Final transition weekend (2013)

Final transition weekend (2013). This is truly that weekend as it sits between thanksgiving, goes through Hanukkah and Christmas, despite the obvious.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I have on my slate for the final Saturday of the month:

1. run for the arts 5k
2. great amazing race (adventure)
3. thanksgiving tri/du
4. hogs breath 5k

This was a no brainer for me; #3. Question is, solo or relay. If I did the tri, relay is the only option (still don't swim). However, the du, I have a choice. I decided to team up once again with Emily, one of our newest editions to the RD racing team.

Except for the wind, the weather was nice (60's). To make a long story short, we did as last time-won! Let's employ the Clint Eastwood synopsis once again:

The good: we improved our overall position from last time, she got PR runs
The bad: windy
The ugly: sub 21 on bike (struggle)

This also officially ends the hurricane season (not the team)!

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what I have on my slate for the first Sunday of the month:

1. Seattle marathon
2. space coast marathon
3. jcc Hanukkah 5k
4. irun 5k/10k

Amazingly, I found 2 Miami events, so eliminate the first 2. Question now is which one to do? Since I did the latter last year, I opted for the remaining.

Definitely I want to do this Clint Eastwood style:

The good: same overall position as the team yesterday (12), made podium, under 21
The bad: medals, started late (past 7:30), post race=bagels & water, sm Gatorade, all other meals=$
The ugly: actually won my age group but given 2nd since only 1 overall & no master, only top 2 in ag

Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving! Have a happy one! Praise the Lord for yet another day and blessed to be able to eat, drink and hopefully be merry.

Today's agenda-race!

There were a plethora of events held today in practically every county, some had 2 or 3! Naturally, I had to go through a selection process to narrow down to 1 (no double available with all in the morning). Here is what I considered for today:

1. the gobbler 5k
2. palm beach turkey trot (fun run)
3. run 4 the pies
4. jcc turkey trot
5. tamarac turkey trot
6. ft Lauderdale turkey trot
7. Baptist turkey trot 5k/10k
8. jungle island turkey trot

You can eliminate the former (out of tri county area). Using the been there, done that rule, take out 4,5,7. Limiting to award races, #2 is out. Keeping with 5k, strike #3. Employing proximity rule, the last 2 were in my county. The latter won out employing the inaugural rule.

Other than the wind, weather was great (54), although a bit colder than I like. First 2 miles of course in the streets then we enter the treacherous jungle island. It had way more numerous and sharper turns than the zoo. There were timing issues that had me on a roller coaster until the award ceremony. I saw 21:07 on clock when I finished but given 21:28. Timing issues included overall male being 4th oa, the overall female winning in 28 seconds. top master female with high 16 and a 14 yr old with a low 16, both beating the top male (I knew that was wrong since I saw only 2 women in front of me). At first, I won the master title but after several revisions, I wound up as an age group winner, by the grace of God. Also, made the top ten overall, whereas in the other events, I not only would not have placed but would be lucky to be in top ten in my category! Every one who finished was a winner in this event and went off well for an inaugural.

No v m bray!

No v m bray! That's how you pronounce this month in Spanish.

Saturday agenda-race!

I actually found a ride that began yesterday. of course, I had to work plus anyway, it's not a race. Most events seem to be scheduled for today:

1. nature bound run 5k/10k
2. run for recovery 5k
3. delray beach turkey trot 5k
4. Merrill lynch bull run
5. mud dog mud run
6. steps for healing 5k
7. electric run 5k

I passed on the former since the rest are within the tri-county area. I had an opportunity to do a double header since the latter is a night event but it is not a race and I'd rather prepare for the day.

I chose the closest in proximity, eliminating 3, 4 & 5. This was my third weekend in a row doing a race at the zoo. Unfortunately for me, it was actually a 5k, no PR. It was still humid, heat cut slightly by the clouds, some sprinkle prior to start. When the dust cleared, by the grace of God, I won the master title. Due to lack of signage near end, I went off course and lost 3 overall positions. Luckily, none were 40+ and I returned in time to beat the somebody who was by seconds. The overall spot was snagged by teammate Jon.

Sunday agenda-race!

Not so many this day but nevertheless:

1. Bahamas half
2. PA marathon
3. purple stride 5k
4. down2earth trail run half/10k/5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/US). Since the latter was a trail run, I chose the remaining.

To my dismay, #1 it was a high quality, high quantity race and #2 horrific age categories (only overall then drop to mostly ten year age groups). Naturally, I got smoked but worse, I had a bad day, failing to break 21. Just like that, I went from hero to zero. Oh well, back to the drawing board.

Mid month crisis (Nov)

Mid month crisis (Nov) arrived yesterday. Pray for me that things turn for the better.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's my selection for today:

1. Spartan race MA
2. super hero scramble
3. the swamp buggy mud blast (obstacle)
4. breathe deep
5. fantasy of lights 5k
6. the ultimate titan challenge (obstacle)
7. miracle run

You can automatically rule out the first (out of FL). With enough standard races, remove 2,3 & 6. I had a chance for a double header (#5 is a night race) but opted out considering my current struggles. Out of the remaining, I elected closest in proximity, the latter.

Since theres not much to write home about, let's go Clint Eastwood style:

The good: got a pr, top master, top 5
The bad: windy & hot and humid, windy course, generic medal
The ugly: pr doesn't count (2.4 m), no master title given (won ag is good), late start (8:30)

Sunday agenda-race!

1. rnr San Antonio
2. big sur half
3. st Augustine half/10k/5k
4. zmotion 5k
5. burn 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). The next was too far. I selected the latter but found out later why it became a high quality (fast) race; #4 was cancelled.

Also not much to write home about, but I'll with the glass concept:

Half full: course was correct (accurate time), just made the podium (3 ag), decent medal, beat all women, loop course
Half empty: course was correct (no pr), not in dirty dozen, no master titles, late start (8 am), hot & humid + windier, time

Veterans day weekend

Veterans day weekend is upon us! Please take some time to respect and honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to ensure our freedom.

Friday agenda-race?

Yes & no. Believe it or not, there were 2 but I didn't do any of them (complications prevented me):

a. light the night 5k
b. Waterford 5k

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the events I considered to kick off the weekend:

1. Spartan race SC, UK
2. color me rad 5k TX
3. Disney wine & dine half
4. survival beach obstacle race
5. Ferrari Maserati 007 5k
6. Miami veterans day 5k
7. Miami wild run
8. key Biscayne lighthouse run 5k/10k
9. key largo 5k/10k/half

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/US). With enough local races, scratch #3 and 4. Can you believe there were many events in Miami? With that said, I passed on #4 and the latter. This time, proximity rules, eliminating #6 and #8.

Considering how I felt, I was lucky to make the top ten and win my age group, a strange ten year cat (41-50). Credit this to key players not showing up at this one.

Sunday agenda-race?

Not so many to choose from but enough to keep me busy:

1. rnr Savannah marathon
2. Pensacola marathon
3. ft myers beach half
4. 13.1 marathon
5. sallarulos 5k
6. Zoe Loren Make A Difference 5K
7. Gran Fondo Giro d'Italia
8. Miami man triathlon

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/US). I didn't really race. In order to give back to the community and get in my long run, I volunteered to be a 2:15 pacer at #3, wiping out the rest *. I forgot my watch but Bryan H. lent me his. I finished within 2 minutes of set time on the clock. No group I saw but many thanked me for helping them finish; good feeling.

Monday agenda-race?

Not. Theres probably a race somewhere but I pass to take care of personal business. Of course, I will train instead. Happy veterans day!

* = I made a cameo appearance at the latter event to see and thank many of my fellow athletes.

Fall back!

Fall back! its day light savings time again! This time we gain an hour.

Saturday agenda-race!

The majority of races were held today:

1. Spartan race WI
2. fall for fakahatchee
3. wellington community run
4. cell-ebration 5k
5. run for hunger 5k
6. be a hero, run for a kid
7. mud run/scavenger hunt
8. stepping out to cure scleroderma 5k
9. vampire 5k

you can automatically rule out the former (out of  FL). With plenty of local events, scratch 2 & 3. With enough standard races, eliminate the last 3.

I had a chance for a double header #6 being first, but experienced issues in warm up, so I decided to focus on just one race. Last year, I was able to both the remaining because they fell on different days; not so this year. I picked the one I did the best in based on last time, #4.

I had a chance to redeem myself from last year's heart breaking loss and lead the race for 3 miles. To my dismay, I was disqualified for missing the finish line due to no signage to indicate where to turn in nor a mile 3 marker. To add insult to injury, I suffered another heat stroke (late start race was delayed till about 8:45 and it was very hot & humid with no shade) around 4 miles (I was out of it). This now turned out to be a fast training run.

Sunday agenda-race!

These are the races on my radar:

1. NYC marathon
2. sun capital half
3. divas Miami 5k
4. Miami shores 5k
5. coconut 5k
6. bayfront tri

you can automatically rule out the former (out of  FL), plus been there, done that. Usually, I'm involved with the next but since I was able to get a swimmer, I competed in the latter.

This race was plagued with poor signage, making my ride a lot longer. That's the last thing I wanted with all the wind that existed. Luckily, it was much cooler this day. The swimmer was redirected in the swim and the runner had course problems as well. To add insult to injury, the screwed up my bike time, making me look extremely slow, worse than an easy training ride. Fortunately, we were the top sprint relay but the time error dropped us from 3rd overall to 14th. Although I needed help, I made the podium!