Four Seasons Cool 5K

I didn't plan on racing this week, but changed my mind at the last minute and signed up on race day for the Four Seasons Cool 5K and 10K on Saturday October 30, 2010 at the Four Seasons Resort and Club in Irving Texas. My Texas Rangers played game 3 of the World Series at home which I and my older son John attended. I arrived a little after 7:00am to register. There was a family run / walk at 8:00 AM, and the 5K and 10K run, which started together, began after. I stretched and ran a few laps to warm up. The weather temperature was cool this time. I lined up about 6 rows back from the starting line. When the horn sounded I took off and told myself to go as fast as I could from the start and try to finish with whatever energy I had left.   I usually try to run at a decent pace then turn it up toward the end, but this time I wanted to try and run harder at the beginning of the race. At the next street after the start there was a steep hill to climb. I lost some time there as runners passed me by, then when I was back on flat ground I started giving my all again. I passed a father who was trying to encourage his daughter, so I said to her "you are dong great sweetheart". A couple of 20 year old ladies beside me overheard and said "were you talking to me? I needed encouragement too." I told them that I encourage everyone.   I ran a little over a 9:00 1st mile pace so I tried to pick it up a little more for the 2nd mile. I got to the turnaround and headed back, and I could see people on the other side that I was ahead of, which gave me a much needed lift. I just kept going all out, running as hard as I could. I had not tried this type of strategy before so I wanted to see what would happen. I got to the 2 mile marker, then about 2 and half miles in I started to get a little winded. I kept going as fast as I could and finally made it to the home stretch. I gave it all that I had left to the finish line, passing a few runners in the process. I was very satisfied with my run and my time which was about 50 seconds faster than last week.   I also want to say a few words about my beloved Texas Rangers. Like I said before, after the race on Saturday, I went to the World Series game 3 with my son John. It was our very first World Series game to attend in person, and it was quite a spectacle. We arrived early to watch batting practice, where I took some pictures. What a game,The Rangers won thanks to some great pitching by Colby Lewis (who won 3 playoff games) and a nice home run by Mitch Moreland. The next night on Sunday, I went to game 4 with my younger son Edward (which we lost), and then on Monday went to game 5 with John. It was a classic pitcher battle between the Rangers' Cliff Lee and Giant's pitcher Tim Lincecum which ended when Cliff gave up a 3 run homer in the 7th inning. Nellie Cruz got some revenge in the bottom of the inning when he hit a home run for the Rangers. Unfortunately that was the only time the Rangers scored, and we ended up losing the game. Even though we lost the world series, I have to say what a great season it has been to watch each home game in person. The Rangers never gave up until the very last out of the game which is how they played every game of the season. That's how to play winning baseball. Me and my sons are very proud of the team, as I'm sure that everyone in Texas is. It has definitely been a season to remember! I'm attatching a picture of me and Edward with the American League Championship trophy.   My final line in male 55-59:   Place   Bib #   Overall     Men       Chip Time     Gun Time     Pace  4/8      458     81/285   58/134    28:10:44          28:12:00    9.06/m   I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com