INTRO

I am Scott aka Scottydog, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, employee of University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), 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

This was my 72nd race of 2013, held on December 8, 2013, and my 3rd 5K of the Dec 7th and 8th weekend. My first 5K  of the weekend was on Saturday morning at 9 a.m - http://www.runningahead.com/groups/BF_and_Beyond/forum/bcb1370181c0422390f817a37658887e/resume#focus - and my second 5K of the weekend was on Saturday at 5 p.m. -http://www.runningahead.com/groups/BF_and_Beyond/forum/0c2db2ea2f9b44a0a578be6cdc914384/resume#focus - and both were pretty cold for we South Texans, 29 degrees (feels like 19) at start time of the first one and 36 degrees (feels like 28) for the second one....BRRR!

My 3rd 5K of the weekend supported The Wounded Warrior Project - http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/ - and all entry fees and donations go directly to the organization.  The event was put on by Carrera Races, a premier racing company in San Antonio, and the location of the event was Eilan -http://www.eilanapartments.com/ - in San Antonio; luxury hotel, premium apartments, dining, shoppes, businesses, etc. The weather was actually pretty kind to us for this 5K, warming up to near 50 degrees by start time.  Still chilly for we South Texans, but warmer than my other 2 events, so I actually wore shorts for this one.  Around 130 participants and 7 in my age group (male, 50 - 59) and somehow I managed to place 3rd with a gun time of 33:15 and chip time of 33 minutes flat.  And this one had hills too!  My old-dog legs did pretty good for having done 2 races already, lol.

LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS

Before The Race

The love of my life and my heart and soul - my wife, Gail - accompanied me to this one.

We climbed the stairs at Eilan....

...and Gail went even farther up, onto a balcony on the next level...

...and we enjoyed the views Eilan had to offer from up here...

Then back down the main square of Eilan  where I got a photo of Gail by one of the many decorated objects in the square.

Participants, supporters, etc., before the start

These lovely ladies are some of the Texas Cowgirls - http://www.mytexascowgirls.com/ - , a full contact football team of the SSFL (Sugar n Spice Football League -<cite>www.sugarnspicefootball.com</cite> -).  They helped out as race volunteers and course marshals and course cheerleaders. Guys, how can you help but not run faster when you come upon these ladies on the course cheering you on?   And since the course was 2 loops I got to see them each twice. 

They kindly let me have a photo with them, and even cheered me on by name on the course.  Nice.

Race Director Virginia (right), one of the nicest people you could ever meet

These guys are wearing the tech tee participants got in the goody bag

On The Course

The course was 2 loops around the Eilan complex.  There were not what I would call any major hills, but the course was hilly in some spots and there was a long downhill before we got to the halfway point and then the finish on the second loop.  I think that downhill was the hardest part for me because with my spinal arthritis, downhills really pound my back.  I much prefer uphills.

uh oh...looks like someone is getting scolded...

After The Race

OK, the reason this is called the Wine and Dine 5K....because after you run, you get to enjoy all these goodies!

Some type of meatballs dish and also a rigatoni-type entree

I found the important server to me...the beer guy!

Oh yeah!

These lovely ladies were enjoying some of the wines available

There was also cookies and pastries and this really good baked pumpkin bread/cake...I scarfed down a few pieces of that!

And smoothies...

The My Fit Foods lovely lady

There was also an oxygen bar, a table full of fresh fruits, and lots more.  Paaarty! 

Happy Finishers, supporters, etc.

Two of my very favorite ladies....my wife and my  pal (and running crush ) Bernadette.   Bernadette is speedy and was first overall female master's.

As Gail and I took our leave,  I took a photo of the decorative square.   You can't see it well here, but it was quite a bright and colorfully decorative display.

EPILOG

I really enjoyed this event and it  was also personal for me as I was a "wounded warrior" during my own career (hence my knee brace I have to wear when I run).  Lots of rehab, but I actually had it pretty easy, compared to some.  So I try to do as many of the local wounded warrior events as I can.  This was a really well organized and fun event.  Which is par for the course - no pun intended - for Carrera Races, they always do a fantastic job with their events, and always have such nice post-race goodies! .  iaapweb.com - another of the premier local racing companies - did their usual great job with course set up, timing, awards, etc. Many thanks to Eilan for allowing the use of their venue, and thanks to the patience of the Eilan residents and hotel guests, as we took up their roads for about an hour or so.  This race is a keeper each year!

So, 72 races done for the year, three 5Ks done for the weekend, and I even got 2 medals for the last 2 5Ks...

...which the  cancer kids at the local hospital will now get, as that's where my medals go on the rare occasions when my slow old self gets a medal.

Next up for me:  Dec 14 Jingle Bell 5K at Gruene Hall in New Braunfels, Texas, supporting St. Jude's Ranch for Children.

Wonderful RR as always.

Gail is just beautiful!

I can see why it was hard to narrow it down to just one (or two!) events for the weekend!  Congrats on the AG award, and this one looks like a great time and for a really good cause.

Great report, Scotty.  Awesome weekend for you!

Looks like a fun event.  Oxygen bar?  I've never run into that.  Hope the beer was good.

Yeah, people were using it too.  Although...unless you're one of the speedy front-runners - or maybe have asthma -  I don't know why you would need oxygen after a 5K, lol.

I'm assuming the woman with the crutches didn't get injured during the race.

No...she fell down those stairs.... 

Naww....she had foot surgery so is benched for a while....

Scotty you are my hero. And you have  a hot wife.

Congrats on another fantastic year of running!