Barking Mad To Run
INTRO
I am Scott aka Scottydog aka Scotty Dogg, runner since 1983, cancer survivor – caught very early, so I actually had a fairly easy time of it - retired Air Force, employee of University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), friend of dogs, fun-runner, and all-around punster and 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. My only goals for a race these days are finish everything I start, have fun along the way, and finish standing up with no ambulance waiting for me. 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 – unless it’s a mean dog; then the biscuit goes in one direction and I go in another. Hence my nickname “Scottydog.”
And a big thanks to runningahead.com for allowing me a “home” for my many many MANY race reports and photos. Great site, free training log; calendars; running routes; maps; conversation forums for runners; and much more
I don’t have great camera skills and take photos with a camera that is like me - old fashioned, lol - so sorry if a photo appears a bit blurry, etc. However, they are free to save, share, etc. J
Here is yet another of my photo reports. Full report below.
Link to photos only:
http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2019%20Race%20Reports/2019%20Race%20Number%206%20Stock%20Show%20Rodeo%205K?sort=2
BEFORE MY START
My 6th race of 2019, held on Feb 2, was the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo Stampede 5K. This was a prequel event of the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, which includes rodeo performances, concert performances by various music artists, carnival, rides, booths, food and much more, running from Feb 7 – Feb 25th 2019. The Stock Show and Rodeo raises scholarship funds for students and the event raises quite a bit of money too. Start time was around 9:30 a.m., with a kids walk around 8:30 a.m. and then walkers started about 15 minutes before the runners did. Race locale was downtown San Antonio by the historic La Villita area and the Tower of the Americas, originally built for the 1968 San Antonio World’s Fair. Weather was overcast, with a bit of drizzle, but not much at all, and a temp of 62 degrees at start time and some humidity that caused some fog and mist and low cloud cover. I arrived with about an hour to go and got a few pre-start photos.
Welcome to the event
The main area for most of the activities - around the historic La Vilita area
Chuck wagons onsite and those that wanted it could get a Cowboy Breakfast
Got a photo with these guys...
One guy told us all to look up, so we did. Someone asked what we were all looking at. I said "The original Alamo fighters in Heaven."
Chip volunteers, handing out the timing chips
Various
This was a group of young dancers
With friend Debbie
Our 'starting pen' was right next to the Magic Theater, a venue for kids shows, plays, etc.
Inside the starting pen...this is also where we finished
ON THE COURSE
Participants were actually put in a cattle pen, lol, and the gate closed until the start….so we MOOOOVED around a bit in the pen, keeping our legs, etc, warmed up until it was time to go. Walkers started 15 minutes before and then off we runners went. Route was down Alamo Street, past The Alamo, then a turn onto Houston Street where we went down to a turn-round point. Back up Houston Street, onto Alamo Street again and then to HemisFair Park where we ran in the park and did a lap around the Tower of the Americas. After that, back to the park entrance, left turn and right to the finish. I ended up with 33:32 chip time, 4th in my age group.
On Alamo Street in front of The Alamo
Going down Houston Street, toward Santa Rosa Blvd. My speedy young friend here, Andrew, was first overall. He runs a 6-something minute mile.
Going down Houston Street. I am on the left side right now, heading to the turn-round point
Made the turn-round, heading back toward Alamo Street
That tall building ahead used to be where our local FBI office was. They have since moved to better and lots more secure headquarters. It's pretty much now just administrative offices for various businesses. One thing has not changed though, since I've lived in San Antonio...the building always flies the Texas flag.
Doing a lap in HemisFair Park, where Tower of the Americas is located
With the crazy weather, the top of the Tower was kind of socked in
Our timer from local race management comany iaap, greeting us all as we came back to the pen.
I ended up 4th in my age group.
Got my finisher medal. The organizers had it going, lol, making sure they got their timing chips back. You took the timing chip back to one of the volunteers and then you got your medal. No chip...no medal.
AFTER MY FINISH
Got some water, did a little cool-down walk, then turned in my chip and got a finisher medal. Everyone got a finisher medal. I got some of the offered refreshments and then wandered around getting some various photos.
With new friend "Jeff", one of the local officers out there for us, and also a military vet
and we are both cancer survivors too. We have a very nice chat about our various experiences. Super nice guy.
Jeff and a fellow officer. Thanks to you and all the officers who were out there for us.
A while after the finish, Alamo Street was cleared and the 'cattle drive' began....with Longhorns being herded down the street and right into the pen we runners had started and finished in....nice touch, lol.
EPILOGUE
A few years back this event used to be a 4-miler that ended at the AT&T Center – home of the NBA San Antonio Spurs – where the main ground of the Stock Show and Rodeo are located. It had not been held for a few years, but last year this event started again with a downtown San Antonio course. Very well thought out course, with lots of people cheering you on as you go, since this is the heart of downtown, and takes in The Alamo, Hemisfair Park, and the Tower of the Americas. Nice after-party in Historic La Villita area, with beer and other types of drinks, sausage wraps, and various music entertainers playing for the participants, visitors, etc. The ‘cattle drive’ was pretty interesting too. Race shirts are really nice quality tech tee shirts, and the goodie bags included a pair of steer “horns” to wear if you so chose – I ended up giving mine to a young kid – and also tickets for free entry to the stock show and rodeo grounds on various days. Nice swag in the bag. There were about 240 finishers for the 5K and about 20 that did the 1-mile walk. I really enjoyed doing this one, would do it again, and would recommend it to others.
Mucho thanks to all the folks who made this one happen for we participants; all the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, law enforcement, et al who were out there for us. I believe there was an official photographer there too, taking photos. Thank you all for what you do so we participants could have this event.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Nice to have the downtown streets closed for the race. Looks like a good one. Of course, if they'd set the longhorns to follow you, everyone would get a PR. I'd run fast to stay ahead of those horns!