Barking Mad To Run
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%208%20Red%20Dress%20Run%205K
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 8th race of 2017, held on Feb 11, was Red Dress Run 5K put on by Stone Oak Methodist Hospital to raise awareness of heart disease. Start time of 8 a.m. Lots of participants actually were wearing red dresses, costumes, etc., and just about everybody was wearing red. I arrived with about an hour or so to go till start time and got some pre-start photos.
Me and friend Karen. We clown around with each other when we do the same races.
How an old man makes himself look good...stand next to pretty ladies...
Bill Taylor, meteorologist at local KENS-5 TV in San Antonio was the MC for this event. Did a great job!
The official photographer. I'm sure his photos are much better than mine, lol.
Line Dance Ladies, pre-start. I admire their talent. I dance like Elaine in Seinfeld, lol.
Various participants, volunteers, supporters, etc.
In the start area, getting ready to go...
ON THE COURSE
Started in one of the hospital parking lots, looped our way around part of the building and then it was off to nearby Reagan High School, where we went to the turn-around point and then back the way we had come out, finishing up where we had started. There were a couple of hills on the course. I did my usual 8-min run/2 min walk thing and took 2 walk breaks, getting some on-course photos during those. After that, it was non-stop for me to the finish for the last 1.3 miles. I was feeling really good for this event and finished in 33-something, good enough for 2nd in my age group.
This was first lady overall
Turn around point...ummm, Jose, aren't you supposed to be supervising us? Get off the phone!
I wish I could run and nap at the same time...that must save a bit of energy for nearer the finish.
AFTER MY FINISH
Thanks iaapweb
My friend here pushed her lil dog the whole way, and was still very speedy....she passed me a bit after Mile 2. I managed to keep her in sight all the way to the finish, but just barely, lol. She placed in her age group.
Really nice post-race goodies included 4 kinds of breakfast tacos, big cookies, bottled water…and beer! Oh yeah, love me a beer after I finish up.
Beer served up by these two good people from Southerleigh Brewery
Oh yeah....good stuff!
More good stuff!
As I enjoyed all my goodies, I wandered around taking photos of some of the happy finishers, et al. This was also a
dog-friendly event, so lots of doggies got into the photo acts too.
and the over-the-shoulder look...
Me and friend, Gene, with our age group awards...
EPILOGUE
This is my 2nd time doing this event and it was even better than the first time. A very well organized 5K for a great cause; nice quality cotton tee race shirt, lots of vendors/sponsors giving lots of various freebies to participants – I think there was even a massage chair post-race – and very nice goodies to munch on. Definitely would recommend this one to my fellow runners and definitely would do it again.
MUCHO THANKS to all the people who made this one happen for us, volunteers, all the law enforcement people, sponsors/vendors, law enforcement, Stone Oak Methodist hospital staff iaapweb for the course setup, results, etc., all the volunteers out there for us, and the many more who made this one happen for all we participants.
Hope you enjoyed the report and photos!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
That's a LOT of red. Looks like a fun event.