Out with the old '16

Out with the old '16

This is the final day of this year, 2016. Kinda glad to see it go in many ways. Time to recap the year with Conan Obrien's top ten (not necessarily in order), Clint Eastwood style. *=Many are the same as last year. + is positive, - is negative (still bad).

The good:

10. I am still alive. +
9. Still a member of Runner's Depot! +
8. I completed (half of) the space coast marathon
7. I completed 2 halves within the 1st third of the year.
6. I owned my new Kia for 5 years, logging in 70k+ mostly from weekend racing!
5. Third time as a 2nd half pacer in a full marathon +; 4:30 group.
4. I was 2nd overall male winner in 2 walk races.
3. 65 races completed
2. I completed the vista view 360 'ultra' (6 hrs)
1. I completed first of the excaliber 10 mile series.

The bad:

10. Car problems, + my elantra still down hard.-
9. Increase in number of races in which I did not place.-
8. I had to settle for less a few times in some races that were winnable.-
7. Linda AD, I remain a victim of false promises and other emotional games -.
6. Recession (yes, they say it's getting better, but I don't notice it personally yet). -
5. Struggles to get under 24 in races, worse, never got under 21 (excluding short events)
4. Injuries and other set backs -.
3. Increase in race fees/expenditures-
2. I failed to compete in some races due to heat exhaustion.
1. Cant get any sleep (parties and celebrations). -

The Ugly:

10. Miami Marlins seasons end without playoffs -.
9. Extreme difficulty forming teams as a team captain -.
8. Had record 2nd low in races July and august (5 total).
7. Increase in insurance, office closures.-
6. Credit card debt. -
5. No overall victories
4. struggle to race under 24
3. Lost (didn't place) in at least 13 races.-
2. The Miami heat didn't even appear in the NBA playoffs.-
1. Had record low in total races (second time under 100 in 8 years).-

Happy new year! See you next year.

PS: Most Ugly:

1. My mom passed away
2. Many celebrities died as well, including Muhammad Ali, Jose Fernandez.

Great news:

1. Cubs win MLB pennant after 108 year drought
2. 2 of krenson's kids having kids, 1 getting married
3. I got on the podium on the last day of this year (3 age).

Merry christmas!

Merry Christmas! also, happy holidays, like Bob's birthday was Friday, Hanukkah began yesterday, Kwanzaa tomorrow. I couldn't find any races this weekend.

Saturday agenda-race?

No, but I did do the 12 miles of Christmas among hundreds of other athletes,

Sunday agenda-race?

Nope but I did a training walk (injured myself yesterday),

Jingle bell weekend II

Jingle bell weekend II has arrived. Prior to the weekend, on hump day evening, there was the coral springs holiday mile. I couldn't make that due to the distance and start time; besides, I don't measure up to the times required to place these days.

Saturday agenda-race?

Here is what I selected for this day:

1. Christmas Santa stroll 5k
2. delray beach jingle bell jog
3. its a wonderful run 5k
4. jingle bell jog (orig) 5k

When I was a spring chicken, I would've done the former as race #2, since it's a night race, despite the travel, to make a double header, but not! I cant hang with the latter; it is a high quality, high quantity event. I picked the next closest in proximity, #3. Clint time:

The good: podium, decent time under conditions
The bad: late start, no finisher medal, 3 age (I like to win)
The ugly: still sick, windy, some humidity

Sunday agenda-race?

1. Christmas sprint du/tri
2. wellington jingle bell run
3. lace 'em up on the levee 5k/10k
4. ft lauderdale jingle bell jog
5. Miami jingle bell jog

Although the furthest, I like the former but since still sick, I considered the rest (on the same coast). I went to the latter (closest in proximity) but the entry was exorbitant, so I ended up doing a training jog with Jeff Meyer. It was my first on the new course, which I didn't like. The ground was wet from previous rain.

Jingle bell weekend I

Jingle bell weekend I has arrived. Prior to the weekend, on hump day evening, there was the boca pal holiday mile. I couldn't make that due to the distance and start time; besides, I don't measure up to the times required to place these days.

Saturday agenda-race?

Here's what I found for this day:

1. Bonita springs ymca 5k
2. classics by the sea 5k/10k
3. river run 5k
4. jingle bell run ft laud
5. jingle bell run ymca

With enough local races, you can eliminate the former and skip the  next 2 (palm beach). Of the remaining, I picked the latter (closest in proximity). Clint Eastwood time:

The good: podium, finisher medals, first trophy of the year, cool weather, pancakes
The bad: wind, 2nd age (I like to win), no staple food (bananas, oranges)
The ugly: sick (affected time), age cat changed to ten

Sunday agenda-race?

1. Honolulu marathon
2. Jeff Galloway 13.1
3. cape coral marathon
4. run for tomorrow half/5k
5. burger king 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). With enough local races, you can eliminate the the  next 2. The latter was closest in proximity but I wanted to do other. Unfortunately, due to illness, I didn't race at all. :(

First weekend of the month

First weekend of the month is already here! Let the 'holidays' begin! Yesterday was a rare Friday night race (bill bone Sandi 5k). I had the chance to do it (much like I did last month) but opted against the drive (long like to Cuba, being over 90 miles).

Saturday agenda-race?

1. race for hope 5k
2. pnc family challenge 5k
3. holiday family fun 5k
4. trikw (du/tri)

Forget about the latter; key west is too far south. Spencer, the runners depot team captain put on #3, plus it is closest in proximity. Glass time. Half:

Full: I did a double (5k and 1 mile) and finished both, on podium (3 age)
Empty: Weather was windy and got humid as the sun rose, 4th on results, walked once (5k=bad but chose to do so in the mile because I was burnt from the 5k)

Sunday agenda-race?

1. cayman islands marathon
2. Barbados marathon
3. rnr San Antonio marathon
4. palm beach marathon
5. 5k for the kids
6. bvf 5k

You can automatically rule out the first 3 (out of USA). I failed last week so strike #4 as well. I went to both of the remaining but didn't do any of them. What happened? I got spooked at the latter because I was told only 1 deep, drove to the other but didn't have enough time for it. I helped pace a friend then went back and found out I would've placed at the one at was at; I would not have where I paced. What a bummer!