Out with the old '11

Out with the old '11

This is the final day of this year, 2011. Kinda glad to see it go in many ways. Time to recap the year with Conan Obrien's top ten (not necessarily in order), Clint Eastwood style. *=Many are the same as last year. + is positive, - is negative (still bad).

The good:
10. I am still alive. +
9. Still a member of Runner's Depot! +
8. I finally broke a year long drought by squeaking under 19 in the S. FL fair 5k today!
7. Got 2 overall victories plus successfully defended elite series 5k title.
6. Thanks to Berta, I was involved in the inaugural 'key to key' ragnar relay, 196 miles!
5. The beauty (Rachelle) & a beast (me) were 2nd overall team at princess half.
4. Do Tri Harder wins Broward Championship Series
3. I completed 7 halves + 1 half relay within the 1st quarter of the year.
2. Florida Fleet Elite relay team successfully defends overall Trilogy duathlon title. +
1. I formed a 1 time du team @ race the troops where Julie ran the 1st leg & I did the rest; we won!

The bad:
10. Car problems.
9. Prior to today, even though I got a personal best 19:09 of the year at memorial 5k, I did not place.
8. I had to settle for 2nd overall a few times in some races that were winnable.
7. Linda AD, I remain a victim of false promises & other emotional games -.
6. Recession (yes, they say it's getting better, but I don't notice it personally yet). -
5. Struggles to get under 19 in races, worse, to stay under 20 -.
4. Injuries and other set backs -.
3. 1st year I did not do any marathon (less the black out year).
2. Got sick during final relay of the year.
1. Cant get any sleep (parties & celebrations). -

The Ugly:
10. Miami Dolphins seasons end without playoffs -.
9. Extreme difficulty forming teams as a team captain -.
8. My last relay team was first time I ever failed a team by not completing my leg, due to illness.
7. No raises, office closures. -
6. Credit card debt. -
5. Lost master title to Leo due to injured that occurred half mile into race.
4. Began late in veterans day race (mistimed after using restroom). 
3. Lost (didn't place) in at least 2 races.
2. Failed to break 2 hours in a half (13.1 NY).
1. Despite having the big 3 (LeBron James, Dwayne Wayne & Chris Bosh), Miami heat lose NBA championship!

Happy new year! See you next year.

Merry Christmas 2011!

Merry Christmas 2011! However, I do have the Christmas blues as there were no races scheduled for this weekend; boo hoo.

Friday agenda-roll

I decided to pull out my roller blades on a rare day off & do 12 miles.

Saturday agenda-ride

I joined the Elite ride but got dropped going toward Virginia key (about half the total group ride). why? I decided at last minute & used my steel training bike without optimal air in tires plus it was windy. I returned back to store solo.

Sunday agenda-run

Merry Christmas ! I ran from home through the park (L & P, site of Miami man) and back. Felt tight & sluggish so it took over an hour even though way less than a 15k. Day started off terrible because:

1. net down
2. ear plugs went bad mile into run
3. internal & external (wind & humidity)

However, there were bright spots to the weekend. Saw family (in town) yesterday, friends today. One was a Christmas breakfast while the other a night time affair.

Triple header finale!

Triple header finale! This is last time I can cram a lot of races this year.

Saturday agenda-race!

A plethora of races:

1. Florida half marathon (+5 & 10k)
2. Marco island 5 mile hill run
3. classics by the sea
4. river run
5. n creek explorer 5k
6. turn on the light 5k

By remaining in my normal tri county area, #1 & 2 were automatically ruled out. Next, I cut out the furthest left (#3) even though I been there, done that. Don't remember why but I selected the last one.

Morning agenda-turn on the light 5k

This was part 1 of a double header. To make a long story short, I couldn't hang so I had to settle for 2nd best master. By the grace of God, I still made the top ten despite barely breaking 20.

Evening agenda- n creek explorer 5k

This caps off the day in terms of races. Unfortunately, the race prior with the wait for this one hindered my performance somewhat as reflected with the time. Praise the Lord, I was able to win my age group but failed to make the top ten. Consolation prize-made the dirty dozen. The post race was excellent.

Afterwards, there was a bonus: the holiday pajama party (the bernards).

Sunday agenda-race!

With half the amount, the choice was simpler:

a. parkland 5 mile holiday run
b. trail run (half/10/5 k)
c. jcc 5k

Did enough distance, so a. is out. I want to race traditionally also, ruling out b. This one is a candidate for the Clint Eastwood sytle synopsis:;

The good-won age group, top ten win
The bad- barely broke 20 (however, best of weekend)
The ugly- got beat by 2 runners I couldve, shouldve wouldve. injury 1st mile cost me the master title.

D C M bray!

D C M bray! That's how you pronounce December in Spanish.

Saturday agenda-race!

Since I not only didn't qualify for the 2011 USATF national Jr Olympic cross country championships, I couldn't afford to go since its in SC. I only found 1 race, so its a wonderful run 5k wins!

This race was far enough, being in Boca. I was surprised by a cameo appearance from Linda, who signed up literally at last moment on race day & finished (as I expected). Meanwhile, this was my first race since my nightmare of a weekend last week. This was a rare time that I accepted not breaking 20 & actually be happy; got the monkey off my back. Despite the poor time, it was better than last week's 5k and good enough for a top ten finish.  However, I had to settle for age group because of that. George won his age group as well. Speaking of George, Linda came up with the idea for us to honor his birthday (couple of days back) after the race; great job. That's a quality I like.

We got glass for our efforts. The post race could be considered a 5 star due to hot breakfast but was small. I remember the venue but not the name of this event from the past.

Sunday agenda-race!

Found a few distance races:

1. Florida holiday halfathon
2. run for tomorrow half & 5k
3. rnr latin music half

To make a long story short, I stayed close to home. Speaking of surprises, my dad showed up to race with me. Rule out #1, we usually do #2 but couldn't turn down, not only an inaugural race, but one close to home; #3.

I used this event as a training & recovery run, which means the dismal performance displayed was acceptable as long as I finish & claim the medal for this accomplishment. Of course, I had a self imposed 2 hour time limit. I barely met that minimum standard but was please to bounce back from last week's failed showing. Afterwards, I enjoyed the live concert featuring pit bull.

Diasaster!

Disaster! that describes the weekend to the tee.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the events considered:

1. reggae marathon
2. Savannah river bridge run
3. spartan sprint
4. jingle bell jog 5k
5. steps for healing 5k
6. trikw

Keeping with the current trend, the furthest were automatically eliminated; 1 & 2. Without a swimmer, strike #7. With a relay looming, I can't chance an adventure race as a tune up. Last year, I got cremated at #4, despite the best time of the year! Therefore, I gave #5 a chance.

Praise the Lord! I made the right decision. Despite a dismal time, I made the top ten and won the master title! I struggled tremendously with the high winds. Plus, it wasn't exactly cool.

Sunday agenda-race!

more events to choose from:

a. rnr las Vegas
b. brandon half/5k
c. muddy buddy championship
d. palm beach marathon
e. inlet challenge bike ride
f. trail run (half/10k/5k)
g. 25.75 tri

Still keeping with the current trend, the furthest were automatically eliminated; a,b,c. no swimmer, no tri; last 1 out. race over rides & fun runs takes out e. i chose a tradition distance over the trail one.

I put together a good team & called it OMG, anticipating a win even though i had to use 2 other guys.

leg 1- Mike Kelly, runner of the 2011 BCS triathlon team i set up
leg 3-Sandy, rookie to relays, qualified by beating me for a win in a race; said endurance racing was specialty
anchor-veteran teammate Gene

Although injured, Mike had us in the lead. I kept us there until past mile 9, after that I don't know what happened. I surcame to a medical mishap (OMG!) & failed to deliver for team (make relay point) for the first time in history. OMG turned out to be a negative surprise.

All were good sports & the remaining 2 continued without my presence after getting the chip from me at the tent. We actually still made the podium because of their efforts. I apologize for letting the team down. Lord, I pray this never happens again.

Thanksgiving weekend

Thanksgiving weekend is upon us! 4 days away from the daily grind; yay!

Today's agenda-turkey trot.

Most races on this day are called turkey trots. However, there are some who stray away from the norm. Too many to list so I shall name those I have done before or considered before my report of the day.

1. get up, gather & groove 5k (Melbourne)
2. run for the pies 4 miler
3.jcc turkey trot 5k
4. tamarac turkey trot 5k
5. ft lauderdale turkey trot 5k
6. run Miami turkey trot 10k/5k

I was lazy this year so I passed on all races outside my county, despite #5 being an inaugural. #6=been there, done that, as the one I did, but my chances were better.

Think I'll give the Clint Eastwood style synopsis:

The good: I won the master title & top 10.
The bad: 8 am race delayed 15 minutes (hot & humid), only got a medal
The ugly: forfeited 4 positions due to lack of signage, also resulting in a horrific time.

Friday's agenda-black Friday

The calm between the storm, race speaking. Many began on thanksgiving but called it black Friday; hmmmm. I did get caught up in the madness. Hey, it's tradition!

Saturday's agenda-race!

I had 2 choices(ruling out th USATF jr Olympic regional championship): dreams & visions 5k @ markham or voice of love 5k in Miami lakes; I chose the latter-proximity. I don't usually pass on inaugurals but I was worn out from the past 2 days and elected not to drive so much. Besides, the next day, a tried & true race will be at the same site.

This victory was due to the running Gods (I say it in plural but there is only 1). I worked my way to 4th halfway through the race. By mile 2, some young jock burned out, advancing me to 3. In the final mile, the 2nd overall guy hunched over 3 times in pain; the 3rd was the charm. I took his slot til the end. Due to a short course, my time, although done in the past glory days, was way better than I've been running lately. Keep in mind, you cant run faster on grass with rolling hills than a hard, flat surface. Thank you Lord as this was my 4th 2nd overall finish within this month, a new PB.

Sunday's agenda-race!

More choices:

1. space coast half/full marathon
2. Sarasota half
3. posnac sprint to the finish 5k

I passed on the endurance events & decided to remain closer to home. By the grace of God, I finished with a decent time (this year's standard) & made the top ten (5th). Even though I was the 2nd fastest master, I was relegated to top in age class since not offered. This event closes out the month for racing. To make up mileage, I did a 2 mile tack on run with George.

Monday's agenda-eShop?

Yep. Cyber Monday! The high tech version of black Friday. I passed on that.