Final weekend of September

Final weekend of September. Gotta put up or shut up!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I had in mind for the final Saturday:

1. Spartan race CD,  PA
2. quad cities marathon
3. twilight zone tower of terror
4. mr ft Desoto du/tri
5. the charity run 5k
6. sickle cell 5000

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). With enough local races, eliminate the next 2. Originally, I picked the latter but with money to top winners and ten year age groups featured, I passed on that for the remaining. Besides, I don't recall ever doing it.

I found out the hard way that the race I ultimately chose also was ten year age groups, and worse, no master title (the latter had top 3). Fortunately, even though it was a decent to high quantity race, it was a low quality (not that many fast runners) one. It featured both a 5k & 10k, but after last week, forget about the latter.

Time for my favorite cowboy western actor, Clint Eastwood:

The good: 19:18! top master, 4 oa, finisher medal
The bad: course short, medal (not trophy)
The ugly: given top ag (no master title), ten year groups

I had a chance for a double header (race not listed) but had to forfeit in lieu of tri expo.

Sunday agenda-race!

This is what I had in mind for the final Sunday:

1. Spartan race CD,  PA
2. color me rad RI
3. zero prostate cancer 5k
4. FRRC 5k
5. marco island tri
6. escape to Miami tri

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). The last 2 requires a swimmer; luckily, Inga stepped up to the plate. The choice was closest in proximity, wiping out the rest.

Now for the final Clint Eastwood synopsis for the month:

The good: 2nd overall and mixed sprint team, finisher medal
The bad: weather (rain and wet ground, medium wind, humidity)
The ugly: only 1 award per category given (bumped off podium), too long to get results (next day despite chip timing)

I felt like I wasted my time and money. I would've place in the races I passed on to do this one, thus forfeiting possibly 2 podium awards (race I missed Saturday plus this day). Likely will pass on this one in the future unless they return to top 3 as was in the past.

west coast madness!

Since I didn't race locally, i shall deem this west coast madness!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is my selection for day 1 of the weekend:

1. rnr marathon CO
2. spartan race VT, UK
3. color me rad 5k NV, MT, NY
4. 5k fun run
5. beach bash 5k
6. Miami children's 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL/USA). The latter was original & wisest choice (closest in proximity) but it and #5 passed over using the been there, done that rule.

Although labeled a fun run because no age group awards were given, the top 39 were eligible to receive prizes based on overall position. That's the fun; you had some power to control your destiny!

My summation, Clint Eastwood style:

the good: made top ten, thus ending the losing streak
the bad: got a prize limited to the area
the ugly: time

Sunday agenda-race!

This is my selection for the last day of the weekend:

1. rnr marathon CD
2. spartan race VT, UK
3. paradise coast du/tri/10k
4. power man du

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). The latter was would be the wisest choice (closest in proximity) but it was passed over using the loyalty rule. Also, considering i have never done an international duathlon by myself, i chose the lesser of 2 evils. #3 used 5/40/10 k format, which was more than enough challenging for me, while the die hards, especially cyclists, would have preferred the other, using 10/60/10 k format.

I made a grave error the night before and proceeded with daylight savings time. Naturally, that made me 'late' to the race (late meaning less than 15 minutes till the start). Listen to my woes:

pre start: got stuck in muddy grass parking; thankfully someone helped me out. next, had to prep bike. got in air but set up not possible. thankfully I got a legal assist to place the bike in transition.
run 1 (5k): stop to rest room, since unable to go prior to start
T1: slowest of all because I had to find bike, get helmet, gloves, glasses & shoes on (no pre set up)
bike (40k): struggled through due to previous blunder plus magnet kept hitting throughout
T2: still slow, feeling effects of racing
run 2 (10k): came off bike with right foot injury (2 miles till less pain), shuffled through out, fell out at end (heat exhaustion)

My summation, Clint Eastwood style:

the good: made top 15 (as tri), placed in age category
the bad: time
the ugly: the aforementioned problems, heat & humidity

I praise the Lord for allowing me to finish my first solo international duathlon (or so I can remember), despite the short comings and medical situation.

mid month crisis (last of summer)

mid month crisis (last of summer). I cant wait till winter; maybe ill run better in the cooler weather. A whole bunch of activity leading up to and including this weekend. Wednesday marked a dozen years since terrorist attack on America. Yesterday was Friday, the 13th (for all those superstitious). I am not normally, but that seemed to continue onto today (read below), which means I need to observe yom kippur, just like the Jewish.

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I have on my schedule today:

1. color me rad 5k IN, CA
2. remember the fallen 5k
3. Jeff Anna's memorial 5k
4. freedom run 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). The next was not in the tri county area, so I picked the one I never did from the remaining (the latter, been there, done that).

Since I went down much like his adversaries, time for the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: got hardware (albeit a finisher medal) for first time in weeks
The bad: time, hot & humid, parking
The ugly: did not place (missed on trophy), 3 losses in a row, personal worst losing streak

Sunday agenda-race!

A bit more to do this day, the way I like it:

1. rnr marathon PA
2. Spartan race UK
3. club med tri
4. coral springs 5k
5. optime 5k
6. trilogy bonus round
7. bayfront tri
8. zoo run 5k

 You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). Without a swimmer, take out the tri's, however 6 was possible as a du. since no series awards were given last year nor for this year, I pass. I planned on the latter, but without sufficient notice, it was sold out plus no race day sign up allowed. Among the remaining, I took the closest in proximity. To my dismay, it turned out to be a major league race, so I copy and paste (dejavu) with modifications:

The good: got hardware (albeit a finisher medal) for 2nd time in weeks
The bad: time, hot & humid, parking
The ugly: did not place (missed on medal), 4 losses in a row, personal worst losing streak

This travesty must end next week, right before the fall equinox!

Let the (running) season begin!

Let the (running) season begin!

September began with labor day, then rosh hashana before the first full weekend starts. This will mark the end of the (race) drought and more choices to contend with.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's my selection for today:

1. Spartan race NJ, CD
2. wine country half
3. mud dogs mud run Guam
4. septemberfest tri
5. tunnel to towers 5k
6. boot camp 5k/10k
7. ups 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL/USA). No swimmer=no tri. Eliminate non standard running event, leaves 2. I chose the latter (proximity).

What a grave mistake I made! I picked a high quantity (1400+) race with a high quality field (congrats to teammate Brian sharkey for the win) with only 1 overall then 5 yr age groups. Race began extremely hot and humid then rain came along to boot. I knew I was in trouble while warming up (leg problems); that, along with other issues led to my demise. To add insult to injury, I didn't perform well, feeling much like the ranked gators vs the U; no podium.

Sunday agenda-race!

1. Spartan race UK, CD
2. patriot tri
3. firefighter's 5k

Shades of the summer with only 3. You can automatically rule out the first (out of FL/USA), & with no swimmer, this was a no brainer. Unfortunately for me, it is a major league race (rrca FL state champ) and I am not even near race shape. When the dust cleared, it was dejavu- yet another loss, except that I kind of sensed that in advance. Break it down, Clint:

The good: time was better than previous day, advanced a notch within age cat, no rain
The bad: time, late start, still hot and humid
The ugly: no hardware for entire weekend, definitely not top ten & many women beat me both days

While the reason unofficially started, I haven't. While it may be all about the U, it certainly wasn't about me; I went down like the gators. Back to the drawing board.