Dash for the Beads

I ran in the third annual Dash for the Beads 5k on Saturday, February 18, 2012. It is held at the Bishop Arts District in Oak Cliff / Dallas, TX. This race benefited Fido AK Cliff who hope to bring a dog park to Oak Cliff. About 40 sponsors helped get together and make this Mardi Gras race fun. It was raining when I left the house to go to the race; it didn't look good. We got lucky and it stopped raining just before the 9AM start time. I met a few Run-On! runners at the starting line. This course had no turnaround. We ran through the neighborhood and back to the start/finish line in the Arts District.   The knee that I hyperextended going down hill at a race several weeks ago started to feel better, but I stepped in a pot hole during my Sunday Morning long run (10 miles) and my ankle swole up. I decided not to push it too hard for this event and just tried to enjoy the race along with the other runners.   There were three hills that slowed me down some. At about 2.3 miles, it was flat the rest of the way. As I made it back to Sponsor Row towards the finish line, there were lots of people cheering us on. I finished in the time of 26:32 good for first place out of 4 in my age group. I finished 43 out of 136 men overall and 56 out of 371 overall finishers.  Jane McGarry form NBC 5, was the MC for the event. Since it was in the neighborhood, I went to the Mardi Gras parade the next day. While there, I spoke to a few men about how African-American men seem to get Prostate Cancer sooner and should get screened earlier than the normal age 50 limit. I was lucky, by getting myself checkout early and often through my annual screenings, the doctors were able to diagnose my Prostate Cancer early and set me up with treatment. Thanks to USMD medical center I am now Cancer free for over 4 years.  Thanks USMD for extending my life. Place    Bib#   Men     Overall    Time   Pace  1/4     1662  43/136   56/371    26:32   8:30 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The Texas Half Marathon and 5K

I ran in the Texas Half 5k on Saturday, January 28, 2012 at Norbuck Park, White Rock Lake, Dallas TX. I only had one day of training as my leg and knee pain continued. Because of the pain, I planned to take a couple of weeks off to rest up and heal after this race. The Half Marathon started at 8am and had 1,138 finishers. The 5k started down the hill at 8:15, and had 288 finishers. A few of my running friends that are in my age group and ran the half last year, decided to enter in the 5k instead.  At the starting line I could see Greg Gornes who I have never finished ahead of. So right off the bat I was shooting for 2nd place.  After the start, I followed long time fast runner, John Nance, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury. I continued to follow John until after the turnaround. Then I started to increase my pace. I knew I would lose time climbing up the hill to the finish line. I did my best and crossed at 25:21. As expected, Greg Gornes finished first with a time of 23:02. I finished second, John Nance finished third, and my friend Scott Mickissick finished fourth.   Place    Bib#     Men     Overall   Gun Time    Pace 2/5      383     28/112    53/288     25:21     8:11  I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Too Cold to Hold 15K & 5K

On the birthday of my youngest son, January 22, 2012, I ran in the 17th annual Too Cold to Hold 15k/5k at Norbuck Park in White Rock Lake, Dallas TX.  This race  benefited the Protective Animal League, and was the 2nd of 7 Run-On! Premier Metroplex Race Series races.  New Balance has given $100 off a new pair of NB shoes bought at any Run-On! store for the first 200 runners to sign up for all 7 races.   I had originally signed up for the 15k but at the Run-On! package pick up, I changed my mind and switched to the 5k because I have IT Band pain in my knee, hip, and lower leg.   There were over 1300 finishers in both races combined, which started together. After about three tenths of a mile the 15k runners stayed straight, while the 5k runners went left up a steep hill. It seemed like about 30 or 40 runners passed me up... I felt like I was running in quick sand. I picked it back up going down hill and on to flat ground.  I saw Run-On! employee Alex Courrall already coming back from the turnaround close behind the other top runners. After I made the turnaround, I tried to make up some time by running faster on the flat groud. I glanced at my Garmin timer and with three tenths of a mile left, it read 22:47.  I was trying to hit a PR in honor of my son's Birthday to thank him for all he does and show him how much he means to me.  He is the one that types up my race blogs and adds the pictures.  He has a full-time job now that eats up a lot of his time, which is why it there's a delay in getting these online, but I really appreciate his help.   I met Gene who trained me at www.fitstepsforlife.org which is a cancer center. I haven't seen Gene in a while because he took a different job, but it was good seing him again.  Jan Goss, who also trains with Run On!, finished the 15k with a time of 1:16:31. She is 63 years young and way faster that I am.   My friend Alex finished 8th overall and first in his age group with a 5k time of 19:59. Place    Bib#     Men       Overall    Chip Time   Pace 1/6      176    65/289    83/707      24:22       7:52 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The 9th Annual MLK Day and Dream 5K

Two days after my last race (Hotcake Hustle) which was dedicated to my mother's 87th birthday, I ran in the ninth annual MLK Day + Dream 5k, 1 mile run/walk. This is the third year in a row that I have participated in this race which was held January 16, 2012, at River Legacy Park in Arlington TX. The race benefited AISD's Blanton and Crow Elementary Schools. With help of volunteers from St. Alban's Episcopal Church, race director Jeph  Abara, always puts on a great low cost race. There were over 20 drawings from several sponsors who donated gifts. As luck would have it, my bib number was selected and I won a pair of sunglasses. It was a bit cloudy at 67 degrees for the 10am 5k start. This is a flat, fast, wooded tree lined course. I was having some discomfort in my right knee, but wouldn't let it slow me down. We started on the street in front of the pavilion. After a short distance we reached the trail. Once I got moving I started to feel a little  better. At the turnaround, I was feeling pretty good and was able to run all out to the finish line. I finished with a time of 24:17 and a 7:49 pace.  I ended up getting 1st place out of 4 in my age group, 22 out of 73 men, and 27 out of 171 overall finishers.  There were 98 female and 73 male finishers.   In the fast 55-59 age group, long time Run On! runner, J.J. Jenkens, and Tony Colon finished 6th and 7th overall with a time of 19:57.  John Ball finished 3rd in that age group and 11th overall. These guys make me glad to be 60. It will only be a few months before they join me in the 60-64 age group, so I guess I should enjoy it while I can.   Maybe I should have dedicated THIS race to my mother...since I actually finished in 1st place. Jeph picks runners at random that did not get an award in their age group and awards them his special Souls + Soules award. When you train and do you best, you appreciate an award like this very much.  He is the only person that I've met that gives out these kind of awards... I think it's pretty cool. The results for this race can be found at www.runningintheusa.com. Place  Bib #   Men   Overall   Pace   1/4   2783   22/73   27/171   7:49 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The 2012 Hotcake Hustle 10K

On Saturday, January 14, 2012...my beautiful mother's 87th birthday, I ran in The Hotcake Hustle 5K/10K at the Addison conference center in Addison, TX. This was the first of seven races for the Run On! Project Premier DFW Metroplex Race Series. My mother, who has Alzheimer's, no longer knows who I am. I ran this race in honor of her and for everyone else who has this terrible debilitating disease. I picked up my race package, which included a free coffee mug and long sleeve t-shirt, at the Dallas Run On! store before the event.  This race was sold out with over 2,000 entries. The fun run started on a trail in front of our starting line at 8am, and the 5k and 10k started together at 8:30. The race benefited the Addison Midday Rotary Club, and several of their members volunteered to help with the race.  and Jerry Glover, of Jerry Glover Photography, took some amazing race photos, like he always does.  The weather was in the low 40s for the start of the race.  There was a Run On! table, where I met several other Run On! runners before and after the race. I saw Kevin Lipski, my Sunday long distance trainer that helps me train for my Half Marathons, among others. Kevin ran back-to-back marathons in 2 days in Allen, TX at the first of the year. Now you know why I have him help me train.   There was a nice straight away at the start of the race.  I was running under a 7 minute pace, which is way to fast, but since I was running for my mom, I was trying to finish under 24 minutes. We then came to a long bridge which had steep incline. I naturally slowed down going up the hill, but I tried to make it up by speeding up on the down hill. We then reached the 5k turnaround while the 10k runners split off. Since I ran the 5k, I hit the turnaround and headed  back the way we came.   I started to run faster as I headed back towards the  bridge for a second time. I crossed the bridge and then made up some time while passing a few runners. I was giving all I could while I thinking about my mother. I couldn't help but thank her for all that she has done for me.  At this point, I reached the straight away where I sprinted as fast as I could. Just  before reaching the finish line, I glanced over and saw timer at just over 24 minutes. I was a little disappointed as I crossed the finish line at 24:08, and the race announcer said my name and age over the speaker.  I finished 2nd place out of 13.  The winning time in the 60-64 age group was 23:41. I finished 72 out of 1,081 total 5k runners with a 7:47 pace. Because Alztiemer's disease is hereditary, I now take the Exelon patch for early signs of Dementia. Hopefully it will help slow down the process. I would hate to get Alztiemer's and no longer be able to remember my two sons, who I love so much. I love you mama... Place    Bib #      Men       Overall    Chip Time    Pace 2/13    165     55/376   72/1081      24:08       7:47 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

The Bold in the Cold Half Marathon 2012

On my first race of the new year, I chose the 15th edition -- Bold in the Cold Half Marathon on Saturday, January 7.  This was a LGRAW race held at their club location at Oak Grove Park, Grapevine TX.  This was the first year they added the half to the 15k and 5k races.  To prepare for this race, I trained by myself at a park near my home until this past week when I started my first week back of early speed training with my Run On! coach Daniel Hagelberg.   At the start of the race, the temperature was in the low 40s with very little wind.  I picked up my tech t-shirt and old time chip timer and made my way to the starting line.  The Half and the 15k started at the same and ran the first 9.3 mile together. After a fast start, I was running with six 30 something ladies that were running the 15k.  We seemed to be running the same pace, but I still had another four miles to go.  The race started on the street, transitioned to a trail with very challenging hills...and that was just the first half of the race.  We had to double  back and do it again on our way to the finish line.   The Volunteers did a great job directing us and keeping us hydrated  by passing out water and Gatorade. Just past the half way mark, Dallas Morning News blogger and avid runner, 65 year old Spareribs Lamothe, just passed me up.  I've never finished ahead of him in all the times that we've raced together.  I knew that he was a strong runner, so I was just trying to keep him in my sights to push myself to get the best time.  I was running an 8:30 pace at the turnoff of the 15k.  I wished the ladies good luck as we split off in different directions.  My 15k time was 1:21:17.  At the 10 mile mark, my pace slowed as I started to get fatigued.  With one mile to go a Run On! lady-coach and partner passed me up.  This inspired me to finish up strong.   I finished my fourth Half Marathon (in 3 1/2 months) with a new PR time (personal record) of 1:55   :48.9.  I placed 5th out of 13 in the 60-64 age group, 99 out of 180 men, and 122 out 328 overall Half finishers.  I ended up with an 8:50 overall pace.  I finished 12 seconds  behind Spareribs.  Thanks to Spareribs and the beautiful ladies for pushing me towards the finish line.            Place     Bib#    Men    Overall   Chip Time    Pace 5/13      1994   99/180  122/328   1:55:48.9    8:50 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com

Plano Pacers Holiday Hustle

On the last day of 2011, I raced in the Plano Pacers Holiday Hustle 3K and 8K at Bob Woodruff Park in Plano Texas. This was one of the Plano Pacers' monthly races, open to club members and guests alike. It only costs $25.00 for an annual membership, and $10.00 per race for guests, which is a pretty good deal. Since I had never run a 3K race before, I decided to do the shorter 1.86 mile 3K. The temperature was about 37 degrees at the start of the race.  Both the 3K and 8K races started together at the same time. We ran a short distance around the pond in front of the closed pavilion that is being remodeled. Then, the 3K runners turned left, on to another trail that went out of park info area. I had never been to this part of the park before, so I took a look around while I raced. At this point, we ran to another pavilion then turned around toward the finish line which was on the trail by the starting pavilion.  I ran as fast as I could. My goal was to finish the race in under 14 minutes. Here's how I actually did: I ran the 1st mile in 7:29 according to my Garmin timer, and ran the last .86 miles at a 6:50 / mile pace. I crossed the finish line in a final time of 14:15.6, just narrowly missing my goal.  The finish was good enough to place 2 out of 6 in my age group, 22 out of 55 men, and 23 out of 81 overall 3K finishers. There were a total of 122 8K runners, and 10 clydesdale / athena finishers. There was also a Jr. Sprint race for the very young children, but I'm not sure how many competed.  Thinking back on this race, I remember that around this time I just lost about 5 lbs of the 10 I gained during the holidays. Basically, I started drinking more water and stopped eating the extra (healthy) snacks that I had been eating for my half marathon training.  We all say that we will start exercising and eating right at the beginning of every new year. However, most of us stop after a few weeks. When it comes down to it, every person has to decide for themselves to change the way they live. For me, the change came after I was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2007. The doctors and staff at USMD Prostate Cancer Center, where I was successfully treated, recommended that I excursive and eat healthier so that I could avoid a recurrence. I took their advice and decided to change my life. Since then, I ran my first competitive race ever in October of 2009, and I have finished 3 half marathons with a 4th one coming up soon.   Place  Bib#     Men    Overall     Time     Pace  Age Grade 2/6    2787  22/55   23/81   14:15.6   7:39    73.1 I run to raise awareness for prostate cancer and to benefit my community. www.runningforacause.tumblr.com