Valentine weekend

Valentine weekend is upon us! Valentine's day is on Tuesday but the weekend preceding will get glory.

Saturday agenda-race!

The following events were considered below:

1. human trafficking 5k
2. ocean dr 5k
3. walk for wishes 5k

#1 was the furthest while the remaining were in my county. I wanted to #2 (Bryan's race) but I had to pass due to:

1. logistics (proximity further from next destination)
2. time (8:30)
3. funds (entry fee & parking)

It was held at zoo Miami, the plus was i can get up normal time. however, the course was twisty, turny & there was wind. Luckily, the cloudiness kept it a bit cool. Even though I got beat by some woman who did a time I shouldve been able to do, by the grace of God, I still made the top ten & won my age group. I barely made it under 20. This was a good family event with free entry that day but couldn't partake in that due to my next event.

The most challenging part of the day occurred afterwards. I had to pick up Gene then head up to the expo. However, on the way up, I needed to pick up a friend (CM), fight traffic & pray to make the deadline to pick up our packets. Our prayers were answered, got 'em, then proceeded to hotel to check in. After that, time to eat then off to bed.

Sunday agenda-race!

On list of races to do:

a. st pete half
b. miles for meso 8k
c. run through central park 5k

I like b. (put on by a fellow NY'er) & normally do c. (put on by runner's depot, sponsor of the racing team) but I had already pre registered for a. last year.

This happened to be the coldest day (40) of the year! To add injury to insult, very windy, with chill factor feeling like low 30's. That's the external challenge. For some reason, I was extremely tight, therefore, I struggled throughout on a relatively flat course, barely breaking 1:44. However, mission accomplished; I got the finishers medal for the inaugural half in st pete.

Once again, the most challenging part occurred afterwards. I had to find package area, get my bag, change, then locate bus to get back to the start where my baby was waiting for us over 2 hours. Im so proud of her because she couldve easily stayed in, warm under the covers & gotten a great comp breakfast but chose to brave the weather to support me. We navigated back, searched for parking, then a long walk to the concert, starring Flo Rida! we missed a chunk but caught most & we all had a great time. Post race otherwise was average at best. Medal was nice.

After dropping her off, & him, I closed out the evening with a Heat victory; sweet! Happy Valentines!

Super bowl XLVI weekend!

Super bowl XLVI weekend! Before I watch that, I have my own line up of super events. The tradition began when I was born, so my USAT age matches that of the biggest game in sports.

Saturday agenda-race!

This weekend is super because I have the chance to be involved in 2 events on the same day!

Below are the following events up for consideration today:

a. 2nd Annual Sari Center 5K
b.  PHF Walk / Run 4 Heart 5K
c. walk for wishes 5k

Race 1- PHF Walk / Run 4 Heart 5K

This was my first time doing this one &  the first time I remember running a race on the other side of tradewinds (west of sample). Therefore, the course was totally foreign. To both my surprise & dismay, there was a better turnout than expected (higher quality, lower quantity). I failed to break 19 but at least I was in the low range. I was fortunate to make the dirty dozen but didn't win my age group (2nd). I found this out after the fact because I had to leave immediately to go to the next race.

Race 2-walk for wishes 5k

By the grace of God, I made it in time to begin this race; this was partly due to a later start. Unfortunately, it was much hotter & more humid, coupled with the fact that I ran. I got my worst 5k time of the year, a personal worst. Remarkably, I won my age group & made the top ten (high quantity, low quality) despite that.

Sunday agenda-race!

Below are the following events up for consideration this day:

1. tybee run fest (GA)
2. Melbourne & beaches music marathon (& half)
3. dade city half marathon
4. butterfly 5k

Rule out any race outside of FL (strike 1). I'm in the distance race season, so I pass on the latter; also, that race is too challenging for me (age cat). I chose #2 over #3 because of the relay option.

I used Mike K, normally for the run in a tri, as the anchor for this team. I was afraid it was gonna be windy, like it was yesterday but praise the Lord, it subsided. On top of that, it was cloudy all day keeping the temperature at a nice cool level. I had a fast start but declined rapidly. Fortunately, I was still within a decent pace til I hit the bridge. I did what I could going up then opened up a bit on the descent. I passed off to him then waited for the bus. I was on it but I didn't leave for quite a while. I got thirty & stepped off for a moment to get a drink but when I turned around, it was gone! That guy left me on purpose so I had to stand in wet clothes twice as long; next time, I bring dry clothes! When I finally got back, my buddy told me he was in a heated battle near the end to help pull off our victory. Much like the super bowl it was close but we came out on top just like the Giants.

The post race was awesome, 5 star, with both pancakes & pizza among the usual items. We got nice awards for being the overall relay winners. We also had the honor of helping Sonia, the overall female winner, get back 'home', to her hotel. It was truly a super weekend.

Afterward, toward the evening, time to watch the super bowl & the commercials.

In conclusion, my struggles continue but I refuse to retire. God is good as I still find my way to the podium.