Barking Mad To Run
INTRO: 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
My 27th event of 2013. The San Antonio RoadRunners Fiesta Fandango Fun Run is a 2.6 mile run done along the parade route of the Fiesta Flambeau, the largest night-time parade in the US. Lots of folks do this one in costume and there is a costume contest pre-run. Shuttle buses take participants from the Sunken Gardens at San Antonio Zoo to the start area. We wait in the start area for a while and then are off and running or walking at 6:40 PM. Because of the parade, there are THOUSANDS of spectators along the route, cheering all of us along, kids and folks high-fiving us as we pass, kids squirting us with water guns - which was VERY appreciated this year, it was 85 degrees and VERY humid since thunderstorms were threatening. At one point along the course, me and another participant had stopped to take some photos and they guy said "Humid out here!" A spectator right behind us was checking the weather on his phone, I guess, and called out to us "95% humidity!" The participant guy and I both laughed and the guy jokingly told the spectator "You're not helping our mental state!" I took this one pretty easy, just had a lot of fun, and finished the 2.6 miles in 29-something, at a very mild 11-minute-something per mile.
LONG VERSION WITH PHOTOS
I will keep the dialog short because I did not realize until I got home just how many photos I had taken for this one - over 100! So just sit back and enjoy the pictorial show!
Sunken Garden Area at the Zoo
Human Pinatas. I think the best person to be in the group is the one with the stick.
Thor, if you didn't guess
Manu Ginobili of San Antonio Spurs NBA basketball team
This guy believed in detail. He even put the bald spot on the back of the head, lol.
The green tech shirts these ladies are wearing are the race shirts participants got
Parade Floats and Folks Along The Way To The Start Area
It was raining on us a bit at this point, so the ladies here are protecting their gowns
Shiner's Elephant. It could even lift its leg and nod its head. The Shiner guy said this elephant was very easy to train. lol.
Me and one of the Fiesta Queens. For this event, you'll notice, participants wore 2 bibs...one for the Fiesta..and the black bib in memory and support of Boston.
The main line of floats waiting for the parade to start. They went quite a ways back.
In The Start Area
These Marines ran carrying the flags and wearing their gas masks for the whole route. I was near them for a while...the crowd cheered them like crazy!
Snacks while you wait...funnel cakes and turkey legs...
Race Director Scott and his daughter
Getting ready to go.......
And AWAY WE GO! On The Course!
On Alamo Street now, in front of The Alamo
Going down Commerce Street in Downtown San Antonio. Apologies for the blurry 'crowd' photos, my arm kept getting bumped..it was crowded! But also fun!
Right after the finish line
Post Race Party at Columbus Park - that ice cold Tecate Light beer post-run tasted great!
Two lovely ladies - - a couple of my 'running crushes"
Me and Ceci. Her family owns and operates IAAP (iaapweb.com), a great local running event company
This Marine and Marine Pup made it the whole way.
Chase that beer!
Yummy....armadillo on a stick!
The Human Pinata folks won a costume award
Epilog
As usual with this event....HAD A BLAST! If you are ever in San Antonio the last weekend of Fiesta in April, definitely do this run! You will thoroughly enjoy yourself....even if it is hot.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
SheCan
San Antonio must be the funnest place on earth! Or your reports make it seem. What a fun party atmosphere surrounding this race and parade. Only thing would have made it better would have been had YOU dressed up also! Love the idea of the extra bib honoring those in Boston.
Cherie
"We do not become the people who this world needs simply by turning our backs on anyone we don’t like, trust, or deem healthy enough to be in our presence. " ---- Shasta Nelson
Congrats on #27, that's a lot of races.
Thanks for sharing the RR and all the pictures. The marine puppy looks like I imagine my dog would have looked as a puppy. I love how much fun you have and how much enjoyment you get out of races. Great job!
Hip Redux
I am in amazement that people ran a race in some of those get ups! Nice photomontage, Scottydog!
Return To Racing
No one should get lost running on the parade route. Congrats Scotty !!!
Go figure
2.6? Interesting! Glad you had a blast, but we don't expect anything different from you. You're just a racing machine, and I'm always so impressed.
Trying to find some more hay to restock the barn
People in your races really get creative with the costumes. It looks like a blast. Glad you had such a good day - two runs in one day - both a lot of fun.
Skirt Runner
I think this is my favorite RR... I want to run this race! What fun!!!!! The costumes are so cool!!!!
PRs: 5K- 28:16 (5/5/13) 10K- 1:00:13 (10/27/13) 4M- 41:43 (9/7/13) 15K- 1:34:25 (8/17/13) 10M- 1:56:30 (4/6/14) HM- 2:20:16 (4/13/14) Full- 5:55:33 (11/1/15)
I started a blog about running :) Check it out if you care to
Best pictures ever, Scotty! What a great event! Congratulations on yet another race!
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
Ball of Fury
Congratulations on yet another great RR and great race! You seem to know the funnest people!
PRs: 5K 22:59, 10K 46:54,HM: 1:51:15
scotty that looks awesome.
I need to do that race sometime
”Failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't--you're right.”
Tomas
delicate flower
Sombrero enchiladas, Scotty!! That looks like a blast! Look at all those spectators! The Manu Ginobili custome cracks me up.
<3
Great report, Scotty!
Damaris
As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.
Fundraising Page
Scotty, what a fun race. There were some very good themes and costumes there. Thanks for sharing!