Run for the Retrievers 5K

My race this week was the Run for Retrievers 5K on May 14, 2011 at Bird Fort Trail at Campion Trails in Las Colinas, Irving Texas. The event was held in memory of Eddie Pascacio who before dying of cancer helped start an adoption program for Labrador Retrievers. There was a very nice raffle at the race, where you could win one of many gifts. They raffled away prizes totaling $2,000. Fox 4 Good Day's Fiona Gorostiza was the emcee for the race, and there were plenty of sponsors. Some of the many sponsors included Run-On!, Emergem-C, and many dog treat giveaway booths.   I arrived early and parked close by; most had to park down the street at the Dart station. I checked the pre-race registration roster and found out that my Run-On! friend JJ Jenkins, who is also in my age division, was also signed up. When I saw his name on the list, I knew that I wouldn't finish at 1sth place this time. Most of the time, JJ runs a 5K in under twenty minutes. I took my slow jog, starting at the start line and went about .06 miles before turning back around, then I stretched a bit. This race was an out and back course with a turnaround. We only ran on the trail with no street parts. It was a very beautiful scenic course with a big dip going out, which meant that we'd have to climb up going back.   I started on the first row and took off at a fast quick pace, but didn't run all out. This was a cool morning with the temperature at about 57 degrees and a nice breeze blowing which was fine to me. The trail was wide so we ran freely with no crowding. I arrived at the 1st mile marker in 8:28. I kept to my recent racing strategy, which is to find a lady on my pace and try to keep up with her. Then find another one. I made it to the turnaround about half way into the course, with the wind now at my back, and started to increase my pace. My 2 mile time was 16:52 (an 8:24 /m pace).   I was feeling pretty fresh so I turned it on and started to pass a few runners. Before I got to the 3 mile marker I had to climb the hill with my bad hips. It slowed me down a little. Then I was able to pick it up again. JJ Jenkins, who had already finished and always double backs after his race to encourage everyone, said to me that if I hurry I could get in under 25 minutes. I gave it all I had and made it to the 3 mile in the time of 24:35 (a 7:42 mile pace), and crossed the finish line with a chip time of 25:03. Thank you JJ Jenkins for your encouragement.   My time was good enough for 2nd place, after JJ who is one of the fastest runners in our division and the overall fastest on every race he attends. I finished 44 out of 186. After the race I took a picture with JJ and with th 201 Run-On training Team. There were several Lab Retrievers that were introduced for adoption. Many were black like my pal Rocky who is a Lab mix. Then they had drawings for the winners of the raffle. I checked out all the sponsor booth like I always love to do after a race. Without their support the race would not be possible. Thanks everyone.   You can see the results here. You can view some pictures here.   My final results men 55 to 59:   Place    Bib #    Men    Overall    Chip Time    Gun Time   Pace                            2/5       2350    32/81   44/186     25:03:00      25:04:00    8:04 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The 2011 Relay for Life

Last week I walked, but didn't run, in the special 2011 Relay for Life in Arlington, Texas on Friday April 29 and early Saturday morning on the 30th. The event took place at the Texas Rangers' Ballpark Coca-Cola Pavilion. It was a 12 hour event from 7 PM to 7 AM. I was very honored to join the USMD Prostate Cancer Center team as the team survivor. USMD was also one of the many sponsors of the event. The team was lead by Paul Rothschild, the Marketing Executive of USMD.   Our fundraising goal was to raise $500.00, which we did ultimately reach. More than half of the amount was donated by Doctor Peter LaNasa. Troy Cole of Miller Public Relations also made a nice donation, and Jessica Sixkiller led our team in individual funds raised or donated. Other team members were Dr. Richard Bevan-Thomas, Bea Moore, Monica Urbunels, and Gianni Secchio of Miller Public Relations.   I arrived about 5:30 PM to meet Paul while he set up the USMD table at our location by the trail that we were going to walk around. I went over to collect my registration package which included a special survivor Relay For Life t-shirt and pin. Then I waited for the survivor dinner to begin. There were many survivors and caregivers that needed to be served dinner before the walk would start. It was after 8:00 PM before we started the survivor walk, and I walked nonstop until 11:00 PM. I took about a 1 and 1/2 hour break.   The course was only three tenths of a mile around the trail, and so it took about 10 laps to walk 3 miles (basically a 5K). It took me about 4 and 1/2 to 5 minutes for each lap. I took some pictures of myself and the other team members, as well as some of the other people at the event. I enjoyed walking with each member as they took there turn around the trail. After my break, I walked until 2:30 PM and then Paul walked again.   I was very tired and a little sleepy so I sat at our table until about 3:30 AM. When the final team member arrived, I told Paul that it was it for me; I'm going home. Paul had each member of the team come in at different times so that we could have someone on the USMD team, with our team t-shirts, walking around the trail at all times. Paul, if you're reading this, I just want to say that you did a great job of organizing our team and leading us. I hope that the community will realize what a great hospital USMD is. My hope and prayer is that others will join me in starting their own exercise program for their better health. Maybe you can avoid cancer, diabetes, a pacemaker, hypothyroidism and the other ailments I have if you start living a more healthy life today. I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The Carrollton Running Club 1 Mile and 5K

On Sunday April 24, 2011 I ran in both the Carrollton Running Club 1 Mile and the 5K at Mcinnish Park in Carrollton, TX. The temperature at race time was 72 degrees; it was cloudy with 14 mph 55 E winds blowing. The 1 mile started at 7:32 AM and 5K at 7:47 AM. If you pre-register for these Carrollton Running Club races, the fee is only $2.00 for one person and $5.00 for a family. You can also get this discount if you are a regular runner in the club with your own chip time number. The club also has a prediction run every week, where you try and guess what your final finishing time will be. It's always a fun time.   I arrived early and took a slow jog around the 1 mile race course. My oldest son, John, arrived before the start of the 1 mile race, and took some pictures. I wanted to see how fast I could run the 1 mile race, so I tried really hard. There were 14 males and 4 female runners in the 1 mile event. I ended up finishing in the time of 7:26.67, which was good enough for 2nd place in my age division out of 5 runners. I finished 8 out of 18 overall. There was only about 7 minutes for me to rest before the start of the 5K.   I lined up on the first row, feeling a little tired. Because of this, I started alot slower than I usually do for a normal race. My racing friend, Ken Ashby was right there with me to start the 5K race. Ken measures the Dallas Running Club and Plano Pacers Club races, and measured this race as well. He has raced in several races over the years, including marathons and other distance events. In the 1 and 1/2 years that I've been racing, I've never beaten Ken in a race. He pass me up during this race, and I told him that I had given it all I had in the 1 mile and that I would see him at the finish line. Even though I was tired, I was able to keep him in sight the whole race.   I arrived at the 1 mile marker in 8:38. There was a clock at the halfway mark telling you how you ran each half of the race, which was pretty cool. I made it to the 2nd mile in 17:17 (a 8:38 / mile pace). I started slowing up, but told myself to let go and started speeding up a bit. My 3 mile time was 25:14 (a 7:57 / mile pace), and my final time was 26:34.08 (a 8:33 / mile pace for the race). Apparently, I ran the 1st half in 13:44 (27 place out of 38 runners) and 2nd half in 12:50 (14th place out of 38 runners), a 55 negative split.   I finished 17 out of 28 men and 22 out of 38 overall runners, for the first time finishing ahead of my buddy Ken. Usually there are no awards given out at these low cost races, but since it was Easter Sunday, the race director Ruben Saguil handed out a few that he had left over from another race. I thought that by finishing ahead of Ken I might actually get 1st place, but it turns out that I finished 2nd place. David Mask won 1st place and Julio Lopez moved up to win the senior masters. My son took a few picture of me, including one with Laura Nelson who won female overall division in the time of 20:10:41, ending a streak she had where she ran 5 straight races in under 20 minutes. I also took a picture with Ruben. He is mainly a one man operation at the races with only a few volunteer helpers at the race. He's also a good runner, and ran the 1 mile in a quick 6:43:26.   You can view the complete results here.   1 mile results:   Place    Men   Overall    Chip Time      Age Grade                                                 2/5        7/14     8/18      7:26:67           61.4%   5K results: Place    Men   Overall     Chip Time     Pace      Age Grade                                     2/6      17/28    22/38      26:34:08      8:31:1        59.8% I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com