Everglades National Park animals

Me at the exposition for the Miami Half Marathon My friend and an ultra marathoner, Bob Becker, Gerda Kalb, and Chester Kalb My friend and celenbrity runner, Dane Rauschenberger, Gerda Kalb, and Chester Kalb me before and after the half marathon My wife and I with our finisher's medals

Miami Half Marathon
Miami, Florida
Sunday, January 24, 2016

On Sunday, January 24, 2016 I race walked the Miami Half Marathon in Miami, Florida. The event started with mostly clear skies, 10 to 15 mph winds, and a temperature that range from 46 to 60 degrees. A good temperature for a race but a cold temperature for Miami. The course was flat for the most part; however, due to construction on the normal return route from Miami Beach, the Mac Arthur Causeway had to be crossed twice which meant a medium level bridge and a higher level bridge had to be scaled twice instead of the normal once. All intersections on the course were controlled by police officers. Water/Gatorade stations were located about every 1 to 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of volunteers. There were approximately 23000 participants in the full and half marathons; thus, water/Gatorade stations were somewhat congested. I have done this event all 14 years of its existence and have enjoyed myself each time. I do feel that for the last three years the event has not reach as high of level of quality as the first 11 years.

Me before and after the Key West Half Marathon

Key West Half Marathon
Key West, Florida
Sunday, January 17, 2016

On Sunday, January 17, 2016 I race walked the Key West Half Marathon in Key West, Florida. The event was delayed 1 hour to allow a line of heavy rain and wind, possible thunder showers and tornados to pass through the area. This was a very good decision! The 8 o’clock start saw heavy winds from the south and light rain. The winds continued the whole event and shifted to the west then the northwest. Gusts easily reached 35 mph and when they were head winds, they were quite challenging. The sun managed to appear for the last half of the event. The course was completely on paved roads and paved bike paths and had to be modified before the start because of ocean waves flooding the White Street Pier section. Many of the participants do not like that section of the course and were very happy about the change, including me. Waves also put debris on some of the South Roosevelt part of the course but it had to be utilized anyway. Water/Gatorade stations were located about every 1.5 miles and were manned by plenty of enthusiastic volunteers. Unfortunately the last 4 or 5 stations were out of Gatorade when I reached them. Traffic intersections were controlled by plenty of police and volunteers as well as other key sections of the course. This is a home town event for me with a registration of about 4500 in the half marathon and 5K and I enjoy doing it.

Deland Naval Air Station Museum in Florida