From: Layne Wallace (lwallace@unf.edu)
Subject: Backadapack Report: RITA Out Run Cancer
Date: Sat, 27 Apr 2002 19:46:21 -0400 (EDT)

Event Name: RITA Out Run Cancer 5K
Date: April 27, 2002
Time: 8:00 a.m.
Distance: 5K
Location: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Host: 1st Place Sports plus Merrill Lynch for the men and Center Bank for the
women
Benefit: Local breast cancer organizations
Course Layout: Loop
Course Terrain: Suburban office park, flat, asphalt
Weather Conditions: 76F/24.4C, extremely humid, no wind
Sociological (Fashion, fighting, foolery, and food): 
   Fashion: There were a few coordinated outfits (matching tops, bottoms,
socks, and shoes). Some couples wore twinkie outfits. Lots (!) of women's
make-up (on the women). Quite a few "new" outfits (I can't explain this, they
just looked new). Lots of event t-shirts.
   Fighting: Verbal abuse to the men who ran in the women's race (and rightly
so, IMHO).
   Foolery: None.
   Food: Bananas, bagels.
Personal Time: 26:54 PB!
Personal Pace: 8:39
Personal Place Overall (males): 112 out of 165
Personal Place Age Group (males): 17 out of 21
# of participants completing the course: 417
Winning Time: 14:35
Last Finisher: 56:52
Results URL: http://www.1stplacesports.com/rita2002res.htm
Pictures: http://curly.cis.unf.edu/pics/sports/rita02
Newspaper article: http://www.jacksonville.com/tu-online/stories/042802/spo_9264750.html
Comments: 
   This event is a fund and awareness raiser for local organizations that
deal with breast cancer. All of the sponsorship money and a part of the
registration fee goes to the local organizations. This was the first year men
were included in this event but allowing the men to run a separate race
before the women's race. This two-races-in-one event recognized that men do
rarely get breast cancer and still allowed the women to have their own event.
The more I've thought about this, the more I like it. I ran with a picture of
Laurie on my back and wanted a PB for her collection.

The weather was abysmal - warm, muggy, and no breeze. The fog was so thick
that the sun wasn't really visible (partly cloudy above the fog). Before the
guys started, everyone was sweating and we were just standing around. I had
planned on running a real race - against myself for a PB. I'd never done that
before. In the past, I've just tried to finish. At the starting line, I
thought that there was no way I was going to do very well - I tend to melt in
this type of weather.

Our friends, Sha and Mike, met us before the start. Mike and I lined up for
the men's run while Sha and Susan walked down the course to cheer and get
some pics. There was no chip mat at the start so all times were cannon time.
At the gun, I took off. Even I thought I was going too fast. The course went
down a little dip and then up a small rise. I expected the rise to slow me
down but it didn't. We turned a corner and I could see the first mile marker
in the distance reading 6:something. Yep, I figured I was going to crash and
burn in a spectacular fashion since this was the fastest I'd run in 25 years.
Part of me was interested in how the crash would occur. I slowed way down and
crossed the first mile marker at 7:56. I think that I paniced a bit here.
Since I haven't done any real speedwork, yet, I was in uncharted territory.
It took well into the second mile to calm back down.

The rest of the second mile wasn't too bad although I grabbed some water at
the station then walked for 10 seconds. I carried the cup of water with me
taking small sips. Several people blew beets soon after the water stop (too
much water, too fast in this heat and humidity?). The third mile is where I
need to improve my mental game. I spent too much time convincing myself to go
on instead of just running. 

At the three mile mark, I thought about a kick but I was doing all I could to
control Ralph so I coasted to the finish line. 26:54, a new PB by 1:49! A few
weeks ago, I had a new best time at a 10K and mentioned that it didn't feel
like a PB. Well, this sucker FELT like a PB. I'll take it. It also opened a
new door and it ain't Kansas on the other side. The only down side is that I
wasn't able to observe the race much at all. Maybe this will change if I get
in better shape.

Splits:
Mile	Time	MHR	AHR
1	7:56	165	149
2	8:48	179	164
3	9:05	173	167
.1	1:04	173	169

After I finished, I headed (but didn't run) for the car to get the camera. I
had hoped to get a shot of Mike coming in but he had already finished by the
time I got back. He and I found a good place to watch the start of the
women's race. The leaders came by flying and soon Sha and Susan came by. They
looked very fresh and energetic. I hurt for them. However, a breeze picked up
and the humidity seemed to drop. It was still muggy but it got better and
better as the race went on.

Mike and I went to the finish line to cheer the finishers and particularly
our significant others. While we were there, we noticed several guys running
with women or just running in the same space where the women were having
their race. I suggested to several that they let the women run their race
(OK, it was phrased differently) but several other guys down the road made
even more pointed comments questioning the guys chromosome make-ups,
heredity, and intelligence. There may have been good reasons for the guys
running with the women but none were evident (say, a blind runner needing a
guide).

Susan came in third in her AG and Sha finished her second event very nicely.
The girls recovered and we headed over to the awards ceremony. While there,
we ran into several people we'd met in previous races and Susan picked up a
clear Lucite statue of a running woman on a semi-marble base (it's actually
pretty nice). So we chatted, ate, and generally hung out until it was time to
get on with the rest of the day.

It was a very good event, er, race and the cause is certainly worthwhile.
Here's Laurie's third race for her r.r race bouquet. We're pulling for you,
Laurie, and looking forward to your return.

Layne