Death of 2006

Well, the title maybe a little strong, but in essence, it's true. Since we're on the eve of a new year, the old one will be gone (dead). This year, I've had many ups & downs, but fortunately, more positive than negative experiences resulted with the help of the Lord. As one of my gospel favorites says, "I won't complain".

Saturday agenda-the last long run (of the year)

I completed 14 miles, 7 out & over the bridge, used the port-a-potty, & then returned to base. I was a good part of the Bikila bunch at the end.

Sunday morning agenda-the last ride (of the year)

I pulled out my rarely used recumbent bike & completed approximately 16 miles. That bike was instrumental during a severe injury incurred a year ago that caused me to forfeit my entry in the Jacksonville half.

Sunday afternoon agenda-footworks fun run

This became my last event (of the year). This was a poorly advertised fun run (only 1 sign in store window that many employees were unaware of). I was running (not literally) late because of unexpected traffic, including an accident. I met up with whom I deem 2006's most improved runner, Jonathan Mederos. 2 guys started off the small group (2 females, JM & myself joined the 'leaders'. The course- run from footworks up Sunset Dr to the bridge (at coco plum circle). Jonathan & I did not like the path, so we decided to go to old cutler road toward our normal path to Niketown. We were surprised that someone was still with us. JM didn't want his legs to lock up so we did a fartlek but nearly lost our follower, so we decided not to do that again until comfortable that he could find his way back. Meanwhile, I inadvertently left my water in the car so I had to get some hydration elsewhere. Luckily, JM knew a park was nearby & we stopped there & got another surprise; we bumped to Christopher finishing up his training run. After a brief chat, we continued & once on the (Nike) path, we picked up the pace, leaving the follower behind. In the last 100 meters, I picked up to near race pace to accommodate the accommodater. He was going at a snail's pace to stay with us so I wanted to close the fun run more in tune with his pace, even though it still was slow in comparison to what he can do. What was supposed to be an easy 3 mile fun run was more like a mini long run (7.43 miles) at an average pace (7:38) faster than I planned. We still broke an hour, even with the stop.

I thank the Lord for the experiences & now in the immortal words of Jorge Mas Canosa, "adelante, adelante, adelante!"; let's move on!

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the season to be jolly! I found out about only 1 race but opted against it due to its proximity & chose to train instead. Before I continue, I'd like to wish all readers a very merry Christmas & remind you to always remember the reason for the season- Jesus Christ, our lord & savior. I may get some gifts but the ultimate was given by our father up in heaven, for he gave us his only begotten son to save our souls. Thank you.

This training weekend, I got stood up so I had to train solo. Fortunately, I am not motivated by having a partner(s), but rather by within.

Saturday-long run

I ran 14 miles, including the Rickenbacker causeway & met a few friends along the way. This satisfied my marathon preparation requirement.

Sunday-long ride

I cycled approximately 30 miles, including the Rickenbacker causeway & saw a few friends as well. This satisfied my crosstraining requirement.

Monday-Merry Christmas!

I'll find some way to train. Use your God given gifts.

Winding down

Well, I'm winding down the year with my final marathon of 2006. With only 2 two events that I know of left, I decided to hang up my running shoes, in regards to racing, until the new year. Next week, Saturday, I'd have to travel to west coast Fl to run 5 miles;i'll save the gas & train here. On new years eve, there's a fun run I usually volunteer for but since the time & location has changed, I'll probably opt out & rest for the race to start off the new year.

Thurday agenda-Nike run hit remix

This event was to me like an NFL game- an unusual night & time. Also, this was a five mile fun run & I treated it as such. I did it as a training/tune up run for races upcoming. I could not afford to injure myself running on the boardway & in the soft sand in an event where I could not even place (no awards except for overall winners) when I know I have a marathon to run. Remarkably, I still broke an hour just messin' around. There was plenty to eat afterwards & plenty of music prior to the downpour. Yeah, I got caught in rain but not during the 'run'.

Main event-Jacksonville marathon

I did it on a dare but the darer didnt show! However, Josh did not disappoint. He not only showed but showed up. We both finished in good time (under 4 hours). It started off cool but got hot quick but I feel better prepared for the new year now that I've done some long events;with frequent racing, I have not been able to do long runs. Since a race will override a training run, I have to get it done through racing, hence Weston & Jax. The ammenities were disappointing & depleted quickly; past 4 hours, you'll thirst & starve! 2 years ago, when I was injured & forfeited my half injury, they had a coolmax long sleeve shirt. This year, they regressed to cotton. The course was flat but also boring, much like disney's access roads. Despite that, I'd consider doing it again, providing I don't go alone;the flight was long enough but imagine the drive.

Night & day

Title was chosen based on the stereotype that night is bad and day is good & applies to my experiences this weekend. Please remember that this blog is my online diary & showcases my experiences enlaced with facts.

Saturday agenda-holiday 5k (night)

Put on by an amateur timing company(night)- accuchiptimingusa, this race is considered minor league(night) by my standards because they could not reach the century mark in regards to participants/finishers, & they only held one event, the 5k. Inaccurate timing as prelimanary results showed under 12 minutes for overall winner & the runner didn't hit pubity yet(night). Worse, I won the master title but it was given to a friend ((night)actually grand master champion) of the race/timing director, alan harding & I had to settle for the consolation prize of second. Since no prize money was involved, it was unjustifiable to alter the divisions, plus insinuates that some divisions are better than others; other than overall(best) or age group (when fail to get in upper divisions or overall), this is not the case. I was the lucky one, still in a top category (master, grandmaster & Sr grandmaster). This bone-headed move was evidence of favoritism & inexperience & 3 people were bumped out of their rightful positions in that vindictive action(night); they, like I, have legitimate gripes. The race had the worse amenities(night) -only coffee (I don't drink) & bagels (I don't eat), which is much less than offered at the Niketown training runs! It has also the worst course(night), 3 loops on a trail/parking lot & full of twists & turns, so bad, teammate JM (winner of one of their races & of the Palmetto bay 5k today) refuses to ever do it again. Also, no raffles(night) but I am kinda glad they didn't because I know that would have been rigged too. I almost forgot, the only gave out medals(night).

Sunday agenda-rotary holiday run & family festival (day)

This event featured two races(day), a 5k & a half marathon & was timed by a professional (20 years) timing company(day)- splitsecondtiming. This was a major league event(day) that drew over a thousand participants, with many high profile athletes. I was legitimately second overall master winner(day) because the guy that beat me was 44 & faster! Just to be certain, I went ahead & beat the same guy who was favored yesterday(day).

I chose this event over one much closer to home because of positive experiences in the past (7 years). This one has among the best amenities because they also had a pancake breakfast that was still there after 2 1/2 hours! Plus, it was an out & back course(day) & they even had an honest raffle(day);if you weren't there, you could not win. Most important is that they gave out beautiful trophies (age group) & plaques (upper divisions), definitely day.

For those who like facts, check it out online! However, to assist I have listed many below:

po-dunk event (night) vs professional (day)

* 93 finishers in only 1 race vs 595 in the 5k alone, over 6 times more!
* event held with no major competition couldn't reach the century mark vs 9th annual event runs against event held by miami marathon company that still drew over 2 times the former in the 5k, 4 times if 15k included!
* finishers not in proper categories by age vs normal, correct method.
* top 3 in 10 year age groups vs top 3 in 5 year age groups.
* barely any ammenities vs top class with plenty to eat & drink.
* chip company timed less events in 2 years than the number of events I have done in the first 4 months of this year alone vs chip company with 5 more years experience timing than my entire sports career.
* 3 loops within a small park vs out & back 13.1 mile course within a posh neighborhood with police protection.
* a handful of diehards vs that plus an elite field of well known runners.
* of events held in broward this weekend, the least people vs the most.

Honorable mention

Teammates Jonathan wins Palmetto bay 5k, Chris C. ran Weston half in under 1:40. Bikila's Octavio & Vicky place in half.

My condolences

I apologize on behalf of the victims of the horrible decisions by Mr harding to punish me. Fortunately, I still placed in an upper division but below are the names of those stripped completely of their rightful positions in the upper categories:

Montes Ismael was forced from 3rd master to age group
Bela Kovacs was forced from 2nd grand master to top age group
Ira Markowitz was forced from 3rd grand master to 2nd age group
George McCuen was forced from TOP Sr. grandmaster to 2nd grandmaster; although still in upper division, the position is not as glamourous.

Pathetic

I traveled to the Palm beaches to race, only to discover that those in charge of the marathon of the Palm beaches events have some pathetic views regarding running. They admitted that they did not care about the 5k, as evidenced by only awarding top 3 overall male & female & nothing but finisher medals to all the peasants to paid for the top dog's prizes & the profits of the staff. They stated their main focus was on the half & full marathon. Note that PR racing originated the idea of both & also, respects all the participants. Yes, I was a victim, being 7th overall & 1st master (if it were offered) but yet received no honor or respect. My dad protest races that disrespects participants & rightly skipped this entire weekend; he knew something I didn't. Although not stated as such, neither online nor in print, it was apparently a fun run, unless you are an elite runner. All of us suckers didn't find out directly, but rather through the grapevine. We kept asking, "when are you gonna start the awards ceremony?" and were told that the announcement of the overall winners was all we were gonna get for our hard earned money. This 5k is now a must-don't!

The main event-marathon of the Palm beaches marathon (relay)

This year, my duties as team captain/coach were tested. I was not able to get my fastest teammate from last year's 5k 5 person team. Worse, Caroline, top 3 female finisher of last year, and my dad (not a team member but was scheduled to race) couldn't make it due to personal reasons, so in regards to the team, I had to find a substitute.

I acquired long time friend & most famous running nutritionist, Lisa Dorfman, as a teammate. Chris Choing was joined me again & is the only member to team with me in all three marathon of the Palm beaches team events! Lisa found an excellent replacement, someone I didn't recall by name but I trusted her judgement & she didn't let me down; Steve Brookner performed admirably. Our combined efforts earned us second spot in the mixed category, since the race director invited Bill Rodgers not only to be a guest but also paid him & his teammates to compete & win the co-ed division. We equalled our team name- All 4 run -& managed to beat 23 other teams in the category. The day was a bit dampened by the fact that no awards were given out, other than for overall & to friends;I should've seen that comin'. Nonetheless, we did our best & had lots of fun in the process.

The only positive, besides the obvious (team victory), were receiving medals for finishing. Those medals, however, pale in comparison to Miami's.