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

I don’t have great camera skills and take photos with a camera that is like me  - old fashioned, lol - so sorry if a photo appears a bit blurry, etc.  However, they are free to save, share, etc.

Here is yet another of my photo reports.

Full report below.     

Link to photos only:

http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2019%20Race%20Reports/2019%20Race%20Number%201%20La%20Cruda%205K?sort=2

BEFORE MY START

My 1^st race of 2019 was La Cruda 5K held on January 1 at 10 a.m. in Helotes, Texas, a small city bordering on the city limits of San Antonio.  This was the 2^nd year La Cruda has been held and has quickly become a popular event for runners and walkers doing a local New Year’s 5K.  The event grew this year from last year and there were so many race day registrations that the start time was pushed back to 10:15 a.m., so everyone who wanted to could participate.  My wife, Gail, participated too, walking the event.  Weather this year was much better than last year – which had a “feels like” temp of 18 degrees – with a mix of sunshine and clouds, some wind, and a temp of 48 degrees with a ‘feels like’ of 44 degrees.   I had picked up my packet previously so when I arrived I went around and got some pre-start photos.

With my better half, Gail, who walked the 5K.  Pretty speedily too.  The poor lady who has to deal with me 24/7.

Sign on the wall of the restroom building.   LOL.

Team RWB, San Antonio Chapter, Veteran's Group tent

Our chefs and servers preparing the sausages for post-race. Race Director Tony in the red hat.

Keeping warm.  I jokingly told my friend here he should go on the course with that thing and chase slow people like me to really put a fire in our butts, we'd probably all get PRs, lol.

Our MC,  Anthony on the right, with friend

Various participants, volunteers, etc.

Dog friendly event.  Good thing i had lots of treats.

Jan 1 is my friend's birthday.  Happy birthday!

Getting 'warmed up' for the race, lol.

Getting ready to start.  Crowd in front of me and behind me, and one of the participants raising the flag for the National Anthem.

ON THE COURSE

I wore a light base layer for this one with running shirt on top.  Going out from the start there was very little wind, so I felt I had overdressed a bit, but when we got to turn-round point number one, the wind was right in our faces, so was glad for that extra layer, especially during my walk breaks. After the first turn-round we headed back the way we had come out, passing the start/finish area and then continuing on to another turn-round point. The first part of the course was flat; the second part of the course had some up-and-down inclines, but nothing you could really call a hill.  We finished the 5K by going up one of these inclines and then making a turn onto a small flat area that took us across the finish line. I ended up with a time of 33:04.  The age group awards were 10 year age groups – mine was 60 – 69 – so no award for me since there are some very speedy old guys in my age group; the first 3 all finished in the 20s.   All good; I mostly run for fun and just ‘compete’ against myself, and any award I may get is a bonus. At my age, I really only have 2 goals for a race:  finish standing up and no ambulance at the finish line specifically waiting for me, lol.

Doing the first mile

My wife on the far right in the red jacket, walking the course

Heading toward mile 2 for me.   People on  the left are heading to the finish.

Looking back.  This is the incline (on right) that we climbed before turning right into the finish area)

AFTER MY FINISH

I sweat like crazy when I run – even in cold weather – so first thing got off my wet base layer and put on a dry base layer.  Then it was off to check out the race goodies and get some after photos.  This event throws a heck of an after-party, with sausage wraps, beer from local Alamo Beer craft brewery, margaritas, bloody marys, and several other items, such as various fruits, etc.  DJ playing music for us, and Jan 1 is also the birthday of some of our local runners and our Race Director,  so also cake and happy birthday singing.

Finisher medals for everyone.  I gave mine to a kid in a stroller so each family member would have his/her own medal. The kid may have been pushed, but he did the course too, right?

Post-race reward.  Oh yeah....

Our cooks and food servers got their deserved reward too

Various participants, volunteers, etc.

My speedy friends Bernadette and Irene

Bernadette placed in her age group

Friend speedy Bill with his very speedy dog

The group Banana Photo.  I have friends with warped senses of humor, lol.  Like me.

The race shirt, front and back.   Back lists race sponsors and supporters.  Nice tech tee.

EPILOGUE

This is a very fun event, well-organized and, as said, gaining popularity even though this is only the 2^nd year for it to be held.  I expect this event will probably become THE local New Year’s Day 5K event to do. Very nice tech tee race shirts, lots of goodies, nice race entry discounts if you register by a certain time, lots of post-race goodies and also a drawing for various prizes – none of which I won, but then I guess it helps if you get a ticket.    Nicely laid out course and with the double out-and-backs, you practically get to see everyone on the course and so there was lots of encouragement and cheering on of friends and family as participants passed each other by.  Well done by the organizers.  Definitely will continue to do this one when I can and most certainly would recommend it to others.

Kudos to our Race Director – and my friend – Tony Garcia who started this one and to all the volunteers who were out there for him and for we participants.  Mucho gracias to all the sponsors, vendors, people of Helotes for their patience with us invading their streets and the businesses of Old Town Helotes for the use of their grounds for race activities, and to anyone else involved that I may not have mentioned here.   Thank you all so much for what you do so we participants can have this event.