5k (melbourne)
2. sandoway 5k
3. lungvity 5k
4. red kettle 5k
5. super hero scramble (adventure)
6. 2011 laroootaa! (cycling)
7. lighthouse 5k/10k
8. USATF youth cross country
9. key largo half/5k

i passed on #1 due to distance. Overlooked any non running events (5,6). Not young enough for #8. I like #9 except for the 10 yr age groups & paper certificates in the 5k; skipped. Dont like #7 despite closest proximity due to horrific changes from when I first did it (eliminated chance to do both 5k & 10k plus no true award ceremony (impersonal line up, take & leave)). Since I attempted to do a double header, #4 wasnt possible.

First event-sandoway 5k

It was an extremely windy day for this inaugural 5k. With nothing to block the wind (on A1A), it was a challenge. Despite barely breaking 20, only the race winner was in front of me through the finish line. I couldnt partake in the festivities because I had to rush to get to the next event. I was lucky I got a finishers medal since I couldnt wait for my award; now I have to go through hell & high water to get it.

Second event-lungvity 5k

I actually found out about this one through Linda & was amazed she didnt show despite being within running distance of this event. Sadly, I encountered unexpected delays and arrived just in time to see them start; double header failed. I did partake in the post race here. I obviously left without hardware from this one.

Sunday agenda-race!

With a short list, choice was easier:

a. rnr TX
b. greater gator du
c. 13.1 ft lauderdale
d. miami man tri/du

Pass on events outside of FL; a. I like d. & b. but decided to return to my roots and do my long overdue long run. With the wind continueing to be strong, plus the bridge, I estimated the best I'd do would be 1:45. By the grace of God, I beat that by around 4 minutes. I was happy my dad did it as well, finishing his first of the season.

Afterwards, I visited d. and congradulated my teammates of escape on their 2nd place co-ed half iron win. It felt strange not cycling for the team.

Daylight savings weekend!

Daylight savings weekend is upon us! It autumn so we fall back and gain an hour; thank you, Lord.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the races on my schedule today:

1. rnr Savannah marathon & half
2. club med 5k/10k
3. royal Caribbean 5k cruise
4. cca 5k
5. fragile X 5k

Rule out any events outside of FL; 1 & 3. #2 was the furthest within the state; strike 2. I like #4 but decided on proximity so there you are.

Although this was the first time I heard about it, it was advertised as the 4th annual walk/run. Apart from the wind, external conditions were good (cool) but sadly, internally, I was not. I turned out to be fragile, resulting in an X in the overall win category; I had to settle for 2nd best by 20 odd # of seconds. Granted, the course was twisty & turny, but this race was winnable by me but I let it get by like the Dolphins did in so many games they couldve, shouldve, would've won but didn't. Fortunately, I didn't lose out on prize money as there were none plus the plaques top 3 & master) were of the same size; age groupers got medals. Considering the time, I was blessed to get that honor. Post race was nice, especially for kids. Well, you know I'm a big kid so I did the climb.

Sunday agenda-race!

A lot more to choose from but can only do one:

a. NYC marathon
b. muddy buddy LA
c. paint the towne 5k (daytona)
d. sun capital half/5k
e. saluting veterans 5k
f. dolphins cycling challenge

Once again, rule out any events outside of FL; a & b. Next, the furthest, c. Strike out non-running events-f. I planned on e. but Tom, of Boca run club, was able to convince me to return to d., ignoring proximity (2nd furthest on my list of FL events).

With a bad taste in my mouth from the previous race, I came with the intent to redeem myself. Despite warmer weather & rolling hill course (yesterday was totally flat), this came to fruition. By the grace of God, for the first time ever there, I got the master title! Even though I (and all but the overall winner) got smoked by a woman, I shaved off nearly a minute & made the top ten  (5th) overall; another plaque to my collection. Back was the 5 star post race section, with fresh pancakes. I decided to do a tack on workout with George, since he kept talking about doing longer runs, by repeating the 5k at a slower tempo pace. I gotta keep doing that more often if I don't fit in enough halves or long runs.

Halloween weekend

Halloween weekend is upon us! There were some tricks & some treats this weekend.

Saturday agenda-race!

The following events were on my radar:

1. Spooktacular 5k
2. safewalk 5k
3. miami beach Halloween half

Well, this was a tough selection because I been there, done those already. I really needed to do #3 but had a tough time there before. So I decided to go to the race where I have the best chance to place, ruling out #2.

I didn't do well (time wise), struggling as usual (trick) but did break 20 and by the grace of God, captured the last master slot (treat). Unusual, but 2 women got by me, bumping my overall position (trick), but I did take the last slot in the baker's dozen (treat).

Sunday agenda-race!

Many more events available this day:

a. rnr LA half
b. atlanta marathon
c. FL Halloween halfathon & 5k
d. race for the booty du/tri
e. FAU 5k
f. Halloween trail run (half/10/5k)
g. ironman 70.3 Miami

Due to finances, eliminate any race outside of FL (a,b). g struck for same reason plus no swimmer. I planned on d. but due to the inclement weather (a storm in the gulf), I decided against it (trick). besides, it was a long drive, like c., also skipped. I didn't want to risk injury, so I passed on f., eliminating all morning races (trick). I decided to train lightly (treat) on my inlines; only 2 miles.

Although I don't really care for night races, it beats the alternative. Even though still a far cry from where I need to be, the time was better than I have been doing lately, The weather felt nice (not so hot & humid) but was overcast & drizzling. Despite that, I had to settle for 2nd in age group (trick). I failed to even make the baker's dozen in this one but at least I made the podium (treat).