On Sunday March 25, 2012, I ran in the Carrollton Runner's Club 5K and 1 mile at McInnish Park in Carrollton, TX. It was 61 degrees and clear at the 7:50 AM 5K start. My oldest son John and his family came out to support me and surprised me by having his two step daughters sign up for their fist 5K together. The girls had special t-shirts with my picture and blog info on them...it was really cool.
David Mask, who is difficult for me to beat, is still 59 and this was my last chance to win a race in the 60-64 age group before he turns 60. It will be a long 4+ years for me when he turns 60. Another club runner, Julio Lopez, 56, will be running in the Boston Marathon in April. All of our club members are very proud of him.
There were only 32 5K finishers. The Rock and Roll Half Marathon was on the same day, and many runners chose to run the rock instead. I wanted to break my own club record in this race, so I decided not run the 1 mile like I normally do. Just before the turnaround, I stopped running and walked. I then counted to 12 and then started running fast again. Kim Andres, 59, who races many of the same race I do, always stops for a few seconds which she says helps her breathing. Since her time is always faster than mine, I decided to try out her strategy. I have tired this strategy on my longer runs because I also breathe heavily, and it does help me recover quicker, giving me an excellent second wind.
At the halfway mark, my time was 12:36. I always try to run faster in the second half of the race which is called a negative split. However, this time I finished the second half with a time of 12:46, 10 seconds slower that the first half... for a positive spit. At least I achieved my goal, setting my new club record in my final time of 25:21. I finished first out of 2 runners in my age group, 15 out of 21 men, and 18 out of 32 overall. My pace was 8:09, and my age grade was 63.2%.
I doubled back to run with the girls since it was their first 5K. When we got to the 3 mile marker, I said "who wants their name in the Dallas Morning News results". Jasmine, the younger sister, took off sprinting to the finish line. I stayed back with Kimberly, the older sister. My son John took some pictures of the race. I am extremely proud of the girls for their effort to better their health and show their support for me.
My hope is always to make a difference in someone's life before they start having health related illnesses that could lead to Cancer. I waited until after I was diagnosed with Prostate Cancer to start exercising and taking better care of myself and I wish I had started earlier. One of the best decisions I made was to take the advice of the Doctors at USMD Prostate Cancer Center in Arlington, and begin exercising. If you need a Urology Doctor, don't waste time, contact the best at USMD Prostate Cancer Center in Arlington Texas.
After the race I visited with John and his family. We had lunch and John even helped me type up some of my blogs. Now my younger son Edward just has to add the pictures and post it to Tumblr. Thanks John and Edward. You are both great sons. I hope you know how much I love you both. Jasmine and Kimberly, I hope to see you running at another race...good job girls and congratulations on a well run race.
Place Men Overall Overall Chip Time Pace Age Grade
1/2 15/21 18/32 25:21 8:09 63.2%
