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 9th race of 2015 put on by Carrera Races, a very good local race company.   Red Run 5K and Spa Day celebrates  the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement, honoring the Power, Passion, and Heart of women across our city to combat heart disease.  There was all kinds of health info available, as well as pre-and-post race massages available.

Held on February 28th, 2014 at Eilan, a San Antonio area community of luxury apartments, office space, hotel and spa, shopping, etc.

A 'cold' front moved into the area on Friday night, so race day brought some wind, drizzling rain, a high for the day of only 45, with a temp at the 8 a.m. start time of about 39 with a 'feels like' of 35...yes, 'real winter' folks, that is cold for we South Texans  ...our normal 'high' for this time of year is about 68 to 70 degrees. There were 3 other events around San Antonio today and I don't know how many who registered may have stayed away because of the weather, but this was a smaller event  - 135 finishers.   Of the 135 participants, only 11 were male - so for most of the route I was surrounded at any given time by lovely lady runners.  Eat yer hearts out, my old-men friends...     Out of the 11, I ended up 6th male overall, and first overall "Master's", with a chip time of 32:59, averaging 10:27 per mile.  Being surrounded by lovely lady runners can be quite motivating! 

LONG VERSION REPORT

Pre-Start

My wife, Gail, was a vendor for this event, and left a bit earlier than I did, as vendors had to be there REALLY early to set up.  She is a Scentsy consultant, and does pretty good at it.  Scentsy is a vendor of 'flameless" aromatic warmers that can be used with a multitude of various scents; "Scentsy Buddies", which are stuffed animals that have a pocket for an aromatic Scentsy pouch, and so forth.  There are also these Scentsy sprays and car air fresheners, which is one of the FIRST things my wife gave me, lol, for my vehicle as, after a run, I tend to toss my sweaty stuff into the car and sometimes forget they are there for a couple days.  As much as I sweat and my clothes stink after a run, I was skeptical these would work; but I tell you what, after a couple days of using those fresheners, I could not even smell the "gym locker room" aroma my car usually has, lol.   Good stuff.   And no, my wife did not give me an advertising fee for making this statement. 

I got to the race location with about an hour to go.  As said, it was cold and a bit drizzly; but - bless Race Director Virginia and her Carrera Races folks and Eilan management for their cooperation - they had made arrangements for everything - vendors, race day registration and packet pickup, post-race goodies, awards ceremony - to be in a huge inside room at Eilan, so we could nicely stay dray and warm both pre-and-post race.

I wandered around taking some pre-start photos - and apologies for the quality of some of the photos, my trustee old camera is kind of like me these days, not so good  in the dark.

The love of my life at her Scentsy table

One of the many types of warmers...I have a 'Wounded Warrior" one at my office...

One of the many types of Scentsy Buddies

Vendor area of Run Wild Sports, a really good local store for running apparel, running shoes, accessories, etc.

Run Wild Sports is owned by my friend and co-UTSA Roadrunner, Catherine (on the right).  She currently can't run herself as she is fighting a quad injury.  Every runner who has ever been injured knows how much it sucks not to be able to run and how that can drive you crazy, so please wish her healing vibes for a speedy recovery.

Gail and Catherine

Our Music Man

Race Director Virginia with Orange Guy

The Red Run white long-sleeved tee one of these ladies is wearing is the race shirt participants got in their goody bags

At the start area, with about a minute to go...

As you can see from the flags, the wind was pretty brisk

On The Course

I have done several Carrera Races in the past at Eilan, so knew the course - two laps around the Eilan community area, which included 3 uphills on the course for each lap, and one big downhill.  Personally, I prefer the uphills; dowhill pounding tends to be a lot harder on my arthritic back.

First walk break, first lap

Kind of misty, but still a nice view from one of the hills of The Palladium Theater that is across from the Eilan community

Second walk break, right before starting the second lap

After the Finish

Near the finish line

Right before I got to the finish line, I encountered these two lovely 35-year olds and ran a bit with them before we all finished.

More happy finishers near the finish line area

RD Virginia and her 4-legged friend cheering everyone in

Carrera Races volunteers...thanks for standing out there for us in the cold!  They had a medical kit with them..I asked them if they had any oxygen in there for an old man, but no go..

Time to get some post-race goodies!

Ranger Creek Brewery beer and wine, served up by this lovely lady

Beer...oh yeah!  Actually, it was a very good pale ale called Oatmeal Pale Ale.  So, you see, I had my oatmeal for the day. 

Other goodies.....

Protein milk

Yeah, I had a sloppy joe...it was good!

Happy Finishers, Supporters, et al.....

This lady in the middle is obviously an angel...the light from above was shining down on her...

ohhh, my red eyes....the beautiful ladies always bring out a little bit of the devil in me..... 

Virginia and me

I believe this guy was the first overall finisher with a time of 20:04

EPILOG

What can I say.  I love Carrera Races!  They are a quality race company that always has some great race sites; a TON of post-race goodies;  music to be enjoyed; some kind of raffle or give-away drawing; quality tech-tee race shirts; and some really nice people putting it all together.  They usually work hand-in-hand with iaapweb.com, another very good local race company that does a great job with course set-up, race results, etc.   I usually do several Carrera Races events each year.   Oh yeah, such good stuff that Race Director and Carrera Races co-owner Virginia is definitely one of my 'running crushes".    Mucho thanks to all the law enforcement, security, vendors, volunteers, and sponsors who made this one all happen for us!   Definitely would recommend this one to my fellow runners.

You just like their races because they provide good beer!  Nice that you had an indoor venue for pre and post race, everybody looked really cold out there.  Good job on the Masters win.

Congrats on the masters win.

Spa Day is a hint that it is a chick race.

I wonder what the going rate is on a luxury apartment there? Might be a great retirement opportunity for you S Dog.