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 13th race of 2013. This was the 6th year for this event to be held in San Antonio. In past years, this has been a 5K for city employees and city partners, but this year, with San Antonio's continued focus in increasing health and wellness for the entire community, the event was opened to the general public too, courtesy of our great City Manager, Sheryl Scully. The 5K was held at Sea World San Antonio - thanks Sea World for opening your doors to us! - and it got a nice turn out of about 2,500 participants. A bit chilly for we South Texans with temps in the 40s, especially with a bit of a wind blowing that made it feel colder. Once the sun came up and we all got going, it was actually quite pleasant. I took lots of photos for this one - even stopping during some of my running segments to take a photo or two - but still managed to finish in a fairly decent time (chip time) of 33:59, averaging about 10:57 per mile.
LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS
BEFORE THE START
I arrived at Sea World about 45 minutes before start time and went right into 'my thing' of taking some pre-start photos. We started and finished in the Sea World parking lot adacent to the park. The folks who are wearing the gray shirts with the emblem on their left side are wearing the race shirts we got in the goody bag. The emblem has the name of the race on it.
Scottydog, your host for this little tale - or should that be 'tail" - and what dog doesn't love a fire hydrant?
View from the start/finish area of one of the Sea World rides just before the sun came up.
Start/finish area. What, we're starting UP an incline? The finish was a nice downhill though.
View of the crowd from the start/finish sign
Some of the volunteers out there for us...what time did they have to get up and be here to get everything ready for us? Thank you volunteers!
Participants and supporters waiting for the start
City Manger Sheryl Scully (wearing race bib) and others. Ms. Scully ran the course. Way faster than me, lol. I saw her at the start..I saw her at the finish. Never in-between.
Cadets from San Antonio Police Academy
Others
ON THE COURSE
Me and 2,499 of my closest friends at the start line
Heading into the front entrance of Sea World
Passing by Sea Lion Stadium
On a service road behind the park, with a roller coaster ride in front of us
Runners/walkers coming up from behind me
Back in the park..and a nice view of the outdoor stadium where water shows are put on
Passing through Sea Star Market area
Past Beluga Stadium
And the 'flume' ride
Another stadium and the Flamingo pool
After that last photo, I trucked it on back to the finish. But just before we exited the park, we had a 'surprise' - our RD had us climb a nice incline right near the end, just before we exited the park. What?! They couldn't have given us this at the beginning when we were all fresh? Oh well. All in all, a very nicely routed course, well done to whomever laid it out!
AFTER THE FINISH
Two young ladies whom I played 'tag' with for most of the course. I just barely managed to finish ahead of them.
They graciously let me have a photo with them
As did this young man, one of our great city firefighters. I'd stop to take photos, he'd pass me. I'd catch up again. Stop to take photos, he'd pass me again. And so it went. I think in the end he did beat me in to the finish.
There was a whole group of firefighters at this event. Thank you for your service and everything you do for we city citizens!
These guys ran in this get-up the whole way
Me and City Manager Sheryl Scully. Gee, she doesn't even look winded. Me, being a fat, arthritic ole doggy, I was exhausted, lol.
More "Happy Finishers" and supporters
EPILOGUE
A well-organized event with a really good route, very enjoyable. A long table of some nice post-race munchies too. Kudos to the organizers and thanks to iaapweb.org folks for doing packet pickup, setting up the course, doing the race timing, etc. They did their usual great job! Hope they have this one here again next year and they keep it open to the public, it's a good one! Definitely do it if you get a chance.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Scotty, congrats on another great race. This one looks really nice running through the park.
Congratulations on yet another race, Scotty! What a lovely and fun course! Great pics of so many friendly faces as well. I always enjoy looking at them.
I won't ask you what you did on the fire hydrant, but I liked that, for once, YOU showed some great leg.
PRs: Boston Marathon, 3:27, April 15th 2013
Cornwall Half-Marathon, 1:35, April 27th 2013
18 marathons, 18 BQs since 2010
Skirt Runner
What a neat race!!!
Thanks for sharing!
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
SheCan
Congratulations on another great race, Scotty! Can't believe how many people showed up for being the first year this race was open to the public. SA must have an extremely active running community. Running through Sea World just seems like it'd be such a blast. BTW, brrrrr, it looks freaking cold in these pics. Where's those 70* temps you're always talking about?!?!
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
Wait, no foggy pics at the end? Slacker.
Those colors you wore were cool!
Return To Racing
Racing at Sea World....How cool is that !!!!
Wow, you guys get tons of participation in some of your 5Ks! Looks like a beautiful course, except I'd be tempted to want to go on the rides! Congrats on another great race, Scotty!
Go figure
Trying to find some more hay to restock the barn
Nice job, 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
I love your attitude about racing (and about dogs!). Thanks for the RR and great pictures.
Life is good.
YAYpril - B-Plus
Nice RR, and I always love all the pictures. Congrats on another successful race, Scotty.
Looks like a really fun race, Scotty! Congrats!
Jen
Upcoming races:
Covenant Health Knoxville 5K 4/7/13 (and cheering on DH for his 1st Marathon!!)
Rock and Roll Chicago Half Marathon 7/21/13
Tower of Terror Ten Miler 10/5/13
Looks like a nice place to run, Scotty. I like the t-shirts too. Great RR, as usual.