April showers

April showers bring mayflowers, so it is said. Luckily, not too much over the race weekends. Prior to the start of the weekend, the corporate run was on in Miami but opted to run nearly a mile deep down south with a couple of friends; we were the top social group.

Saturday agenda-race!

A good number of events this day:

1. rnr marathon TN
2. drake relays half & 8k (IA)
3. spartan race IN
4. color me rad 5k CT, MO
5. Elvis blue suede shoes 5k
6. singer island half
7. fit2run 4 miler
8. heroes in recovery 6k
9. doral 5k
10. corporate warriors challenge begins (various company events)

You can automatically eliminate the first 4 (out of FL) and with enough events within 60 miles, scratch the next 3 as well. My company doesn't have athletes so forget about the latter. #9 makes the most sense (closest left in proximity) but I couldn't turn down an odd distance.

#8 guaranteed to deliver a PR, since I've never done that distance. Good thing, because based on my pace per mile, I had a horrific day. By the grace of God, I closed out the final K, outsprinting someone for the last top ten spot and in the process, I won my age group. Sadly, only got a cap as an award and no tech shirt (depleted too quickly). However, I was pleased the top 300 finishers got a medal.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not so many today but good events to choose from:

1. rnr marathon Madrid, Spain
2. big sur marathon
3. madd dash 5k
4. i walk for friendship 3k (fun run)
5. AEF 5k
6. pill box pines 5k

You can automatically eliminate the first 2 (out of FL). Races override fun runs, so #4 is out. Although it was do-able (10:15 start), injury & proximity discouraged that. #3 was held at huizenga, which location I dislike (parking & race course), so with others available, I passed on that one. This time, I picked proximity, ruling out #5.

Yesterday, I left the race injured and it got progressively worse as the day went on. I had to stretch excessively last night and this morning just to have a chance to race. I predicted I'd be lucky to be in low 21; that's how bad I felt. The course was flat but there was some wind & heat; humidity was not so bad. I had a gimpy stride on the track at start but struggled through race. Praise the Lord, I broke 21, made top ten and the podium, 'at the same damn time (rap song)'. Sadly, I missed out on overall trophies, and no master (wouldn't have gotten it anyway, unless 3 deep) and had to settle on medal. At least, I got a traditional award.

Earth weekend

Earth weekend is what I dub it because it precedes earth day (Monday). Prior to the start of it, on Thursday, the corporate run was held in west palm beach. A little to far for my taste, especially when there's one in my town next week.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the following I considered:

1. color me rad 5k VA, AL
2. rayz awareness 5k
3. MS breakway (from Miami to key largo)
4. run to remember 5k
5. kb half/5k
6. money run
7. caba 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). With many running events, take out #3. The last 2 make the most sense (closest in proximity) but you know me, I had a chance for a double header. first #4 then #5, which will leave out #2.

Event #1-run to remember 5k

Race scheduled at 7 am, it sprinkled, some wind and a bit humid but not quite hot yet. Luckily, it was a low quantity race and I finished in the top ten. By placing 4th overall, barring any extremely bad categories, I was guaranteed a spot on the podium, but I didn't know what title/group position because I had to leave immediately to get to the next race (hours later, at home, I found out I won the master title but have yet to collect my award).

Event #2-run to forget 5k

Well, that's not actually the name of the race but my sentiments regarding #5. Despite having emailed my intentions without objection, I was met with immediate resistance and disgust by the jack donkey put in charge with registration. She kept giving people a hard time, turning people away but as for me, she was relentlessly adhering to a no check policy. Even though she knows me, the gorda vaca must be full of envy and jealousy against me and let that override good judgement by refusing to confer with the race director who has had me as a loyal customer every year since the inception of the multirace company. While everybody was putting him down (so many mistakes running his inaugural event), I stuck with him. I could even hear him on the radio (walkie talkie) telling her to take more people, he is delaying the 8 am start another 5 minutes. Eventually, it was impossible to enter, like when time runs out on a game, foiling my plans on a double header. By the race of God, I still had a good time and got in a cool down, easy 5k even though denied my opportunity to win an award (would've been top master or won age group) and the race director additional money. Usually, they only give out generic medals anyway. Except for registration, which seemed to desire blocking entrants (deterrent for those affected regarding future events), event was ok with great post race area.

Sunday agenda-race!

1. color me rad 5k NM
2. MS breakway (to Miami from key largo)
3. mud dogs mud run FL
4. run wild in the park 5k
5. run from the rays 5k
6. sprint for the cure 5k
7. money run

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). With many running events, take out #2 & #3. I eliminated the next furthest races #4 & #5 (palm beach). While the latter was the closest in proximity, I chose #6.

A similar start (weather conditions) as the previous day but a bit cooler. However, that changed after about 2 miles. I got blown away at the start, probably not even in the top 20 but when the dust cleared, I just made the dirty dozen and got second master. The top 3 overall and masters got a beautiful glass trophy, every one else a medal. They had a 5 star breakfast (eggs, pancakes, etc) and silent auction; I had a blast while supporting a good cause.

Birthday weekend!

Birthday weekend! Although I remain in the same age group, I move from sophomore to intermediate.

Saturday agenda-race!

Not much to choose from but nevertheless:

1. Rooney's 5k
2. color me rad 5k (OR, KS, FL)
3. splash n dash 5k
4. sun smart 5k
5. 7 mile bridge run

You can automatically eliminate #2 (out of FL). I decided against the former and the latter (too difficult & far for me under current state). I planned on #3 until I was spotted front and center in the Miami herald (tropical section on Tuesday). It got so much buzz, I decided to repeat this event (#4), even though I know I'd be slower. This is my last chance to place before I advance up the ladder of life. The external conditions were bad (hot, humid, wet with puddles). To make matters worse, the late start (8 am) was delayed another ten minutes. By the grace of God, I finished with same award position as last year despite a much slower time.

Sunday agenda-race!

Happy birthday to me! These are the races I considered:

1. rnr marathon Scotland
2. triathlon cocoa beach
3. fau wellness tri
4. stand down 5k
5. motion for the ocean 5k
6. key west race around the rock 15k/5k

You can automatically eliminate #1 (out of FL & USA). Without a swimmer, you can rule out the next 2 as well. I decided against the latter (too difficult & far for me under current state). The great Lord above provided me with a great birthday gift of a double header!

Event 1 agenda-stand down 5k

This is my first race under new age; a was a bit nervous & tired after my fiasco the previous nite (lost over 2 hours because I forgot my wallet plus entry issues). It was hot & humid but luckily, not so much wind. Felt fine the first mile then struggled. I left without knowledge of how I did so that I'd have sufficient time for next event. When dust cleared, I found I had the best time of the weekend and given 2nd master (I was first but a grandmaster was faster). I heard I got a medal.

Event 2 agenda-motion for the ocean 5k

It took an hour to travel between races; that coupled with fatigue (just raced with no rest other than driving in a car) put me at a great disadvantage. It was even hotter & more humid (9:15 start) and this time was very windy. I found out at the last minute that the course was on soft-medium packed sand and we headed against the wind to return with it. Let's sum it up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: won my age group, 6 oa, post race refreshments
The bad: time was 2 minutes slower, course (lost some time getting lost)
The ugly: no award (goodie bag instead)

Praise the Lord! I was able to make podium in both as well as top ten finishes; what a great way to begin with the new age.

Monday agenda-Boston marathon!

While it may be a holiday in bean town, patriot's day is not observed down here! Good luck to all my friends competing, especially my teammates!

Passover weekend

Passover weekend I call this but it ended officially sundown last Tuesday. There was a corp run on Thursday but I couldn't go (broward). My weekend actually began last night, where I raced out of town and was dubbed 2nd age (only top overall & no master then to ten age groups). However, I was given a first place trophy; Pulling out Jon (the winner), 2 oa was the only other master in front. I earned the title on prize based on these conditions: if they gave top 3, and master, I would be top master (1 PL) or if they gave top 3, and no master, I would be 1 ag.

Saturday agenda-race!

This is my selection today:

1. spartan NV
2. color me rad 5k TN, FL, AZ
3. the biggest loser MS
4. citrus classic
5. pirate plunder 2 miler
6. can you outrun the beast? (adventure)
7. race to erase 5k
8. run for the turtles 5k
9. thin mint sprint
10. homeless voice 5k
11. eco safari trail run

Automatically rule out the top 3 (out of FL). With enough local races, take out #4,5,11=very far. strike 3 on the furthest local races 8, 9. With standard races available, I passed on #6, leaving 7 & 10. I chose the closest & most familiar, Markham park!

If you recall on my last post, for the first time in over 20 years, I had a problem with a shoe lace despite having the lace locks! What are the chances I have another problem at this park? Well, guess what? Around mile 2, I heard & felt the sole of my left shoe flapping (only 1/3 attached); I had to stop, rip it off and finish lop sided! Before that even happened, I was in fifth place approaching the turn around when I noticed Ralph (3rd) stop to tie his shoe, falling to fourth. He still maintained that position until he mysteriously stopped prior to my incident. For some reason, he decided to re-enter and challenge me for his previous position. I had to sprint the .1 lop sided & by the grace of God, won! If top 3 and master were given out, I would be top master. However, they didn't so I ended up winning my strange age group and receiving a certificate of appreciation and a generic medal. I endowed the latter to Spencer's daughter for her efforts of running after his son got the race winner's(Chris) overall award.

Sunday agenda-race!

1. color me rad 5k CA
2. Carlsbad 5000
3. Hollywood half marathon
4. green turtle gallop 10 k
5. rugged runner challenge
6. Florida brain cancer 5k
7. Nat Moore steps to scholarships 5k
8. nautica tri
9. ms 5k run

Automatically rule out the top 3 (out of FL). I love #8 but couldn't secure a swimmer; strike 2. I passed on some more local races for the opportunity of a double header (#6 was listed as 7 am, #5 at 8 am). I found out the hard way, that #6 would start at 7:30, automatically eliminating #5. With this disappointment on my mind, I had contend with that and wind with some humidity.

Let's sum this up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: top ten (3x this weekend), 2 ag (would be top maser or 1 ag norm ag)
The bad: generic medals, time (although best of weekend)
The ugly: only 1 overall, no master, 2 deep in ten year age groups, generic medals