| This week I chose to run in The Plano Pacers' Bead Bash 15K and 5K at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano, Texas. This was a free race for members, but there was a small fee for non members. Last year, I ran a 5K at the Cowtown race in Fort Worth. I arrived early, and took a jog around the small pond that circles around the pavilion to the start and finish line. My oldest son, John and his girlfriend Madeline arrived before the race. He got my camera and took some pictures of me at the starting line and a few more when the race started and at the finish. Since there was a 5K race going on at the same time, I started about 15 rows back to let them get off to a fast start. We started in front of pavilion and made a loop around before heading out of park onto the trail. I ran the 8K race here in December so I knew some of the course. I tried not to start out too fast this time. After all, I basically had to run 3 5K's in 1 race. My first mile time was 8:24. My 2 mile time was 17:18 (8:53 /m pace). I arrived at the 3 mile in the time of 26:13 (8:54 /m pace). With 1 5K down I headed to the 4 mile with the time of 35:04 (8:51 /m pace). I next made it to the 5 mile in 44:02 (8:58 / m pace). In between the next mile we went off the trail and out into the street path. I came up to several small hills that slowed my pace down. After I arrived from the turnaround there was still a few runners behind me. Some told me "good job" and other encouraging words. I arrived at the 6 mile in 53:48 (9:45 /m pace). About 2 5K's down, 1 5K more to go. I started to slow down some, and made it to mile 7 in 1:03:26 (9:38 /m pace). I tried to pick up my pace at that point. I made my way back on the trail to the park. My 8 mile time was 1:12:36 (9:09 /m pace). With a little over a mile to go I started running behind 4 younger runners, trying to keep them in sight. I headed back on the trail heading to the pavilion (and the finish line) where my son was cheering me on. He took a picture of me and some as I circled around the pond to finish line. I made it to mile 9 in 1:21:47 (9:11 /m pace). I was very tired but gave it all I had left in the tank, and finished my second 15K race over 1 minute faster than the last one I ran a month ago, the Too Cold to Hold race, in the time of 1:26:04.4. My son and his girlfriend gave me a hug and told me they were very proud of me. That made me feel wonderful. Most runners in my age group chose the shorter 5K race. At the 15K award ceremony I was awarded 1st place trophy. My son took a picture of me. When they posted the results online at the Plano Pacers site, about 11:00 PM, I found out I was dropped to second place. Thanks to DRC President Peggy Munro, I and others who volunteer for DRC were given a ticket to the Dallas Stars Hockey game Saturday after the race. This was my first Hockey game, and I had a great time. Place Bib# Men Overall Finish Time Pace 2/3 9046 39/49 48/68 1:26:01.4 9:14 /m | |
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