INTRO

Report link:  http://community.runnersworld.com/displayForumTopic/content/8471874988016556 

I am Scott aka Scottydog, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, 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

Race #21 for me for 2013.  April Fool's Day 5K was held on - what else? - April Fool's Day, Monday, April 1, 2013,  at 6:30 PM in McAllister Park, a local San Antonio park with paved and off-road running trails.  Temp was a 'cool' 85 degrees with about 93% humidity.  Nice turn out for a weeknight evening event, with about 180 participants.  Was it really a 5K?  I will tell you in the On The Course part of the report below.

Long Version Report With Photos

I live only about a mile from this park, which is convenient, so I train here quite a bit and am familiar with the trails.  About an hour before start time I downed a Powerbar, and then headed over to the park with 30 minutes to spare to start time, so I could get some pre-start photos of some of the participants and supporters.  It was a sea of orange, as many of the folks were wearing the very nice - and BRIGHT - April Fool's Day 5K tech tee that was in our goodie bags.

Before The Start

Scott and Sherry, our Race Directors, from AthleteGuild.  I tried to worm out of them what the actual course mileage would be, but they weren't telling.

These two participants were by one of the several park maps that shows all the trail routes in the park.

Me and my bud, Jim, and me and one of the lovely lady participants

Others waiting for the start

ON THE COURSE

We lined up at the start area - and I noticed the race clock was already at 2 hours.  Funny.  April Fool's!   The course was on the paved trails and paved park roads, as you'll see from the photos.  McAllister Park is a nice running, large shade trees, nice trails, deer in the park, as well as armadillos and other critters you see at times.  So off we went!  As we passed our MC he shouted to us "Water at every mile for the next 6 miles!"  Funny guy. 

I saw this at about Mile 1.7 on the course per my watch timer.  Uh oh..maybe the guy was not kidding about 6 miles!  So I thought maybe we'd do a couple more loops around the park trails.

But nope, the RDs had us go right back to the start/finish area.  So we ended up with 2.5 miles for the route, instead of a 5K.  April Fool's!   I ended up with a slow 26:26 time for the 2.5 miles.  I had slowed down a bit because I was suspecting they might take us PAST the finish line and have us do another loop.  But nope, we actually did finish and I saw the clock had on it 16 minutes as I crossed the line. Yeah, right.  April Fool's!    Last year, the course was long - 3.8 miles instead of a 5K, so I guess this year they decided to shorten it.  Which was nice, considering the 85 degrees and 93% humidity, gaack!  Cloudy, overcast day with rain threatening, which is why it was so humid.

Some other things that happened on the course: Came to a water jug with cups..and no water!  April Fool's!  Right around the corner from there, there were folks handing out water for those who wanted it.  Saw a Mile 8 marker on the course and really started to worry, lol.    At one point, a kid, about 8 or so, had one of those big water guns.  He came out and stopped me and couple of other folks near me and said "This is a stick-up!"  lol.  We had to do a couple of tongue-twisters correctly to get released and then he shot us with some water - which was quite refreshing, actually - and we were on our way again.  All in all, a pretty fun little course.

AFTER THE RACE

Yeah, post-race beer!  They also had some sausage wraps, nice.

My "Happy Finisher" friend and Great Legs lady, Sally, getting a post-race kiss

My running friends, Bob and Great Legs Ronnie, and Bob's great dog "Shiner" named for Shiner Beer, lol.  And be careful:  you accidentally drop your beer, he will lap it up!

I also got to meet this friendly little fellow.

More "Happy "Finishers" and supporters.  Sorry about the 'dream sequence' look for some, forgot to wipe my sweaty lens once in a while.

EPILOG

A very entertaining event for a Monday evening!  There were also door prizes - none of which I won - and trophies for the "bottom 3' of each age group, so I got a nice little trophy as I was 2nd from the bottom in my age group, lol.  Scott and Sherry do it up right for this one!  Definitely do this one if you're ever in San Antonio for April Fool's.  Of course, be prepared, cuz you just never know what the course will turn out to be.

Sounds like fun!  Can't wait to be in Texas.  Just a couple more weeks.  I hope to see you there at the Wildflower Race in Fredericksburg.  I hope I can make the transition from Vermont 40deg to Texas 80deg without wilting.

Cool race concept.  I probably would have liked to run something like that for April Fools.

Nice RR Scotty.  It sounds like a lot of fun, especially since every year is a bit different.  Hot though.  I bet that squirt gun felt wonderful.

Nice report! That sounds like so much fun! I wish they'd do something like that around here.

Great report. Sounds like it was a blast.

I'm hot from just looking at the pics!  They must pass more beer than Gatorade in Texas lol!