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%2017%20Prickly%20Pear%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 17th race of 2017 was the San Antonio Road Runners Prickly Peark 5K trail run. There was also a 50K and a 10 miler.  Held at McAllister Park in San Antonio, there was a slight delay in the start times for the races, as some of the course routes had to be changed a bit because of the rain in San Antonio and some flooding and 'water hazard' spots on the course.  50K folks started at 7:30 a.m.,, 10 milers at 8:30 a.m. and we 5K folks at 8:45 a.m.  McAllister Park is quite close to where I live so I got to sleep in a bit.  Got there just after the 50K folks had left and wandered around talking a few photos.  Mother Nature was still being fickle with us as to the weather and the rain, so it was darn chilly for we South Texans and a stiff wind made it feel even colder, so lots of people - including me - were wrapped up in layers...and some crazy people - per my mind, lol; I hate being cold - were in shorts and singlets. One guy - one of the 10 milers - even ran with no shirt on.

I have arrived.  I have another shirt on underneath this outer shirt.  I felt a bit warm when I was running, but during my walk breaks, with that wind blowing, I was glad to have that other shirt on underneath.

I am not smiling...my dang teeth are chattering! 

Me with friend Tony, who did the 10 miler

The San Antonio Road Runner official photographer

My friend Daisy, one of the 10 milers, and apparently immune to cold

My friend, Jose, of iaapweb that did the timing, course set-up, results...

This lovely lady was one of the race organizers

Me and pal Bernadette.  She did the 5K too and was first in her age group.

Various participants, volunteers, supporters, et al

Group Huddle, trying to stay warm from that biting wind

ON THE COURSE

It did not rain on us, thank goodness.  But it had rained the day before and the day before that..and the day before that...so the park was pretty darn muddy and had standing water in lots of places.  We 5K folks probably had it a lot easier than the 10 mile and 50K folks.  We did one loop on the park trails and a lot of our route was paved.  We had 3 fairly short off-road nonpaved trails to deal with; there was standing water and a pretty big muddy area on only one of them; there was mud and really slippery rocks on the other two short trails, but not too bad, everyone was able to progress forward, but probably at a much slower pace than usually done;  my Saturday 5K, which was all paved, I did in 32:23.  This trail 5K on Sunday took me 35:18.  I ended up first in my age group (60-69).  These photos are of some of the 5K participants around me on the 5K course. I never did see any of the 10 mile or 50K people until after I was done.

AFTER MY FINISH

Guinness at the finish, oh yeah!  Plus Kiolbassa sausages, some energy and fruit bars, and various other things.  This also was a dog-friendly event, so I had brought along a jar of doggie biscuits so the dogs could have post-race treats too. Drinking my brew and munching my sausage, I wandered around getting some after-my-finish photos. 

We 5K folks started last and finished first, so we got first crack at the post race goodies...there was a choice of chicken or beef fajitas, with beans-and-rice, lots of water....and Alamo beer, nice!  I just had some chicken by itself - and it was really good too - and my beer

Me and friend Adrian...happy to finish and enjoy our beer.

As people from the 10 mile event began coming in, I wandered around and got some random photos of both 10 mile and 5K finishers and their supporters, some of the volunteers, etc.  The guy that finished first in the 10 miler was done in 1:04-and-some-change, pretty darn quick through all that mud and slush in the park.

The awards all set up and awaiting the finishers...

First place, 60 - 69, for the 5K.  I was the only on in that age group for the 5K, lol.  So I asked the RD..does that mean I get 3 of these, since I was 1st, 2nd, and 3rd?  That would be a big NO, lol.

With Daisy and an award....how sweet it is....

This gentleman on the left forgot to put on his timing chip for the 5K.  I jokingly told him to get his chip and run the course again to get an official time.  He didn't.

Coming through on one of his loops..I think he was doing the 50K

First Lady finisher, 10 miler.  The 10-mile and 50K participants all got finisher medals.

My friend here is like..."What's in this cup?  I'm feeling GOOOOOD!"  

Thank you, iaapweb folks!

EPILOGUE

Very nicely organized event.  Kudos to Eric and Kristine who, I believe, were the two Race Directors for this year.  Glad they added a 5K, it was fun to participate this year.  Mucho thanks to all the folks who helped make this one happen for us: San Antonio Road Runners, all the sponsors, law enforcement out there for us, all the volunteers who had to be out there super early, iaapweb for timing, results, etc, the kind folks who provided the great food and beer for us, etc.  I would definitely do this one again.

Hope you enjoyed the report and photos!