Pop's weekend!

Pop's weekend! Why? Well, today is his birthday for starters. Also, beautiful Florida weather (hot, sunny and no rain). All things must come to an end; this statement refers to the fact this is the last weekend of April this year. Prior to today, the corporate run occurred on Thursday; I had to miss due to time and distance from event.

Saturday agenda-race?

Here's what I have on my plate for the last Saturday of April:

1. rnr Nashville marathon
2. Spartan race IN
3. stomp out child abuse 5k
4. meek and mighty tri
5. the courage challenge
6. 5k ruck run
7. peak 5k
8. chase dream 5k
9. human race

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). If I included an obstacle type event #6, a double header was possible, but not! The next 2 were on the west coast; I didn't feel like that much of a drive. Instead, I did something different. I chose a 'fun' run that gave out medals to the first 50 finishers. I wanted to test out my feet after injury without having to push. However, this plan kind of fell by the wayside when Luis showed up and decided to jog with me. That jog was near race pace for me at 7. Believe it or not, I was 4th overall without major effort but finished feeling more confident.

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what I have on my plate for the last Sunday of April:

1. the big sur marathon
2. rnr Madrid marathon
3. st Anthony's triathlon
4. the courage challenge
5. run from the rays 5k
6. pill box 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL/USA). Without a swimmer, strike #3. I wound up picking the latter (proximity). Almost a disaster for me, because #1-no master titles and #2 high quality field. It began and finished on a concrete track. By the grace of God, I got the last ag spot & last time on podium this month. Let's do the glass synopsis:

Half full: podium (3 ag), 5 star post race (waffles, eggs, etc)
Half empty: no master titles, near generic medal

Easter weekend!

Easter weekend is upon us! In terms of racing, it began Thursday with the cpa 1040k. They offered both a 5k and 10k, but due to injury, I couldn't race either. I did complete a 5k distance as training/recovery.

Yesterday (good Friday), I found a night race far on the west coast of FL but due to the aforementioned, weather, and car problems (old), I had to pass.

Saturday agenda-race?

Due to Easter, all organizers who put on a race this weekend picked today to do it. Here is what was under consideration:

1. do the right thing 5k
2. awareness 5k
3. Rooney's 5k
4. run for the bunny 5k
5. mr egg hunt tri/du

The weather report affected my decisions, then finances. I wanted to do the first 2 for a double header, despite the financial strain but rain was coming from that direction plus old car problem changed that. I passed on the latter due to finances but ultimately would have been the most feasible and closest in proximity. I originally planned on #4 and made, only to find out it was cancelled. Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time to get to #3 due to the distance (furthest on my list for races on my coast). Therefore, I made it to 2 race sites but unable to race either of them.

Sunday agenda-race?

Not! This day is avoided due to Easter; have a happy one! Guess what? Clint Eastwood time:
The good: I am grateful for god's greatest gift-Jesus Christ!
The bad: no races for this day
The ugly:  no races for me at all for the entire Easter weekend; car problems still.

Monday agenda-race?

Yes and no. In the colonial states, it's a holiday-patriot's day. In bean town, it's race day; the legendary boston marathon (118th). Unfortunately, I was working, not racing.

Birthday weekend!

Birthday weekend! Even though I advance to junior in my normal age group (45-49) within 48 hours, I am still in that group. This is my last weekend before the change.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I have on my docket for the last Saturday before I age up:

1. singer island 5/10/half
2. support our troops 5k
3. Spartan race/biggest loser FL,NY

Not much to do so selection is easier. Rule out the latter since its off road, obstacle style event, even though closest in proximity. I passed on the former because I don't want to do a half then follow up next day with a 5k. They offered a 5k but that race is also the furthest in FL, so #2 wins.

I been there, done that but forgot the categories. Even though also in palm beach, it was the closest normal 5k. Although external conditions were acceptable, my internal conditions were not. Let's sum this up Clint Eastwood style:

The good: podium (3 oa)
The bad: distance to race, medals to winners
The ugly: categories-only 1 oa, no master, ten yr ag (stripped me of 3 oa in lieu of 2 ag)

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what I have on my docket for the last Sunday before I age up:

1. divas half TX
2. rnr Raleigh marathon/half
3. tour de Georgia gran fondo
4. run wild in the park
5. thin mint sprint
6. gumbo limbo green turtle gallop 10k
7. ives 5

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of FL). I chose the latter because #1- closest in proximity and #2-the remaining are all in the county I just raced in yesterday or worse! Let me add some additional reasons: #3 put on by runners depot and #4 an inaugural.

I am not keen on cross country races so I didn't know how I would fair, since this is one of those. Worse, I had to do loops, including a steep climb. By the grace of God, I finished in the top ten and won my age group. To my surprise, the time was faster than yesterday despite the external conditions. However, my internal conditions were much better. Best of all, I got a nice trophy!

Monday agenda-race?

Not! It's my birthday! Plus, its a weekday, not a nationally observed holiday. Of course, you know I will still train.

Genesis of April

Genesis of April is upon us, the first weekend. The first event was on Thursday up in ft Lauderdale-corporate run.

Saturday agenda-race!

Here is what I considered for the first Saturday of April:

1. ragnar relay so cal
2. Hollywood half (CA)
3. rayz awareness 5k
4. roar thru ybor
5. run for the turtles 5k
6. great American bacon race
7. caba 5k
8. run to stop MS 5k
9. 7 mile bridge run

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). Strike #3 (furthest in my FL selection). It only took 1 rejection for me to lose desire to be in the latter, so that's out. There was actually a chance for a double header but after my struggles last week, I just focused on one. I picked the closest in proximity.

In a horrible twist of fate, I began the month with a loss that should have been a podium finish. Check it out Clint Eastwood style:

The good: top ten (6 moa), finishers medal, weather
The bad: late start (was to be a great 7 am start), no split clocks, can't see finish clock till after cross
The ugly: categories (only 1 oa, no master, ten yr ag) cost me a podium slot, say lost by 1 second

The course was interesting. It began and ended on the track and used a lot of narrow trails.

Glass half full: new course was interesting
Glass half empty: narrow, curvy paths, start at finish was bad

Sunday agenda-race!

Here is what I considered for the first Sunday of April:

1. April fools half
2. south beach triathlon
3. trisickle 5k
4. pilates 5k
5. rugged runner challenge
6. wellington kids tri

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). I cant do the next without a swimmer. I'm not allowed to the latter, even if I had a swimmer. Since the remaining were events I have never done, I picked closest in proximity.

The course was also interesting. It began and ended near the finish and after mile 1, for 1 mile, used a lot of narrow trails.

Let me break it down Clint Eastwood style:

The good: top 3, weather,  7 am start
The bad: no split clocks, double loop mid race and not on asphalt
The ugly: I couldn't get 2nd overall, award, PR didn't count (short)

I have to put something but the race was well done and worth a revisit. At least I closed out the weekend on top.