Transition weekend

Transition weekend is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I had planned on the last day of this month:

1. race for the arts 5k
2. fight for air climb
3. hearts at work 5k
4. 5k on the runway
5. battle frog
6. festival 5k
7. heart and sole glow run

All events within the tri county area, with the former as the furthest north and the latter as the furthest south plus also a night event, enabling a double header. However, the latter is not a race, so it's ruled out. With enough running events, I passed on #2 and #5. I 'wimped out' and chose the closest in proximity (la penultima).

This time I will use the glass synopsis:

Half full: won age group, made the bakers dozen, sub 18 time, with first mile sub 5!
Half empty: course was short (reason why time so fast), medal, warm-hot + windy

Sunday agenda-race

Here's what I had planned on the first day of march:

1. Excalibur ten miler
2. hooters to hooters half
3. total health 5k
4. jafco in my sneakers 5k
5. bayfront challenge tri
6. 13.1 half
7. carnival Miami 5k

Can you believe that almost half of the events are in Miami? With that in mind, I considered the last 3. Without a swimmer, #5 is out. I have done the latter in the past as a walk or as an 8k running, but don't remember doing the 5k at the 13.1 so that's what I chose.

It was a windy day, with a few turns and a sharp turn around; not my favorite. There was nothing home to write about but I was pleased to make the podium (2nd age), and top ten, earning a plaque, my first award in that series. On second thought, maybe that is something to write home about.

Last full weekend of the month

Last full weekend of the month is upon us!

Saturday agenda-race!

Today is like runner's heaven:

1. run in the gardens 5k
2. sunmart 5k
3. lakes of the meadow 5k
4. safewalk 5k
5. race for faith 5k/10k
6. riverbend green 5k
7. 5k for a better day
8. funky fun run on 13th st
9. everglades ultra
10. Edison festival of lights
11. gasparilla 15k/5k

Believe it or not, most of the above are local (tri county area), so I definitely passed on the last 3. Logically speaking, the closest in proximity (2,3,4) would make the most sense but the Lord made it possible for a double header in broward. I rarely turn those down. Please note, wind was a factor in both events.

Event #1-5k for a better day

Clint eastwood synopsis:

The good: podium, top ten, unique award
The bad: 2nd master (missed top by 10+ seconds)
The ugly: course (turns)

Event #2-funky fun run on 13th st

Clint eastwood synopsis:

The good: podium, top ten
The bad: address on flyer, would be top master (4 oa) except for bad place categories
The ugly: only 1 oa & given 3rd (age cat 40+)

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what I found for this day:

1. Tokyo marathon
2. gasparilla half and various other distances
3. tour de broward
4. emb(race) 5k/10k/half
5. 5k for kids

You can automatically rule out the former (out of US). The latter was closest in proximity but poorest in categories (top 2 oa and ten year age). With local events, skip the second also. Due to my lack of long runs, I chose #4. On top of that, it was an inaugural. My goal was simple, under 2 hours, then collect my finishers medal; my time would be impossible for the podium. My goal was met but to my surprise and by the grace of God, I placed 2nd in my age group!

Valentine's weekend

Valentine's weekend is upon us (good)! Yesterday was Friday the 13th (bad). This also marks the middle of the month!

Saturday agenda-race!

This is what I planned today:

1. run wild 5k
2. ft Lauderdale Valentine's day 5k
3. barrier free 5k

The former was the best choice since it was closest in proximity but I picked the latter because I don't remember ever doing it. The weather was quite cold but luckily, no real wind. This was my tune up race. Now for the clint eastwood synopsis:

The good: podium!
The bad: 2nd (I like to win), a little too cold, distance to race, generic medal
The ugly: not top ten, women got past me

Sunday agenda-race!

Here's what I planned for this day:

1. A1A marathon/half

Guess which one I did? There comes a time when you should give back (to the community); this was that day. My contribution was to do the 2nd half of the 4 hour marathon pacing. It was even colder this day, no wind at beginning but picked up during the run. I crossed the finish on point + or - seconds. I helped to make the day of many in the group, along with the 'relay' starter. I loved the ten year anniversary medal.

The first full weekend of February

The first full weekend of February is upon us! Last week began also black history month. Have you ever noticed that we get the shortest month of the year while Hispanics get one of the longest?

Saturday agenda-race!

Here's what I found for today:

1. ragnar relay FL
2. drawn to the beach 5k
3. walk 4 wishes 5k
4. healthy heart 5k/10k
5. sari center 5k
6. st Thomas alumni fun run
7. dolphin cycling challenge day 1

The former actually began yesterday. Usually done by a team of a dozen people but there are some ultra marathon maniacs out there. In any case, I passed on that. Surprisingly, all events are local, with some closer than others. Teammate brian sharkey did a double with #2 and #3 but unfortunately, I missed that op by taking #4, an inaugural race (not the venue).

Now for the clint eastwood synopsis:

The good: podium and top ten, finisher wood
The bad: course with rolling hills, 2nd (always want to win), beat by a woman
The ugly: wind, missed 1st by 6 secs

Sunday agenda-race!

Not as many as the last agenda but nevertheless:

1. dolphin cycling challenge day 2 (5k)
2. run thru central park
3. eagle 5k
4. madd dash 5k
5. surfside beach 5k

Surprisingly, all events are local, with some closer than others. I was compelled to support #2 because it is a club event. To my expectations and dismay, I would not place.

It's glass time:

Half full: beat the last race's time, weather great (cool with no wind)
Half empty: no where near top 3 age nor ten overall, beat by more than a few females

I just kept thinking, like Sherman, 'I am just here so I wont get fined (penalized)'.