ING weekend

Once again, the last days of January are dedicated to Miami, the ING weekend! Yes, this time I remained at 'home' down here in Miami to compete, instead of travelling, to fulfill my desire & destiny of being an athlete for life.

Saturday agenda-tropical 5k

I stuck to my tradition of using the tropical 5k as a tune-up for the main event the following day. That means I had to pass on other races, like run for the coach 5k, peach tree 5k/10k, spartan CA & biggest loser TX. This time, I could not help pace Leo, nor Gene if necessary, since both neither were in attendance and my recent calamity. Today, was my first day attempting to 'run' since the accident, since last night, the ER doctor's order expired at midnight. I finished without feeling any worse, then afterwards, I went to the expo. I picked up my packet, a few things, went through a seminar with by BFF runner, the legendary Lisa Dorfman.

Sunday agenda-main event!

The main events are distance races, the half & full marathon. Having completed the first five as marathons, I am satisfied & now choose the former on my quest to over a decade with this event. I dub it as the main event because #1, the marathon and half are the feature events and #2, we're talking about distance, which requires endurance. I am on par to get the fifteen year jacket so other races (like the Ocala marathon) have to wait.

It started off a comfortable cool 62 degrees with not much rain in sight but got hot fast. It remained mostly overcast through most of my race but it was especially humid. This is my 2nd half of the year (& month), and coupled with the fact that this course is not exactly flat & forgiving plus my injury, I didn't expect a great race. Sadly, this was my first 'long run' of the year due to that injury. My glass was both half full and empty. Addressing the former, this was my best half of the year, judging by time. Addressing the latter, this was my worst half in my ING history, judging by time. The post race refreshments was 4 1/2 stars, , maybe 5 with the hot beans & rice. This time, there was something to write home about in regards to the finishers medal. I like the double spinning medal, which switches from night to day. No official mylar blankets were given out. Congrats to all my runners depot teammates who finished. Not a bad way to closeout my last race of the month.

MLK jr weekend

MLK jr weekend is upon us. It is also what I call re-inauguration day on the holiday Monday since this is Obama's 2nd term.

Saturday agenda-race?

Not! These are the events I am compelled to miss due to injury & doc's order:

1. st Pete beach classic 5k/10k
2. Bahamas marathon (& 4p relay/half/5k) weekend
3. the Honda classic 5k
4. Armageddon ambush weekend (mud & color obstacle runs)
5. miramar pines 10k/5k

Sunday agenda-race!

These are the events I selected for this day:

a. Bahamas marathon (& 4p relay/half/5k) weekend
b. Armageddon ambush weekend (mud & color obstacle runs)
c. rnr AZ marathon
d. bay harbour islands 10k/5k
e. key west half & 5k
f. Naples half

Scratch all but the latter; you know I don't miss that one!

I'm gonna sum it up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: mission accomplished (got finisher medal) despite injury, overcast, dad helped to drive
The bad: weather was a bit hot but not so humid or maybe the other way around
The ugly: time; race not walker friendly; struggled to break 3 hrs

Monday agenda-MLK jr day

Have a happy one. despite injury, I was able to win the racewalker division. Got to race thanx to Berta. Weather was a bit hot and humid. My first double race weekend since tragic accident and first time on podium. Thanks to honest walkers and grace of god, I outlasted.

magical weekend?

magical weekend? With multiple events, it should have been but unfortunately, I got injured when I got knocked off my bike when an object (ball) was tossed into street by a kid while riding at night and I was unable to avoid that and hitting the kids & a dog that were coming toward me. I had go to the ER (with help of brother) and was told I got a separated AC joint along with a lot of road rash.

Saturday agenda-race?

Not. Forgot to mention the doctor who attended me said no running for 2 weeks. So, this is the following I was forced to miss:

1. 5k for kids
2. flippany 5k/10k
3. Disney world half
4. tap n run 4k

Sunday agenda-race?

1. Disney world full marathon
2. vista view 360
3. Davie police 5k
4. flamingo 5k/ 5 miler

Eliminate any event where speed is required to leave with hardware, since running would be necessary. With the help of my dad, I barely made the cutoff for packet pickup. He did the majority of driving, to & fro, since I basically have only my left arm to use and it was getting sore fast. By the grace of God, my mission was completed (20 year anniversary finisher medal) but I had to accomplish that by strictly walking, obeying doctor's orders. This made an already challenging endurance event more difficult. I shall sum it up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: my mission was completed by getting 20 year anniversary finisher medal
The bad: couldn't run, had to walk; hot and a bit humid (ok for injury)
The ugly: the time (worst in history)

So my magical weekend went up in smoke. Happy I got in 1 event.

First weekend of 2013

First weekend of 2013 has arrived!

Saturday agenda-race!

I was blessed with opportunity to start of the year (weekend) with a double header. I heard some color run went down but I'd rather run a serious race whenever possible. The ragnar relay actually began yesterday but since I wasn't asked nor invited, I passed on it. Good luck 2 those who are involved.

Morning agenda-bridge buster 5k

Afternoon agenda-together we see eyerun 5k

just made baker's dozen twice!

Sunday agenda-race!

I found 2 of interest:

1. palm coast half/5k
2. the biggest loser 5k

I chose the latter over the former=distance.

In with the new '13.

Happy new year! In with the new '13. Wishing you all an active, injury free athletic year. I wanna put all the bad experiences of last year behind & move on to hopefully better ones this year. I shall cherish the positive memories of last year, but unfortunately, be compelled to deal with any lingering situations this year. Traditionally, we make resolutions, & like bones, they may be broken. My top ten list will include the usual, some will be continuations, some may be possible & some may be improbable, but it doesn't hurt to dream. Come to think of it, didn't Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr do that? Obama is certainly thankful.

Top ten resolutions for this year (not necessarily in order):

1. Continued athletic success, especially with racing & competition.
2. Health.
3. Wealth.
4. Wisdom.
5. Employment.
6. Training (stepped up).
7. Change.
8. Teamwork.
9. Diet.
10. Travel.

Now it's time to expound on those resolutions.

1. Last year, I did 105 races, slightly more than the previous year. This was largely due to relationship issues, forcing me to divert my energies elsewhere; I'd prefer to be with someone. Although I'd like to match or beat my highest total of races in a single year, my main goal is continuation; march of last year marked 2 decades + a year since I began competing.
2. To do the aforementioned, I must maintain good health, largely through fitness & diet. That means I still won't smoke or drink, and naturally, do my best to avoid injury & illness.
3. This resolution has always failed but you never know; this might be the year. Maybe I'll get rich the easy way by winning in the powerball or the hard way with some breakthrough opportunity.
4. Hopefully, as I progress, this continues to improve. I made it this far through trial & error, & experiences. Thus far, 2 out of 3 (healthy, wealthy & wise) has been my case.
5. Since the quick fix (lottery) has thus far never panned out, I'll need to keep my job to survive.
6. To get the glory (race win), one must train. I plan to up the ante with quality workouts, such as a 2 mile blast at Niketown or group run.
7. Obama's slogan. He is the change America needs. However, I too, must utilize this. I revolve to make some adjustments in my normal scheme of things. Like Rick Scott says, 'let's get to work'.
8. I want to continue doing relays, both as a team captain & participant. In 2008, I eliminated most series participation, in lieu of individual events because I sacrificed too many running races that I loved the previous year. I will likely adhere to this resolution this year (limit to 2 series or less). However, I want to increase the number of individual relay races.
9. Continue & hopefully improve upon my nutritional regimen, such as my no meat diet.
10. I will travel as necessary, meaning doing only races that have some significance or purpose to me. I'll avoid just racing to race if it is far.

Today's agenda-1st race of the year

Once again, I did the run, walk, crawl 5k. I picked the middle option because it is extremely difficult to find a racewalk with awards. I failed to beat my anticipated time. largely because I've been struggling , plus lack of walk training. Thankfully this year, it was cooler weather. To add insult to injury, for the first time ever, I was not deemed the overall racewalker. I had to settle for second to someone who many witnessed cheating (jog & walk). Unfortunately, I did not monitor people jogging past me with walk numbers; he slipped by. The generic medal was much improved again from last year, featuring a design I never had! It featured a sticker with basic race data, unlike the horrible 2008's that had absolutely no info was on it at all; I had to write on the medal, the event, date, & result. Jon showed again & won the run while I was considered runner up on the racewalk, making us the lone representatives for runner's depot. Allan got the master & Tamara her age group, representing an opposing team, running wild.

FYI

You may have noticed much of this blog seemed like a carbon copy of the previous year's post. Testament to how life can be similar yet different. Get out & run!