Out with the old '13

Out with the old '13

This is the final day of this year, 2013. Kinda glad to see it go in many ways. Time to recap the year with Conan Obrien's top ten (not necessarily in order), Clint Eastwood style. *=Many are the same as last year. + is positive, - is negative (still bad).

The good:

10. I am still alive. +
9. Still a member of Runner's Depot! +
8. Despite injury, I completed the 20th anniversary WDW marathon walking.
7. I completed 4 halves within the 1st quarter of the year.
6. I owned my new Kia for 2 years, logging in 25k+ mostly from weekend racing!
5. Second time as a pacer in a half marathon; 2:15.
4. Jon W and I ranked in athlink's top 20 most frequent racing, only 2 in all of FL with achievement.
3. 6 events on 1 day (5k in morning then strider track meet), placed in all
2. 45-49 age group Elite series champion.+
1. The big 3 (LeBron James, Dwayne Wayne and Chris Bosh), and the Miami heat win the NBA championship again!+

The bad:

10. Car problems, this time my elantra went down.
9. Increase in number of races in which I did not place.-
8. I had to settle for 2nd overall a few times in some races that were winnable.-
7. Linda AD, I remain a victim of false promises and other emotional games -.
6. Recession (yes, they say it's getting better, but I don't notice it personally yet). -
5. Struggles to get under 21 in races, worse, never got under 19 (excluding short events)
4. Injuries and other set backs -.
3. Increase in race fees/expenditures
2. Relay team failed to place at escape, even though 2nd fastest co-ed.
1. Cant get any sleep (parties and celebrations). -

The Ugly:

10. Miami Dolphins seasons end without playoffs -.
9. Extreme difficulty forming teams as a team captain -.
8. August had record low in races (4).
7. Minor raise offset by increase in insurance, office closures.
6. Credit card debt. -
5. Lost overall title in a 5k due to no signage near end and illness (heat exhaustion) causing DNF.
4. Overall racewalk streak at key largo broken by someone jogging but calling it a new walknique.
3. Lost (didn't place) in at least 10 races (personal worst).-
2. Got serious injury (torn AC joint) doing an easy training ride due to freak accident.
1. no overall individual wins.

Happy new year! See you next year.

Holiday blues.

Holiday blues. I dub it that due to lack of races, such as none on Christmas. This is the final weekend of the year!

Saturday agenda-race!

I only found 2 for the last Saturday of the year:

1. south Florida fair 5k
2. resolution 5k

Since the latter was a fun run, the former wins! With a 7:45 start during the holiday heat, this could've been a disaster but fortunately, it was cloudy and not as humid as usual. Make my day:

The good: time way better than last race, beat all women, podium!
The bad: 31 oa, 2 ag
the ugly: long morning drive, time still not where I need to be.

Sunday agenda-race!

I only found 2 for the last Sunday of the year:

1. Jacksonville marathon/half
2. boca 10k/5k

I pass on the former due to distance, so the latter wins! Normal race start but much more humid and windy! The cloud cover kept the heat down somewhat. Do I feel lucky?

The good: won age group (podium), top dozen men!
The bad: 2 women beat me
the ugly: long morning drive, time worse than yesterday, weather

My holiday blues is my struggle to break 21 and make the podium through out the year. By the  grace of God, this was accomplished in my last race weekend of the year; praise the Lord!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! obviously, no race but that's doesn't waive training. Since I did the 12 miles of Christmas yesterday (noche Buena), I did a light workout today.

Winter solstice

Winter solstice is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

Like leaves on a tree in NY, not many races:

1. the Jingle 5k (last night)
2. Wilton manors Santa 5k
3. jingle bell jog

Since I didn't win in any lottery game, I had to work, eliminating the former. The latter event, I been there, done that, plus never placed there even with a PR, so I did the remaining since it was my (and split second timing) first time.

Let me sum up my disappointment Clint Eastwood style:

The good: was top master & made top ten
The bad: 1 star post race refreshment (no oranges)
The ugly: categories caused loss (only 1 overall & 30-50 age group) because all who beat me in 30's, plus my time didn't help.


Sunday agenda-race?

Not. I don't even have any to list, although some available north FL and up. Opted to skate 12 miles since I haven't been able to in a long time. I have to suffer until weekend after Christmas.

Mid month crisis (Dec)

Mid month crisis (Dec) is this weekend. Yesterday was Friday, the 13th but the bad luck began this morning; read on!

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the following events considered for today:

1. Spartan race TX
2. classics by the sea 5k/10k
3. river run 5k
4. n creek explorer 5k
5. ymca jingle bell run
6. trail run half/10k/5k
7. live ultimate half/quarter marathon/10k/5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). Naturally, I picked the latter because it was closest in proximity. The race ap stated that the 5k starts at 8 am. After spending more time looking for parking than it took to get to the area (over an hour), I found out it was moved a half hour sooner, therefore I didn't get to participate; bad luck from ayer! I heard complaints about confusing course and I felt the high winds.

Due to the aforementioned, my double header attempt was spoiled. To add insult to injury, due to lack of top 3 overall, I got bumped off the podium at event #4; No hardware today! :(

Sunday agenda-race!

These are the following events considered for this day:

1. Spartan race TX
2. last chance du
3. jingle bell run
4. its a wonderful run
5. tyler Goldberg sunset run

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). God gave me another double header attempt, ruling out the former. I planned on the du but that fell through. The Lord allowed me the other double header attempt, so #3 is out. Both are return events.

Event 1-its a wonderful run

Clint Eastwood synopsis time:

The good: on the podium and dirty dozen
The bad: time, weather (hot, humid, wind)
The ugly: time, 2nd

Event 2-Tyler Goldberg sunset run

Clint Eastwood synopsis time again:

The good: on the podium and top ten & ag
The bad: weather (hot, humid, wind), course (hills)
The ugly: worst time of weekend

Pearl harbor

Pearl harbor remembrance day/weekend. The cowards dared attack us but we no doubt responded!

Saturday agenda-race!

I passed on all the marathons out of FL- TN, AZ, NV, TX
This is the first full weekend of the month and this is my selection:

1. Reggae marathon (JAM)
2. Savannah river bridge run
3. girls on the run
4. cca 5k
5. tap n run
6. boot camp 5k/10k
7. key west triathlon

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/US). The latter was not possible without a swimmer. With enough normal events, scratch #6. I chose closest in proximity #4 over #3. A double header was possible if I also did #5 but it's not really a race.

Other than the challenge to beat the 2nd overall female, nothing to write home about. Make my day:

The good: made the podium
The bad: time, got hot fast, not in dirty dozen, medal
The ugly: some woman beat me, 3rd in ag, no master title

Sunday agenda-race?

This is what I had planned on this day:

1. palm beach marathon
2. Weston half/5k

I planned on the former but got locked out (online registration closed earlier than expected), so I planned on the latter as a 5k. My team request was denied so I decided to do my long run here instead. I would've gotten a master title if all went as planned; no podium this day.