Run Proud for Dessert 5K

My race this week was Run Proud for Dessert 5K, which was held at Cooper Fitness Center in Dallas. The race was created to benefit the ALS Association, and is named after Diane Proud, a certified USA Triathlon Coach who holds elite certifications from different areas at Cooper Institute. She was diagnosed with ALS in early 2009, and is trying to receive bone marrow treatment. She shows us all the courage to battle through our own illnesses and health issues.

My favorite picture man, Jerry Glover, of Jerry Glover Photography was at the race. Sponsoring the race were New Balance, Koala Health and Wellness Centers, and many others. I arrived early before daybreak for the 8:00 am start. Normally, on most 5K races there is a point in the race where you have to turn around and run back toward the start/finish line. This particular race had a starting line at Preston Road, and a finish line at Cooper Fitness Center, with no turnaround in between.

I started a few rows back and Diane started the race with the sound of a horn. I started off at a slow and steady pace in this hot and humid race. I passed the 1 mile marker and kept the same pace until I reached the 2 mile marker. With a mile to go I started to try to increase my pace, but my energy was limited. I gave it my best anyway, and passed the 3 mile marker and made my way in to the Cooper Fitness Center to the finish line. I stumbled and almost fell, but was able to stay on my feet and cross the finish line with a final time of 29:17:00.

Everyone received a cupcake after the race, which was nice. Later in the day I went to the USMD open house where they had a tour of their center, and had NFL Hall of Famer and former Dallas Cowboy, Bob Lilly, sign autographs. Then on the same night, I went to see the Texas Rangers beat the NY Yankees.

For those of you that don't know, the best kept secret at The Ball Park in Arlington is that you can sign up (close to guest relations) to be a designated driver. When you sign up, you are entered into a nightly drawing to win a Texas Rangers' jacket, and are given a voucher for a free 24oz soft drink. I've been trying to win that jacket for about 2 years, and finally on Sunday, I was chosen as the lucky winner. The funny thing is, I didn't even know I had won until I came to the next home game on Tuesday. I went to sign up like always, and was told that I had won. I was so happy, and put the jacket on right away. My oldest son, John came to that game and kept joking with me, telling me to give him the jacket. I told him to sign up and win his own... and he did. We were both stunned to see his name on the center field board in the 8th inning. Attached is a picture of us wearing our newly acquired Texas Rangers jackets.

You can see some pictures from the race here. You can find me at the starting line on some of them, or you can search for my bib number (2013) to find a nice solo picture.

My line for 55 to 59 male:

Place Bib # Age Overall Chip Time Gun Time

11/16 2013 58 110/350 29:17:00 29:18:00

I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community.

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