short!

short! that describes this month and black history recognition, as well my performance this weekend.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are following events planned (loaded schedule):

1. gasparilla 15k/5k
2. sunshine state races (5k/half)
3. 5k for a better day
4. the biggest loser (off road)
5. FL super spartan
6. run 4-life
7. oral cancer awareness 5k
8. race for faith 5k
9. riverbend green 5k

I cant do them all so I picked a tried and true race that gives me the best chance to place; praise the lord I made that decision. I woke up sick and had been all week, causing for poor training. Already struggling in the first mile, I went down rapidly, losing so much energy & time that I went into the marathon mentality of just hoping to finish. Unfortunately, there are no finisher's medal! By the grace of God, I was able to win my age group after pulling out all the 'good' people with the special categories. The awards looked funky but I want what is available.

Sunday agenda-race!

These are following events planned this day:

a. gasparilla half/8k/various events
b. Disney princess half
c. rnr new Orleans marathon/half
d. 2575 triathlon
e. tour de broward
f. king of the hill mud run
g. emb(race) 5k
h. tribute to the military 5k

I cant do them all but this time I didn't pick a tried and true event so that I have the best chance to place. Instead, I took a chance with a race I never did. This one deserves the Clint Eastwood touch:

The good: everyone guaranteed hardware (finishers medal), won 2 ag, time better than yesterday
The bad: internal condition, lost 1 ag by 3 seconds
The ugly: the time, no sleep night prior

Presidential weekend

Presidential weekend is upon us. Monday is observed by many (not my job) as a day to recognize George Washington and Abraham Lincoln combined. Florida is not patriotic, so I shall be working.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the events I had on my radar:

1. colormerad5k (NC)
2. Edison festival of lights 5k
3. A1A 5k
4. lakes of the meadow 5k

I had a chance to do a double header (#2 is a night race) but had to pass on that due to internal conditions (not 100%) and expense. You can automatically rule out the former. Even though #3 is a good race, I chose the latter due to proximity & fact I haven't done it in ages.

This was a races for the kids. The top 3 slots were filled by sub 25 kids. The top master made the top ten with 18 1/2. I fortunate to win my age group using a master pack, whereas those guys won their categories as well; praise the lord! I split the top 2 female sisters with over 2 minutes slower than the master winner. Everybody got medals, except those overall positions, who received plaques.

Sunday agenda-race!

These are the events I had considered for this day:

a. rnr marathon CA
b. rnr marathon France
c. daytona beach half
d. A1A half/full marathon
e. carnival Miami 5k/6 mile

You can automatically rule out the first 2(out of Florida). c was fun but with more local events, I passed on that one. I am not pleased with the latter because they changed when it's run and where it's run, plus typically, fewer categories; d. wins!

I've everyone since its inception and each finisher's medal is different. Now for my famous Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: I finished with best time for a half this year, paced briefly with Emily
The bad: very cold (45) & windy (-10 chill)
The ugly: I finished with best the worst time for this half in my lifetime (still recovering).

Honorable mention

Many of my friends finished, some with good times; you may be able to guess when you see the names: Linda, Emily, gene, Rachelle, Louis M, Spencer, Julie, the ramdeens. Congrats to all who finished!

Chinese new year weekend

Chinese new year weekend is upon us (begins on Sunday). My sign is the horse and try to run fast like one each race!

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the following on my radar today:

1. spartan sprint (AZ)
2. biggest loser (AZ)
3. the great barrier free 5k
4. for the love of children 5k
5. hero challenge
6. run wild 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2; out of FL. I chose the latter since it's closest in proximity. This is also a tried & true event, as I did it last year. This was a high quantity, low quality (not the fastest runners) race. Despite that, I struggled due to recent events. To add insult to injury, even though I won my age group based on the clock (first to cross the finish line), I got bumped to 2nd on the net time. Everyone was guaranteed hardware (dog tag) for finishing but by the grace of god, I got on the podium and received a decent medal. Nice family oriented post race and free same day entry into zoo Miami.

Sunday agenda-race!

Happy (Chinese) new year! By the grace of god, I began it with a double header, but first let's review the events I had on my radar:

1. spartan sprint (AZ)
2. color me rad 5k (AZ)
3. rnr st Pete half marathon
4. hero challenge
5. 5 guys 5k/10k
6. run through central park 5k
7. i care, i cure, i run 5k
8. Florida road runners 5k classic
9. town of surfside 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2; out of FL. Due to a snafu with a race (donut 4 miler) I signed up for last year but was moved to this day, I wound up finding a double header to replace it, plus I chose the last 2 since they re closest in proximity. I feel like giving my Clint Eastwood synopsis regarding those events.

Event 1: Florida road runners 5k classic

The good: got 3 ag, trophies
The bad: left without trophy to get to next event
The ugly: my time, money race (low quantity, high quality), no master title (almost got bumped)

Event 1: town of surfside 5k

The good: got 2nd master and a plaque, top ten
The bad: course was on sand, double loop
The ugly: my time was even worse

Super weekend

Super weekend not only applies to the fact that the super bowl will occur tomorrow but for me as an the athlete. Today is my first 5k run since the horrible mishap. FYI-the Superbowl has been held for every year I've been born so you know my age in a little over 2 months!

Saturday agenda-race!

Great selection today. These are the following on my list:

1. warrior dash (lake wales)
2. Melbourne music 5k/8k
3. sari center 5k (wpb)
4. MADD dash
5. walk for wishes 5k
6. drawn to the beach
7. color me rad 5k (FL)
8. color me rad 5k (TX)
9. st Thomas alumni 5k

Due to my condition, I wimped out and took the closest in proximity; the latter. Let me break it down to you Clint Eastwood style:

The good: got 'on the podium' 2 master, top ten. trophy!
The bad: course was not all asphalt (cross country)
The ugly: time, age categories

Sunday agenda-race!

Not as many but still good:

1. Texas half
2. Melbourne music half/full marathon
3. butterfly run 5k
4. jcc David posnack 5k/10k
5. fiu color run

With 2 'local' events, I pass on the first two and was able to complete the last two for a double header.

First event: race- jcc David posnack 5k/10k

Let me break it down to you Clint Eastwood style once again:

The good: got 'on the podium' 2 oa, top master!
The bad: time, had to leave to attempt a double header
The ugly: couldn't catch a kid 1/3 my age! no hardware today because I left before award ceremony

Second event: fun run-fiu color run

Having enjoyed the blessings of the Lord of #1 being able to run again, albeit, injured and #2 having 2 top ten races & hardware despite that, I closed out with a fun run that seems to be trending. For not competitive runners, this is a blast, otherwise, not my cup of tea. If nothing else available or as additional, do count me in.

With the lord's help, you can't keep a good man down; c u at the races!