Panthers and Steelers move on in last second victories

The first and second seeded Saints and the Dolphins steamrolled by their opponents in the first round of adult co-ed flag football playoffs. Before the playoffs started there were four teams tied for third place and the seeding was decided by drawing names out of a hat. All four teams were very evenly matched and made for dramatic finishes in the first round playoffs. It took a last minute drive for the Panthers to win with only 23 seconds left and the Steelers defense had to stop the Browns from scoring in the final drive to hold onto their victory. This week, the Saints will play the Steelers and the Dolphins will play the Panthers to decide who will move onto the Super Bowl.

Adult Co-Ed League Game Summaries:

Tyler's Ice Cream Steelers - 31
Sato Real Estate Browns - 24

Island Sun Panthers - 35
Beach to Bay Construction Bucs - 31

Agnelli Pools & Spa Dolphins - 52
Integrity Sound Redskins - 12

MartiniVille Saints - 34
Slim's Place Patriots - 22

Adult Co-Ed League Playoff Schedule:

Thursday, Aug. 11, 6:30 p.m.
2nd Place Agnelli Pool & Spa Dolphins vs. 6th Place Island Sun Panthers

Thursday, Aug. 11, 7:30 p.m.
1st Place MartiniVille Saints vs. 4th Place Tyler's Ice Cream Steelers

AMICC Youth Indoor Soccer Game Summaries:
6- to 9-year-old league

Southern Greens - 5
Fran Maxon Real Estate - 1

Island Dental Spa - 11
Beach Bums - 1

Beach Bums - 6
Fran Maxon Real Estate - 5

Island Dental Spa - 6
Southern Greens - 0

10- to 12-year-old league
Mr. Grout - 14
LaPensee Plumbing - 6

Pink & Navy Boutique - 6
Sandbar Restaurant - 1

Mr. Grout - 14
Pink & Navy Boutique - 1

LaPensee Plumbing - 11
Sandbar Restaurant - 5

AMICC Youth Indoor Soccer Playoff Schedule:

6- to 9-year-old league

Wednesday Aug. 10, 6 p.m.
Island Dental Spa vs. Beach Bums

Monday, Aug. 15, 6 p.m.
Island Dental Spa vs. Southern Greens

Monday, Aug. 15, 7 p.m.
Fran Maxon Real Estate vs. Beach Bums

10- to 12-year-old league

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 7 p.m.
Loser of Aug. 8, 7 p.m. vs. Loser of Aug. 8, 8 p.m.

Wednesday, Aug. 10, 8 p.m.
Winner of Aug. 8, 7 p.m. vs. Winner of Aug. 8, 8 p.m.

 

What does a vegan runner eat?

Siesta Key hosted a recent triathlon. That's a race when you run, bike and swim at varying distances. Some include running a full marathon, but others "only" include a 5K, plus a 10-mile or so bike ride, and a mile or two swim. One of these days, I'll try it, although my husband thinks that running a marathon is as much risk as I ought to be taking.

Considering I totally wiped out at the "Run Through Hell 5K" (3.1 miles) in Tampa last weekend, he may have a point. Though I got up and still placed second in my age group. "Hard core trooper," my Facebook friends described it.

If you check out my Facebook page, you'll see an excellent sports-mode, rapid-fire time lapse sequence of my jumping down but not quite landing into what looks like about a 4-foot-high water-filled ditch. Complete with sports-mode detail of water splashing out upon impact.

I would have included the pictures here, but they were too dark for print. If you look closely on the group photo, you may see the caked-on mud. Why would anyone run such a race? The reason many runners do – for the T-shirt. Most of us give them away, but a Run Through Hell, fire-red shirt is a keeper.

A reader wanted to know, "What does a plant-based runner eat? How do you maintain iron levels? And what do you do about stomach issues that might crop up on long runs?"

At 58, I did my first marathon last year after many half marathons and 5Ks. I'm the volunteer assistant cross country and track coach at Manatee High, and a nationally certified personal trainer. I work with clients at a gym and in homes. I just recently had blood work done and all levels of everything are fine, including iron, B12, D, and cholesterol at 160. The nurse who called insisted I must be taking something.

In answer to the question, I have always (in my new/improved adult life) eaten/drank to hunger/thirst, sticking to the Kenyan marathoners model of 70 to 80 percent complex carbs. I looked at some Googled videos online about a year ago and was fascinated how much they stick to the Drs. John McDougall /Neal Barnard models.

I enjoy whole grains, mostly quinoa and brown rice, and an occasional Amy's vegan burrito, as "Born to Run" describes legendary ultra marathoner Scott Jurek, "going out the door." So sticking to beans, greens and grains seems to give many what they need to go the distance. But the caveat is that everyone's different, monitor your levels before and after to create a baseline etc.

I personally trained and train clients in parks that have 5K loops, so that any urges for calories/water in or out can be accommodated. Running in parks with other runners early in the day allows for a plethora of drinks/snacks that are stashed in or on top of cars when the loop is completed. Most Florida endurance runners are out the door by sunrise, year-round.

In races, I've never found any shortage of accommodations for anything. Porta-potties usually abound along long courses. I'm happy to report that after a cup of green tea upon rising, I have only used a porta-potty once during a half or full marathon.

Beer and burgers along or at the end of marathons are a nauseating experience. Most runners I know crave citrus and other light, healthy liquids or fruits at the end of an intense workout. In fact, I've made some noises about organizing or doing a vegan marathon or 5K. But where I live between two fishing piers, that probably won't happen. Nor can I devote much time to organizing, since my book just came out, and it looks like I will be joyously and energetically running around with that for the next few years, my publisher tells me. The Boston, Toronto and Tampa food and vegetarian festivals are now booked for this fall. Toronto is the largest vegetarian festival in North America. Bring it!

You can follow Island resident Ellen Jaffe Jones on her Facebook page and keep up with her just released book:,"Eat Vegan on $4 a Day," or her website: www.vegcoach.com. She is also a nationally certified personal trainer and running coach. For training in a gym or private hire, contact Ellen at ejones@vegcoach.com or 941-704-1025.