First to worst

First to worst is how it went this weekend. I'm struggling in the Miami heat like the Miami heat!

Saturday agenda-race!

I love the choices but hate having to choose only one. The following is what I considered:

1. Champion 5k (Orlando)
2. march for cancer 5k (Broward)
3. sombrero beach run (Marathon)
4. hemophilia 5k
5. festival for the poor 5k
6. doral 5k

1.=far for me but congrats to Jonathan for winning it (16 & change). #3=been there, done that. they wanted to cheat me out of awards when i actually placed (normal age categories) in the 10k, 5k & 15k challenge. Luckily, the timer with southernmost runners knew me & made up for it. The rest were new to me. Proximity rules! But wait, that only ruled out 2 & maybe 4. #6 was held last year therefore what I thought was an inaugural won!

I didnt know what to expect. Usually, theres an undercover runner out there. Amazing how the running God works. Elliot was there, but only as a volunteer. Keith was there & ran. Despite a dismal time due to both internal & external (wind, humidity) conditions, I lead most of the race, challenged only in the 1st mile by a teenager but when the dust cleared, no one was in front of me! The Lord gave me my first overall running victory of the year, just in time for my 20th anniversary since I began racing!

Sunday agenda-race!

I love the choices but I still hate having to choose only one. The following is what I considered:

a. shamrock 6k (winter haven)
b. hooters to hooters half
c. brain cancer 5k (WPB)
d. autism speaks 5k (WPB)
e. Karhu 5k
f. 13.1 marathon

I skipped a & b due to distance, but also b= my dad & I got ripped off our win last year. Proximity rule also took out c & d. Since e & f are by the same people on the same day, I had to choose. e offered a beat the bear challenge I would have like to have taken since this task was easy but my lack of long runs lead me to the final selection.

The course was very challenging with 4 bridges, with the Rick & Julia Tuttle as the worst. It was humid but some heat was avoided due to the clouds. I struggled with those conditions plus the wind & internal conditions (tired & tight). By mile 4 (2nd bridge), I was already reverting to survival mode. I failed to qualify (Bell half standard) and got my worst half of the year! I was however elated I completed my 6th half of the year, tying last year's record. Finishers medal was good, as the post race (didnt care for the mushy paella).

Monday=20 anniversary since I began racing. My first ever race was the Doral fore miler. It was my dad's first short distance race. He chose a marathon as his first. I praise the Lord for allowing me to compete this long & hope for continued blessing til death do us part!