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

Here is yet another of my photo reports.  Full report below.    

Link to photos only:      http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2017%20Race%20Reports/2017%20Race%20No%2027%20Fiesta%20Mission%205K%20and%2010K

A couple of the photos came out a bit blurry, sorry about that, I am definitely no professional photographer, lol, but at least the photos are free.

BEFORE MY START

My 27^th race of 2017 was the San Antonio Road Runners Fiesta Mission 5K/10K on April 23.  Part of the 2017 Fiesta San Antonio activities this race was held at Missions County Park.  8 a.m. start time, clear blue skies, light wind, and mild temp after a cool front had blown in on Saturday night. Beautiful day for a race/run.

Day before the race, while I was laying out my gear, this little rodent was up by the patio door eating some of the outside cat food and generally driving my poor cat Scoop into crazy fits, lol.

Start time of 8 a.m. for both the 5K and 10K.  I did the 5K.  Arrived with just under an hour to go before start time and got some photos. I actually had two shirts on.  The 'top shirt" that is in these photos, and then a shirt that I actually did the race in.  Then after I was done, I put back on the dry shirt.

These two are modeling for me the race shirt that participants got

Getting lined up for the start...a few more people than my 70-people 5K on Saturday...

Old Glory proudly waving for The National Anthem

..and then we were off!

ON THE COURSE

Both of the courses were out-and-back.  The 5K was pretty flat for the most part, with a couple of mild hills/ right before the turn-around point and then did those in reverse on the way back to the finish.  The 10K folks kept going at the 5K turn around point, so I don’t know what their course was like after that. This area is part of the Mission Reach section of the San Antonio Riverwalk, so the river was on our left going out, on our right coming back, only for a short bit for the 5K people, probably more river view for the 10K people.  I ended up with a chip time of 33:27, good enough for 3^rd in my age group, so probably not a lot of guys in my age group, lol.

AFTER MY FINISH

Drank some water, and then got some photos of a few people finishing after me, that I had been running with on the course at various points.

After that went to enjoy some post-race goodies, and then meandered around, enjoying the beautiful day and taking random photos of the happy finishers, volunteers, supporters, etc.

Athlete Guild folks doing the results as people come in

Ahhhh, breakfast.....beer and sausage wrap....

My little body Rocky with his Fiesta hat.....I finally got him to look at the camera with a piece of sausage...

Rocky and his human

EPILOGUE

This is a popular SARR event at a great location so usually gets a nice turn-out – especially as it’s on Sunday morning, so does not compete with a whole bunch of other events usually held on a Saturday – and today was no exception.  Lots of participants, lots of fun, good course, nice post-race goodies, very nice tech tee race shirt, very enjoyable.  Definitely would recommend this one for runners/walkers to do.

MUCHO thanks also to all folks that made this one possible for we participants; the sponsors, all the volunteers, law enforcement out there for us, Athlete Guild for timing, results,  San Antonio Road Runners, of course, for putting on this great event, and everyone else who helped with this one. Events could not happen without all of you willing to give your time for us runners and walkers.    THANK YOU.

Hope you enjoyed the report and photos!