Final weekend (of February)

Final weekend (of February) is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

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

1. Gasparilla weekend, day 1.
2. everglades ultra 25/50k, 50 miles
3. 5k run at riverbend
4. 5k for a better day
5. heart health walk
6. sunsmart 5k

Since I travel a lot, I picked the latter (closest in proximity). Afterwards, I visited the tail end of #5 (not a race).

Unfortunately, it felt more like late spring than winter; it was hot & somewhat humid. There's virtually no shade at Crandon park or at least on this course. On top of that, the race start is 8 am! By the grace of God, when the dust cleared, I made the top ten and won 2nd master. Sadly, this year, all those who made the podium got medals (no plaques for overall and top masters as in the past). However, the title winners did get a gift certificate.

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what is on my slate for the final Sunday of the month:

1. Disney princess half
2. Gasparilla weekend, day 2
3. MS walk (palm beach and ft. Lauderdale)
4. emb(race) 5k/10k
5. tour de broward 5k & 50k/100k rides
6. carnival Miami run
7. Miami skate social
8. beach 5k run

Guess what?  I picked the latter (closest in proximity). Dejavu but worse! Unfortunately, it felt more like summer than winter; it was even hotter & more humid, especially since it too was an 8 am start. There was no shade as we ran on the beach. Luckily, it was mostly hard packed sand. On top of that, it was a 2 loop course, which makes for more traffic. At first, I wasn't even in the top ten but by the grace of God, I finished third overall! This one did as the other race used to, and gave out plaques to the top 3 overall and masters.

In closing, this was an incredibly hot and humid winter weekend with me doing races that began at 8, seemingly geared for colder weather. However, a very successful end to black history month with back to back top ten finishes and most of all, podium!

Winter holiday weekend

Winter holiday weekend is upon us. Yesterday was valentines day and Monday is presidents day, whereas the weekend fall in between.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I decided on:

1. Spartan FL
2. love the lake 5/10/half
3. 5 guys 5k/10k
4. fort Lauderdale 5k
5. run in the  meadow 5k

With enough local events, I passed on the first 2. The latter makes the most sense (closest in proximity) but I exercised the been there, done that rule. I haven't done the remainder so I selected based on venue and mid event won!

Both a 5k & 10k were offered. Let's sum this up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: won age group and top ten
The bad: furthest local race
The ugly: very cold, time.

Sunday agenda-race?

Yes and no. I only found 2, paradise coast half and a1a half/full marathon; I chose the latter. Yes, it is a race but I didn't race it. Instead, I agreed to anchor the 4 hour 2 person marathon pace team. We finished on point (only +5 seconds). It began cold, warmed up after 3 hours but remained windy. I left without major injury but did suffer blisters. Pleased to get in my long run and help others at the same time.

Olympic weekend

Olympic weekend is upon us, the winter one that is. Its being held in Sochi, Russia; never heard of that place. Of course, I'm looking for the podium just like those athletes.

Saturday agenda-race!

These are the events on my radar:

1. battle for ft Desoto half
2. barrier free 5k
3. love for children 5k
4. cobra country 5k
5. walk for wishes 5k
6. beach side 5k
7. fiu color run
8. runwild 5k

With so many races in the tri county area, rule out the former, and even the next 3 (palm beach). The latter was closest in proximity but since I discovered a double header opportunity, that one was also eliminated. Both races venues were familiar territory. Note: a triple event day was possible but the last event (#7) was not a race, therefore I passed on it.

Race 1-beach side 5k

I like this one because #1 early start & #2 out and back course, #3 decent weather. Make my day, Clint:

The good: won age group, top ten, best time of the year & in months, (these results by hind sight)
The bad: no tshirt at beginning, entry fee
The ugly: I had to leave without knowledge of results (finish clock was off) nor placement (got to get to next race), no award even if I placed because I have to get to next race

Race 2-walk for wishes 5k

It was strange how different the weather was from east to west. I drove into heavy fog on the way to this event. This could have been a disaster considering the already late start was delayed, but by the grace of God, the clouds kept down the heat but not the humidity. Let's recap Eastwood style:

The good: 2nd overall (best running position of the year), top ten
The bad: weather (much more humid, but thankfully, cloudy), late start (although good today)
The ugly: I got smoked by 5 minutes!

I earned 2 medals but left with only 1 when the dust cleared.

Sunday agenda-race!

Only about half the events:

1. Spartan race AZ (actually began previous day & includes this one)
2. I care, I cure, I run 5k
3. run through central park 5k
4. madd dash 5k

 No double or triple available. You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). Using the been there, done that rule, the latter wins!

Even though I haven't done this event, the course was familiar (tropical park). This race actually sold out as it grew beyond expectations. Much like race 2 of the previous day, this could have been a disaster considering the start was delayed a half hour, but by the grace of God, the clouds kept down the heat. Fortunately, the humidity was not as bad as yesterday.

Clint Eastwood in closing:

The good: won age group, top ten, best time of the year (yes, I beat yesterday)
The bad: generic medal to all podium finishers
The ugly: was top master but no such title given

First weekend in February!

First weekend in February! This begins black history month. Being this is the shortest month, we get shafted again.

Saturday agenda-race!

Not many events but nevertheless:

1. sari center 5k
2. tropical 5k
3. st Thomas alumni 5k

So far, this is the year to do things differently. This rules out #2. Therefore, my choice would be either the former or the latter. Using the proximity rule, the latter won.

Although I have never done this one prior to ING, upon arrival to the event, I remember doing it before. What I didn't remember was the outrageous categories. My first Clint Eastwood synopsis of the month:

The good: top master (listed as 40+), top ten, finisher medal, division trophy
The bad: time, late start, weather (hot & humid for season)
The ugly: categories, cross country course

Sunday agenda-race!

Only found the (ING) Miami marathon and half, hence why I paid dearly to be in the event.

The good: finished under 2 hours, nice medal
The bad: weather ( windy, hot and humid), lack of water till near 3rd mile
The ugly: 1st time in history stopping to use bathroom, worse prior to 5k mark.