Me before the Miami Half Marathon Me and my wife, Gerda, after the Miami Half Marathon A statue of Ponce De Leon

Miami Half Marathon
Miami, Florida
Sunday. January 25, 2015

On Sunday, January 25, 2015 I race walked the Miami Half Marathon in Miami, Florida. It was an Ideal day for me as the temperature varied from 53 to 60 degrees with clear skies, and a breeze of about 10 mph. The mostly flat loop course started in front of American Airlines Arena in Miami, used the Mac Arthur Causeway to go to Miami Beach, went along South Beach, went back to Miami, and finished 3 blocks south of the Arena. All roads were completely closed to traffic and had police and workers stationed at every intersection to ensure the safety of the estimated 23000 participants in the Marathon and Half Marathon. Water/Gatorade stations were located every mile and had plenty of enthusiastic, efficient volunteers to take care of the needs of the participants. The event has been held for 13 consecutive years and I have completed the marathon in the first 7 years and the half marathon in the other 6 years. The event has always been very well organized and fun to do. This half marathon was the 70th half marathon I have completed since having my left knee replaced on February 20, 2012 and was my fastest half marathon since August 4, 2013 which was 46 half marathons ago.

Me before the Key West Half Marathon Me, my wife Gerda, and Helen Kwiat after the Key West Half Marathon

Key West Half Marathon
Key West, Florida
Sunday, January 18, 2015

On Sunday, January 18, 2015 I race walked the Key West Half Marathon in my hometown, Key West, Florida, which had approximately 2700 finishers in the Half Marathon and 550 finishers in the 5K. It was a little warm as the temperature varied from 69 to 74 degrees with cloudy skies and no wind. The course was a mostly out an back course utilizing 6 miles of sidewalk/bike paths and 7 miles of roads that was closed to traffic. Police and numerous volunteers controlled the intersections and directed the turns. The crowdedness experienced in last year’s race along South Roosevelt Blvd was alleviated by only having the outbound participants on the sideway/bike path and the inbound participants in the near lane of South Roosevelt Blvd. Two changes to the course had mixed reactions from the Participants. One of the changes went out and back on White Street Pier and the other change zigzagged through Mallory Square. The were water stations spaced every one mile that had plenty of enthusiastic efficient volunteers handing out the water. I was very disappointed that there was no Gatorade or other electrolyte drink offered at the water stations as I sweated very much and really needed the electrolytes. In fact by mile 7 I had to really slow down from a 12:45 minute per mile pace to an over 14:00 minute per mile pace. I was 10 minutes slower than I was in Jackson, Mississippi last weekend and the Key West course should have been much easier. We will see what I can do next weekend in Miami. I have done my home town race many times and I have always enjoyed the well-organized fun event.

Me before and after the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon in Jackson, Mississippi on January 10, 2015

Mississippi Blues Half Marathon
Jackson, Mississippi
Saturday, January 10, 2015

It was cold as the temperature varied from 25 to 33 degrees with 5 mph winds and sunny skies when I race walked the Mississippi Blues Half Marathon in Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday, January 10, 2015. There were approximately 3500 participants in the event. The race utilized city streets which were closed to traffic but in terrible condition as there were numerous pot holes, cracks, patches, and missing pavement. I have done trail races which had better footing. The intersections were controlled by police officers and volunteers and the side traffic was backed up with many vehicles horning to show their displeasure. There were more up and down areas than there was flat areas and some of the hills were moderately challenging. Water/Gatorade stations were located 1 to 1.5 miles apart and were manned by plenty of friendly efficient volunteers that carried out their duties despite the cold. There were many spectators in front of their houses cheering and thanking the participants for coming the Jackson. Several Blues entertainers were supposed to perform along the route; however, many of them were not present. The race was well organized and I enjoyed myself. This was the third time I have done the event and the third different location in Jackson for the start/finish area. The streets have always been in terrible condition. The Marathon Maniacs and Half Fanatics Clubs, two international clubs in which I am a member, designated the even as a reunion event and more than 1000 members attended. I now have completed a total of 280 marathons (135) and half marathons (145) of which I have completed 68 half marathons in 38 states since having my left knee replaced on 2/20/2012.

Battleship Memorial in Mobile, Alabama