trick or treat?

trick or treat? Halloween falls on Tuesday following this weekend. With so many events (treats), the trick is figuring out which ones to do.

A treat was an event on Friday, dade county sports foundation 1 mile CC; trick is that I had to miss that.

Saturday agenda-race!

It's like a runner's dream (treat) with so many to pick from, but also a nightmare (treat) since conflicts force you to limit to 1 (2 if an evening event):

1. spartan Midwest super (IL)
2. 13.1 Dallas
3. Jason's run 5k
4. making democracy run 5k
5. every boob counts 5k
6. safe walk-run 5k
7. YMCA 5k
8. spooktacular 5k
9. Miami beach Halloween half

There was at least 1 event in the tri county area, probably something in the keys as well. Therefore I could easily rule out the first 2 and #4. #3 was considered since I could do a double header but I passed due to distance and turn of events for the next day. #5 was the furthest of the tri county events listed above; strike 2. The latter was ruled out for 2 reasons: #1- course, #2- will be racing in Miami beach 3 weeks from now, don't need or like to be there that much (parking). #6 put on by dr Sam, great person & cause but would cost me the most to race (furthest in broward). I like #8 but chose #7 because I never did it before.

This race is best summed up Clint Eastwood style:

The good (treat): podium (1 ag), cool weather (almost wore long sleeve)
The bad: windy (trick), medal ((treat) missed 3 oa will time I could've done in the past)
The ugly (trick): no master title, time (cost me trophy)

Chris O & Spencer W took the top slots at the race, I would've taken the master if it were offered. Due to poor signage, I went off course slightly near the end. Fortunate to have a big enough lead and not get disqualified.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not as many but still plenty of events:

a. Oceanside half (Jensen)
b. wellington ten miler (& 5k)
c. running scared 5k
d. Halloween 5k
e. ironman 70.3 Miami
f. gables bike day

Found out about the former at last moment but would've passed due to distance. I already did a ten miler, so I pass on b. As far as c., it is part of fiu series, in which the 1st one was cancelled and the second moved without proper notice (I came on scheduled day but found out the hard way), therefore I did not want to risk a third disappointment. Forced to pass on e. since I don't swim. I planned on the latter but after doing d., a bit of rest and early voting, no time for it.

I pre registered for another event but it got moved due to fear of the hurricane Sandy that past us. Therefore, I had to pick an event at the last moment and pay top dollar. Unfortunately, you get ripped off when that happens. I was considered lucky to get a tshirt but denied a swag bag (trick), which means, once again, I paid more to get less; bummer. I sought to get 'revenge' for my dismal performance yesterday. To my dismay, this was a high quantity, high quality race, which will demand my A game. Except for the wind, weather was cool (not as much as the last race though). This was an inaugural event, partly why I picked it. Most of the race was in the dolphin mall parking lot but the last 3/4 was within the mall, very unique (treat).

The good (treat): podium (1 ag), cool weather, finishers medal, improved over last race over a minute
The bad: windy (trick), twisty course (trick), medal
The ugly (trick): time still not up to par, cost me master title won with time I used to beat

Octoberfest!

Octoberfest! Dubbed such just by the shear number of races.

Saturday agenda-race!

I found a whole bunch of events today:

1. ghostly gecko 5k
2. doggie bones 5k
3. schott 5k
4. race for the cure 5k
5. Haiti at zoo Miami 5k

I passed on the first 2 since I found events on my coast. #4 starts too late & no real age categories. I originally planned on the latter but decided on #3 since I don't remember ever doing it before.

The weather was better than it has been lately, much cooler & drier. However, so was the competition (better). Considering my struggles and the great showing of teams, mine-runner's depot and the other-run wild, I faired well. The overall winner was from our team, beating out the best of theirs, who came barrelling from behind.

My experience, Clint Eastwood style:

The good: 3 ag, 5 star breakfast
The bad: barely broke 20
The ugly: medal, got past by a little girl

Sunday agenda-race!

I found some more events this day:

a. run on the beach half/10k
b. rocktoberfest 10 miler
c. sarcoma 5k
d. fau homecoming 5k
e. epitome of excellence cross country
f. homestead speedway

I passed on the last two (cross country & bike ride). The first 2 are distance events and considering my lack of long runs, I had to pass on c., an event I enjoyed in the past. I'm not too keen on running on the beach so I returned to b.

To make it short and sweet, I'll give you my experience Clint Eastwood style:

The good: 2 ag (glass mug), cool weather, low wind
The bad: declined rapidly after 5 miles
The ugly: failed to maintain 7 min goal pace (fell way short).

I decided to attempt a triple crown and entered event d.

The conditions were exact opposite of morning and was hot, humid and windy. That with my worn down state was a recipe for disaster. As my dad says, the worst position to be is 4th; I got that.

Great start, terrible finish for the weekend. However, 2 out of 3 aint bad. See you at the races!

Mid month crisis (Oct)

Saturday agenda-race

I found the following:

1. survivor mud run
2. bulldog 5k dash
3. plantation heat cross country invite
4. avda 5k
5. livelong 5k/half
6. pursuit of honor 5k

I passed on the former since #1, not a 5k and #2, don't know where it is. Skipped #2 due to distance (Naples). Yeah, I know that I travel there but I found races closer, like on my coast. Passed on #3 since there are plenty of standard races. #5 was too expensive. I originally planned on the latter, especially since it's an inaugural but went against my better and paid dearly!

Here's the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: made the dirty dozen, top ten males, cool (low 70), pancake breakfast
The bad: rain, windy, medals (if lucky)
The ugly: award categories reduced (only 1 oa & master). that combined with poor performance (weather & long drive got to me) meant I failed to place

Sunday agenda-race

Not as many choices, therefore maybe I wont screw up:

a. livelong ride (metric century, half metric & 10.2)
b. shark shuffle 5k
c. tradewinds du/tri
d. parkland dash

Pass on the former (ride). The rest, I like. I usually miss b. to do c., but decided on the latter because I never did it before.

Here's another Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: made the bakers dozen, no rain, got last slot in my age group, 5k & 10k
The bad: windy, medals (if lucky)
The ugly: only 1 master. worse performance (weather & long drive must've got to me again), post race refreshment (basically bagels & cut bananas only)

Columbus weekend

Columbus weekend is upon us. Monday celebrates when Chris poorly navigated and landed here by accident, hence, discovering America. It was a sad day for the native Americans as he and the crew got by the original homeland security.

Saturday agenda-race!

Most events are today:

1. 13.1 ATL
2. spartan Vermont beast
3. beyond blind fest 5k
4. fight for air 5k
5. alpha omega cross country
6. running with Danny

I passed on the first two (out of FL), skipped #5 because there are standard events available and the latter because I couldn't confirm if or when it is being held. I had a chance to do a double header since #3 starts at 7:30 and #4, 2 hours later but the first one was too expensive ($40) so I couldn't afford to do the other, not due to ability.

Shot out to Caroline to help alleviate the travel time race morning as the race was way up in Jupiter, a few exits from martin county! I had been battling a mysterious knee injury during the week plus felt a bit sick last couple of days. It was hot & humid as expected, so I didn't know what to expect. First mile was slow, and the following even slower as I seemed to decline rapidly. By the grace of God, despite a dismal time, I won the master title! The icing on the cake-top ten in race; glad it was a lower 'quality' event. top overall & master got plaques, the rest medals; normal age groups.

Saturday agenda-race?

Yes, I found some:

1. steeple chase
2. Marco island tri
3. Dunn's run 5k/5 miler

I couldn't confirm the former, so strike that. I like the latter but I was invited to be on team, so #2 it is! The cyclist, John Beagle, picked me (2nd choice) and the swimmer, Brittany. He knew my ability but we weren't sure of hers & she of mine but by the grace of God, we all gelled and won the co-ed category. I was a bit of a challenge for me to run in the sand but fortunately, it was truly hard packed. The team was appropriately named, the tri B's. Finishers medals to all but impressed with the glass plaques given (heavy) to category winners. Post race was 5 star with hot meal (burritos, including veggie)! Tech tees to entrants as well. My first but 2nd annual event.