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. |
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