Jingle Bell Run 2010

For my next race, I chose the 2010 Jingle Bell Run December 22, 2010 at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, which was a rare night race. The race benefited the Trinity Strand Trail and Mavericks Foundation. There were many great sponsors at the event, like Pizza Patron, WFAA, Firestone, Community Coffee, the SPCA of Texas, and about many more. A couple of days before the race, my son and his girlfriend's basset hound, Buster, jumped on to my easy chair to be with me and he started screaming in pain. They took him to vet and found out that he has severe nerve damage in his back. So once again bad things are happening. I just keep praying for every blessing I receive and just keep trying my best each day.   I took a few pictures before the race, and walked around as the crowd gathered inside the Anatole. About 30 minutes before the race I went outside so that I could get used to the cold weather and warm up a bit. There was a 1 mile run at 6:30 PM and the 5K started at 7:00 PM. I started about 3 or 4 rows back. I was surprised to be greeted by Dr. Charles Lee at the starting line. Dr. Lee is one of the Doctors at the Cancer Institute of Dallas where I exercise at the Fitsteps for Life center. He wasn't racing in this event, but was there to cheer on some friends. He ran in the Dallas White Rock Marathon in the spectacular time of 3:14 and finished 192 out of 4593 finishers.   There were probably over 4,000 runners at the race, but only 964 were chip timed runners. The thing about night races is that it's a little harder to see where you are stepping. With so many people trying to get around slower runners, and pot-holes to navigate, it can be a little challenging. There was no turnaround in this race, but there were many twists and turns in the course. At each mile marker there was a display showing you your current race time. At the 1 mile marker, my time was 8:20 which I was pretty happy with. I wish they had this time display at every race. It makes it easier to know what pace I am running at so that I can make necessary adjustments during the race.   At the 2 mile marker my time was 16:45, and when I got to the 3 mile marker Dr. Lee was there to cheer me on to the finish line. To tell the truth, I was about ready to slow down at this point, but when Dr. Lee started cheering for me, it gave me the lift I needed to continue running hard. When I glanced at the time display at the 3 mile marker, it said that I was little over 25 minutes. With such a great time in the books, and some encouragement from the Doctor, I headed to the finish line with my second sub-26 minute time ever. I finished a few seconds slower than Saturday's race with a final time of 25:52. I finished 3 out of 24 in my age division and 315 out of the 964 chip time runner.   Let's just say that Mark Cuban and the Dallas Mavericks know how to throw an after race party. The always beautiful Mavericks Dancers were there, as well as the Mavs Maniacs. I took a few pictures with them, and also a got a free photo with a group taking pictures of everyone that wanted one for free. As I was enjoying the post-race festivities, I ran into the Dallas Maverick's mascot, Champ, who gave me a high five. There was pizza, chocolate milk, and my favorite after race drink Myoplex. For those who wanted to enjoy a little more, there was Corona beer and a great band playing. It was a fun night to say the least.   Results can be seen here.   My line Men 55-59:   Place    Bib#    Men Overall    Overall     Time    Age Grade    Pace  5/24     560        239/506      315/964   25:52       61.5%      8:21/m   I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Jog'r Egg Nog'r 5K

On December 18, 2010 I ran in the 2010 Jog'r Egg Nog'r 5K at Norbuck Park in White Rock Lake. A few weeks ago my friend and fellow prostate cancer supporter Justin Sucato died on my birthday. This week my younger brother had to have his leg amputated above the knee due to complications of diabetes. So once again, my heart is broken but not destroyed since I have some hope that he will improve his health. He is only 53 year old, and I just don't want to lose him yet. If all this couldn't inspire me nothing will. For the rest of my life, as long as my health makes it possible, I will walk and run for my little brother and for those who are now unable to do so for themselves.   I arrived very early, and parked by the tent where the award ceremony and band played. The registration started at 7:30 AM but was about half a mile away from the starting line. This was a pull tag race which meant that there was no chip timing. I gathered with all the other runners, waiting for the start of the race in a grassy area. While I waited, I stretched and did some light jogging down street to warm up. It was real cold before the race, and I knew that warming up would be very important. At 9:00 AM, the 5K and 15K started together at the intersection of Peavy and Van Dyke. I got into position on the first row and waited for the gun to go off. When it did, I took off fast but soon got a hitch in my gigalog for a few seconds. My hip started to lock up a little, then we came to a long downhill area.   I like running downhill; I seem to speed up more. I guess it's the momentum or gravity. I was enjoying the downhill run, but then started thinking about how difficult it would be to have to climb this same hill on my way back. I figured my final time would suffer a bit. I just kept running as fast as I could. I've run at Norbuk Park many times before but this race started different and had a different route to the finish line at the park. I wasn't sure of my time as I passed the 1 mile marker. At this point in the race, there was a trail on the left where the runners ahead of me were already heading back. I knew that the turnaround must be close. I just followed the crowd, looking for that 5K turnaround. I did not want to go straight, and end up in a 15K race... at least not yet anyway.   I made my way around the turnaround, then we went off on the grass a short distance, ending up on the trail below which lead back the way I started. I kept pushing myself as hard as I could and got to the 2 mile marker still feeling pretty strong in this cool weather. I really enjoy running in this kind of cool weather. In my experience so far, I have found that most runners run faster times in cool weather. At this point, I started thinking about the finish line and about my little brother. I wanted this to be my best race for him. As I got closer, I realized that I didn't have to go back up that long hill after all; the finish line street cut off before the hill and headed back to Norbuck. Boy was I glad. Most of the time I am out of energy toward the end of a race, but I told myself that I could do it, and didn't stop running hard until I crossed the finish line in my personal best 5K race time of 25:49:18. Before the race I said to myself that it would be great if I ran in under 26 minutes. I had picked the time of 25:53 as my goal because of the age of my 53 year old brother. I thank God for continuing to bless me in my running. My success wouldn't be possible without His guidance.   Looking at the post-race results, I discovered that I had finished ahead of the second place winner at last weeks race, the guy that I said always beat me. Another man, who I beat by 16 seconds at the Frisco Frosty 5K last week decided to enter in the clydesdale division ( for runners 200-214 lbs) instead of the 55-59 group. White Rock Racing awarded the 5 fastest runners in each age division an award. I went over to the award ceremony to take a few pictures, thinking I had finished 6th place in my division. When they called my name I was totally surprised and happy to receive that 5th place award as a tribute to my little brother.   I want to thank the Baylor Sports Care Team who came to my aid after the race. I was fine, but as I have said before it just takes a few minutes for me to get back to normal after a race. It was nice to know someone cared enough to see how I was doing. They sat me down by their caravan a few minutes and I said I was fine. Other sponsors at the race were Schepps Dairy who furnished all the egg nog, Run-On!, and Davis Creative.   Last week, I attended the annual Christmas dinner at Cancer Support Community of North Texas (formerly Gilda's Club). The Dinner was sponsored by Cancer Treatment Centers of America, who also donated $5,000 to the center. This center along with Fitsteps for Life and North Texas Prostate Coalition and all the area hospital prostate cancer support groups I attend are responsible for my running. At this holiday time if anyone has any extra money to give, these are great non profit groups to give to. I would like to start a race one day to help these organizations, but I need some sponsors and help getting it all started. I would still be on my couch feeling sorry for myself without them and their support.   You can view the final results here.   My line Male 55-59:   Place   Bib #   Men Overall   Overall      Time       Pace  5/8      1317       74/206       94/404   25:49:18   8:18/m     I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The Frisco 5K and Merry Mile

This week I ran in the 2010 Frisco 5K and Merry Mile in Frisco TX. My oldest son John, who lives in Lewisville, came to watch me run. I arrived early before the racing team set up, and started my stretching, then went over to get my registration package and timing chip. I injured my groin during a training run this week, so I figured I'd stretch a bit earlier than usual. After the Run Time racing team, lead by director Rocky, had set up the start and finish line, I moved in and took a few pictures, including one with Rocky (see attached). This was my third straight race with him and the Run Time organization. I checked out a few of the sponsors who braved the cold morning to be with us. The sponsors included AAA Texas, Centennial Medical Center, Slimming World, and Relay for Life which is an upcoming event that honors cancer survivors and remembers those that have lost their battle (you can find out more here). Also in attendance was Moving Pictures who is always at Run Time racing events; they take great pictures. There were more sponsors but some never showed up at this cold event.   Registration was from 7:00 to 8:00AM, then the merry mile started at 8:00. I watched with the other 5K runners and cheered on the runners, especially the young children heading for the finish line for maybe their first time. I know that feeling. Now, I just repeat it over and over every race. It feels great when you finish and you know you did your best, and had a lot of fun doing it. The Frisco Frosty 5K started at 8:30. I lined up on the first row for this race which had close to 1000 runners and finished with 794 chip timed runners. The race started on Frisco Square Blvd, in a beautiful area with many tall buildings and shops. Frisco is the home of the Texas Ranger's minor league baseball team the Frisco Rough Riders, and the Dallas Maverick's D league team.   After a few turns there was a straight away headed out of the square, and I saw my son John who said he said he never saw me. I guess he was looking at all the beautiful women in the race; I can't say I blame him there. It was very windy that morning, with the wind blowing back at my face and body. I didn't want to start too fast this time, since I was slightly injured, but as the race went on, I pushed it more and more. We came to a long straight away with coned up area for those that reached the turnaround. At this point, the runners were bunched up, so I just ran outside of the cones where there was no traffic. As I got closer to the turnaround, I went back in the running lane behind the other runners. When we went around the turnaround, I started to pick up my pace a little more.   At the 1 mile marker, my time was 8:20. I wasn't sure of my time at the 2 mile marker, but kept going hard. We were getting closer to the square, so I really push it hard thinking that I was getting close to the finish line. Just one problem with that, when we got to the square we had another half mile or so to go. Boy was I surprised. I was getting pretty tired, but I knew my son would be there to cheer me on at the finish line, so I gave it all I could muster and finished in the time of 26:39. This was my fastest time since last year's Cowtown 5K on February 27 with a time of 26:39. I did run a 25:33 in the Arlington Highland's 5K on May 18 but somebody moved the cone at the turnaround so the race was only 2.89 miles, so I don't count that race. My fastest time ever was St. Paddy's Day Dash Down Greenville 5K on March 13 with the time of 26:01.   After the race my son greeted me with a big hug. I was out of breath. It always takes a few minutes for me to get back to normal after a race, but I am always very proud and happy to finish another race. After icing my feet and drinking my post-race drinks, we went back to check on the results. I was very surprised with how many runners had finished in my age division , and that I placed 3rd out of 15 men. The winner had previously won The Dallas Turkey Trot, and the 2nd place guy always beats me (but my time is getting closer to his). All 3 of us run Dallas Running Club races. My son John took a few pictures of me getting my award and I got someone to take a picture of us together. He seems to be my lucky charm, just like his dog Rocky who he left in my care after he moved away a few years ago.   My final line men 55-59   Place   Bib#    Age    Men Overall    Overall    Chip Time    Gun Time     Pace  3/15    966      59        130/321      183/793       26:32          26:33      8:32/m I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Don Zetnick Arlington Winter Run

This week I chose to run in the 33rd annual Don Zetnick Arlington Winter Run on December 4, 2010. The race was held at the MAC (Maverick Activities Center) at UTA Campus in Arlington, TX, and benefited the YMCA of Arlington. One of the sponsors of the race was The Runner, a sporting goods store, promoter of local races, and also is the oldest running club in Tarrant County, which is owned by Don's son, Phil. Other sponsors included Mr. Jim's Pizza, Starbucks, Texas Health, Arlington Memorial, and other great companies.   Registration was held at the Maverick Activities Center from 7:15 to 8:15 AM. At 8:30 there was a Penguin Waddle for kids aged 11 and under. Both the 2 mile run/walk and the 10K started together at 9:00. There were several children entered in these races, who were trained by their school or the YMCA of Arlington. I've never run a 2 mile race before, so I chose to run in the 2 mile event instead of the 10K. If you check out my blog (www.runningforacause.tumblr.com) and click on results link, you can see all my race results which are hosted on a site called athlinks.com. The problem with athlinks is that some of the results are not accurate. This is because they sometimes have the same runner listed more than once on a given race. The good thing is that they have links to the original results page so you can always double check. I have run mostly 5K', but I have also run a few 10K's, and one 5 mile and one 4 mile race. I wanted to add a 2 mile to the list.   The race began in front of the MAC with the course running around neighborhood and then back on campus; a nice short flat race course. I lined up about 3 rows back. At the beginning of the race, there was a short straight away on campus then a left turn. Since this was only a two mile race I knew I didn't have to hold back at all, so I went as fast as my 59 year old body could take me. We took another left at the next street and the 10K runner went straight. I sure didn't want to get in the wrong line of runners. Anyway, they told us there was an orange cone at the 1 mile marker, but I got a little confused. As we went by the cone, I asked a runner by me if we were at the 1 mile already. She said "not yet, we have to go around a couple of streets and turn back around to go passed the orange cone at 1 mile marker."   At the 1 mile marker, my time was about 8:16. I was a little surprised at that so I tried to just keep it up as fast as I could. Knowing there was only 1 more mile in the race, I knew I could just give all the energy I had, and that it would be over soon. We had to double back around to the start/finish line so I knew the course pretty well. On the last quarter mile I was pretty tired, but I finished as strong as I could. The announcer called my name as I crossed the finish line in time of 16:20, good enough for a 1st place finish. I'm proud to say that my name was listed along with the other 1st place winners in the Dallas Morning News Sunday Sports Page. I finished 55 out of 340 runners.   This week's award was a little stuffed animal penguin with a medal. I think my dog or my son's dogs would love to play with it as a toy. I had a pretty lady runner take a few pictures of me getting my award. The next morning I volunteered for the Dallas White Rock marathon at the 18 mile water stop which was sponsored by the Dallas Running Club. As a volunteer, I handed out grapes and took pictures as the runner went by for 5 and half hours. They had 8 miles left to go to finish the complete 26.2 mile marathon.   My final line in men 55-59   Place    Bib#    Male Overall    Overall    Gun Time    Chip Time    Pace  1/3       490        41/149         55/340      16:20:0       16:18:7     8.09/m   I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

2010 Arlington Turkey Trot 5K

This week I ran in the Inargural 2010 Arlington Turkey Trot 5K, which started and finished at the Arlington Convention Center. This was the the first Turkey Trot that I've run in, and it will always be special to me. As everyone who reads my blog already knows, I am a long time fan of the 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers and of my prostate cancer doctor Justin Lee, who did the robotic surgery on me in September of 2007. Both of which are in Arlington. Thanks to Dr. Lee's excellent work, my PSA has been undetectable ever since. Funds from the event support The Shoe Bank, which offers shoes to homeless people. I always mention some of the sponsors for each race on my blog and it is my honor to say that USMD Hospital at Arlington was a sponsor of this wonderfull inargural Arlingon Thanksgiving 5K race. Other sponsors were Vandergriff Cheverlet and Hyundai, Frost Banking, The Runner, Run Time Racing, and New Balance which gave away 3 pairs of free shoes to the fastest winners.

There were 2017 participants (runners and walkers), plus spectators that braved the rapidly howling wind and punging tempratures and some light rain. The course was fast, and featured views of Cowboy Stadium, the Ballpark in Arlington, a little league field and lake, Six Flags over Texas, and the Arlington Convention Center. I arrived about 7:00 AM in my racing shorts and sleaveless technical shirt, and soon realized it was going to be a cooler morning than I expected. I picked up my registration packet which had my bib #, chip timer and a long sleave t-shirt, with all the great sponsors printed on the back, as well as other goodies. Then I went to my car and changed to long pants and put on a long sleave technical shrit before I put on the USMD racing shirt that I race in every week. Thanks to USMD for the shirt and for the support. Without thier help, I wouldn't be able to race each week, and spread awareness about prostate cancer and running and walking as a way to better health. In my opinion they have the best prostate cancer doctor in Texas, and possibly the whole US.

The 1 mile fun run started at 8:30 an with a lot of children and parents entered. The 5K started at about 9:00 AM. I lined up about 6 rows back in this fast field of runners. The start had the biggest hill of the race, but not very long. But that made the finish a fast downhill to the finish line keeping with my new racing strategy I started as fast as I could up the hill, turned left out of the convention center parking lot, in front of the little league park. You look up and see Cowboy Stadium around first base side of the ballpark heading to centerfield. Then turn left and go by third base, past my parking spot as we turn right accreoss thrid base. So for doing OK trying to get throug hthe crowd of runners as we were cone off on one side and traffic on other side. Circle around by Six Flags then final back around part of ballpark a long straight home stretch. Everyone was bunched up hard to pass. So I ran just outside the cone to pass runner then finally back by the little league park and down the hill as fast as I could to the finish line. 4 or 5 runners passed me up as we came down the hill to the finish line. I tried my best; that's all I know how to do, but I wanted to be in the top 3 in my age group and receive an award for this special race.


When they posted the final results, they had everyone ranked by overall time. I looked my time up, then followed the list up to see how many men in my age division had a better time than I did. Well, it looked like I had finished 3rd place, and I was very happy. At the award ceremony when it got to my age division, they never called my name. I asked someone afterwords, and they said the winner in my group was not listed, therefore I finished 4th place. Just like last week, I went home empty handed with no award. I think if they had an award for 4th place, I would be the man; that's my spot it seems. Oh well that's life. Awards are just a honor. I run for my health and to inspire others to try running and walking even if they have health problems like I had. I am a 3 year prostate cancer survivor running with diabites, a pacemaker, avascular necrosis in both hips, hypothyroidism, and wear a patch to help keep my memory working properly. If I can do this, then you should see your doctor about getting you on an excercise program so you can attain better health. You can do it, just one day ata time. Never give up hope to change your life.

I was the oldest runner in my age group; the only 59 year old in the division. So I am very satisfied with my results. I train my best and give it all I can just like my 2010 American League Champion Texas Rangers did this year. Next, it'll be the World Series Champions. Speaking of sports, I went to watch the Mavericks beat the Miami Heat and Houston Rocckets over the weekend and took a few pictures. Special thanks to Miller Public Relations for donating the attached picture of me running.



You can see the complete results here.
You can see some pictures of the event here. (my bib # was 533)


My final results in male 55-59

Place Bib# Men Overall Overall Chip Time Gun Time Diff Time Back Pace
4/14 533 62/310 216/601 27:18:5 27:20:3 0.01.7 3.31.7 8:47/m

I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community.
www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

2010 Koala TNY 5K

For my next race, I chose the 2010 Koala TNY 5K Sunday November 21, at the Town North YMCA in Dallas, TX. Koala Health and Wellness was the title sponsor, but they also sponsor many other races that I've been to, and are easily my favorite massage team. The other sponsors include Dougherty's Pharmacy, which is a huge supporter of Cancer Support Community of North Texas (formerly Gilda's Club), along with Caldwell Banker, Papas Bros Steakhouse and many more great fun food sponsors. The course was relatively flat, with no turnaround, and traveled through the scenic neighborhood of YMCA. The race started in front of Town North YMCA and ended on a trail path inside the center. The top 3 runners in each category were to be awarded a gift certificate, and they also had a drawing for a Super Bowl ticket at the award ceremony after the race. I hadn't picked up my bib and timing chip before race day, so I arrived early and found a front row parking, then registered and picked up a free long sleeve technical shirt. I walked around the area then went over to where the sponsor were setting up. One of the Koala guys took a few pictures of me at the finish line and we took a few with each other. His center does a fantastic job at the races they sponsor. It's a great place for everyone who wants a massage or a stretch before or after the race. I took a picture between two ladies that someone else took at the starting line then I backed up to the second row for the start of the race. I started out really fast for an old man. As of November 16, I am now 59 years old. It seemed there were many fast runners in this race. I tried to keep up the best I could. When I came to the 1 mile marker, my time was 8:16. I was pretty surprised at the time; I had never run the first mile that fast before (at least that I know of). I tried to keep it up but I knew I would probably burn out before the end of the race. When I arrived at the 2 mile marker, I saw that I had run the second mile in 8:42. With 1.1 miles left I tried my best to finish strong, but I guess my fast start was too fast because I got tired and had to slow down a little. When I got to the 3 mile marker, I ran as hard as I could to the finish line and completed the race with the time of 27:21 with a 8:49 / mile pace and a 4th place finish in my age division. You can view the results of the race here. You can see some pictures from the race here. My final line in age 55-59 men division: Place Bib # Overall Men Overall Female Chip Time Pace 4/7 480 88 55/105 126 27:21 8:49/m I ran this race with a sad heart. As a prostate cancer survivor since June of 2007, one of my biggest supporters at the prostate support group meetings I attend lost his 13 year battle with prostate cancer. Justin Sucato led many prostate cancer support groups in the metroplex. He led the Us Too group, started the Baylor Hospitals recurrence group, was the facilitator at the Medical City Hospital group, and was on the board of directors for the non-profit North Texas Prostate Cancer Coalition. He was an expert researcher of prostate cancer who always stayed late after meetings to talk to people newly diagnosed and those with recurrence, answering questions and offering support. A doctor can only spend a few minutes explaining things to you, but Justin would make sure you got all the information you needed. If you asked him something he wasn't sure about, he always got back with you. As we celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends lets not forget the people we meet everywhere who give us a smile and say a few words to encourage us in our journey through our lives. Every morning I wake up is a blessing that I treasure, and look forward to what the day might bring with joy. Why only celebrate life on our birthdays; every day is a blessing to me until my last one. Just as my friend Justin lived his life with the love of his wife and his 4 sons and grandchildren, and all of us prostate cancer survivors that he helped. He was a key supporter of my blog, always encouraging me about my losing weight and running. I will forever miss and remember my friend Justin. God bless you until we meet again. I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com