Labor weekend

Unfortunately, I had to sacrifice many events to do only one. I had to LABOR over that idea, but the one event was a once in a lifetime opportunity. To get the lowest rate, I had to take off Friday to head over to California.

The following sacrifices were made over the labor day weekend:

Saturday

Jon Z 5k-gave out my favorite-trophies. Last year, I was 2nd only to teammate Jon W & took the master title, bringing home my tallest trophy ever. Gone with the wind this year.

Sunday

Human race 10k. I missed all the pageantry but technically, I was involved since I did wear my Ipod.

Monday
Labor day. I had to return to Miami.

Labor day weekend agenda-Disneyland half

I was interested but initially turned down going to this one when the inaugural was announced last year due to its distance & subsequent costs. However, I was convinced by a friend & a special offer to do it this year. On top of that, I just realized that I have never raced or ran on the west coast of the United States. So, I decided to do the inaugural coast to coast challenge. What's that? Disney decided to reward any athlete who competed in Disney world a special finisher's for that accomplishment combined with a finish at the Disneyland half. A whole lot of bad signs occurred to me before the ultimate good one. First, I got discriminated against by some Mexican in California while attempting to purchase my first meal there. I wasn't so hungry that I let him succeed in taking my money to boot! I ate elsewhere. Next, I found out I was given a high race number. Whats the big deal? The Disneyland half has 3 waves (1st at 6 am then 10 minute delays), like in a triathlon. Despite having competed this year in their event, they put me in the last corral (G), final wave. I had to go to a computer & print out proof that I deserve to be at the front! I did this Friday afternoon, prior to my teammate Gene arriving near midnight. I learned from him that the coast to coast participant require a special band. Yep, you're right. They the didn't give me that. I had to return to the expo, this time with him, and prove I ran at Disney world in order to get what I should have been given. I really had to LABOR to compete. I wasn't able to do a tune up race but did do a training run with my teammate the day prior.

Race day

I decided to wear my Ipod so that the race also counted toward the human race. By mile 2, I had trouble with those ear plugs & had to continue without them. Meantime, I lost precious time fidgeting with them, case in point why I don't wear them in any serious race. The weather was nice but not cold enough for a PR. Oh, while running at approximately mile 3, I saw that the last wave was about to start. Despite all that happened, I still finished with a decent time, barely a minute behind him. I completed it within the top 200 finishers, better than the top 2% of the more than 10,000 in attendance. Mission accomplished;I got both finishers medals.