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%209%20Be%20My%20Valentine%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 9th race of 2017, held on Feb 12, was the Be My Valentine 5K, put on by iaapweb, a local race management company, and sponsored by Alamo Brewery/Alamo Beer – love their beer! – and the start/finish was located on the grounds of the brewery.    I arrived with about an hour or so to go till start time and got some pre-start photos.

Lots of people in all kinds of costumes, outfits, etc. for this one.  Most people wore some type of red color.  I decided to be different and wore this…with my new socks….appropriate for me, right?

Alamo Beer grounds is a busy place today...

Me and friends Karen and Bernadette.  The three of us do a lot of the same races over the year.

Me with amazing friend, Nick.

My friends Joe..and Yeti...one of the coolest dogs ever.  He is the Rin Tin Tin of the poodle family, lol, the stuff he can do...

One of my personal hereos...fellow survivor Terry....docs said she would be dead in 5 years...and it's now been 11 or so years....this lady lives Never Give Up.

Music Man and one of the MCs for today

Various participants, volunteers, supporters, et.

If you are ever going to be in San Antonio area, check out the Scallywompus events, they are great fun!

Another great race to do, in February every year.  Street2Feet 5K, helping the homeless.  Love this race and I have done every one of these since this event started.

These ladies are wearing the race shirts participants got.  Depending on your 'status' you could choose a shirt that said one of the following:  I'm Single; I'm Taken;  It's Complicated.

Into the Start Line area, getting ready to go....

Two folks above us on the Hays Street Bridge.  No, he is not flippin' us off, lol. One of my Team RWB team-mates who I think spotted me and gave me a wave...in his own personal style, lol...

ON THE COURSE

And we are off and running!   Started on the grounds of the brewery, then wound around nearby streets, including crossing over San Antonio’s historic Hays Street Bridge. Course was a tad hilly in some places, but not too bad overall.  After climbing one hill, it was down that street to a turn-around point, then back the way we’d come – with a downhill this time – and back to Alamo Beer to finish up.

I did my usual 8-min run/2 min walk thing and took 2 walk breaks, getting some on-course photos during those.  After that, it was non-stop for me to the finish for the last 1.3 miles.  Even after doing a bit of a hilly 5K the day before – Red Dress Run 5K - I was feeling pretty good and finished in 33:19 chip time.   This is a very popular annual event, so lots of people show up for this one, so I did not expect to place in my age group, and I was right.  I finished 5^th in my age group of 60 – 69 males.

Can see people above on the Hays Street Bridge at this point.  I will be there soon enough

On the bridge now, looking at the street I was just on

On the bridge...

Back on pavement, after climbing a hill to this point....heading for the turn around point

AFTER MY FINISH

With my friend Silvia post-race.  I came up behind her right before the finish and knew it was her...I'd know her Great Legs anywhere, even from behind.     Called out to her, and she lead me on a merry chase to the finish, beating me in...but great motivation for me to keep on moving at the end, lol.

The lovely Ceci of iaapweb....race organizer extra-ordinaire

When Alamo Beer hosts, they throw a great party.  Alamo Beer for any participants who wanted one – yep, I definitely had one – plus Kiolbassa sausage, choice of sausage stuffed with jalapenos or cheddar – and, of course, lots of photo ops.

Eugene, owner of Alamo Beer.  Thanks for all the refreshment, Gene!

I found an Alamo Beer dog, lol...

For most of the race I was in proximity of my friend, Lisa (to my right).  Somehow I just seem to find all the ladies at the races... 

These guy ran the course in these outfits, even as humid as it was..

Awwww.. caught these two finishing up...

Dancers at the finish line, cheering everyone in...

MC Bob and Volunteer Extraordinaire Debra...thanks for being out there for us!

I don't think so....but nice outfit!

Yet another race I will be doing this year...

And this race too - Shamrock 5K..the oldest St. Patrick's Day race in San Antonio, formerly known as Donovan's.

Thanks guys for the timing, results, course, etc

EPILOGUE

I do this one just about every year, it is such a great and fun event.  Nice long-sleeve quality tech tee, great post-race goodies, nice course, finisher medals to everyone, nice age group awards, some very entertaining outfits worn by the participants, etc.  Definitely will be doing this one again.

MUCHO THANKS to all the people who made this one happen for us, volunteers, all the law enforcement people, sponsors/vendors, law enforcement, Alamo Beer, iaapweb for the course setup, results, our music man, etc., all the volunteers out there for us, and the many more who made this one happen for all we participants.

Thought about you a couple of weekends ago on my way through SA to Edinburg 10k.

Someday maybe I can visit and run the route with you again.