It was a Wednesday night on December 21, 2011, that I ran in my third Jingle Bell Run 5K event. The race took place at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas Texas, and benefited the Trinity Strand trail and the Dallas Mavericks Foundation. This is one of the most sponsored races that I have attended, and I can't even begin to list them all. Check out the event website for a complete listing as well as results for the chip timed finishers. There were over 6,000 walkers and runners attending this 7:00 PM night race, including 1,236 chip timed finishers (581 men and 655 women). The rest participated in the 1 mile fun walk and/or the non-chip timed 5K race. One thing I really liked about this event was that they had timing clocks at the 1 mile and 2 mile markers. This really helped, and I wish more events would do this. Another great thing about the race course was that there was no turnaround. Instead, we ran in through the historical arts district. Champ, the Dallas Mavericks' mascot was at the starting line to greet everyone, just like he did last year. I started 6 rows back and got off to a fast start. I just kept running hard, following the big crowd of runners ahead of me. At the 1 mile marker, I saw the timer as I passed by. It read: 7:36. I felt great in this cool 40 degree weather. Breathing is easier for me in this type of cool temperature. When I got to the 2 mile marker, my time was about 15:35 according to the timer. Usually, this is where I ry to increase my pace and give what I have left so that I can finish strong. That Wednesday night was no exception, and before long, I made it to the long straight-away to the finish line. As I approached the finish, I could see and hear all the relatives and friends cheering everyone, and the sound of the music. As I crossed the finish line, I looked up at the timer, and saw that it was under 24 minutes. I was very tired, but was happy and satisfied when I crossed the finish line in the time of 23:45, a 7:40 / mile pace. When it was all said and done, I finished 220 out of 1236 overall finishers, 169 out of 581 men, and 2 out of 11 in my age division. I was also rewarded with my highest 5K age grade up to this point, 67.5%. Peter Mullin of Houston won our age division in the annoyingly superb time of 18:22, for a 88% age grade. There are lots of teenagers that can't even run that fast! While we may not all achieve times like thats, we can all set our own personal goals… and achieve them with proper training. When I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, I set a goal to survive and live a healthier lifestyle. Thanks to Dr. Justin Lee of USMD Prostate Cancer I was able to achieve this goal, and many more. To date, my personal best 5K time is 23:33. However, I'm certain that the course was a little short. So, instead, I will count this as my new PR (personal record). My final time at last years race was 25:52, so I improved quite a bit in the past year. It must be the great Run-On! training. Thanks. Place Bib# Men Overall Overall Chip Time Pace Age Grade 2/11 355 169/581 220/1236 23:45 7:40 67.5% I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com |
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