Dadfest 5K

This week I ran in the very special Fathers Day race, Dadfest 5K, at Galatyn Park in Richardson, TX on Saturday June 18, 2011. I chose to enter the race in the Prostate Cancer Survivor division instead of the age division so that I could honor all my fellow survivors. My oldest son, John, walked in the race, and my younger son, Edward, took pictures of us. This race benefited the Urology Research and Education Foundation. You can read more about them on their website www.diduid.com.   The race was hosted by Mellew Productions, inc. There were many sponsors at the event, including Ford, Texas Health Resources, Urology Clinics of North Texas, Run-On!, Tom Thumb, Radio Disney, CBS 11 HD, TXA 21, and Gilddan, who handed out free socks and underwear for men. A couple of the world champion Dallas Mavericks dancers were also at the event, and I took a few pictures with them.   Quest Diagnostics was there to conduct the free PSA screenings in the Texas Health Resource screening van. Jerry Glover Photography was there to provide official race photos. check out www.jerrygloverphotography.com, and put you bib # in to see your running pictures. Thanks to Jerry and his team for taking some amazing pictures. One of the best online resources for prostate cancer, The North Texas Prostate Coalition (www.ntxpcacoalition.org) was also at the race, handing out fliers with information about prostate cancer.   Like last year, there were many fun activities before and after the race. There was a bean bag throw, a football toss, and even a rock climbing event. The most popular activity for the kids seemed to be running through the water fountain as it sprouted up water on this hot day. The course was very different from last year, as well as the many other races that I have run at this location. This new course included more hills which meant a slower time for me.   My son, Edward, and his wife arrived early. I found the starting line but was unable to find the finish line. I took my 1 mile warm up jog, then went over to the sponsor area. I signed up for a chance to win a Ford vehicle which will be given away in October. Besides the 5K race there was also a kids 50 yard dash. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the volunteers from our prostate cancer support group at Presbyterian Hospital for making this day so special.   There were over 200 father and child team entries in the 5K, and the total gun time finishers numbered 696. Among those runners were about 50 people running in lime green shirts in memory of Agustin Nerio, who died of prostate cancer in 2006. My son John and I lined up on the first row and waited for our Master of Ceremonies, Cliff Couch, to sound the horn. I started out as fast as I could on this hot humid day. The temperature was above 85 degrees to start. We ran uphill to the next block then we turned left still moving up hill. Then we had about 1 mile of flat and downhill running, which meant that after the turnaround we'd need to run up hill.   My 1 mile time was 7:44. The turnaround was about 1.2 miles into the race. It's hard to breathe when its so hot, and many runners started walking. My Run-On! training kept me running at my best, and I arrived at 2nd mile in 15:58 (a 8:13 / mile pace). I had to hold back on the last mile because the heat and hills began to take effect on me. Finally, I made it to the 3 mile in 24:48 (an 8:19 / mile pace), and finished with a gun time of 25:43.   63 year old, Dan Flowers, has won the prostate cancer survivor division several years in a row, and continued his dominance, beating my time by 2 minutes. Great job Dan. I finished 2nd place out of the 11 other prostate cancer survivors. Some of the survivors, like my hero Marty Sisk, who is 75 years young, decided to run in the age division instead of the survivors division. Like me, Marty received a 2nd place award. Great job Marty!   I hope to see you, as well as the other supporters of Dadfest, and the supporters of Agustin Nerio at the Dash for Dad race September 10 2011 at the MAC in Arlington. You can read more information about this event at www.greatprostatecancerchallenge.com.   I'd like to thank all the Dallas Running Club and Run On! members who ran in this race to honor all of the fathers on this day. Everyone has or knows a dad, grandfather, uncle, brother, or friend that could possibly be affected by prostate cancer. I wear my sign on my shirt to try to get the message out there to promote early screenings and / or annual check ups. Those screenings and check ups are very important to beating prostate cancer and living a happier longer life.   Please check out my running blog www.runningforacause.tumblr.com and sing up to follow or bookmark my running journey. One day we may find a cure for Prostate cancer for my 2 sons and yours. It starts now with us!   You can see the results here or here.   My final line in the prostate cancer survivor group...   Place      Men      Overall    Chip Time    Gun Time    Pace                                     2/11   134/425    156/696      25:43         25:43         8:17 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Susan G. Komen North Texas Race for the Cure

For my next race, I chose the 21st annual Susan G. Komen North Texas Race for the Cure on Saturday, June 11 2011 in Plano TX. There were many sponsors giving out free samples and other things including HP, Krogers, Alcatel Lucent, CBS 11/21, Tom Thumb, Ericsson, and Balyor and Texas Health Hospital just to name a few. They were expecting over 10,000 entries in this large expanding area. You can see some pictures from the event on the website here.   I arrived early, parked, then went over to the sponsor tents and found out where the finish line . Then I started my slow warm up jog for about 1 mile. The venue was so large that I got lost a few times and could not find where I had parked. Eventually, I found it, and got my camera so I could take some pictures. The temperature at 4:30 AM when I woke up was 80 degrees, and about 85 degrees when race started. The 2011 Honorary Plano Chair / Basketball Hall of Famer and Texas Legends Coach Nancy Lieberman was the Master of Ceremonies at the event. I heard that Channel 11 carried the race live starting at 7:30 AM. I wish I had known ahead of time so I could record it.   This was a Run-On! race with awards going to gun time, not chip time like most races. This is the main reason why I like to get to the front of the line; I never know which one is used for awards. The total gun time finishers, including some survivors, were 607. The rest of the runners ran in the casual 5K for fun with family and friends to honor this wonderful cause. I wish some of them would join me on June 18, 2011 for Dadfest and / or September 10 for the Dash for Dad race. They are prostate cancer races that promote early screenings for men.   I'd like to thank the North Texas Prostate Coalition website for posting a picture of me with 2 soldiers by their black hawk helicopter, taken at the American Heroes race on Memorial day. Wolfram the founder called me a hero like the two soldiers, but really I am just doing my small part to bring awareness of prostate cancer and that early screening could add years to your life.   There was a long straight away with two corals of runners. One for competitive 5K runners that started about 8:00 AM, and one for the casual 5K which started about 5 minutes later. They also had family 1 mile fun run / walk and a kids 50 yard dash. After the race was the Survivor Celebration and walk to the stage. It was inspiring to be there, as tears flowed from everyone's eyes. One lady was a 51 year survivor! Now that should give everyone hope to live each day and enjoy doing our best.   The horn sounded, and I took off at a sprint for a good start, then settled in my pace. Many runners passed me up, but I just focused on my race pace. There were over 7 water stops at the race., but I just kept running, not wanting to slow down. I wanted to try to finish under 25:00 to honor all of the beautiful survivors. This race started at one location and finished at a different location with no turnaround. I made it to the 1 mile in 7:40. I tried to keep my pace under 8:00 / mile.   My two mile time was 15:38 (a 7:58 / mile pace). This is when fatigue started. It was hot, but my Run-On! 301 training class have been working to keep my endurance up, even in this heat. I was a little surprised when I arrived at 3 mile in 23:46 (a 8:07 / mile pace). I was close to a personal record, but I misjudged the finish line again and had to run further than I thought. I ran out of energy as I crossed the finish line. I always like to finish strong and proud knowing that I gave all I had to give.   My final chip time was 24:59 and gun time 25:00. I checked the results, and I finished 4th place. The 1st place winner was from Oklahoma City. After the race was over, I found out that he was moved up to the Senior Master, which moved me up to 3rd place, and an award. I finished third out of 12 in my group, and 120 out of 607 overall with a 8:03 / mile pace.   Place    Bib #       Men      Overall     Chip Time    Gun Time      Pace                      3/12      1509    103/295   120/607     24:59:00      25:00:00    8:03 / mile I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The DRC Bloomin' 4 Mile

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, I ran in my second DRC Bloomin' 4 Mile at Winfrey Point, White Rock Lake in Dallas TX. The Bloomin' 4 mile is one of the DRC's free races to members, and only cost $10.00 to non members. A single yearly membership to the DRC is $25.00 a year, and you get to run in 8 free races and get discounts on other races.   This race benefited Back On My Feet, a non profit organization that promotes self-sufficiency to the homeless population by encouraging them to use running as a vehicle to build confidence, strength, and self-esteem. The Run-On! Dallas Store and Jennifer Kimble (Training Class Coordinator and RRCA Certified Running Coach) furnished new shoes and running apparel for each of the homeless runners. They also had volunteer Run-On runners train with a walker / runner at the Dallas Bridge. The DRC also has runners volunteer for this same purpose. Lea Velez, the Program Director for Back on My Feet and Run-On! Sunday long run coach, led a large group of Back on My Feet runners at the event. Another Run-On coach, Jessica Stanton was also at the race. Lea is the pace setter for the group.   The kids race started at 9:00 AM and the 4 mile at 8:00 AM There was 628 DRC Members pre registered for the race. The event Leaders, Frances McKissick and Scott McKissick, did a great job organizing this event! They are both great runners who I see at most races every week. I arrived early and ate a protein bar, then went down the hill to the lake trail and the start / finish line. This was an out and back race with a turnaround at about 2 miles.   After my slow warm up 1 mile jog, I went into the clubhouse and waited for people to arrive so I could take some pictures. I was one of the 2 volunteer DRC Photographers taking pictures this morning. George Vasquez is the professional photo man for DRC. Please check out his pictures on the DRC photo website to see your free pictures. Thanks again George I know how much everyone appreciates those photos. I took several pictures of the Back On My Feet Group as well as other runners.   There were 541 finisher with 77 more entered in the Clydesdale / Athena group. The temperature was over 80 degrees at the start of race. All DRC races bring out the fastest runners in each age division. Top 10 finishers in each age group are awarded points which go toward their DRC Championship total which is calculated at the end of the season. I lined up about 5 rows back so I would not get in anybody's way at the start. I took off at a quick pace but not all out since I knew I had to pace myself for the extra mile.   After finding a comfortable pace, I completed the first mile in 8:02. We crossed that bridge that makes your legs giveaway then headed to water stop. I arrived at the turnaround at about 2 miles into the race. My time was 16:15 (8:13 / mile pace). I started to get a little tired at that point, and slowed down a bit. We went back up a few small hills then raced back over the bridge. My time 3 miles into the race was 24:39 (8:22 / mile pace). My Run-On! Early Speed Coach Daniel Hazelberg always said that you should try to have a negative split. (a faster time the second half of the race).   With only 1 mile to go, I gave it all I had left. My 4 mile and finish time was 32:54 (7:44 last mile). I placed 10 out of 21 in my age group and received 1 point toward the DRC Championship total. I finished 135 out of 541 finisher with a final pace of 8:14. Last year race my time was 36:56, so I am very happy to see the improvement. It must be the Run-On! training I have been doing. Most people slow down as they get older. Thank you to the Run-On! training, and to Jennifer Kimble. You are the best!! I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The American Heroes 2011 5K / 10K

I ran a 5K race on Memorial Day, May 30th, called The American Heroes 2011 5K / 10K at Texas Rangers' Ballpark in Arlington. This race was designed to showcase the 5 branches of our military, who make all of us proud. Before the 5 and 10K race, there was a 1K little troop run for the kids. The beneficiary of the event proceeds was Snowball Express, a charity that benefits children of soldiers who have lost their life for our freedom. The top sponsor of the event was Dick's Sporting Goods, who handed out $50.00 gift certificates to the overall and masters winners. Other sponsors were It's About Time Race Management, Northrop Grumman, and Dasani Water.   This was also a DFW Runs race, promoted by Eric Linberg and his team. They are also promoting the upcoming "The Great Prostate Cancer Challenge", part of America's Premier Men's Health Event Series, which is taking place in 27 participating cities this year. The funds raised from the series will go to research, education, and free prostate testing. Locally, USMD Prostate Cancer Center will be a main sponsors of the race held at UT Arlington MAC on September 10, 2011. I hope to see everyone there for this exciting inaugural race.   After arriving early, I took a slow warm up jog from the finish line. I went about 1/2 mile then turned around back to the finish line. I picked up my bib #, chip timer, and t-shirt, and took some pictures with some soldiers who were in uniform. As I lined up on the first row, I ran into a friend, and we started chatting. The 10K and 5K races both started together with one side of the street for runners and the other side for walkers. Mike Snyder of Channel 5 News was the Master of Ceremonies and Channel 11 News cameras were present.   After the National Anthem, bagpipes, prayers for our soldiers, and 21 gun salute, there was a black hawk helicopter flyover. They landed in the parking lot and stayed until after the races were over. Everyone went over to take there picture with the soldiers and helicopters after they finished running. The temperature was about 80 degrees, humid, and a little windy. I ran this race last year so I was familiar with the 5K course around the ballpark. Go Rangers, let's get tot he playoffs again!   We started down Ball Park Drive and finished in front of the Majestic Grand Slam Gift Shop by Center field on Randal Mill Road. I wanted to do my best for all of our soldiers who have lost so much for us and our freedom, especially the ones that have given the ultimate sacrifice for us. I thank them very much. I started at a fast pace, and turned right after reaching Third Base corner. I started to hold back a little in this heat, and arrived at the 1st mile in 7:48.   We made a few more turns and headed by Six Flags Drive, heading back to Ball Park Drive where the 5K turnaround was. The 10K runners headed straight then around the other side of Ball Park Drive. At the 2 mile marker, my time was 15:41 (7:52 / mile pace). We went around past the Rangers Ballpark, and you could see Cowboys Stadium in the background. There were a few short hills that slowed me down some and at this point, the heat was starting to get to me. I was kind of surprised to see that I actually had a good time when I arrived at the 3 mile marker in 23:47 (8:05 / mile pace). Usually I can finish at a faster pace, but not this time. I began to fatigue a little but ran as fast as I could to the finish line in the time of 25:15.4 (8:56 / mile pace). That was good enough for a 1st place out of 8 in my age group!   Men 55-59:   Place     Men      Overall     Chip Time      Pace                                               1/8       51/152     68/328      25:15.4      8:08 / m I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Wild Ride! * Wild Run Against Cancer

My next race was Wild Ride! * Wild Run Against Cancer on Saturday May 21, 2011 in Richardson, Texas. This event consisted of several bike races, and a 5K foot race. Cyclists were able to choose between a 15 mile, 40 mile, or 60 mile ride. There were more than 2,000 cyclists from all across North Texas at this 8th annual Wild Ride which raised over $110,000 for Methodist Richardson Cancer Center, the home of Lance Armstrong's Shaped Beam Surgery program. The Ericsson Team ended up raising the most money out of all of the teams.   There were over 40 sponsors at the event including title sponsor Fujitsu and Bike Mart. This was the inaugural 5K timed run, so it was pretty cool to be a part of the event. The races took place at the same time as the 19th annual Wildflower Arts and Music Festival which took place in Galatyn Park just a few blocks away. The Wild Ride! * Wild Run took place at the same location as the June 18 Dadfest race (www.dadfest.com) which promotes early prostate cancer screenings. I hope to see you there; it's one of my favorite races of the year.   This was a Run-On! goal race for my early speed development group, my last one as a matter of fact. I have joined the 301 A training program at Run-On! which will help prepare me for the Too Hot To Handle 15K race in July. I arrived early, and after parking, I started scouting the area. I took my slow warm-up jog from the starting line, then started taking pictures of all the bike riders. Thanks to USMD Prostate Cancer, I now have a new pair of shoes from Run-On! Thank you USMD for your great support. This race was on the street and on a trail. I started on the first row, waiting for the mayor of Richardson to start the race.   Once the race started, I took off fast and made a right turn out of the parking lot into the street. My new light weight shoes felt really good, and my time at the 1 mile was 7:33. That's about the best that I can do for 1 mile. Then I start to slow down a bit, arriving at the 2nd mile in 15:28 (7:54 / mile pace). We ran on the trail, then arrived at a long hill half way up. I looked at my Garmin, and it said that I was running an over ten minute pace. That hill really slowed me down.   My 3 mile time was 24:25 (8:56 / mile pace). I finished the race in the time of 25:13, 2nd in my age group, and 48th overall out of a total of 457 timed runners. Other early speed class awards winners were 65 year old John Wuethrich who finished 1st place in his age group, and Hector Hinojosa 43 years old who finished 3rd place in his age group and 11th place overall in the time of 21:40:00   You can see my results here.   Place    Men     Overall    Chip Time     Gun Time                                                2/15   41/176   48/457     25:13:00       25:15:00 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com