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.

This was race number 62 for me for the year 2015, wow, 62 already, the year is flying by!  Held in Gruene [pronounced GREEN), Texas, an historic little town adjacent to New Braunfels, Texas, and about a 40 minute drive from where I live.   This one is the Comal Cops for Kids Gruene Turkey Trot , since Gruene is in Comal County and the Comal Cops for Kids Foundation supports the local children's advocacy center.  This is a VERY popular local area Turkey Trot race held annually and this year there were about 1,500 registered.  Don't think all of them showed up, but there were, 1,331 finishers for today's event, so a lot of them were there. Weather was very humid as rain was threatening - it never did rain on us, but might have been a blessing if it had, especially during the last part of the course - and the temp was 70 degrees.   After two crappy training runs on Tuesday and Wednesday, I felt pretty good today and ended up with a finish time of 32:33 chip time, finishing 9th out of the 21 in my 60-64 age group.  The guy who won in my age group finished in 24-something;  there are some speedy "old farts" in my age group, lol.

BEFORE THE START

Arrived at the race venue with about 40 minutes until the 8:30 a.m. start time.  Race tee was a very nice tech tee.

Then it was off to get some pre-start photos

The start was near Gruene Hall, an historic old entertainment venue where a lot of music stars - and especially country music -  got their start, have played, and still play.

Texas Flag waving proud in the wind

The actual start/finish line was in front of Gruene's historic old General Store...

AthleteGuild, a very good local race company, did the course setup, timing, results

Some of the pre-start participants, volunteers, et al....

Some of the good folks I call friends from iRun Texas, a very good specialty running store in San Antonio.  Usually they are very busy doing their own races, but on Thanksgiving they actually get to do some racing themselves for a change.

ON THE COURSE

I was towards the back of the pack taking a couple of photos when people started moving, so it took me about 3 minutes to get to the actual chip mat, lol.

Then I was on my way.  The course was a loop course and all paved roads.   The first part of the course the roads were quite wide allowing everyone to spread out nicely.

My first walk break....that is a lot of people out there forging on ahead of me

...and coming up from behind me....

My 2nd and final walk break of the course...this was a bit past the halfway mark....we were on an open road for this part of the course, so it was a bit more crowded along the shoulder, etc, as we could not spread out all over the road like we could for the first part of the course.  Even so, I did not see anyone having problems...at least not where I was at any given time, everyone I saw was quite polite about giving each other room to maneuver.

I chased this lady with the stroller a good part of the way for the last 1/2 mile.  You can't see it in this photo, but her other child is on a little seat at the back of the stroller...and she still beat me in, lol.  Pushing that thing must really get her into some shape!

After that last photo, my watch beeped for me to run again and I did...non-stop for the last 1.2 miles.   I did manage to catch up and pass several people that had passed me during my walk break/photo take, so I guess I was doing okay.  Ended up averaging 10:30-something per mile, which I didn't think was too bad for an old dog...hey, in dog years, I'm 427! 

AFTER THE FINISH

Where are those post-race goodies?   Here they are...sausage wraps, served up by this volunteer....

...and cooked by these guys....

There was a nearby porch with tables to sit and relax for a bit and enjoy some of the goodies

...and various kinds of beer, oh yeah!

And then....off to get more photos!

A few of the law enforcement folks that were there to keep us safe

Texas Ranger on the job!  He jokingly asked me if I got his good side.  I told him since he had a gun, I was going to say he didn't have a bad side at all. 

"Happy Finishers", volunteers, supporters, etc.

Me and my speedy friend, Deandra, who finished in 24-something....

Blue Santa

Sheriff Turkey....

...and his tail feathers...

The Sheriff led of the Kid's Run

Does he look here like a gang of kids are chasing him? 

Our Music Men

The one guy in front ran the course barefoot....ouch!  I can't do it...I got wimp feet, lol.

Team RWB! (Red White and Blue) - a veteran's organization of which I also am a member.  He just recently relocated here, so I gave him some info about Team RWB San Antonio chapter and some of our weekly running outings.   Hope to see him again sometime at some of the RWB events and some local races.

EPILOGUE

I tend to rotate each year between our local Turkey Trots - we have about 4 of them each year - doing one one year, another one the next year, etc, so it's been a year or two since I did this one, and this one is one of my favorites; nice course, lots of 'colorful' people in various costumes; done in a historic place, nice post-race goodies, good quality race shirt, really  a very nicely done-up event.  If you ever get a chance definitely give this one a try, I think you will really enjoy yourself.  Mucho thanks to all the folks out there for us and that made this one happen for we participants: law enforcement, medical staff, volunteers, sponsors, race organizers, residents of Gruene who let us take over their town roads for the majority of the morning, etc.

After I got home, I had some very good turkey and biscuits for lunch that my lovely wife had cooked up - mmm, good! - and then relaxed with my cats, Midnite and Scoop, enjoying watching the Eagles lose to the Detroit Lions.  What's bad for the Eagles in the NFC East is good for my Redskins in the NFC East.  Now, if the Cowboys will just lose today too....

Midnite was an outside cat who got run over accidentally  - by me, actually; silly cat laid down in our driveway as I as backing up - and got his leg all torn up;  my wife and I got him treated for several weeks and amazingly he kept the leg, and now only has a slight limp.  How he lives with us and is very relaxed and happy living with us, as you can tell, here is lying on my lap, purring away, as we watch the game.

Scoop broke a bone in her foot last Saturday - again, Gail and I were quick to get her treated which I think made a difference - and as you can see, she has adapted pretty well to having to wear her splint; totally relaxed here.  She is a rescue too, we found her living under our deck and took her in.  She is a very sweet cat and is about a year old.

She is quite comfortable with my Redskins blanket, lol.   Now just try to give her a Dallas Cowboys anything and the hissing starts.. 

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Thanksgiving and holiday season!

Awww.  I think Midnight decided to get run over so you could let her in the house.  

And awww, poor kitty.

Great RR!

Great shot of the guy with a pre- race beer. 62 events? Wow!