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.