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.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports with Photos.  I am not exactly a good photographer but hey, at least all the photos are free so my ‘subjects’ can save and share their photos if they so desire. Mucho thanks to all the people I interacted with at this event for their graciousness, patience, and good humor in letting me take photos of them.    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, and conversation forums for runners and much more!

On April 2, I was scheduled to do the Alamo Beer 5K.  However, I opted out of this one, as I recently had an adductor injury and the night before, on April 1^st had done an April Fools 5K that turned out to be 4.2 miles instead of 3.1 miles – April Fools!  Since I had a race scheduled for Sunday, Apr 3, also, I decided to rest the leg on April 2 and give my registration to a friend, with the approval of the Race Director – especially since the Alamo Beer 5K course is quite hilly – and just volunteer to take photos, which I did.  The RD jokingly named me “Photo Volunteer”, so I did get to enjoy my beer after the race, lol. 

On to the photos!  I do tend to take a LOT of photos at the events I do.  So if you’d rather just see photos only without my commentary you can check out the slideshow of this event at this link:   http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Alamo%20Beer%205K

BEFORE THE START

Arrived at the race site about 7 a.m. and met my friend, Roger, and we got with the RD and swapped out the registration.  Then I wandered around and got a few pre-start photos.

It was chilly outside, so Alamo Beer kindly opened this area for us to keep a bit warm before the start

I did get into a photo with my fellow Team RWB (Red White and Blue) members.  San Antonio chapter is one of the largest chapters in the country.

Team RWB outside the Brewery

Registration Volunteers

Bike Pacer Roger and him with his lovely lady, Ceci

My 'running proxy', Roger is bib 120

Awww...Angel Girls...with the halo light behind them...

And now they're party girls, with the bar behind them... 

"Charlie" and his Angels/Party Girls 

Others...

Lining up for the start

After the National Anthem, I headed for my vantage point on historic Hays Street Bridge.

ON THE COURSE

Start was in front of the Alamo Beer Brewery and then wound around some of the local area streets before heading up history Hays Street Bridge, where participants did a little out-and-back and then headed back to the brewery.  About 10 minutes before start time I ‘parked myself” on Hays Street Bridge.  This was a good spot and a unique experience for me, race-wise, as I got to see everyone coming and going.  The weather was a bit brisk though – around 51 at the 8 a.m. start time – and the wind up on the bridge was quite chilly – especially as I was not moving.  Even so, enjoyed myself and got quite a few photos of some folks, especially my team-mates in my Veterans organization, Team RWB (Red White Blue).

Nice view of downtown area from the bridge

Watching the start from above

Here comes the first guy - at least, so far...

With many others following....

Guy in the blue shirt is floating

Team RWB flying the colors

My Proxy is doing okay, he's close to the front of the pack

"Charlie"!  You left your angels behind? 

My friend, Margaret, who, like me, also did the April Fools 5K on Friday

My friend, Sally, got photo-bombed right as I snapped the picture, lol

Runners heading for the finish after making a turn-around point.  They started on the bridge into the sun and did the bridge going back with the sun behind them

Some of the walkers coming along now. I admire the walkers that can walk the whole 5K....I don't have the mental patience for it.

AFTER THE FINISH

I stayed on that bridge until darn near the last person in the race passed me; by then I was quite chilly so I headed down the side staircase of the bridge and went right to the bar to get my beer and warm up a bit.  All the participants got a souvenir Alamo Beer 5K finisher glass.  When I got my beer, one of the lady organizers gave me one of those glasses too.  I drank the beer, but since I did not actually run the race, I gave my glass – after it was empty, of course – to a friend of mine who was a finisher.  Then it was out-and-about to take some post-race party and “Happy Finisher” photos.

Margaret the Angel... with good guy Ernie

Margaret in Human Form

Sometimes a guy just needs a nap after a hilly run...

Tanya was first woman overall.  John placed in his age group.  Two speedy people.

Yep, that describes me....and my 3-legged cat too

All the way from Mississippi to do this race

A family of angels!

EPILOGUE

I really would have liked to do this one, especially as I love this race and my personal top choice of local beer is Alamo Beer’s Golden; but, as said, it was very hilly, so probably better I behaved myself and not run it – or even walk it, with those hills - and let the thigh rest, especially as my Sunday 5K was coming up – that one being a very FLAT course, so better for me right now.  Even though I did not run it or walk it, I still quite enjoyed myself being a photo volunteer, cheering on friends, taking photos, mingling with them afterwards.  Also a unique experience as, at my pace, I usually never see the front-runners, lol, in races that I do.

Mucho thanks to Run in Texas who put this event on.  Big thanks to all the volunteers, law enforcement, bike pacers, medical folks, etc., - all the people who made this one happen for the participants.  And, of course, Alamo Beer for use of their venue – and for all that delicious beer! A personal thanks to the two young ladies at Registration who assisted with my registration swap and made everything go very smoothly.  And finally, thanks Pablo – the Alamo Beer dog who roams the grounds – for the face licks after I gave you a doggie treat.   Good dog!  Definitely a quality event, which will most assuredly be on my race calendar in the future.

Sorry you couldn't run this, but I'm glad you were still able to participate.  I hope the leg behaves tomorrow.