out with the old '17

Out with the old '17

This is the final day of this year, 2017. 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 6 years, logging in 80k+ mostly from weekend racing! +
5. I placed today, closing out with a podium finish. +
4. I was 2nd overall male winner in a walk race. +
3. 72 races completed +
2. I completed the world run
1. I completed second 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 (3 total). -
7. Increase in insurance, office closures.-
6. Miami Dolphins end with a losing season. -
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 9 years).-

Happy new year! See you next year.

PS: Most Ugly:

1. George McCuen passed away
2. Many celebrities died as well.

Great news:

1. despite worse injuries, I completed more events
2. Cheryl's youngest kid is having a kid
3. I got on the podium on the last day of this year (2 age).

Final weekend of the year

Final weekend of the year has arrived!

Here is what I found for the last Saturday of the year:

nothing! I pulled out my inlines and rolled for 4 miles instead.

Here is what I found for the last Sunday of the year:

1. delray half
2. boca 5k

I bet you noticed they are both in palm beach, so I had a long drive up. The latter was the closest in proximity, plus I am not ready to close out the year with a long run.

The good: podium, cool weather, finisher medal
The bad: t shirt, 2 age
The ugly: listed as won age but bumped to 2nd

Praise the Lord, I close out the year on the podium!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas! also, happy holidays; Hanukkah ended this past wednesday, winter officially began thursday, yesterday was noche Buena for Hispanics (Christmas eve for most of us)and Kwanzaa tomorrow.

Too many want to be 'politically' correct, rather than actually correct because Jesus is the reason for the season. Today is Christmas, so keep your holiday cards and holiday gifts under your holiday tree decorated with holiday ornaments because that vague term can apply to any holiday, including martin luther king jr day and easter! Yet, I don't this display for other holidays that can be happy too. Therefore, I give Christmas cards and gifts, set up my Christmas tree, decorated with Christmas ornaments!

Christmas weekend

Christmas weekend has arrived!

Saturday agenda-race?

I call today Christmas eve eve! Here is what I considered:

1. jingle bell jog

Yeah, I know; lots of choices. Eastwood time:

The good: finisher medal
The bad: late start, weather
The ugly: I didn't place, no tshirt

Sunday agenda-race?

No, but I did the 12 miles of Christmas fun long run. I saw a lot of athlete friends. Glass time: half-

Full: free, long run completed, cool start time (near 6:15), raffle
Empty: didn't get tshirt, ended hot, only 2 water stations, missed by 1 # in raffle

Mid month crisis

Mid month crisis is here; the last of this year! There was a race mid week (holiday mile) but time and distance prevented me from attending. Beside, I am not in shape to compete in that. Friday agenda-George McCuen funeral Saturday agenda-race? 1. jingle bell jog bahamas 2. jingle bell jog tampa 3. jingle bell jog naples 4. jingle bell jog delray 5. its a wonderful run Well, you probably guessed that I did the latter. Clint time: The good: podium The bad: 2 age (I like and almost won) The ugly: no finisher medal Sunday agenda-race? 1. jingle bell jog ft lauderdale 2. jingle bell jog Miami 3. jingle bell wellington 4. lace em up on the levee 5k/10k 5. hot chocolate 15k/5k The latter was the furthest so I picked the closest, #2. However, I found out it was near downtown Miami, presenting many problems: 1. parking location 2. parking fees 3. traffic the race director/timing company never answered questions completely regarding race, making it too risky to attempt, especially since the entry fee was higher than normal. I opted to train instead.

Pre Hanukkah weekend!

Pre Hanukkah weekend! Saturday agenda-race? Here is what I considered for this day: 1. 13.1 durham half 2. babcock ranch jingle bell 5k 3. triKW du/tri 4. river run 5k 5. kakes 4 kids 5k 6. beach n beer mile You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). #2 was on west side of FL, #3 key west, and the latter in Islamorada; I passed on all those. Of the remaining, I took #4. Glass time: half- Full: finisher medal Empty: injury prevented me from placing + missed a race I could have Sunday agenda-race? 1. Honolulu marathon 2. nova jingle bell 5k 3. FL west coast half 4. Weston half and 5k 5. BVF 5k You can automatically rule out the first 2 (out of FL). #3 was on west side of FL; I skipped that. Of the remaining, I took #4. I need to do more long runs so I passed on the 5k for the half. I actually 'ran' faster than at space coast but was pleased that I didn't walk at all.

First weekend of the last month of the year!

First weekend of the last month of the year! Last night, a rare Friday night race-bill bone 5k. I had to pass due to distance. Saturday agenda-race? Here is what I selected for the first Saturday of the month: 1. key west southern most marathon 2. OUC half 3. santas on the run 5k 4. north creek explorer 5k* 5. holiday family fun day 5k and mile 6. jingle bell 5k* To put it short, I decided to stay close to home and found 2 venues within Miami-the latter 2. * double header op. #5 contained 2 events, so I actually completed 3. Morning Event 1-5k The good: finisher medal, post race The bad: time slow The ugly: I didn't place Morning Event 2-mile Glass time: half- Full: finisher medal, post race Empty: I didn't place esp since I walked. Afternoon Event- The good: finisher medal, trophy (if place) The bad: the course The ugly: no post race food for runners (have to pay), shuttle (difficult to find/catch) Sunday agenda-race? Here is what I selected for the first Sunday of the month: 1. run Barbados marathon 2. rnr san Antonio marathon 3. Honolulu marathon 4. Atlanta jingle bell jog 5. palm beach marathon and half 6. run a latke 5k 7. 5k for the kids You can automatically rule out the first 4 (out of FL/US). Clint time: The good: post race, podium! The bad: time slow, 2nd pl The ugly: no finisher medal as implied Count down conclusion: 4- events completed, medals 3- finisher medals, events on Saturday 2- days of racing 4 events 1- award medal 0- trophies, PRs