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 33rd race of 2015.  The Orange Leaf Half Marathon and 5K was held on July 11, 2015 at the Cross Creek Shopping area IN New Braunfels, Texas.  Both events started and finished at the local Orange Leaf frozen yogurt store.  There were 381 participants, the majority of them doing the half-marathon. I participated in the 5K.  The Half started at 6:30 am and the 5K started at 7 a.m.  Nice to have an early start on a Texas summer day, wish ALL race directors would do that with their events during Texas summer!   I ended up being 3rd in my age group, with a finish time of 31:41...what?  I haven't done under 32 minutes for a 5K in like forever, lol.  I thought maybe my time was a mistake of the course was short, but when I checked with some of my garmin-wearing friends they all told me the course was dead-on.  So I guess for some reason I am getting a bit faster in my old age, lol.    Must be some extra pounds I've lost, I'm below 190 lbs now for the first time in a long time.  Whatever the reason, I'll take it!  I thought that was a pretty good time for a slow old man, especially considering taking my photo walk breaks along the way too.  Nice.

LONG VERSION WITH PHOTOS

Before the Start

From where I live, it's only about a 35 minute or so drive to New Braunfels.  But with the early start, I still left at 5:30 a.m. just to be safe and give myself plenty of time as Interstate 35 often has some 'crazy' drivers and you really never know when there will be an accident, traffic problems, etc.

I arrived safely, with about 45 minutes to go to 5K start time and 15 minutes to go to half marathon start time.   Got my bib number and a very nice tech tee race shirt, and then wandered around getting a few pre-start photos.

Your host for this report

AthleteGuild folks prepping for the timing, race results, etc.

Race Day registration/packet pickup ladies

Our MC who did a great job

A few of the pre-start participants, supporters, etc. ..most of these participants are the 5K folks...

Double take!

My speedy pal Bernadette, who did place in her age group in spite of hurting a bit today

These very nice folks give a nice view of the tech tee participants got

Grandparents with their grandson doing his very first 5K.  He did okay too!

Half Marathon folks getting ready to start...

About 1 minute before the 5K start

On the Course

The 5K course is very flat.  We turned right from the Orange Leaf parking lot area, went up one of the main roads of the shopping center and then made a left onto a local road.  From there it was straight out-and-back, coming back to the shopping center and finishing where we started, near the back entrance of the Orange Leaf frozen yogurt store.   Good course for those wanting to attempt a 5K PR.

And we're on the course!

Shopping area we just come from now behind us

I interacted with this gentleman and lady on the course quite a bit...they just happened to be around me each time I took my photo walk break...

I've made the 5K turn-around point now and am heading back to the shopping center/finish line

Yes, this was still an 'open road" as you can see from the car.  But the drivers I saw - and only about 4 vehicles total - were all very polite and careful, giving way to the runners and walkers.

Here those two come again! 

A few of the 5K folks coming in after I finished...

Here those two come again! 

After the Finish

Of course doing the 5K meant that we got back long before any of the half-marathon people finished; so we had first shot at the goodies, which included some very good beer from New Braunfels Brewery  and a free cup of frozen yogurt for every race participant - your choice of 11 different flavors - which really hit the spot after a run on a warm Texas morning.  Thanks Orange Leaf!  There was also iced down bottles of water, nice and cold, gatorade, and some other munchies.

Birthday Girl Sherry of AthleteGuild and me with my "game face' lol.....or I was still trying to breathe again....

Smiles...that's better!

Yeah beer!

Some of the "Happy Finishers", supporters, etc.    All the half runners and walkers got a finisher medal - kinda shaped like a baseball diamond, with a red-and-white ribbon - and half age-group folks got a medal too.  The 5K folks that placed in the 5K got  their placement medals, which were round, with a red-and-white ribbon.

Double-take!

The lady on the course I interacted with and her son

She and her family

My 'looks-like-a-model'' running friend Donna with HM finisher medal

Sun behind us, facing the camera...

Us facing the sun....OK, that's more clear...

Camera-shy little guy....actually I think the sun got to his eyes as they were all facing into the sun...

Work it, work it....looking good!    

Lovely lady half-marathon finisher with her family who all came out to support her....good on them!

Yay!  Another medal for the cancer kids at San Antonio Children's Hospital

EPILOG

Always a very nice event with lots of friendly participants, family members, supporters, etc., turning out for this one.  I've done this one several times in the past (4 times I think, but I may not remember correctly).  Post-race, the beer is always cold, the frozen yogurt is always delicious, and the people are always fun.  A good event to have on your race calendar for Texas summer.  Much thanks to AthleteGuild who did their usual great job of course set up, timing, etc - and Happy Birthday to my AthleteGuild 'running crush", Sherry Purnell who always looks 30-something!  and Mucho Gracias to Orange Leaf and all the other sponsors; and all the volunteers, sponsors, law enforcement, etc., who were out there for us making this one happen for all we participants.

Next race for me:  Too Hot To Handle 5K on July 12.  Yep, a double-race weekend for me for the July 11 - July 12 weekend.  Fun stuff!

Fun!  Bub didn't you get an after picture of the 'here he comes again' guy?

Your pal Bernadette is in great shape for whatever age she is .. or for any age, for that matter!

Nice race and RR!