Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah! Its been like hell to me since the relay victory. I've been busy & sick all week, so much so that I had to miss a mid week race (holiday mile) up in Boca. On top of that, deal with a pre-Hanukkah crash. Lord, please don't forsake me!

Saturday agenda-5k

Normally, I do the holiday run, which is less than 5 miles away from my home, but in light of my current struggles, I forewent that & headed up north. The one in palmetto bay featured both a 5k & a 10k and draws a minimum of 500. Plus, you have to be on top of your game to place, and if you do, the best you can get is a medal. So, in keeping with this year's theme, I did the inaugural turn on the light 5k. My chances were increased with top 3 overall & masters categories, which featured tiles to the winners. After that, it was similar to the holiday run-medals but with more detail, including the ribbon. Still sick, I kept with my promise (pre-registered) and competed. Although a low quantity, it was high quality (fast runners). This was the race for the masters as the top 6 positions were filled by 40+ men! Praise the Lord, I snuck in the back door despite a dismal performance. Afterwards, I was coughing & hacking, still suffering from the illness, although on the downslope.

Saturday morning agenda-5k

After a disappointing day previously, I came determined to do better. The run for tomorrow featured both a half marathon & 5k. I chose the latter due to my internal condition. Unfortunately for me, I had stiff competition. Fortunately, the Lord allowed me to recover enough to compete & offer a challenge to them. Although I lost in the .1, I left with a great feeling because I finally broke the nearly 2 month drought on meeting my qualifying 5k standard (sub 19). On top of that, I got a master title. Although stingy, they had 5 star post race refreshments (pancakes). Plaques for the overall & master was nice.

Sunday afternoon agenda-mile run

When I train at niketown, I often do what I call the one mile blast (try to keep up with elite, fast runners); that training prepared me for this race. I crossed into Palm beach county to try this one for the first time. Some of the best showed up, notably, the overall female winner, Sonia (6th overall). Since I was under the weather, this year, I skipped my tack on after the weston event, giving me the chance to do a double header. By the grace of God, I broke six minutes (14 overall) & won my age group, the requirement to get the prize (gift certificate); this was an all or nothing race. Thankfully, Jon was not present. Pathetic post race with barely water; some food was for sale. Following that was a holiday parade; I got the feeling of being at the scaled down, day version of the Edison fantasy of lights 5k.

Honorable mention

* The Lord did not forsake me!
* George places at both 5k events.
* Runners depot took top 2 slots in half, Joel won.
* Louis got a grand master position