Spring forward!

Spring forward! Daylight saving time is this weekend!

Saturday agenda-race!

I needed a tune up but this is what I had to consider:

1. brain tumor 5k (CA)
2. shamrock walk & run (winter haven)
3. savage race (adventure)
4. st Patrick's 4 miler

You can automatically rule out #1. #2 is quite far but at least in FL. I will normally choose a more normal race rather than an adventure one, so #4 wins!

Not my distance so I tried my best. It was hot & humid so struggle, I did. Despite being way off pace, by the grace of God, I won my age group! I loved the st paddy theme, including the awards.

Sunday agenda-race!

Although I like all of the following events, I could only choose 1:

a. Sarasota half
b. cooper city Richardson 5k
c. 25.75 triathlon

With lack of a swimmer, c. is out. I love b. but I am still in the endurance stage of my season. Therefore, a. wins!

I had an ulterior motive. I wanted to complete the Florida 4 series (special medal for that) without doing the full distance. This means I had to get a partner (Mike) to do the relay. Last year, Gene & I won the top title with me as the anchor (longer distance) but since only 1 glass award was given for the team, I let him hold it (he claims I have too many awards anyway). When the dust cleared, similar results & outcome but role reversal for me. Therefore, once again, I go home with nothing but a finishers medal. I enjoyed the free meal afforded race winners. If I get somebody else next year, probably have the same situation.

March madness

March madness is near in NCAA basketball but begins for me now!

Saturday agenda-race!

These are on my radar:

1. gasparilla distance classic (day 1)
2. run for the health of it 5k
3. march for hunger 5k
4. run for compassion 5k

Normally, I would've taken #1 because of the many challenges. day 1= 15k followed by 5k, day 2=half then 8k (previously, i did a full, the ultimate challenge); not this year. Instead, I chose to do a double header, ruling ot #2. I need a tune up run but got 2 and both were supporting good causes.

race 1: march for hunger 5k

This began 7:30 & was held at the Hollywood broadwalk. Wind conditions were horrific on the turn around, therefore I failed to break 20. I was blessed to make the top ten & win age group; I found out after the fact since I had to leave immediately to get to the next event.

race 2:  run for compassion 5k

This began after 9 in a state park but was held on the beach. That's right, I had to run on the sand, mostly soft. This was a total surprise & was the last thing I wanted to deal with. It started going south (opposite of the previous race) against the wind. Once I hit harder surface & with the wind, I advanced from like 20th to finish 3rd overall. Unfortunately, no such title was given so I had to settle for yet another age group win.

Sunday agenda-race!

This is my selection for this day:

a. gasparilla distance classic (day 2)
b. rnr new Orleans
c. hooters to hooters half
d. autism speaks 5k
e. family fitness 5k
f. 13.1 Miami beach

Rule out any out of state (b.). If I pass on day 1, I usually pass on day 2; a. is out. My dad & I got cheated out at c., so no long distance loss anytime soon again. I want to got for the big 3 again so the remaining 5ks are out, leaving the last event.

I knew I'd struggle with f. but didn't realize to what extent until the dust cleared. It was extremely hot, humid & windy, all of which I despise. On top of that, it was the most challenging course, with 5 bridges! I posted my worst time of the year here but got the distinction I sought upon completion. Oh, by the way, my dad did too; congrats, pops!

Feh brer oh!

Feh brer oh! That's Spanish for February. This weekend is the last for the shortest month of the year & black history month. By the way, Hispanics were given one of the longest months.

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I had on my list for a tune up race:

1. brevard autism coalition 5k (brevard)
2. race for faith
3. panthers 5k run
4. 5k for a better day

I didn't feel like travelling longer than I had for my ex-girlfriend back in the day, ruling out the first 2. Unfortunately, I couldn't do both of the remaining, so I picked the one that logistically made sense. My next event was close to the east so #4 won.

Although I ran my best, I fell short of breaking 20 & didn't make the top ten. However, I did make the dirty dozen & take a master title (3rd). This served as a tune up for the main event the next day.

Sunday agenda-race!

I was aware of these events listed below:

a. Disney princess half
b. stand among friends 5k
c. spartan race
d. carnaval Miami 5k/10k

c. is an adventure type race, which cant overrule a standard one. Definitely not d. because only the overall winners get an award. I may have done b. but opted to repeat in a team at a.

I had to get a new partner since the one I had last year was non responsive. Amazingly, it was her first race at Disney. This was only my second time a relay in the event catered to women. Many may knock me for doing it at all but if you think clearly, wouldn't it be a real man's dream to be surrounded by thousands of women?

Except for wind, the weather was great. When the dust cleared, we posted descent times. I had my best time of the year (far short of my PB) despite foot problems and delays (had to past hundreds of slower runners), while she got her personal best, only a minute behind me. I never got to see her since she was in corral A, which began 15 minutes prior to the best corral position allowed for men, C. We missed the podium by 1 slot (4th place) but still had a blast.

President's weekend

President's weekend is upon us! Rather than give Abraham Lincoln is props, 1 day was set aside to incorporate him & George Washington, which will be this coming Monday.

Saturday agenda-race!

Out of about 20 races in Florida, these are the following races under consideration:

1. healthy choice 5k
2. run of the meadow 5k/10k
3. walk for wishes 5k
4. together we see eye run 5k

Of those options, the Lord made it possible to compete in a double header.

Morning agenda-walk for wishes 5k

It was back to zoo Miami for yet another one. I did what I could but barely broke 20. Can you believe I was 3rd overall but fell to age group? Sadly, the one between the race winner & I was a master, therefore claiming that title. With only one overall & master, I had to settle. However, I don't know what I got for an award, maybe a generic medal. Couldn't stay for the post race so I cant elaborate on it.

Evening agenda-together we see eye run 5k

I'm not fond of night races but am of multiple events in a single day. Therefore, I took the challenge. Unfortunately, I was unusually tight & tired (morning run?). The top 15 finishers were to qualify to run another race at night, maybe on a weekday. Sadly, I fell short by 2 slots and shorter, failed to break 20.  Despite a worse time & position, I got a better award-trophy!

Sunday agenda-race!

I already predetermined to run the half but these events were scheduled on this day as well:

a. rnr Pasadena half
b. destin 50 beach ultra
c. A1A half/full marathon
d. tribute to the military

You can automatically rule out any out of FL race; a. Considering all my struggles, I'm not ready for an ultra; strike b. I like d. but need to do more distance running, especially during the season so c. wins!

To my dismay, I struggled miserably, logging in my worst time of the year. The wind & humidity was a bit too much, along with a problem with my foot. Also, I felt a bit tight & tired before I even started. Despite that, mission accomplished (got my medal) & yet another completed in the first quarter of the year.

Monday agenda-holiday

Happy President's day! Many, like me, had to work so I almost forgot.