Winter Olympic weekend!

Winter Olympic weekend! The opening ceremony began yesterday for the Winter Olympics. This weekend preceeds various special days. Monday is family day (BC Canada), Tuesday begins marti gras, Wednesday is valentines day, Thursday is national flag day (Canada) and Friday is Chinese new year!

Saturday agenda-race?

Here's my considerations for this day:

1. barrier free 5k
2. race for faith 5k
3. love run 5k
4. CCA 5k
5. pines light up the night 5k *
6. alumni run 5k

*=night double possible
The latter was closest in proximity

Sunday agenda-race?

This is whats up for this day:

1. 26.2 with donna, half, ultra and 5k
2. publix florida marathon, half and relay
3. wellington 5k
4. emb(race) 5k
5. hearts at work 5k
6. I care, I cure, I run 5k
7. run through central park 5k +
8. cooper city 5k +
9. jcc 5l
10. sun smart 5k

+=late and close - double possible
The latter was closest in proximity

No brainer; #7 is a runners depot race and I must support it as a member.
I planned on and went to #9 in a double header attempt but found out the hard way that it was cancelled, despite me having a color card flyer!

Super bowl weekend!

Super bowl weekend! It is also the first weekend of the month. This year, its the patriots vs who? oh, the eagles! I am rooting for the underdog again and like I said last year b4 the falcons played (and lost), Atlanta can win unless:

1. under estimate tom brady and team (a 'big' lead at halftime is not a guarantee)
2. turnovers
3. insufficient drives (too many 3 and out)
4. stupid risks (like seattle did)
5. poor clock management

The same applies to Philadelphia.

Saturday agenda-race?

Here's my choices for this day:

1. best damn race half, 10k, 5k
2. pine jog 5k
3. run to the rescue 5k
4. im possible 1,2,3 run
5. walk for wishes broward
6. William f Boynton 5k
7. st Thomas alumni 5k

The former was the furthest while the latter, the closest, in proximity. I passed on the latter (original choice) because I took advice from runner mates and selected #6; in hindsight, good move. clint eastwood synopsis:

The good: top ten (4 oa, 3 moa), podium, raffle, start time (7 am)
The bad: only 1 oa, 1 master, cotton tshirts
The ugly: rain, award medal, I had to miss raffle to attempt double header

Event 2-walk for wishes broward

I didn't expect to make the start of this race, much less register, but due to the weather, I did catch the start. The late start (8:30 originally) allows for the double header attempt. I decided to walk the 5k (I don't want to further injuries). It was a high quantity, low quality race whereas I would've placed if I were able to sign up in time. They had a great post race spread plus had finisher medals.

Sunday agenda-race?

Super sunday selections:

1. Sarasota music half
2. Daytona beach half, 5k
3. Islamorada half, 10k
4. butterfly run
5. eagle 5k

I passed on long distance, considering only the last 2. This time I picked the closest in proximity (the latter). Clint time:

The good: finishers medal, post race spread
The bad: 8 am start, external conditions (hot (compared to previous day) and windy)
The ugly: internal conditions (felt bad), didn't place

Final weekend of the month!

Final weekend of the month!

Saturday agenda-race?

Here is what I considered for the last Saturday of the month:

1. tropical 5k
2. kid hero 5k

I usually do the former but this year chose the latter. Clint time:

The good: podium, finisher medal, comfy temp
The bad: 3rd age (I walked once, forfeiting the win), time
The ugly: very windy, award medal not available (promised to mail), 2 loops

Sunday agenda-race?

Here is what I considered for the last Sunday of the month:

1. fitbit Miami marathon/half
2. dreams come true 5k

I usually do the former but this year chose the latter. Eastwood time:

The good:
The bad:
The ugly:

E nair O!

E nair O! That's how January sounds like in Spanish!

Saturday agenda-race?

1. Clearwater marathon
2. Honda classic 5k
3. Brandons 5k
4. flippany 5k/10k
5. delta 5k

I definitely passed on the former (furthest race). I wanted #3 (best chance to place) but ended up repeating the latter.

The good: finishers medal, podium (top age), weather
The bad: ribbon award
The ugly: no tshirt, late start

Sunday agenda-race?

1. Kiwanis scholarship 5k
2. rainbow 5k
3. fd now 5k
4. run with rabbi 5k

I planned on the latter but denied. I was offered #3 after committing to the former.

The good: podium, cool
The bad: 3 ag (I like to win), weather (windy)
The ugly: no finisher medal

Martin Luther king weekend

Martin Luther king weekend is upon us! Martin Luther king jr is my second hero, next to Jesus Christ.

Saturday agenda-race?

1. race for the cure Bahamas
2. ringling bridge run 4 miler
3. run for education
4. jpt Trojan trot (fun run)
5. zo's family groove 5k
6. run4kids 5k

You can automatically rule out the former (out of US). With enough local events, you can rule out the next one. I ended up picking the latter.

The good: podium, weather
The bad: 3 ag (I like to win), medal (no trophy)
The ugly: no finisher medal, cap instead of tshirt

Sunday agenda-race?

1. rnr Arizona marathon
2. key west half
3. naples half
4. ft pierce half
5. Ocala half
6. st pete beach half
7. vista view 360 ultra
8. steps for life 5k

This was a half crazy day, literally! You can automatically rule out the former (out of FL). With enough local events, you can rule out 2,4, and 5. I would to #7 but I already pre registered for #3. It was very cold (mid 40). Glass half-

Full: finisher medal, long sleeve tech shirt, best half time since naples last year
Empty: still didn't break 2 hrs, pasta party discontinued, hotel expensive, the drive

Monday agenda-Martin Luther king 5k

The good: podium, trophy, better than last years time, weather
The bad: 2 oa
The ugly: missed by 1 second, not a raffle winner (suspect my entry withheld)

Summary (countdown)

3 events, hardware
2 awards
1 trophy, medal, finisher medal

First weekend of the new year!

First weekend of the new year! Prior to this weekend, Disney had 2 fun runs (5k on Thursday, 10k yesterday) that, when completed with this weekend, form the dopey challenge. I never considered that because I have to take off 5 days to do that (must pick up packets day prior to first event) and I am lucky to get a day off! On top of that, the cost is prohibitive. However, if I get blessed winning in the lottery, it will be on my list.

Here is what I considered for the first Saturday of month:

1. Disney half marathon (half of goofy)
2. save the panther 5k

I didn't realize this was an anniversary weekend for the former but the entry fee is too high anyway. I normally would take the latter, but since it was kind of far and ten year age groups, I opted to train instead. It was a wise decision, as I would not have placed and there were no finisher medals.

Here is what I considered for the first Sunday of month:

1. Disney marathon (half of goofy)

Since I passed on Disney, I found no other race to do. I did my first inline skate of the year instead!

In with the new '18

In with the new '18

Happy new year! In with the new '18. Wishing you all an active, injury free athletic year. I want to put all the bad experiences of last year behind and  move on to hopefully better ones this year. I shall cherish the positive memories of last year, but unfortunately, be compelled to deal with any lingering situations this year. Traditionally, we make resolutions, and like bones, they may be broken. My top ten list will include the usual, some will be continuations, some may be possible and some may be improbable, but it doesn't hurt to dream. Come to think of it, didn't Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr do that? Obama is certainly thankful.

Top ten resolutions for this year (not necessarily in order):

1. Continued athletic success, especially with racing and competition.
2. Health.
3. Wealth.
4. Wisdom.
5. Employment.
6. Training (stepped up).
7. Change.
8. Teamwork.
9. Diet.
10. Travel.

Now it's time to expound on those resolutions.

1. Last year, I did 72 races, which is a bit more less than the previous year, but less than I am used to. This was largely due to health issues, plus the usual relationship issues, forcing me to divert my energies elsewhere; I'd prefer to be with someone. Although I'd like to match or beat my highest total of races in a single year, my main goal is continuation; march of last year marked 2 decades + 6 years since I began competing.
2. To do the aforementioned, I must maintain good health, largely through fitness and diet. That means I still won't smoke or drink, I never use drugs and naturally, do my best to avoid injury and illness.
3. This resolution has always failed but you never know; this might be the year. Maybe I'll get rich the easy way by winning in the powerball, lotto, fantasy 5 or the hard way with some breakthrough opportunity.
4. Hopefully, as I progress, this continues to improve. I made it this far through trial and error,  experiences. Thus far, 2 out of 3 (healthy, wealthy and wise) has been my case.
5. Since the quick fix (lottery) has thus far never panned out, I'll need to keep my job to survive.
6. To get the glory (race win), one must train. I plan to up the ante with quality workouts, such as speed work and long runs, which I have been notorious for missing.
7. Obama's slogan. He is the change America needs. However, I too, must utilize this. I revolve to make some adjustments in my normal scheme of things. Like Rick Scott says, 'let's get to work'.
8. I want to continue doing relays, both as a team captain and participant. In 2008, I eliminated most series participation, in lieu of individual events because I sacrificed too many running races that I loved the previous year. I will likely adhere to this resolution this year (limit to 2 series or less). However, I want to increase the number of individual relay races.
9. Continue and hopefully improve upon my nutritional regimen, such as my no meat diet.
10. I will travel as necessary, meaning doing only races that have some significance or purpose to me. I'll try to avoid just racing to race if it is far.

Today's agenda-1st event of the year

I usually do the run, walk, crawl 5k. I always picked it because it is extremely difficult to find a racewalk with awards. However, after I got ripped off (the guy given the title had jogged throughout and many witnessed that but the race director bought his bogus explanation that he learned a new walk technique) my overall win 2 years ago, with the insult to injury being that the cheater was put on a pedestal, I promised myself that if another opportunity arose to do something else, I'll take that. So, I did just that:

I had 3 choices this year:

1. 8 am-run, walk, crawl 5k
2. 9 am-resolution 5k
3. 10 am-commit 2 b fit 5k

I did the former in the past, so I went back to the next one this year since the latter has the latest start time.

The rules of the game have changed. No overall nor age group awards. However, top 50 finishers get a 'gold distinction' medal, next 50 silver, and the rest bronze. Since I chose to racewalk (what I often do on the first day but this time, to reduce further injury), I got the latter. All participants were allowed to take whatever previous race awards. There was a finisher clock and mile markers but no one was scored.

Conditions were much hotter with the 9 am start. Thankfully, It was partly cloudy and a cold front this weekend, which did keep some of the heat down; there was some wind. I got a generic tshirt and a bib number (no time chip) was issued.

FYI

You may have noticed much of this blog seemed like a carbon copy of the previous year's post. Testament of how life can be so similar yet so different.