INTRO:  I am Scott aka Scottydog, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, UTSA Roadrunner, friend of dogs, fun-runner, and all-around goofball.  In 2003 I had spinal arthritis flare up and ever since then I’ve done the run/walk method since it hurts my back too much now to run continuously with no walk breaks.  I’m on what I call my “2F Plan” which stands for Fun and Finish.  At events that I now do for fun I carry my camera, chase “Great Legs” to help motivate my slow old man self to keep moving forward, and take pictures before, during, and after the race. Sometimes I even get a nice post-race sweaty hug from one of the Great Legs ladies.   I then do a pictorial race report of my events.  I also carry dog biscuits with me to treat any dogs I may meet at a run, hence my nickname “Scottydog.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports With Photos, and my thanks to all the people I interacted with for their graciousness and good humor in letting me take photos of them.

SHORT VERSION REPORT

My 29th race of 2013 and my 2nd event for the weekend after having done the Poder 5K on Saturday morning. The Cornyval 5K is held in association the the annual Cornyval Festival - http://www.cornyval.org/ - and the race this year happened to fall on May 5, Cinqo de Mayo. The weather was really nice, about 54 degrees at start time, sunny, no wind.  Maybe around 300 or so participants and there was also a Kid's Run which had a nice turnout too.  This one was a hilly course and yet in spite of that I managed to finish faster today - 32:59 clock time, and 32:53 per my chrono - than for my flat 5K yesterday (time of 33:59), go figure.  Maybe because I did take a few more photos for yesterday's race on the course than for this one, since yesterday's was in downtown San Antonio, with scenic views of the Riverwalk.

LONG VERSION WITH PHOTOS

BEFORE THE RACE

Race was held in Helotes, Texas and supported the Helotes Senior Center, where the course started and finished. Walked around getting photos - which is how I do MY race warmup, lol -  of supporters/participants before start time.

These folks were providing musical entertainment.  When I first arrived and heard the singing, I thought it was a recording, it was that clear and good!  The guy with the guitar was singing and he has a really good voice.

At the start area

ON THE COURSE

The course went like this:  Out of the Senior Center lot, onto the road for a tad, then onto the grounds of O'Connor High School, flat for a bit, then climb a hill, get to the top, turn around, back down the hill; flat again for a bit; out the school gate, turn right, pass the Mile 2 marker and then climb again; then a downhill to a turn-around, then climb back up the 'downhill' we just did, which is now an uphill, crest that...then downhill to the Senior Center, and then a flat .1 to the finish line.  Whew!

On the grounds of O'Connor High School...

First uphill and downhill.. Helotes is not known as "Where Texas Hill Country Begins" for nothing, lol.

Whew!  Flat again for a bit...

Next uphill.  After we climbed this, we went downhill to a turn-around, then came back up the hill on the other side of the road, and then downhill on this part of the road back to the Senior Center.

Looking back the way I'd just come.  The school grounds we were just on are to the left.

After that I high-tailed it on in to the finish.  As I climbed to the top of this hill, I passed two young ladies and I heard one say "That guy who stops to take pictures is passing us again!"  Umm, sorry ladies.  For the rest of the way I chased a young lad of maybe 12 or so.  After the turn-around I  almost caught him going back up the hill, but after we crested the hill and went downhill to the Senior Center, he must've heard me coming, lol; he took off like a shot.  I stuck with hm as close as I could but he really smoked me finishing up.  Deja vu!  I was beat at my 5K yesterday by a kid too, lol.  As I passed the clock it read 32:59 and my chrono was at 32:53, which makes sense, since I did not start my chrono till I got to the actual start line, and I was a bit back in the start crowd.

Kid's Fun Run Start....they did a half mile and got big cheers from everybody.

AFTER THE RACE

"Happy Finishers" and Supporters

The young man that smoked me at the finish, and companion

These 2 are sisters, right?

Two "Happy Finisher" cancer survivors....this lovely young lady beat throat cancer!

Happy running group, with kids displaying their finisher ribbons for the Kids Run

EPILOG

Very nice event, one I continue to do year after year whenever I can.  If you ever happen to be visiting during Cornyval, definitely do this one, you'll enjoy yourself!  Thanks to Soler Sports - the best local running sports store in San Antonio area - for supporting this one!

Congrats on #29. Kids are great! The re is a local kid here that took 4th place yesterday in my 8k.

Congratulations on your 29th race and 2nd race of the weekend!   Great job.  It looks so warm and sunny during this race--- too bad you couldn't have sent some of that sunshine to Hog4life's race yesterday.

EDIT:  LOL, hmmm, not sure how I posted that twice.

Congrats Scotty! It sounds like a challenging course.