Runnerpalooza!

This is the weekend of Runnerpalooza! Kudos to Carey for putting on this event once again. Last year, it was held at the home of whom this event was designed to honor-Ronnie hollassie; really, his birthday. It was impressive last year but too large to be held there, so he picked a large venue-vista view. Just like last year, bib numbers were issued; different- you had to pay this year and actually be able to run, jog or walk. So many more vendors were out there this year. More to be discussed within the body of this blog.

Saturday agenda-race?

No, if waiting on an event locally. However, yes, considering those listed below:

1. indoor marathon
2. bad bass half/10k/5k
3. eagle lakes 5k

I chose the latter because:

1. all the others are out of FL
2. I am in the elite series once again
3. it's the closest event to me.

This was race 2 of the elite series. Now that prize money is given out for overall, my days of top ten are over, not to mention my slower pace doesn't assist me. Now for my famous Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: made the podium (2 ag)
The bad: hot and humid, 2 ag (not 1st)
The ugly: time, not in dirty dozen

Later on, after a 2 hour delay due to extreme, inclement weather, I did an easy lap at Runnerpalooza. The best part was 'running' into lots of friends, old and new. Then, partaking in the festivities at the event.

Sunday agenda-race?

This was a no brainer. If I get a swimmer, yes, otherwise no. Praise the lord, I got the fastest swimmer, along with Boris, that I ever had on a relay-James! To complete the puzzle, do I bike or run? Well, one of runners depot's fastest runners (Spencer) agreed to team up, therefore, I prepped my bike and with the lord's help, brought my A game!

The Huntington's disease triathlon supports a good cause and offers both an Olympic and sprint distance. Due to finances and other factors, the latter was arranged by yours truly. Aptly named, 'the big 3', in commemoration of our Miami heat basketball team, we performed admirably. All members on the team posted the fastest times in each discipline, regardless of category. The surprise and pressure was on me, since I'm not really a cyclist. In comparison, James would be like wade, ever so reliable and experienced but as a swimmer; wade is still my favorite. Spencer would be like king James, since he is the anchor on the team but as a runner and expected to close out strong. I was like bosh, not sure what player will show up on race day but at his best, an incredible, experienced asset to the team. We were the overall sprint team and made the top ten times in the Miami heat. Thank you Lord.

who? lee, oh!

who? lee, oh! That's my play on the Spanish word for july (Julio). Some people are named after that as well, fyi.

Thursday agenda-run, sweat and beers

I did a rare weeknight race. I have done it before but the weather was completely different. Usually, the sun it out strong along with the heat and humidity, and sometimes wind. This time, it rained throughout, which did quench much of the heat. Had to step through lots of puddles.

The good: finally broke 21 on this course and placed!
The bad: weather, time, medal as award
The ugly: time, given 3 in 10 yr cat (would've won my norm ag)

Saturday agenda-race!

Back to normal, at least for summer:

1. color me rad 5k CD x2
2. Spartan race IL
3. fast cat 5k
3. 5k sunset run
4. dreher park 5k
5. strider track meet

This was the day because I had the opportunity to do a double event header!
You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). The latter was supposed to occur last Saturday but too much lightning and rain forced its cancellation. Sadly, I rode up into it, wasting time & gas. Therefore, I chose the closest events in proximity.

Morning agenda-dreher park 5k

Evening agenda-strider track meet

Sunday agenda-race?

1. color me rad 5k NY
2. Spartan race IL, CD
3. rnr marathon IL
4. wine country half CA
5. kb trilogy 2

Not! why? For starters, all but the latter are out of FL! I knew I would not be near 100% after double event header with the latter amounting to speed work so I intended to do a relay. When the swimmer fell through, the last option would be a du solo. Im so glad I didn't because not only was it expensive (over $100) but I probably would not place in the tight, sore condition I was in. However, in order to prepare for the next one, I got a taste of what it would be like. This event is tradition and good to do so i'll prepare for next month.

Mid month crisis (July)

 Mid month crisis (July) has arrived early. Can you believe tomorrow is already the middle of July? The racing drought continues along with my struggles to run in the heat and humidity.

Saturday agenda-race?

This is what I had on my radar:

1. Spartan race IL
2. color me rad 5k GA, MA
3. beat the heat 5k
4. strider track meet

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). I almost had a weekend of just training but carpooled with the master champ to #3. I had a tough time with the heat & humidity so I had to settle for 2nd in my age group. Jon got a trophy, as did the overall winner while the rest of us got medals.

I was ready for the latter to complete a double header but driving 2/3 up to event, I saw the clouds & lightning. Once I made it to the event, the storm was full blast and much to my chagrin, it was cancelled and I wasted time & gas money. It literally rained on my parade.

Sunday agenda-race?

You can automatically rule out the only event I found (out of FL):

1. Spartan race IL, CD

 I have to workout. Therefore, I chose a long ride from my house to Florida city (31 miles).

4th of July weekend

4th of July weekend begins today! Happy independence day!

Today's agenda-race!

There were noticeably less races this year. Here's what was on my list:

1. dash & blast 5k
2. star spangled 5k
3. firecracker 5k
4. independence day du/tri
5. Weston hometown 5k

Back in the day, there was a 5k & 10k in Miami; gone. I even remember one in palm beach; gone! The last remaining local 5k is the latter but with the aforementioned eliminated, this was packed with fast runners, effectively an assured loss; Besides, I had registrations issues. My next choice would be multisport but since I didn't commit in advance, the already high entry would be even worse. Therefore, I had to consider travelling. I originally planned on the former but my gps couldn't find the listed address and even mapquest gave me a different address than what I typed in. Having no knowledge of palm city, I couldn't chance it. The remaining 2 are within my realm of familiarity but I picked the city I never actually raced in (#2).

Although humid and somewhat windy, it was not as hot, especially with the cloud cover. Fast field of kids running and I was embarrassed that some lady with a stroller (elite runner) beat me but irrelevant to my only true concern-the podium! Despite being in 25th place, I won my category and got a nice little trophy and best position I would get in any race today. 2 of the above events, I would have left as I came-with nothing. Tomorrow, back to the daily grind one more time before the actual weekend.

Saturday's agenda-race?

I couldn't find anything so I decided to train. It rained (literally) on my 'parade'. I only did 1 lap on my inlines due to the inclement weather then resorted to nearly a 3 miles cross country run.

Sunday's agenda-race!

I had to travel but I found a race. American sprint offered du and tri, so I was gonna compete one way or another but I had to opportunity to team up with peter on a tri relay. Only catch was I had to do double duty; everything on land I can do. This was an interesting race as our chief competition was 3 teenagers dressed as super heroes.

The good: I caught up to and beat batman
The bad: we started in a hole after aquaman swim
The ugly: I was too spent plus the flash was faster

We finished second only to them; not bad for 2 old guys vs 3 male teens! Shannon got 2nd on her own.