Second to one

This weekend featured individual & team competition.

Saturday agenda-steps to independence 5k

I was aware of two races going on. Normally, I would select a race by proximity, which would lead me to select the Komen race for the cure 5k held in downtown Miami. I did it last year & enjoyed it. It is a charity race & the great cause-cure/prevention of breast cancer. I classify this race as a no pressure race since, other than overall, there were no age group categories. Instead, the top 50 males & females were rewarded with a finisher's medal. In such a case, due to my frequent running, I would've slacked, knowing that a 21 would be sufficient to qualify. In order to force myself to compete, I went to Coral Springs to do the independence 5k. In this one, top 3 overall & masters were offered, then the normal 3 deep age groups. I wanted a challenge & I got it. Before the start, I felt comfortable that I could place as a master but by mile one, I was praying I could make at least the age group category. It seemed I was anywhere from 12th to 15th place & 4 known master runners were included! Between 1 and 2, I was last in a master's pack of 3 but by mile two, Gary Bloome overtook us all. DK (teammate of premier) attempted to match his pace while I kept mine till mile 2. Oh, I almost forgot, I was also being challenged by a teenage girl; you know how I feel about that. I thought to myself, "I own the last mile!". Once I passed that mile marker, I picked up the pace, passing both WM & DK while losing the girl. I closed within 7 seconds of Gary but ran out of real estate. I had to settle for 2nd in master's category (second to one). I was in danger as the final winner was only 6 seconds behind me. Oh, my overall position was fifth. I was the 3rd fastest master (one master was so quick, he made 3rd overall) to finish, proving that age is just a number.

Sunday agenda-multirace triathlon (relay)

Waking up still on a high from yesterday, I was excited about today. I, once again, will be tested on my ability, but this time on a bike, my number one cross training activity. Stef, the swimmer, would be competing for the last time this year with Triple Teem relay. She had survived dealing with me for two seasons & has competed with me more than any other teammate I have ever had. What a milestone! The one taking my place on the anchor leg (run) was none other than Jonathan Mederos, winner of 2 running races in the past 2 months & member of Du Tri Harder 2006 duathlon relay champions for the last 2 events. Although we started about a minute behind (a co-ed relay team had a male swimmer that beat our woman), I amazing took out their female cyclist (not taking anything from her since you know we (Du Tri Harder) have a strong female cyclist)) in the first loop, despite the fact that I am not really a cyclist. Note to other teams- with this combination, if I pass you on the bike, you will meet certain doom! Twas time for the anchor to show out. When the dust cleared, we placed first in the co-ed division. His run time was faster than anyone, even the elite finishers (granted, they had 2 disciplines prior). My bike time among all relays was short of being the best by about 33 seconds (second to one), & I set a personal best for that course. As a team, we beat all but an all male relay (second to one), but we were behind by a mere 55 seconds, a deficit that was due to a male swimmer vs our woman. Congratulations to all my fellow teammates.

Honorable mention

I realize I will always be second to one, since God is number one! Thanx for everything.