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 |
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