My last race was the Dallas Running Club The Loop 15K / 5K on Saturday October 2, 2010 at Winfrey Point at White Rock Lake. Both the 15K and the 5K started at 8:00 down the hill on the lake side. The kids 1K race started afterwards so most parents had finished their race were able to watch and run with their children. I took photos of the kids race and the award winners, which can be viewed at the DRC web site for free. On the same site you can see photos from the other photo guy, George, who took a couple of thousand pictures of the runners. Thank you George for the beautiful pictures.
There were 812 DRC members that pre registered for the race. As usual, Jason McGhee was the event leader. In total, there were 534 15K finishers and 190 5K finishers. At the race, I met Sam, a DRC member who hadn't been able to run in 6 months or more, who was running the 5K. Sam is the one that introduced me to the DRC over a year ago, and it made me very happy to have him healthy enough to run again. I arrived early found a close up parking spot, and then took some pictures of the DRC volunteers and runners as they arrived and gathered before the race. I also took a few pictures of the Run-On! booth which is always at DRC races. Run-On! was voted one of the best running stores in Texas. They are very active in the running community, helping to set-up races and selling running shoes and clothing in their stores. On their website, they have a great calendar that has all the upcoming races for the upcoming months so that you can plan out which races and benefits you would like to run in. It's my personal favorite site.
I went to my car to drink my pre race drinks, put my camera away and wend down the hill to warm up and stretch before the race. Greg Hall, who has been DRC president since January 1, 2009, started both races together. This venue is the same one where we cross the bridge that makes your legs give way, but we unlike previous races, we started the opposite direction. There was a turnaround for the 5K, but I believe the 15K ran a complete circle around the Lake. Most of the runners chose the 15K to prepare themselves for the DRC Half Marathon November 7.
I took off at a quick and steady pace. This was a cool morning, which was perfect for running. I thought I was running under 9:00 minutes per mile for the first mile, but I'm not sure since I don't have one of those timing devices yet. This time when I got to the water stop, I just kept running by. Since the temperature was so cool, I figured I could make it to the finish line, then replenish liquids after the race. As with all races with a turnaround, it wasn't long before I saw the fastest runners coming back on the opposite way. We cheered them on like gladiators as they passed us by. I only wish I could run a little faster. With the turnaround ahead, I had to slow down to go around the corner then headed back in the direction where we started toward the finish. I decided to pick up my pace more since it was cooler and I felt I had more energy left to give.
I started to pass up a few runners which kept my spirits and pace up. Toward the end of the race, I was in a running group with a 30 year old woman, a 70 year old man, and a 12 year old boy. Well, the first 2 beat my time and I was able to finish before the 12 year old. As I have said before, I run to stay healthy and give awareness to others so that my running will hopefully inspire people to try walking and running as a way to stay healthy. More important than my time or how I finish in the overall ranking is my personal satisfaction that I did my best and maybe helped someone to try running or walking. If you start now, it won't be long before you feel more energy in your body and mind.
I planned on running October 9, 2010 in the 24th annual Grand Prairie Metro Rotary Club Lake Joe Pool 10K, 5K run & 5K Walk, Fun Run & Pumpkin Fest. DFW sports broadcaster and fellow prostate cancer survivor, Scott Murray, will be master of ceremonies for the event which benefits the Alzheimer's Association. I wanted to run this race since my mother has Alzheimer's, but I read that they will be waiting until after 10:30 to open the gates so you can leave the park after the race. Me and my son Edward are going to the Texas Ranger's playoff game against Tampa Bay and I like to get there early for parking and pass the security check at the ballpark before the game. So no race this weekend this time.
You can see some pictures of the race
here - here - here - here - here - here - here - here - here
You can view the complete results here.
My final line for 5k male 55-59:
Place Bib# Age Div Men Overall Place Pace Time
6/8 6153 58 46/85 55/190 8.59/m 27:55:28
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