Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bald eagle

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bald eagle

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bald eagle

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida wild pig

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida wild pig

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida wild pig

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida roseate spoonbills

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida roseate spoonbills

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida roseate spoonbills

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida sandhill crane

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida sandhill crane

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida sandhill crane

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida wood stork

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida white pelicans

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida white heron

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida white heron

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida snake

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida snake

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida ibis

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida heron

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida hawk

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida birds

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bird

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida birds

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida cormorant

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida butterfly

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida butterfly

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida butterfly

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida butterfly

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida heron

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida blue heron

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bittern

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida birds

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida spoonbills and ibis

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida bird

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida birds

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida birds

Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida Alligator

My friend, Bart Yasso, from Runner's World Myself My friend, Jim Crist, the pace leader for 2:20 at the Space Coast Half Marathon in Cocoa, Florida on November 25, 2012

Space Coast Half Marathon
Cocoa, Florida
Sunday, November 25, 2012

On Sunday, November 25, 2012 I race walked the Space Coast Half Marathon in Cocoa, Florida. The weather was wonderful as the temperature varied from 47 to 60 degrees with a slight breeze and sunny skies. The out and back course along the Indian River had very little change in elevation. The road was open to local traffic; however, only a little traffic used the road as the residents along the course are very supportive for the event. Water/Gatorade stations were located every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. There were several spectators spread out along the course. My friend, Bart Yasso from Runner’s World and former astronaut Mike McCulley were featured celebrities for the event. The fabulous prerace dinner was once again held in the Kennedy Space Center and once again I chose not to attend as the $50 per person cost was more than I wanted to spend. The packet pick up was also held at the Kennedy Space Center. This is the tenth consecutive year that I did the event which has always been extremely well organized and fun.

The boat, African Queen, from the 1931 movie, African Queen, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn located in Key Largo, Florida.

My wife, Gerda, myself, and Mary Ann Nelson at the Key Largo Bridge Run

Key Largo Bridge Run
Key Largo, Florida
Saturday, November 10, 2012

I race walked the half marathon in the Key Largo Bridge Run in Key Largo, Florida on Saturday, November 10, 2012. The temperature ranged from 66 to 72 with overcast skies and a wind of about 10 mph. The course was out and back with the first two miles as well as the last two miles featuring an ascent and decent of the Key Largo Bridge on US1. The rest of the course was flat. The course utilized the north bound lane of US1 and was completely closed to traffic. Except at the start/finish line there were no spectators because spectators had no access to the course elsewhere. Water/Gatorade stations were located approximately every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. In addition to the 185 finishers half marathon there were 125 finishers in the 10k and 437 finishers in the 5K. I was very impressed by the timing company, Accuchip Timing, as they had the results posted on their website and my finisher’s certificate ready to be printed by the time I reached home at 1:30 PM that afternoon. The event was very well organized and fun to do.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.

US Air Force Thunderbird Air Show at Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida on Sunday, November 4, 2012.