Thanxgiving weekend

Hope everyone had a wonderful thanksgiving. We runners are a different breed because we will exercise early prior to any pig out! Whenever there is race, I am pleased. I am thankful the Lord allowed the long weekend to be possible & that there were sufficient races to run. I am especially thankful the Lord allowed me to do well in both, despite circumstances.

Thanksgiving day agenda-Blue cross & blue shield turkey trot

This race offered 2 events- 5k & 10k. For those only racing once this holiday weekend, the 10k is the obvious choice; Y'all know I race more frequently. Besides, I perform better in the 5k, so that was my selection. All seemed well until halfway into the 1st mile. Some short kid kept sprinting & then cutting in front. I finally ditched him after mile one. My troubles weren't over. Some one wanted to beat me so bad that as he was passing, he (elbows/feet) were bumping into me, forcing me to counter like a basketball player. Well, he succeeded using that unsportsmanlike technique but did not realize what he stepped into. In essence, he opened the Pandora box. Tapping into my past experience, I deduced that #1, if he felt it necessary to do that, he must be in my age group & #2, he confirmed it when I saw the bald spot as he cut me off. In fact, I dubbed his move as the Kojak kutoff. The Kojak kutoff was the catalyst for my karma plan. I decided to allow him the short term victory of being in front & I used his Kojak kutoff against him by drafting. I followed his every move, meanwhile adjusting to whatever pace he used until I felt the time was right. Once I got on the track (after 3 miles), twas basically a 400 meter dash. I reminded myself of how well I did the last time I was on a track (Bikila track meet). I outsprinted him and placed 1st in age group by 1 second! I'll give him credit for apologizing in the chip area regarding the Kojak kutoff but it was short lived. Out of revenge, he stole my UM sweater as I went for my award. Although I can't be proven, the evidence I have it that he failed to pick up his award because he was too busy taking the sweater. I feel it was worth the sacrifice to teach him a lesson not to execute nasty maneuvers.

Black Friday agenda-bargain hunting

I squeezed out a mini-workout then off I went. I didn't get up early enough to beat the happy campers so I missed out on some deals. I was not willing to be out at midnight to save a few bucks. I worked out a little more after the dust cleared.

Saturday agenda-Jingle down Main Street 5k

This is one of my favorite races. Ever since doing it the first time, I have made it a point to make this race. It is one of many return races that I do. This race required patience & experience. I was passed by 2 known master runner before mile 1 but was on pace. Therefore, I had to rely on my ability to overcome, especially in the final mile. After mile 2, I managed to close the gap & then called upon the Lord to give me the power & speed in the sprint zone to capture the master title. The Lord came through, once again. The other two I beat are both friends & representatives of a rival running store. I was 4 seconds slower but it was enough to get the job done.

Sunday agenda-Nike run remix training

Originally, I was to form a 2 or 4 person relay team but a number of factors prevented it- insufficient time to set up, distance, thanksgiving weekend & prior commitments. So, I decided to travel somewhere to run. I chose this because it will be the 1st & last time I could do one of these on any given weekend prior to the actual event. I was able to complete 5 miles with about 75% of runners well known by me, including one that I beat on Saturday for title. The post race refreshments were not as good as at niketown but I still enjoyed it. I lost (didn't win) in the raffle. I want an Ipod so that I can use the nike plus system, otherwise, I don't really need an MP3 player.

Keep a runnin'!

Cool running

Title refers to the great starting temperature for both races, and also in reference to the race results.

Saturday agenda-Delray beach turkey trot 5k

This was my first time doing this one, so all was up in the air. I found out about it barely a week in advance since no race aps were available. Fortunately, this race (as was the next) was chip timed by split second timing, & therefore, was available online. I ran as fast as I could only to find out that no master title was offered, consequently I fell to 1st in age group. I will accept that consolation knowing I was 5th overall. Amenities were good but only 1 bathroom stall. Good out & back course with only 1 turn around.

Sunday agenda-Wilton Manors 5k

Weather was even better (I wore tights & sleeves) but I was not (onset of illness due to weather change). Two of my best friends made a surprise visit. Lisa Dorfman easily won the female master category & her son won the entire race. I, on the other hand, had some difficulty. Through the grace of God, this race offered top 3 masters & grandmasters as well as overall. This pulled out the 50+ year old who was 6th overall. Top 3 overall were teenagers, so that did not assist me. I edged out a master competitor near the end of the last mile to capture the master title & finished 7th overall. This one was surprisingly good. Excellent in amenities, had many port-a-potties & even a raffle. I liked the announcer they picked. He seemed to love his job & having fun. He said things like "we have thousands of people here" (only 231 finished), "welcome to the historic Wilton manor 5k" even though this was the 2nd annual event (the delray was its 2oth) & "we have the best runners in the world" but the winning time was in the low 17's.

Honorable mention

After this event, I went to multirace's South Florida triathlon series awards ceremony picnic. Here, Triple Teem was officially recognized as the 2006 co-ed relay champions. Yes, repeat champions. Unfortunately for my teammates, they didn't have their plaques. The runner JM didn't show, so no big deal but the swimmer EW did. It was a big disappointment for her & felt like a waste of time but as consolation, she will get to pick the picture for her plaque.

Happy thanksgiving!

V

V stands for veteran's day & victory. First, we must pay homage to those who have served & those currently serving our great nation because 'freedom aint free'.

I have been under the weather the past 2 weeks but now on the tail end of it. Obviously, my training was cut back so I was not as confident about this weekend but always feel the Lord above will find a way for me. Indeed, he did. Although I did not perform as well as I would like or am capable of (under normal conditions), considering I placed, I do not have the right to complain. As one of my favorite gospel songs says, "I won't complain".

Saturday morning agenda-Key Biscayne lighthouse 5k run

Weather was quite good at start but started warming quickly. Internal conditions were acceptable (still some back/neck pain), external was not (got hot quick). Despite some struggle, I still won my age group. I count not win the master division because it wasn't offered. I was 10th overall, 7 positions behind teammate Jonathan.

Saturday evening agenda-Fantasy of lights 5k

Top rated main event race. This one drew the best runners. In fact, over 1100 completed this event! External conditions were acceptable (low humidity, night cool air), internal was not (back/neck increased & tightness from previous race, possibly from resting in my car 2+ hours waiting for race). To get an idea of the caliber of this race, note the following:
1. winning time was 14 & change
2. Mike (kenyan) was beaten & finished second!
3. top female (Sonia) was 4th overall with 16 & change!
4. Even with top 5 masters, I missed that category even though I broke 19 minutes. Slowest time was 18:35.
5. In my age division, top 3 were under 19. I edged out 2nd by 2 secs, 3rd by 3 secs!

I managed to win my age group despite struggling. I believe my .1 sprint was the answer to my dilemma. I was 21st overall & beat all women except that elite one.

Sunday agenda-Miami man triathlon (International)

This race was a testament to my #1 crosstraining activity-cycling. This was the final race of the multi race season & also of the S. Fl. tri series. The team- Triple Teem - entered leading the series & poised to win. We could win just by merely completing the race but the team I have strives for excellence, much like me. Since the original cyclist quit, I assumed his role for the last time this year. My normal swimmer (EW) celebrates her birthday this weekend, asked if she could bow out & the team captain (yours truly) granted her wish. She deserves the vacation because she is my MVP teammate, having lasted 2 seasons with me, the longest of any teammate! I asked the reliable runner who can swim but she preferred not to do it if I can find someone else. The duathon champion cyclist Jollie stepped up to the plate. I was not confident with her swimming but she proved me wrong in a race before & I dared her to do that again. She did. Although she swam well, we (the team) were in the hole by a little over 7 minutes because that team leading after the swim had a former collegiate champion swimmer. Because I set personal best on bike, we managed to keep the deficit because I matched their cyclist, losing only 14 seconds;I possibly lost 15 seconds when my shoe failed to unclip, causing me to fall at the dismount zone. In fact, I was so fast, my teammate was not at his post! He was surprised, as well as I, that I was there already but luckily, he was nearby. Once Jonathan (substituting my favorite position) took over, that was all she wrote. He easily made up that difference and then some! I was hoping not to increase the deficit & my prayers were answered. Our Co-ed team placed 1st, beating ALL relays, plus we were 25th overall.

Kudos to Jonathan Mederos. 2nd overall in morning 5k plus top runner in the Miami man tri. Also, thanx to Jollie for excelling in secondary event, like yours truly.

NYC

Title is in regards to the New York City marathon but actually stands for No Young (spring) Chicken. The nyrrc holds a lottery that I believe is actually biased (based on those actually selected & the fact that the percentage of African-Americans getting selected the first time applying is slim to none, confirmed by an ignored email I sent requesting the data) & not truly random. Their system is a big revenue maker because of the following: (1). you must pay a non-refundable lottery fee. If not picked three times in a row, then you get a guaranteed entry. This amounts to about a quick $30, in addition to the entry fee. (2). If for some reason you can't make it, you may defer to next year only the opportunity to run, not the entry fee, so in essence, you'd pay over double. They don't allow transfers to another person who could run. (3). unfair method of entry. why? the qualifying time for the nyc is much more difficult than the prestigious Boston marathon, plus the lottery is as the race director pleases because the only way to avoid the former reasons is to be a celebrity or have 'mucho dinero' (pay $2500 & up to get in through a charity). Well, needless to say, I am the victim, otherwise referred to as a sore loser (from NY) that didn't get picked, but fortunately, my dad did in the second round (more fair). Come to think of it, maybe I was not selected because I am considered a defector. I was born in New York but live in Miami. Anyway, my dad does not do marathons without me so he was considering forfeiting this year & going next year when I would've fulfilled the 3 rejection rule. I didn't want this to happen, as explained earlier. I told him that I go up there to support him, one way or another. I went to several sources, including the horse's mouth (director hung up on me while pleading my case), to try to get an official entry, but no one came through, despite explaining the circumstances. Fast forward to race day (Nov 5th). We both wanted to complete the nyc marathon & it came to pass. My dad was an official finisher & his results can be verified online. He said he couldn't have done it without me but I feel the opposite. Bottom line, we needed each other. This was his debut to the 2006-07 running season but his 5th marathon this year alone, tying a record I set for myself last year! Can we be sure he is No Young Chicken? Well, he's certainly not chicken, since it takes a bold man to do what he does, especially at his age.