March madness!

March madness! It is upon us! However, I'm not just talking about NCAA basketball. This is the last weekend in march. I have experienced many ups and downs.

Saturday agenda-race?

Here is what was on the schedule for the last Saturday of the month:

1. coral springs half/5k
2. south motors 8k at the zoo

I planned on the former but it fell through so I showed up at the latter. It also was closest in proximity. This decision was wise since the week long illness affected my performance. After 2 miles, in order to finish what I started, I began power walking, struggling with that as well. At mile 4, I jogged the rest and completed the event. It was an inaugural but seem as such. 5 star post race, finishers medals and trophies to overall, and top 2 ag; unfortunately, I couldn't partake in that as I needed to recover. This is a must do, and hopefully, I will plan on this one next time and be well enough to compete!

Sunday agenda-race?

Here is what was on the schedule for the last Sunday of the month:

1. divas half & 5k
2. run 4 the angels 4 mile relay
3. Florida brain cancer
4. march for hunger
5. Kendra's kisses 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (woman's event). Scratch #2, as I need 3 other partners. Of the remaining, #3 is the furthest, so I passed on that. I like the rest so with a flip of a coin, the latter won!

While the external condition were ok (cool with cloud cover but some wind & humidity), I was not (internal condition from illness). Since I'm disappointed forfeiting a trophy for a medal due to this, lets get this report over with Clint Eastwood style:

The good: podium (2 ag)
The bad: course,  wind & humidity
The ugly: loss a master position & to 2 runners I usually beat due to illness

I close out the month bitter sweet.

First spring weekend of the year

First spring weekend of the year is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

Not so many races sprung up for the first Saturday of spring:

1. 13.1 marathon NY
2. Spartan race NC
3. riverwalk 5 mile or k
4. homeless voice 5k
5. dash from the past 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). I actually had a chance at a double header (Bryan won them both, starting with #3) but I opted against it (still recovering from last weekend).

First, the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: won ag, top ten
The bad: late start, medal
The ugly: weather, no master titles

To expound on the negatives, the late 8 start was delayed due to rain nearly 15 minutes. On top of that, it was very windy. Medals to all, even overall, although the top overall got gift baskets/gift cards.

Sunday agenda-race!

1. rnr half TX
2. Spartan race NC, HI
3. publix GA marathon
4. motion for the ocean 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). Guess what Im doing? Duh! The latter is a return visit.

First, the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: won ag, top ten
The bad: late start, no standard award (goodie bag instead), 10 yr cat
The ugly: weather, no master titles, park entry, course

To expound on the negatives, the late 9 start was delayed nearly 15 minutes. On top of that, there was virtually no cloud cover to block the strong, hot sun. The course began and finished on concrete but was only about 5% of the surface; the rest was sand and of that, more than 70 % unpacked! Also, no mile markers nor clocks. Long line to enter because the park officials denied access until 8 then had the nerve to charge to get in.

Despite all that, I wouldn't rule out a return to those events.

Mid month/holiday weekend

Mid month/holiday weekend is upon us. It is the last weekend of winter. Sunday is a holy day even more as it is Purim plus on top of that, a full moon night. Monday is st. Patrick's day; look out for drunks.

Saturday agenda-race!

Check out my selection for today:

1. rnr marathon DC
2. gate river 15k
3. shamrock run (10 miler/5k)
4. march for cancer
5. st Patrick 10k
6. gospel color run
7. doral 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). #2 was nearly out of FL (jax). The latter was closest in proximity but would have ruined my double header opportunity. #6 was the second, so which do I select to precede? I planned on #3 as a 5k but it fell through and forgot about #4. The closest to that event and earliest start was the 10k, so I took a chance on that.

Event 1: st Patrick 10k

I am not known for speed in the 10k and naturally, was reluctant to run it but logistically speaking, to pull off the double header, I had to take the challenge. My original plan was merely finish & get a medal for that achievement but the weather was great for a good run (cool, little or no wind). My goal was to average a 7 minute pace. By the grace of God, this was attained and was sufficient for an age group win! Unfortunately, I wasn't able to stay to know this nor collect my award.

Event 2: gospel color run

This was an interesting one. It was not only a trail run (cross country terrain with some on the street) but the fun run color concept. Naturally, I did my best to dodge getting hit with color since I am trying to race. Not only did I not like the course but it had 5 loops! Once again, the good Lord stepped in and allowed me to win my age group and somehow advance to 5th overall.

Sunday agenda-race!

Happy Purim! These are my choices for this day:

1. Sarasota half
2. 25.75 tri
3. shamrock run
4. run with the rabbi 5k
5. tribute to the military 5k

With enough local races, I passed on the former. The latter was closest in proximity but may have interfered with my double header opportunity; I lied, plenty of time between. Without a swimmer, eliminate the second. Anyway, my dad selected the race he wanted to do on his return to the racing world, so we ran with the rabbi. Afterward, I trained at the shamrock 4 miler, especially since I was very tight from the previous races.

I had a rocky start, dodging kids and experiencing after effects from yesterdays double. However, blessed by the Lord, when the dust cleared, dejavu; same position and similar time of yesterday. Also, I won my age cat as well. Despite lack of training, my dad took 2nd in his group, resurrecting the B.E.S.T. from days of old.

FYI

Bell's Elite Sports Team, born over 2 decades ago, is an exclusive, family collaboration.

Spring forward!

Spring forward! Day light savings time is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I had on my schedule on the last day prior to the time change:

1. Spartan race GA
2. spring sprint 5k
3. Daniel's dash 5k
4. run to remember 5k
5. wild stampede 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). #2 was the furthest local race; strike 2. The latter would make the most sense (closest in proximity) but I decided to race in broward. East side or west side; I picked the former and ran along the beach (mostly broadwalk).

This turned out to be an interesting race. At the start, some bozo cut me off, basically running into me sprinting (died before half mile), meanwhile I was barely in the dirty dozen, including Emily. When the dust cleared, the overall race winner was a female and the only one to break 19. Second overall runner was the male overall winner and the only man to break 20. In the last mile, I finally overtook a master runner, bumping him to that title overall but I failed to take out the runner up by seconds, so therefore I was declared third overall male. All title winners got trophies, the rest medals (unique, not generic). Nice cool start with low wind, plus finally, an early start (7 am).

Sunday agenda-race!

This is what I have on my schedule on the first day of the time change:

1. Spartan race GA
2. Kingston city run (half and 5k)
3. LA marathon
4. San Diego marathon
5. cooper city Richardson 5k
6. down2earth divas half/10/5k
7. sponsor an athlete 5k
8. bayfront challenge tri

You can automatically rule out the first 4 (out of FL/USA). Without a swimmer, I had to pass on the latter. Last year, I drove to broward to get ripped off an award by having grandmasters 6 deep, wiping out the master category effectively; eliminate #5. For that, I might as well stay close to home.

Dejavu! Well, sort of. Same results as the previous day but in a different way. Sharkey blew away the field and took the overall title. Since no other titles were offered, I fell to age group despite being third overall male. Yes, I was actually fourth since I failed to beat a girl who was a cross country champ for Gulliver, the school where this race was held. In the early stages of race, I did overtake her but she reclaimed her position for good halfway through race. She was in sight however. I bested my time from the previous day so I hold my generic medal with pride.

While I lost an hour of sleep, I did make the podium twice this weekend by the grace of God.

First weekend (of March)

First weekend (of March) is upon us! I slept right through February 30 and 31!

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I had on my plate for the first Saturday of the month:

1. bike MS (start)
2. palm 100 ultra
3. spring fest 5k/12k
4. race for the arts 5k
5. run for compassion 5k
6. fragile X circus run
7. romp through pinecrest

I passed on the former (2 day cycling event). #3 was the furthest event; its a no for that one. #2, been there, done that on a team; no interest solo.  #2 was the furthest event on the east side; no need with enough within 2 counties. Anyhow, the last 2 were in my county!

Since I travel so much, I was pleased with the latter (less than 20 minutes from home). Despite the late start (8), the weather was nice (cool with no wind). I finished by the time the heat was intensifying. The course was out and back but with many turns. When the dust cleared, I made the top ten and was 2nd in my age cat (somebody beat me with sub 20) since no master title was offered. Also, to my dismay, 2 women beat me, one of them beat everybody but the race winner. Can you say fast?

Sunday agenda-race?

Here's what I had on my plate for the first Sunday of the month:

1. army marathon
2. bike MS (return)
3. Excalibur 10 miler
4. hooters half
5. 13.1 Miami beach

Not many. You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). Once again, I passed on the cycling event. No brainer; I chose the latter (closest in proximity).

Race? Yes and no. I have decided not to run established distance races but so fast to avoid injury, as in the past. However, I did set a goal (sub 1:50) and paced to achieve it. Good news: I did it! Bad news is that that time is my best in years. Sad, because I used to run low 1:30s with ease in the past. With this event, I completed 3 from the company, earning me the category 3 medal!

A rare weekend in that, not including picking up my packet, I remained in my county!