Running for a Cause

My next race is planned to be the Cancer Center 10k in Montecito, CA on Sunday October 19. This will culminate my 3 month's training with the FIRST 10k program. My family has been dealing with cancer for the past few months ourselves, as my father was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma in August. It has been difficult for us, and we were very lucky to find a hopeful diagnosis for this very aggressive cancer with the Angeles Clinic in Los Angeles. In fact my father has just completed his first round of biochemotherapy, and handled it very well.

The Cancer Center 10k benefits the Santa Barbara Cancer Center. My father was unable to find the specialized treatment he needs here in Santa Barbara, and we are again lucky that he has the money and personal resources he needed to find such a specialized treatment. This just highlights to me the need to support cancer research, to make resources available to more people in more places.

I took the leap of faith and signed up today for the 'fundraising option' which requires me to raise $100 in donations for the center for my race. I am really stoked to be to use my training to get people excited about supporting an important cause. I am excited to do my little part to help all the people who are going through the cancer experience themselves -- it seems to touch almost every family these days.

My goal for the race (besides raising some money) is to run under 41 minutes -- an ambitious goal for my first 10k, but my recent race and training results indicate I should be able to pull it off. If anyone would like to donate to the cause, please click the link above, select "Support a Participant", and enter my name, Gary Dempster. Wish me luck!

Some new pr's in August

Ran a 19.35 5k on August 20, and a 5.38 timed 1600m with my brother on aug 17. I am currently on Week 6 of the FIRST 10k plan, although I've altered some of the workouts due to running with my brother for 2 weeks. It is still hard to hit the paces on every workout, but once you do it for a few weeks you get the point -- I just do my best, and my races indicate that I am improving.

The 5k was my 3rd race of the year, and it felt a lot better than the first 2 -- even though my average heart rate was 3 beats higher than 5k #1, it still felt more comfortable, and I feel like I could run a good 10k now. I think the "chi running" program is really helping me with my form, and it shows in not getting beat up as much during hard efforts. My brother ran the biathlon during the same race, and came in 2nd place, running 3.5 miles in 19.45 - fast! It is great to run with someone who is faster than you, it gives you motivation to see where you could get if you keep on working.

On the dietary front, I have been drinking fresh vegetable juice from my Jack Lalanne juicer -- it really does make you feel great. Drink some juice!