REPORT AND PHOTOS - KYLE-O-METER RESOLUTION RUN 5K

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/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2075%20Kyle-O-Meter%20Resolution%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 THE START

My last race of 2016, my 75^th race of this year for me. Held on December 31 in Kyle TX, which is about an hour’s drive from San Antonio.  9 a.m. race start time, with start and finish at Wallace Middle School.  Weather was cloudy and threatening rain; it did ‘spit’ on us a bit before the start but during the race it was dry. Temp was around 57 degrees at start time, humidity not too bad.  I arrived with about an hour to go to start time, got my race packet, and then wandered around taking some pre-start photos.

Local area race management company Athlete Guild did there usual great job with course setup, timing, results, etc.

One of the first 'folks' I met.  He doesn't talk much...but did tell me "EAT MOR CHIKIN"

Me with a fellow Team RWB (Red White Blue) team member, who did the drive up from San Antonio too.

Some of the participants, volunteers, etc.

This lil doggie had a great interest in a dog over to the side of him, lol.

Getting ready to start

ON THE COURSE

Started in the school parking lot, made a turn and climbed an incline. Crossed a street and went onto a “No Outlet” street, which was nice, very little traffic at this time of the morning, lots of room for everyone to maneuver around as needed. This was a pretty hilly course – unlike most people, I prefer uphill to downhill, as downhill is harder on my back with my spinal arthritis – so thank goodness I regularly do a weekly hill training run. I did pretty good, managed to get up and down all the hills in good order, took photos during my 2-min walk breaks, and then ran non-stop the last 1.2 miles, finishing in 33:59, good enough for 2^nd in my age group, 60 – 98.  I had to laugh at the age group, lol, but I get it, this was a smaller event.  I could tell because from what I saw of the results listing, there were only 2 in my age group, lol.  The guy in my age group who finished ahead of me was doing 8:25 minute miles, sheesh.

Leaders coming back..the 2nd guy ended up being the overall winner, in 16 minutes and something, sheesh.

My pal, Bernadette, heading back to the finish; long before I even got to the turn-around point, lol.

Turn-around point...thanks Volunteer!

And up the hill we go, the one we came down to get to the turn-around point.  This was a 2-part hill...you went up to the first curve and around it at the top...and there was more hill waiting for you after that curve.

You get up to the top here and think the hill is over....

...nope, we had to keep climbing to get back to the first water stop...just under a mile to the finish from here...

After that...a bit of a downhill, around another curve..and then climb the last hill - that was our beginning downhill after the start - and then we had a slight downhill incline to the finish.

AND I AM DONE!  YAY!

AFTER MY FINISH

Got some rehydration – no “New Year’s Eve Day” beer though, bummer   – changed into a dry base layer shirt, and then got some photos of the “Happy Finishers”, volunteers, supporters, etc. Also munched on a breakfast chicken sandwich, provided by sponsor Chik-Fil-A, nice. Other goodies included coffee, these little tasty “cookie” things – looked like some kind of ‘wafers’ with a strawberry middle – and lots of give-away stuff from various sponsors.   Nice.

A couple of folks coming in after me....

And some finishers, volunteers, etc.

Found Bernadette, who finished way ahead of me

Me with the lovely Race Director

The "medals" were these unique hand-carved "5K" emblems, with the K having boots with little spurs on them;  I think a 'cowboy hat" is on the number 5.  Nice.

Some of the age group winners and overall guy winner

This guy was overall winner.  I wonder if they give him a big amount gift card for Chik-Fil-A, which was one of the sponsors...cuz, you know.... "Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!"  

Bernadette, 2nd in her age group for her 89th race of 2016.

2nd place for me in my age group for my 75th race of 2016.

This lady won the 'edible bouquet"

After I got home, I took a selfie with this 2017-headband that was in the goodie bag.  Nice, huh?

Nice long-sleeved race shirt

EPILOGUE

This is the first time I’ve done this event. It may be small but it is well organized, has a somewhat challenging but good course – and though it does have hills, it is ‘stroller friendly’ for those of you with kids, the course is all paved and, hey, you’ll get some upper body work pushing those strollers on this course;  very unique carved age group awards, nice race shirt, and there was a drawing for an ‘edible bouquet’ too. All the people there – volunteers, sponsors, participants - were great too; one of the friendliest and outgoing events I’ve ever done.  I will definitely do this one again in the future and certainly would recommend it to my fellow runners and walkers.

MUCHO thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, law enforcement, Kyle Chamber of Commerce folks, school officials for the use of the school grounds, etc., all the folks who made this one happen for we participants.  Happy New Year to all!

75 races for the year…I’m tired, lol…nap time.  And then tomorrow start of the New Year with Race 1 of 2017, the San Antonio Roadrunner Cobweb Chaser.  Let the race count begin for 2017!

Congrats on 75 races in 2016! Wow. And 89 races? I can't even imagine.