Race Photos (not all bad)

The other week I ran in a 5k (Abby’s Run for Dandy Walker Syndrome).  I wanted to do well because I know the race directors and the race was raising funds for a good cause.  And I did do pretty good – 5th overall and 1st in my division.  You can read the recap HERE.

In the recap you can see some other photos from the day (including the super awesome medal).

Anyway, they recently posted the official race photos, so I thought I’d share the ones that have me in them (because I’m so shy and modest).  Click on them to enlarge…

Milling about before the start – I’m off to the side behind the flag pole talking to my friend Pepsi. Yes, her actual name is Pepsi. I guess her parents were fans of sugar drinks???

And we’re off! I’m in there somewhere. BTW, none of those determined kids were able to sustain that pace past 50 yards. So yes, I had to do some weaving to get around them.

First mile.  I was wishing that guy wasn’t trying to draft off me.

Managed half a smirk for the camera. That dude behind me is wondering why I’m ahead of him – we have the same shoes after all!  Pepsi is back there in the hat.  She would’ve been next to me, but her hat fell off at the start and she had to run after it.  Yes, her real name is Pepsi.

The blue-shirt-same-shoes-side-mouth-breather dude is no longer in my photos!  You can however spot Pepsi (white hat) behind the silver grocery getter about to turn down the home stretch (2nd female finisher). Yes, her real name is Pepsi.

At the finish – All alone in 5th place!

Award ceremony – Trying not to get my race director friend (Ann) sweaty in our hug.

Yay! I got a photo with Abby (who the race is named for) and her mom. Ann photobombed us. Not sure why I’m standing bow-legged.

The next one is not an official race photo.  A friend snapped it and emailed it to me later…

I’m all thumbs.

So there they are, the long lost race photos (from two weeks ago).  Not too bad – compared to how I usually look (not flattering).  And it’s really cool of them to send them to us for free!!!!  Such a great event all around!

How bout you?  Any recent race photos?  What do you think the dude behind me the first mile was thinking?  Do you know anyone named Pepsi?  Why do kids always line up at the front of the race (I mean, come on)?

-Scott

Race Recap: Abby’s Run for Dandy Walker 5k

I hadn’t raced a 5k in quite a while.  I wasn’t sure how I’d do…turns out I did aight.  I didn’t PR, but still had a decent time (for me) – 22:08.  Good enough at this race for 5th place overall, 1st in my division!

I wasn’t the only one able to represent – I had a ton of friends who also got medals (too many to give shout outs too here)! Including the overall winner.  The best part was that when my friends and I saw each other on various parts of the course, we’d shout encouragement to one another.

I’m #5. #1 & #4 are friends of mine.  Go team!

I was happy, because if you read my race PREVIEW, then you’d know that I wanted to do well.  The reasons are that my friend is the race director, and also because the race supports a good cause – raising money to help those with Dandy Walker syndrome.  The race is named for a friend’s daughter who has DW.

This race is fairly small (I think about 200 runners), but it grows each year.  In fact, they raised over $22,000!!!! Amazing!

Besides the many many friends I knew who were running the race, there were also a bunch volunteering.  So I had several great surprises when running along the course I’d see them standing at their station and they’d give me words of encouragement.  That was helpful!

A small sampling of friends I saw that day!!!

The race itself involved a two lap course.  I’m not a fan of lap races (it’s always such a tease to pass by the finish line halfway though), but I’ve run this course before, so I was expecting it.  It was also super windy – like 35mph gusts, but I was expecting that too.  So I did a mile warm up and then did my dynamic stretching drills.

When the race started, people took off sprinting like mad.  I’ve run enough races to know that if I remained in control of my pace, that most of those sprinters would soon be behind me.  And by the first mile, they were.  By now there were the four leaders ahead of me, and I was in a pack with two other dudes.  The start of the second lap we hit the wall of wind.  I tried to keep my pace into it hoping to pull away from them.  I did.  A half mile from the finish, a volunteer friend told me I was by myself.  But I didn’t want anyone to entertain thoughts of catching me, so I picked up the pace and let the wind help me cruise to the finish!

After, I ran backwards on the course looking for friends to help them finish.  I found a few, but then saw one who didn’t have anyone around him.  I ran with him to the finish.  I thought nothing of it, but he was really appreciative.  I’m glad I did it, he finished strong!

My prize for winning my age group was some movie passes and a medal hand painted by a kid with Dandy Walker.

One of a kind!

I was fortunate enough to win my age group in this race last year too, so I’m pumped to be able to add another one of their unique medals to the collection.  I definitely treasure these ones!!!

How bout you?  Ever show up at a race and see a ton of friends there?  Do you encourage other runners during a race?  How cool is that medal?  

-Scott

Abby’s Race for Dandy Walker

In the morning I’m running the race that’s in the title.  My friend is the race director.  Meet Ann:

Proof that we’re friends. That’s me and her in a race from the other year.

She’s race director because her friend’s daughter has Dandy Walker Syndrome.  This race raises funds to help out these sweet little kiddos with Dandy Walker.

The little girl’s name is Abby.  Hence the name of the race.

Dandy Walker Syndrome is most unfortunate.  I’ve been briefed on it, and basically Abby was born missing 30% of her brain.

Last year I did alright in this race. You can read my recap HERE

At the finish. Pau hana.

It wasn’t my fastest time, but I still finished like 3rd overall and 1st in my age group.  Just goes to prove that you never know who your competition will be at any given race.  😉  I was glad that I could come through for a good cause.  It’s still one of my fave medals.

Hand painted by a kid with kid with Dandy Walker.

So again in the morning I will run this race.  I hope to have a good performance.  Why?  Well of course, I always want to PR.  I also want to support my friends.  Buuuuut I also really enjoy and get extra motivation when I know the race is supporting a good cause.  We’ll see how it goes.

How bout you?  Does the charity help you choose a race?  How cool is that medal?

-Scott

Abby’s Run for Dandy-Walker Syndrome Preview

So my friend Ann also has another friend.  That friend has a little girl named Abby.  Abby has Dandy-Walker Syndrome.  What is D-W Syndrome?  Here’s a description taken from the Abby’s Run website:

“Dandy-Walker Syndrome is a birth defect that affects 1 in every 2,500 babies that are born living, like Abby. It is a brain malformation at the back of the brain which affects the cerebellum. The cerebellum is responsible for motor functions, movement, co-ordination, motor control, attention, sensory perception, mental imagery, and language functions to name a few. There is no cure.”

Basically a large part of what should be her brain is fluid instead.  Needless to say she needs lots of medical care.

So to help raise funds for research, Ann and her friend founded Abby’s Run.  It is a 5k taking place in Frisco, TX.  This is a passionate cause for Ann, and I’d like to help, so I registered to run!

Proof that I actually do know Ann – here’s a picture of us running.  (I’m the one in black)

I hope to do well in this race.  I haven’t been doing any track work, but I have been running around a 7:30 pace in my 3-5 mile weekday runs.  I hope that translates to a good finishing time come racing day.  Either way, it should be fun and knowing that some other friends will be there will make it even more so.  And like I said it’s all for a good cause!

I’ll post a race recap after the fact, as it’s pretty difficult to post a recap before the fact.

Best of luck to all involved!