MLK Day & Dream 5K and 1 mile Run

After running Saturday's race I ran in my second MLK Day & Dream 5K and 1 mile Run on Monday, January 17, 2011 (MLK Day) at River Legacy Pavillion Park in Arlington, Texas. The 5K started at 10:00 AM. I was one of the first to arrive to pick up my bib number. I almost always register early for races since you can usually get a nice discount. This race only cost $10.00 (plus the usual online processing fee). There was no free shirt and no chip timing on this race. The race proceeds benefited needy kids at Arlington School Districts Blanton and Crow Elementary Schools. Some of the sponsors of the event were The Runner, Freebirds World Burrito (who handed out burritos and Muscle Milk), and Honest Tea. There were prizes that were handed out. Winners were picked by bib number at the award ceremony.   At the event, I met a guy that told me it was his very first racing event. He asked me for some advice for his first race. I told him that alot of people would be passing him up, and that he shouldn't worry about them. Just do your best, and stay at a comfortable pace, so you can finish strong. This guy was a bit overweight, and it made me feel good to know that he's trying to get into running so he can be more healthy. You have to start somewhere, and it's great to see someone like this, who has excuses not to run, but takes the plunge anyways and works hard to achieve his goal.   There wasn't very many runners at the event, but the runners in my age group were all pretty fast. I knew it would be hard to receive an award today, but wanted to do my best. I took a few pictures before the race and stretched my hips and sore muscles; my knee is feeling a lot better now. We started the race in front of the pavilion in the street. I lined up on the first row. After a prayer for MLK, the race started. After about 200 yards we went on the trail around the park which was flat and wooded. This will be a great place to run when it gets warmer. All the trees make for a very beautiful background. Since this was a 5K I planned to run all out from the start to the finish, and that's exactly what I did.   I arrived at the 1 mile marker in the time of 8:36. There was a turnaround for this race, and I cheered on my friends as they were coming back. On my way back from the turnaround, some lady cheered me on. It kept me motivated to run hard and strong. I arrived at the 2 mile marker with the time of 17:08 (8:32/m). I was now running with a couple of women ahead of me, so I tried to keep up my pace with them. When I arrived at the 3 mile marker my time was 25:41 (8:33/m) and with only 1/10 of a mile to go I ran to the finish line in a final time of 26:26.   Jeph Abara who was the race director, and runs races every month in Arlington (www.runningintheusa/jeph), makes the final results manually and calculates the winners. This is alot of work, but is necessary since the race was not chip timed (like DRC races before Run-On! donated chip time devices). I did not place in the top 3 in my age group, but Jeph always has a special award called Souls & Soles Award, which I and 2 other men were awarded. There were also 3 women that won. I was very thankful on this special day to receive it. Jeph mentioned a quote by MLK in his famous I Have A Dream speech, "I have a dream... that they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." This is something we all should try to do; always try your best to treat others the way you would like to be treated.   After I got home I took a picture with fellow cancer survivor Buster, my son's basset hound who was injured severely a few weeks ago. He is doing alot better now.   You can see the full results here.   Place    Bib    Men Overall     Overall     Time     Pace             Won Special  5/8     2876       45/73          62/155    26:26    8:30/m      Souls and Soles Award   I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com