Barking Mad To Run
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 66th race of 2015 and my second 5K of 3 5Ks I was doing on December 12, 2015. The SeaWorld San Antonio Frozen Flippers 5K supports Special Olympics of Texas and, if I recall correctly from the announcement at the race, more than $17,000 was raised for the cause, between sponsors and participants. Event was held at SeaWorld San Antonio. I think there were a lot more registered than showed up, probably because the weather was a bit ‘iffy”, with storms threatening. The wind was also blowing like crazy, but at least it was warm, around 70 degrees, although the wind gusting at times 20 – 25 mph did give the air a bit of a bite. I think we had about 30 or so people actually show up – too bad for the rest, because this was a really nice route that included getting a nice running tour of the park, so all the no-shows missed out. It was also a noon start time – rare for our local races, usually held in the a.m. – but nice. I ended up getting first in my age group; of course, there were only two IN my age group, lol. Still nice to get another medal to give to the cancer kids at the local children’s hospital, which is what I do with any medals I may be lucky enough to get. My time was pretty slow too – 35 minutes something – mainly because I kept stopping inside the park to get photos; this is a very unique course, so I just told myself heck with the time, I was going to take time to see what we were running past, and enjoy myself; and I did!
BEFORE THE START
Got to SeaWorld with about 45 minutes to start and got some pre-start photos of what was around us, and some of the participants, volunteers, etc.
Race Director Anna (right) and another volunteer 'modeling' the very nice tech tee long-sleeved race shirts that participants got
Minnie and Jose from iaapweb.com, a very good local race company that did the course setup, timing, results, etc. I accidentally called Minnie by the name of Lana..but that's okay, it's a natural mistake as Lana is Minnie's "sister" - well, okay, daughter, but Minnie must have had Lana when Minnie was about 12, lol, because they both look so young and are both lovely ladies.
Med team out on the job for us; thankfully their services were not needed today, but thanks for being there for us.
View of one of the park coasters from where we were
Awwww....they knew Scotty Dogg was coming and put us right by the kennels..
Our Music Man
Start/finish point was out in the wide open spaces and it was very windy
Nice view where we were of "Old Glory" waving in the wind
The wind was really blowing in these open spaces, as you can see from Bernadette's hair doing the wild thing...here she and I are...Race Number 2 for the day
Shamu
Dancing with the EMTs
One of the sponsor groups getting an appreciation award from Special Olympics Texas (SOTX)
ON THE COURSE
We started in the parking lot area, went up to the main entrance of the park, did a trek through one part of the park, then out onto a service road behind the park; then back into the park coming at it from a different direction, out the main entrance, and back around the parking lot to the finish. To and from the inside of the park was quite windy, but inside the park, with all the buildings, etc., providing a wind break, it was quite pleasant; and lots to see along the way too.
Starting in the wind
Into the main entrance of the park...
Nice and peaceful in here, with lots to see along the way
Out onto one of the service roads, which took us underneath parts of one of the roller coasters
Back into the park...
That's a hunka hunka snowman love...
Running with the angels
Through the kiddie play/rides area
Past these decorated trees
...and then it was back out the main entrance and on to the finish in reverse of the way we had started.
AFTER THE FINISH
Wandered around after the finish getting photos and also enjoying the post-race goodies, which included pizza and Shipley donuts…I indulged in both, lol. Then I got my medal – thank you to the MC for doing we ‘old guys’ first during the awards ceremony as I had to get going to get to my 3rd 5K of the day – and was off to the races – literally – heading toward my next 5K location.
This lady and I were in the same proximity for most of the course
iaapweb.com timing chip remover...sitting there in that wind the whole time...thanks for being there for us, buddy!
Small world! The lady on the left is Angel from Morgan's Wonderland Park, where I had just been at my first race of the day. She is a friend of my wife and me.
Race number 2 of the day done!
Post-race pizza...good stuff...and nice to get a bite to eat before my next 5K of the day
Thank you, pizza people...
EPILOGUE
This was the inaugural 5K for the event and it was a lot of fun. The route was well planned out, giving everyone a very nice look at just about the whole darn inside of the park. As said previously, those who didn’t show for this one missed out. I would hope this one grows in the future as it is for a very good cause and also is a very unique route. Definitely would do this one again in the future. Mucho thanks to all the race organizers, sponsors, volunteers, law enforcement, etc., who were out there cheering us on, law enforcement, etc; all the people who made this one happen for we participants.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Too bad so few showed up. That looks like a great place to run.
70 degrees and people were wearing long sleeves? Only in Texas. lol
delicate flower
And coats! lol
That looks like a fun race, Scotty! Very cool to run through an amusement park.
<3
SheCan
What a fun looking race Scotty!
Of course before the race started Shamu looked like the only warm one.
And you got warm pizza when you finished, Yum!
Hope you're having a great Christmas season!
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