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 my 68th race of 2015 and the first of 2 races I did on Dec 19, 2015. Held at Comanche Park in San Antonio, this event was put on by my running club, the San Antonio Roadrunners, the largest running club in San Antonio. The event supported local Brackenridge High School’s cross-country running program. There was a 10-mile race and a 5-mile race. I did the 5-mile event. I haven’t done 5 miles in a few months, so surprised myself by finishing under an hour – 57:12 chip time - which ended up being good enough for 3^rd place in my age group. The medals were unique for this race, a small medal on a chain – similar to dog tags – with the medal being two-sided with one side being an Indian head and the other being a buffalo, similar to the old-time Indian Head Nickel.

BEFORE THE START

8 a.m. start time. Arrived on site with about 45 minutes to start time and the temp was a chilly 39 degrees – which is dang cold for we South Texans – lots of folks all wrapped up in jackets, hats, etc. I wore my long-sleeved shirt with a base layer. I felt okay, but my hands really feel it when it gets cold so I wore my thicker pair of running gloves. I got a few photos before the start.  Green bibs folks were doing the 5, white bibs folks doing the 10.

Team RWB area - a veteran's organization of which I am a member.

Cecy, Ernie and Roy, a few of my 'motivational heroes'....they really personify "Never Give Up!"

ON THE COURSE

Comanche Park is a very nice park with paved running trails that go quite a long ways, with some bridges crossing over the creek (river?) and a man-made lake in the park. The 5-mile folks went out on the paved trails, did a loop around the man-made lake and then it was back the way we came. I think the 10 mile folks went out a bit farther than we did and then came back the same way. When I got to the 3-mile point, one of the volunteers told me “Almost done!” and I jokingly replied “Well, I’ve already done 6 miles cuz, you know, 1 mile on a younger runner’s legs equals 2 miles on an old man’s legs.” I felt pretty good the whole way and even managed to run into the finish nonstop for about the last mile and a half.

At the start area;  Roy carried the American Flag on his 5-miler.

My friend, Michele....incognito...

..and now cognito....

The infamous 'old hipster" Bob Ligget (with bandana) and friends.  Speedy too..and he's in my age group...SIGH...

He did the 10-miler and she did the 5-Miler.   Then later they were both at the evening 5K I did.

Getting ready to go....

..after the playing of the National Anthem, with flag raised...

....and we're off!  Everyone in both races started together.

I don't know who that white dog belonged to, but he did several miles on the course with the runners. Very sweet dog.  One lady after the event told me she was feeling a bit tired and getting ready to walk and it was almost like the dog sensed it, cuz he came up to her and started running beside her; she said it was almost like he was her therapy dog.

Still a bit chilly out here...mist coming off the water as we cross this bridge

Some of the 5-mile leaders already heading for the finish

Going around the park lake

The flag on the path across the lake...so I knew this was my pal, Roy,  heading back to the finish

Another bridge to cross.  We crossed a total of 3 bridges on the route.

Team member RWB Ernie doing his loop

AFTER THE FINISH

Yay!  5 miles done in under an hour

Nice post-race goodies after the finish….oh yeah, found the beer…

Beer courtesy of local area microbrewery Ranger Creek....good stuff

And there was also Kiolbassa sausage wraps – my favorite! I ended up having two.

Doggie got his share of sausages from some of the participants.

Here with one of the park rangers.  Such a sweet dog; hope the owner was found

And lots of ‘Happy Finishers’, volunteers, etc.

The guy on the left won his category for the 5-miler in the '80 and up' division...wow. I want to be like him at that age!

Official club photographer, Tom; he ran up and down the course carrying that camera and tripod - and pretty speedily too.

My friend, Liza (right), former member of New Zealand Olympics running team, was first female in the 10.  Her very speedy husband got an award too.

He PR-ed today...congrats!

My friend, Charyisse (right) apparently needed a quick nap...

..it took me to wake her up...

Another runner dog....he and his human got an age group award

Some Team RWB folks...

Wait, wait...not all of us are quite ready yet...

OK...now we're ready...

One of the littlest participants..

EPILOGUE

I’ve lived in San Antonio 21 years and this is the first time I have ever been to Comanche Park, but it won’t be the last. Very nice park with good trails and good facilities – indoor restrooms, water available at the park, covered pavilions, etc. The race courses were well thought out, allowing participants to get a nice tour of the park. Very unique race medals. And Mother Nature did cooperate by having it get warmer pretty quick after the sun finally rose, allowing everyone to have a very nice and – at least weather-wise - comfortable race experience. Would definitely recommend this event to my fellow runners and definitely would do it again.

Mucho thanks to all the people out there for us that made this one happen: volunteers, sponsors, park police, etc.

Nice job!

Scotty has put more people's faces on the internet than Facebook.