Transition weekend

Transition weekend is here once again!

Saturday agenda-race?

Although there has been a lot of rain since Thursday, it's a drought as far as racing:

1. Spartan race tri state NY
2. VA wine country half
3. pink heals 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). I was going to get over the weather and planned on the latter despite over a 2 1/2 hour commute but scrapped it because I was under the weather all of a sudden around midnight. I had to settle for training instead. What a disappointing way to close out the month.

Sunday agenda-race?

This is the first day of the month plus the hurricane season, and it too offers little in the area of racing:

1. Spartan race tri state NY
2. rnr San Diego marathon & half
3. run for the ribbons
4. twilight 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). I could have done a double header with the last 2 but got sick Friday and still feeling the effects. I did train racewalking the latter but focus whatever I had on the remaining event. By the grace of God, I got one of my better times this year despite both internal (sick) and external (heat, humidity) conditions. I began the month in a good position, making the podium (2 ag).

Conclusion: 3,2,1

3 events planned
2 events completed
1 event placed

Memorial weekend

Memorial weekend is upon us! Let's give props to the soldiers who gave the ultimate price for our freedom.

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I had planned on this day:

1. Spartan race CD
2. run like a bunny 5k
3. 5k zoo run

You can automatically rule out the former (out of USA). I planned on #2 when it was prior to Easter but it was cancelled due to the weather. I decided on the latter since its closest in proximity.

It was interesting as the race began at the west end parking lot (first time ever) and eventually ran through the zoo in reverse of previous events, but ending within as all. Sadly, it was a late start (8). I probably started too fast as I clocked in with a low 6 minutes. That quickly fell off as the temperature rose and my energy declined. Although I made the top ten and was the fastest master (not in top 3), I got by with top in age. To my dismay, someone I usually beat, got me good and was second only to Jon. No matter what, all who placed got generic medals.

Sunday agenda-race?

This is what I had planned on the final Sunday of the month:

1. Spartan race CD
2. oleta trail runs 5/10/half
3. Miami man speedway edition

You can automatically rule out the former (out of USA). The latter was an inaugural so I wanted so bad to do it but was just too expensive. The remaining is an off road event so I passed on that for training with my inlines; no race!

Monday agenda-race!

Tons of races were put on this day. This is what I boiled it down to:

1. veterans 10k/5k
2. Sandoval goodwill 5k
3. run on the green 5k
4. run for the pineapple 5k
5. memorial family 5k
6. Weston memorial 5k

I passed on the first 3 (west side of FL). I normally do the latter but opted to do something different (this is the year for that). Unfortunately, it was quite far even though not the furthest (#4) on the east side. Now for the Clint Eastwood synopsis:

The good: on the podium (2 ag)
The bad: hot, humid
The ugly: time, got beat by 6 women

I dared the added event, a fitness challenge. It features the 5k followed by the obstacle section.Glass time:

Half full: completed event, had 3rd fastest run time
Half empty: dead last in fitness section (admittedly, I just did enough to get through it (tough for me)

I not only didn't prepare nor train for such a challenge, it proved a lot more difficult than I imagined. I had to settle for lighter weights and still struggled. When I did know is that I refuse to give up; I ended up 2nd in 0-99.

May flowers

May flowers were to follow April showers but it seemed to rain more this month thus far than all of last month!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I considered for today:

1. Spartan race TX
2. FAU card 5k
3. save the tiger 5k
4. Eric patrie memorial 5k
5. covenant house 5k
6. hugs for hope (fisp) 5k
7. golden panther chase
8. tour of the gables 5k
9. heal the stride 5k

This was an athletes dream as far as choices. You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). The last 2 would make the most sense (closest in proximity) but also had the worst categories. I chose the furthest race on the FL east coast. It also seemed to be the largest. By the grace of God, I escaped with a podium appearance (2 ag) despite the ten year grouping. Another blessing was squeezing in an afternoon event and picking up a win, first in 2-3 years; praise the Lord!

Sunday agenda-race!

This is what I considered for this day:

1. Spartan race TX
2. rnr marathon Portland
3. Naples reverse tri
4.double road race
5. down and dirty race
6. FIU triathlon
7. run for relief 5k

 You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). I considered the next event, especially since I could do a double header at the same race but I already committed to the tri. I normally have Inga do the swim, while I get someone else to run (or bike) but didn't this time to satisfy my favorite athlete. She always wanted to run on a relay so she began and anchored on the team. It was windy & humid, bad for me on the bike. The course had a section full of speed bumps and rumble strips. One of them knocked an item loose, hitting the wheel on my bike, forcing me to stop to adjust. Despite that and 4th place on exchange, I was the fastest relay cyclist and her as a runner. We took the title, like the Miami heat (outfit I was wearing).

Mother's day weekend

Mother's day weekend is upon us! For all actual, expecting or potential moms, have a good one.

Saturday agenda-race!

Not much today but here's what's on the docket:

1. Spartan race MT
2. wine country half marathon
3. 5k turtle trot
4. women for women 5k/10k
5. ALS 5k/10k

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). Since the next was on the other side, I passed on that. I was not allowed to do #4 (no man for that matter), therefore, guess what? Either don't race or the latter; you what I chose.

First, I had to get over a mental block since this is the same venue as the tax event I couldn't race due to injury. Next, the weather; it was humid and windy. Luckily, the clouds kept down some of the heat. Also, the course itself has rolling bumps and twist and turns in the 2nd mile. By the grace of God, I closed out the top ten and wound up 2nd (somebody slipped by me). Blessed to make the podium.

Sunday agenda-race?

Let's see whats happening on mom's day:

Cinco de Mayo prelude

Cinco de Mayo prelude weekend.

Friday agenda-race!

I got in rare TGIF race that was aptly named TGi5k. Glass time:

Half full: got in a weekday race, hardware-finishers medal, finish into sunfest
Half empty: hot, humid, windy, bad cat (40-99), didn't place

Saturday agenda-race!

Back to normal. These are my choices for the first Saturday of May:

1. Spartan race CO
2. turtle trot 5k
3. heroes in recovery 6k
4. big cardio 5k
5. Nat Moore scholarship run
6. the glory run

You can automatically rule out the first (out of FL). The rest were all good races but I decided to return to a tried and true event and the only 1 with an unusual distance. This was my redemption race. By the grace of God, I returned to a more normal position, top ten and a podium finish; that's the glass half full. Glass half empty- 2 ag and award was a towel (no trophy nor medal (except finisher).

Sunday agenda-race!

These are my choices for the first Sunday of May:

1. Spartan race CO
2. flying pig marathon
3. tropicool 5k
4. red bull wings for life 60 miler
5. madd dash 5k
6. westglades 5k
7. walk for wishes 5k
8. tri Miami

You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). Take out the next since the rest are on the east side of FL. Definitely not ready for #4. I passed on the latter without a swimmer, unless I want to do the du; I didn't. If I followed Jon's path, I could've done a double header with #6 but I slipped on my research and just did his second #7.

Ironically, I was at this location (parrot jungle) last week for an organ donor event. I represented my office as a champion for the cause and met many other co-workers I knew. This time, I came to race. I almost missed the start but the Lord above got me to the line just in time. The final mile was technical but scenic once inside the park and finished within. Let me close out Clint Eastwood style:

The good: top ten and master, clouds kept down the heat
The bad: humid and windy, no finisher medal as priors
The ugly: late start, missed double header that Jon did, medal

In closing: I am pleased to move from zero to hero with steady improvement throughout. Observe:

Race 1: 24 oa, 7 ag, 6:48 no award
Race 2: 7 oa, 2 ag 6:49 (pace slightly worse but longer distance)
Race 3: 4 oa, top master, 6:38