April showers!

April showers were evident this weekend!

Thursday agenda-corporate run

This day was my dad's birthday. We did an event on a weekday. I don't consider this as a race due to the sheer number of people & my position within the crowd. Thanks to Shannon, my dad & I were on a team & a paced with her. She was the fastest on the team.

Saturday agenda-race!

I considered the following:

1. meek and mighty (st Anthony's)
2. rayz awareness 5k (ormond bch)
3. fit 2 run 4 miler
4. dash & splash 5k
5. miccosukee 3 mile
6. run to remember 5k
7. doral 5k

I passed on the 1st 2 + #5=out of normal tri-county area. I'm doing a half so no more than a 5k as a tune up; #3 out. The latter was closest in proximity but I already committed to #6.

I drove up while it was drizzling & some came down prior to the start. The Lord was kind to shut it off throughout the race. The overcast sky kept the heat down. I made the right choice but had to work hard. In the final stretch, I got past a master competitor to win the title! That broke a long drought. On top of that, the time was decent. Trophies to the top 3 (Runners depot got top 2) overall and masters, the rest medals.

Sunday agenda-race!

I considered the following:

a. rnr half (TN)
b. st Anthony's tri
c. aef 5k
d. us military 5k
e. jcc monterra5k
f. kb half

I passed on the 1st 2=out of normal tri-county area. I picked the latter because it's an inaugural, eliminating the rest.

I drove up while it was drizzling & some came down prior to the start. Unlike yesterday, that and the winds continued throughout the race. I prepared for a 7 am start so when I got there 15 minutes prior, I was caught off guard when a race official said, 'go'! I found out later, that it was actually delayed 15 minutes! I paced with john garrido till over the bridge, got by Lisa dorfman (temporarily) & paced with lady group till mile 10, where I fell off pace. My goal was 1:45, considering the course and conditions. I used the iRun pacers to assist me. The 1:45 group was the yellow line & the 1:50 group was the red line. By the grace of God, I remained above the yellow line, barely and finished nearby Lisa. With no clocks, I didn't know how I was doing, even after the finish. The finish accomplished the ultimate goal. Later on, I found out I finished within my goal.

Earth day weekend

Earth day weekend is upon us!

Friday agenda-runway 5k

Yes, I found a rare event! I did the one once before but had to get permission from the boss to take off time to do it. She declined but granted 2 hour leeway. I was fortunate enough to place third despite being in the outrageous age group of 30 & over. A friend picked up my medal because I had to take off immediately. This time, I'm on vacation so I could stay for the festivities. To my dismay, I didn't make it (4th), therefore no hardware. It was extremely hot & humid, late start (8).

Saturday agenda-race

The following were up for consideration:

1. African aid 5k (ft Myers)
2. stomp out child abuse (pt st lucie)
3. 7 mile bridge
4. spring training du/tri
5. 1040k  5k
6. docs dean's walk/run

#3 automatically out because I didn't try to get in it*. #2 & #3 out of tri-county area, so I pass. #4 no swimmer, du possible but not cost effective. #6=fun run; out whenever I can race. My selection was #5.

I was awaken by thunder & lightning while with a friend. Considering I had not committed to any of the above & the fact I'd have to pay the race day rate, I made the rare decision not to race! Can you believe that? My safety & mitigation of some financial damage overruled. Did light training on treadmill.
* Found out after the fact this race was cancelled due to the inclement weather. #4 had the 2 loop bike course reduced to 1.

Sunday agenda-race!

Happy earth day! Found only 2, shingle creek adventure challenge (team required) in kissimmee or sprint for the cure (magic bullet) 5k; the latter won out (proximity rules).

Weather cleared up in time for the run. The external conditions were some heat & humidity. I saw the sun for the first time since Friday! It's more the internal conditions that 'killed' me. I felt tired & tight so I struggled with my heavy legs throughout. Even though I failed to break 20, by the grace of God, I made the dirty dozen & the podium. The top 3 & master got beautiful glass trophies; the rest of us, generic medals. The post race was 5 star with pancakes & eggs for me, sausage for others. A couple of hours later, no more clear sky, it began to rain again!

Mid month crisis (April)

Mid month crisis (April) has come again. Traditionally, this is tax day, a crisis in itself. Since it fell on a weekend, they (IRS) moved the official file date to Tuesday, the 17th. Meanwhile, my crisis continues, still not breaking 19 plus struggling to stay under 20!

Sunday agenda-race?

Not! No one stepped up to the plate to swim so I am literally grounded. Had 1 who led me on till Thursday before I realized the hard way, this ain't gonna happen. Therefore, I was forced to train in lieu of racing. Yet another crisis. The only other event was not in Florida (Austin 10/20). Did i mention that I just barely got my taxes done?

Monday agenda-Boston marathon

I'm not gonna be there tomorrow but I can say I been there, done that within my athletic career. Good luck everybody & happy patriot's day. Heard there's gonna be record heat.

Birthday weekend!

My Birthday weekend is here! Happy to get through Friday, the 13th (a little rough at the office) first, although shades of yesterday crept into the weekend. Today, I advance from freshman to sophomore but still stuck in my toughest age group ever.

Saturday agenda-race!

Seems like race organizers only thought of today for racing. Here what I considered:

1. roar through Ybor
2. Tarzan cup
3. Rooney's 5k
4. kids in distress 5k
5. 5k walk/run for asthma (fun run)

#1 is too far, #2 is an adventure race and #5 was a fun run, so I skipped those. Passed on #4 because I remember having so much fun at #3.

It was the 5th anniversary of this event. I left about 5 am to make the nearly 2 hour drive up there. It felt cool but was very windy. I felt the past 3 days & that has affected me & my training. I felt very tired but I forced myself to race, especially since it's the only one I can find to do as an individual. Last year, I beat the bunny but don't remember that being a big deal. This year, it was basically the only highlight and was tough as hell to do. We kept trading places but slipped in front in the .1 to be the last one to beat the bunny (2 seconds). Mind you, it was under 20 minutes! I finished 5th, with a time that was good enough for 3rd in the previous age group; no glass for me, boo hoo! Manipulating numbers (my finishing time) like my bro, 1-9+4-1=-5, my position in the age group. aren't ya'll proud of me? Lucky or not, 5 was  my number. Oh yeah, April, fourteen (1+4=5)!

Easter weekend!

Easter weekend is upon us !

Saturday agenda-race!

Seems like everybody tried to cram races today before the big day (Easter):

1. 10th Annual Run Like a Bunny
2. Mote Run for the Turtles
3. Women For Women 5K / 10K
4. butterfly 5k
5. sun smart 5k
6. egg hunt du/tri
7. alpheus 'hawk' finlayson 5k/10k (Bahamas)

#3 (women only) & #7 (out of FL) automatically out! #1 is too tough for me, especially in my current race shape. I like #4 & #6 but opted to save gas and stay closer to home, bypassing also #2.

I was here last year & remember doing good enough to squeak into the masters to get a nice plaque. This year was different. I had to deal with hot, humid & windy weather while battling against the return of an old rival. It used to be easy to beat him back then but this time I had to fight hard, doing a PR for the year to get past him in the last stretch. I did similar to last year but everybody got medals (they got cheap). I made the dirty dozen, top ten if the overall female is excluded.

Sunday agenda-Easter!

First, thank you Lord for giving us the ultimate gift, your only begotten son, to save us from ourselves. They tried to put him down, but he came back (resurrected) despite all odds! Don't know how a bunny or eggs got involved in our most holy holiday but it is what it is. My interpretation is that the eggs represent Christ, as you have to find them!

After the race yesterday, I got a severe headache & stomach ache so I had to squander the rest of the day suffering. This continued this day, so I had to cancel my long distance ride or even skate & forced out a 10k hood run. It was my first time doing it even though I always wanted to.

Transition weekend (spring)

Transition weekend (spring) is upon us!

Thursday agenda-run like a fool 5k

Yesterday was a rarity. Corporate run & run like a fool 5k. I am still not ready for the major league so the latter was a good choice. The challenge was getting to the race more than the race itself. I left normal time from my job near zoo Miami to get to west boca raton before the race starts 6:30. Remember, I have to park, pick up packet & prep before I can run. Unfortunately for me, it was hot & humid plus I was tired (no rest). I had worked all day, jumped into vehicle fighting traffic for an hour before the aforementioned. Needless to say, I had my worst 5k time of the year. By the grace of God, I still made the top ten & podium. To add insult to injury, I was 2nd with the 2 toughest age groups combined (40-49), whereas I would've been 1st under normal categories. I took my medal & headed home as quickly as possible (I have to open at work).

Today (Friday) is my brother's birthday. He catches up to me for about 2 weeks before I pull away to be older again.

Saturday agenda-race!

I found a bunch this day:

1. race for woman's wellness
2. barefoot on the beach
3. food allergy 5k
4. Daniel's dash 5k
5. seafarers 5k

Gonna have to expound in an interest manner. After the number following this sentence will be my appropriate response:

1. I enjoy this race but conflicts with my choice this year.
2. Also enjoyed this race but conflicts with my choice this year.
3. I don't remember if I did this race but conflicts with my choice this year.
4. I was encouraged to this race so it is my choice this year.
5. I missed this one last as an inaugural because I was out of the state (13.1 NY); my evening race.

Morning agenda-Daniels dash 5k

Hot & humid & I think windy day. Very sad because due to my internal conditions, I didn't beat people I usually beat, forfeiting was should have been an overall win. I'll break it down Clint Eastwood style:

The good:  won age group, top ten (ironically, the same overall position as the previous race, 6th)
The bad: failed to break 20, got passed by the master winner in the final mile
The ugly: pay back is a bitch! Allan was the one I beat 4 years ago to win overall, at the same park, as a member of runner' depot racing team and my first day & race as such. No one broke 19 so it was mine to take & I failed. I even lost the consolation prize of master. Had to settle for a medal.

Evening agenda-seafarers 5k

Still disponded from previous races, I came up with hope to improve. Well, it was hotter, more humid and even more wind! Can you believe lightning struck 3 times within 3 days? Yep, same results as the morning only a bit slower; more turns! It was a very interesting course at the port. Post race was great if you're a meat eater.

Sunday agenda-race!

Many to choose from:

a. pill box 5k
b. Gumbo Limbo 10k
c. Rugged Runner Challenge
d. Swamp Stomp 5K
e. nautica tri

I passed on the strange sounding events, plus I'm still struggling with 5k's so I am not ready for b. With acquisition of a swimmer & runner, I returned to e.

External conditions were tough so the swimmer had a tough time. I fought hard with the wind but had more trouble with so many beginners & blockers slowing me down. Then, it was time to hand off to my runner, who has been battling injury & workout complacency (2 week vacation just a week prior to this event). Sadly, we didn't place. Whether or not I did well on the bike is as relevant as Dwayne Wade scoring 30+ points but the team loses. We weren't too shabby-5th out 59 in our category, 9th out of 1401 total, top ten no matter how you look at it. Better luck next time.

Vernal equinox (spring)!

Vernal equinox (spring) is here !

Saturday agenda-race!

There are a plethora of events today:

1. 13.1 NY
2. dances with dirt
3. race for research half
4. get your rear in gear 5k
5. palm 100
6. riverwalk run
7. 5k race to end homelessness

#1=out of state; strike 1. #2=adventure race; strike 2. I was not invited onto an ultra team (#5) plus been there, done that; strike 3. I like #6, which features both a 5k & a 5 miler but also been there, done that. I haven't done #4 nor #7 but chose to do 1 more distance event to set a new record: competing in ten half marathons within first quarter of a year, 2 were relays (partial distance).

The external conditions were good (cool) but not my internal conditions. When the dust cleared, I suffered symptoms of plantar fashitis & was limping all day thereafter. It was an o.k. time that would've been better had it not been for a fat volunteer who seemingly stopped in front of me on purpose, breaking my stride. From that point (about mile 11), I was unable to recover & went downhill from there. This race was not on my schedule so I did good considering I didn't prepare for it.

Sunday agenda-race!

A few to choose from:

a. rnr Dallas
b. Kendra's kisses 5k
c. i run to stop ms

You can automatically rule out a.; out of state. I like both b. & c. but opted for the latter due to proximity. Considering injury & tightness from yesterday, I was hoping to get lucky placing 3rd with just under a 21. Well, God works miracles. Despite the odds stacked against me, I finished under 20, won my age group and made the top ten! Unfortunately for me, I couldve won the race at my best (back in the day), masters at my race condition a couple of years ago. I strive to return to that.

St patrick weekend

St Patrick weekend is upon us.

Saturday agenda-race!

These events were on my radar:

0. Jerusalem international marathon (Friday)
1. rnr marathon (& half) DC
2. eco-safari adventure race (Melbourne)
3. march for cancer 5k
4. romp through pinecrest

Today is the day the Irish celebrate, especially with a lot of drinking. Maybe I shouldve kissed the blarney stone because I didn't get much luck from a 4 leaf clover. Definitely didn't do 0 because its out of the country. Skipped #1 (out of state) and #2 (not within my normal tri county area) due to rising gas prices. Thought about #3 but decided to stay within my county, plus very close to home; #4 wins.

This was my return to a race I won last year when it was an inaugural. Unfortunately this year, I have many set backs, largely injury & decreasing speed (getting slower). Both the internal and external (heat & humidity) conditions. I needed good luck but didn't really get it, as I barely made the top ten, got beat by Keith and failed to win my age group in the process. It was by the Grace of God I even saw the podium. At least I broke 20 was my only claim to fame.

Sunday agenda-race!

More events to choose from:

a. Georgia marathon & half
b. fountain of youth 5k (n port)
c. shamrock classic 5k/10k (Brandon)
d. Shula run for ovarian cancer 5k
e. broward blue run
f. fiu triathlon

 Skipped a. (out of state) plus b. & c. (not within my normal tri county area), also due to rising gas prices. I definitely considered d. and e. because I am a runner but decided on the latter because its an inaugural event.

This is my first tri relay of the year. I got a 'new' swimmer in Mauricio and an 'old' runner, Alan W; I say that since he's competed with me before. Had a shaky start before the race due to the inexperience of the 'crew' but finally, it was a go. Our team was 'tri (ing) 2 win'! When the dust cleared, we posted record times and were the overall winning team.This could be interpreted as good luck but I'll say it was a blessing.