Memorial weekend

Memorial weekend is upon us! While most are out having fun, many soldiers paid the ultimate price for our freedom. Let us not forget to honor them. I competed in homage to our fallen heroes.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the races I considered to start off the weekend:

1. spartan race Montreal, CD
2. color me rad 5k FL
3. carillon classic 5k
4. Sammy's run
5. lake avalon reverse du/tri
6. tour of the gables 5k
7. Seminoles 5k renegade run

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). With sufficient events in tri county area, the next 2 and the last (key west) were eliminated. The closest in proximity was #6 but like Ripley, believe it or not, I chose the closest far event, #5

I like to support Elite events, so it was worth the travel. This was the first reverse duathlon I remember doing. I began with a 5k, bike then the mile sprint. I started out ok but for some reason, I struggled on the bike. Fortunately, it was a 'low' turnout and I won the master title (first time in a du), despite dismal transitions & less than stellar cycling. I did manage to do like the heat and close out well on the final run (passed someone in my category). All finishers got a nice medal and winners, a glass. Nice tech shirts as well.

Sunday agenda-race!

These are the races I considered for this day:

1. spartan race Montreal, CD
2. flying tigers tiger trot
3. patriot 911 tri
4. splash and dash (kid tri)
5. mr memorial day tri

You can automatically rule out the first (out of USA). Strike #2 (far) and #4 (kids only). I planned on #3 but was unable to register for the sprint du so I settled for the inaugural #5.

This was dubbed as an inaugural by multirace because it was their first time doing one prior to memorial day but to me, it was like a home game (tradewinds). Even though the course was technical, I rode better, perhaps due to my comfort level. I also closed out well. It was more competitive, so no master but I did make the podium and top ten again. The difference between the finishers medal and award medal was color (the latter).

Monday agenda-race!

Happy memorial day!

These are the races I considered to end the 'weekend':

1. color me rad 5k CA
2. memorial day affair 5k
3. weston classic 5k

 You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). I thought about #2 but picked the latter- 25th anniversary of the events and at a new location. It is also closest in proximity but yet still an hour away.

I entered this even cognizant I would not likely place due to the high quantity and quality field. I'd rather race and lose than no race at all. It didn't help that external conditions (heat and humidity) and internal conditions (tired & tight) affected me. I failed to break 21 and suffered one of my worse losses. Sadly, no finishers medal so I left as I came-empty handed. It was the silver anniversary of this event but different venue.

Mayflowers

Mayflowers are brought by April showers. Just thought you'd like to know.

Saturday agenda-race!

Happy armed forces day! This is my selection for consideration:

1. spartan race TX
2. color me rad 5k CA, TX
3. Fargo marathon
4. ft desoto du/tri
5. women for women 5k/10k
6. Eric patrie memorial 5k
7. covenant house 5k
8. USATF track championship
9. keys 100 ultra

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). I was informed that #5 is only for women; strike 2. I wasn't invited on a team so scratch the latter. I'm not a member of USATF nor have the speed anymore so #8 is out. I considered #4 but with enough local races, strike 3. I planned on #6 but proximity rules; #7.

The external conditions were acceptable but thankfully, my internal condition was great. Not the best course (turn arounds) but was my best time in quite a while. There was a woman that smoked me and all other women for her overall win (top ten), meanwhile, I had to fight hard to beat the other 2 ladies, one merely a second behind! I was the first overall who didn't break 20 (boo hoo) and won my age group. Top 3 and master got plaques, the others (including yours truly) had to settle for a medal.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not as many races but at least there's enough:

1. spartan race TX
2. color me rad 5k PA
3. rnr marathon OR
4. ironman 70.3 FL
5. gulfstream 5k/10k
6. run for relief 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). With enough local races, strike #4. I have been there, done that with the remaining so guess what? proximity rules! With a later start, both internal & external conditions were worse. Would you believe in dejavu? Sadly, some female (girl) beat me and all other women for her overall win (top ten), meanwhile, once again, I had to fight hard to beat the other 2 ladies, this time near the sprint zone. Worse, no master and once again, top 3 got plaques, the others (including yours truly) had to settle for a medal. I felt fortunate to win age group since I wasn't feeling as well as the previous day. This time, top ten accolade.

Mother's weekend

Mother's weekend is upon us. This celebrated day is tomorrow but really, they deserve recognition every day.

Saturday agenda-race!

Most events were squeezed on today to avoid tomorrow:

1. spartan race MT
2. wine country half (CA)
3. color me rad 5k LA, MI, OK, NE
4. mud run TX
5.run for the gecko
6. operation giveback 5/10/15k
7. save the tiger 5k
8. run for the roses 5k
9. ALS 5/10k

You  can automatically rule out the first 4 (out of FL). With enough events within the tri-county area, cut 5 & 6. Since a team option was available, I passed on the furthest (7) and the closest (9).

Thankfully, the race began at 7 because it was quite hot and humid. The women got a 5 minute headstart and with the way I've been running lately, I couldn't catch my partner. This is the second time I teamed up with Emily and once again, we were second overall couple. Fortunately, my time was sufficient to take the last master slot. She won her age group so with both got double hardware!

Sunday agenda-race!

Happy mother's day! I will see many athletic moms at one of the events I choose below:

a. techzilla mothers day 5k/5 mile run
b. moms day 5k

This was easy for me; proximity rules!

It was hotter & more humid this day but let me sum this up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: got PR, broke 19, top master that didn't make top 3 (4 oa), close to home
The bad: course (twisty & short)
The ugly: race start 8:15, medal, no master title

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo empieza manana pero el weekend of running in commemoration actually began Thursday. Since I could not get off of work, I didn't have sufficient time to arrive to the events much less participate. On top of that, it was raining. Thursday was kids in distress 5k and yesterday was tgi5k.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the events I considered today:

1. spartan race CO
2. color me rad 5k KS, NY, MT
3. flying pig marathon
4. expedition Everest challenge WDW
5. fit 5k
6. westglades 5k
7. big cardio 5k
8. corporate warriors 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). With enough in tri-county area, strike 2 for #4 and #5. The latter was closest in proximity and meets the criteria for an inaugural event but by recommendation, I picked the other one I never did (#6) over the remaining excellent, tried and true race.

I was not aware of the categories in this one but was pleasantly surprised once the dust cleared. I felt good even though the time doesn't reflect that. I made the top ten and got third master. Overall & masters got trophies, everyone else medals. My greatest memory will be what happened to the overall woman. She had me for 3 miles but make a mistake in the .1 and like a ravenous wolf, I smelled the blood and took advantage. After all, most competitive men do their darnedest to beat all women; I'm no different!

Sunday agenda-race!

Contrary to popular belief, this day is not Mexico's independence day but rather the Mexican army's victory over France in 1862 at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867).

These are the events I considered this day and there were more:

1. spartan race CO
2. color me rad 5k VA
3. puerto rico marathon
4. fit triathlon
5. rocket man FL
6. police appreciation run
7. US military 5k
8. tri Miami +du
9. down and dirty
10. inspiration run

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). With enough in tri-county area, strike 2 for the next 3. Even though my original selection was an inaugural, I passed on #7 due to the race day cost. Besides, for the first time I can remember, there were 3 events in Miami! In order to mitigate financial damages, I chose the latter over the remaining events; it also was closest in proximity.

I tried to avoid this one because of the late start, and footworks divisions (only 1 overall then drop to age), but for the aforementioned reasons, it was better than not racing. Luckily, humidity wasn't that bad but it was hot and windy. I like curves on women, not the course; oh, well. Similar to the previous day, I wanted to take out the top woman. This time, I did so because she faded, not by some error. Cut my position in half (from 8th to 4th), finishing in top ten but had to settle for second age group because the one in front was in my cat. Except for the sole overalll winner, everybody got medals. Cause was for special Olympics.