INTRO

I am Scott aka Scottydog aka Scotty Dogg, 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.

This was my 67th race of 2015 and my third 5K of 3 5Ks I was doing on December 12, 2015. The Jingle Bell 5K for Arthritis supports the Arthritis Foundation, a very personal cause for me as I deal with my arthritis every day (spine, knees, hands). Thankfully, I am one of the lucky ones, and mine is osteo-arthritis, not rheumatoid, and I usually have more good days than bad days; but even so, it is something I deal with every day, and I always have some type of discomfort at any given moment. It makes me really feel for the people who have it more severely. This is a very popular event and is held at the local HQ of Valero Energy Company, which is very involved in supporting community nonprofits. For this 5K, I ended up with a time of 32:58, go figure. You’d think I’d be slowing down after having done 2 other 5Ks for the day already, but nope, I was feeling pretty good and even pushed my last mile a bit. No medal for this one, though, like I got in my other two – as this one was a much larger event than the other two I did for the day and there are some quite speedy local runners in my age group.

BEFORE THE START

Since I work at UTSA – which is practically next door to Valero – and am a member of the UTSA gym, I was able to go to the gym from my 2^nd 5K of the day and get in a nice hot shower, and change into my third and final set of running gear for the day. Then it was over to Valero, arriving a bit early to take some pre-start photos.

Welcome to the event!

Race number 3 of the day for me and my lovely friend, Bernadette

Nice covered pavilion for everyone to gather under; also had water fountains, restrooms, etc

Live music for us to enjoy

Some of the many participants, volunteers, etc

The great folks from AthletesGuild that did the course set up, timing, results, etc. My friend Sherri is my kinda race lady...always ready with her beer bottle opener there...    Her dad, retired veteran John,  is a good friend of mine, we sometimes sit and drink a beer or two together and swap our 'war stories' lol.

Thanks to all our volunteers who were out there for us.

My lovely friend, Sandra, looking very decorative

Christmas Pretty In Pink

National Anthem being sung

In the start area

ON THE COURSE

We started near the pavilion, did a loop around the Valero campus, and then it was down to the Valero trailhead where we did a little out-and-back on the Leon Creek Greenway paved trails system there; then back up to the Valero campus to finish.

Lots of wide roads on the Valero campus

A bit tighter on the Greenway trails

Bernadette heading back to the finish area

AFTER THE FINISH

My first stop after I finished

Oh yeah!

This lovely lady was enjoying the darker brew...also very good.

Another post-finish stop....

Cooked up by these guys....

Wandered around after the finish getting photos and also enjoying the post-race goodies…..sorry about the first few, some blurry spots, I forgot to wipe my sweaty lens after I finished

That lady on the left has "Christmas Angel" light on her face...

Darn, I cut off the lady on the right...oops...I have such great camera skills, lol.

Here she is!

Sandra got a medal, her very first age group medal.  She has made amazing progress, coming back from a stress fracture in her hip.

Bernadette also placed.

Race 3 for the day done!  We are tired and we are finished and each of us is ready for a long nap, lol.

EPILOGUE

I’ve done this event several times in past years and always enjoy it. It used to be held at the University of the Incarnate Word, running under the Christmas lights there; but the event got so popular – which is a good thing for the Arthritis Foundation – and grew so much that it was moved to Valero which can accommodate more runners/walkers.   No worries, because Valero and its accompanying sponsors throw a really nice party and the covered pavilion – which UIW does not have – is a nice plus, especially in any inclement weather. Lots of folks in costumes, the race is dog-friendly, live music, very nice post-race goodies; yeah, this event is a keeper on the race calendar.   Mucho thanks to all the volunteers, law enforcement/security, etc., who made this one happen for all we participants.

And, of course, thanks to the sponsors….

My friend Sherri caught me on the run at this event.  I was pointing and asking her..."Hey, isn't that the Old Man Shortcut?"   lol.

And you finally got your beer, awesome!