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.
SHORT VERSION REPORT
This was my 20th event of 2015. Put on by the San Antonio Roadrunners, the largest running club in San Antonio. Held on April 25th at 6:20 pm. The Fiesta Fandango Fun Run is done just before the start of the Fiesta San Antonio Flambeau Parade, the biggest night-time parade in the US. We runners and walkers do the parade route in front of thousands of cheering spectators that are waiting for the parade to start. It is one fun event, with lots of folks doing the run/walk in costume. The weather was not so cooperative...by the time we started, it was very sunny and the temp was around 93 degrees in downtown San Antonio - and probably even felt a little hotter than that, with all the crowds and buildings surrounding us and the reflective heat from the streets. Part of the course we were running directly into that sunlight and that slowed me down quite a bit. I ended up for the 2.6 miles with a finish time of 27:23.
LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS
OK, this is such a fun event, I got carried away and took over 100 photos; so I will try to keep my verbiage to a minimum and just let you enjoy the photos.
Starting Point: Sunken Gardens near the San Antonio Zoo. Here is where there was a costume contest judging and we caught the shuttle buses to get to the race starting point.
Some of the parade floats and parade participants before the parade started
Runner/Walker Start Area
My friend and Race Starter Neil giving us instructions. He is also wearing this year's Fandango shirt participants got.
And we are off and running - Down Broadway Street...
On Alamo Street
Down Commerce Street - the 'main drag" of San Antonio
Finishing on Santa Rosa Avenue...
After-party at a local park....
This beer sure tastes good after 93 degrees!
EPILOG
San Antonio Roadrunners know how to throw a Fiesta Run party! One of my top favorite runs of the year! The weather is always 'iffy' - you just never know what you'll get around this time of year - but no matter what the weather, this is always such a fun event to do! Great costumes, we get closeup look at some of the floats before the parade starts, and a super after-party. If you are ever in San Antonio during the 10 days of Fiesta, definitely put this on on your 'races to do" calendar. Mucho thanks to all the San Antonio Roadrunners, the race volunteers, the sponsors, all the law enforcement out there for us....all the folks that make this one happen each year for we participants.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
They sure do know how to throw a party!
Great RR!
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
Great costumes! It sounds like a really good one to do for fun, though not maybe a good one to race.
The sun was so bright in the earlier pics I almost reached for my sunglasses. lol
Nice job Scotty, very colorful!