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.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports with Photos. I am not exactly a good photographer but hey, at least all the photos are free so my ‘subjects’ can save and share their photos if they so desire. Mucho thanks to all the people I interacted with at this event for their graciousness, patience, and good humor in letting me take photos of them.  Also, mucho thanks to the folks at Running Ahead for giving me a 'home' for my many many MANY race reports and race photos.

My 11th race done in 2016 was Be My Valentine 5K held on Feb 14, 9:30 a.m. start time at VFW Post 76 on the San Antonio Riverwalk. This event was limited to around 500 participants and it sold out as it is a very popular race. Weather was cloudy/overcast, 57 degrees with a bit of a wind, and the humidity was nearly 100% but no rain ever did result during the 5K. Race put on by iaapweb.com, a very good locally owned-and-operated race management company.

Feb 14, 2016 was also mine and my wife's 31st wedding anniversary.  Happy anniversary my true love!

BEFORE THE START

With the expected large crowd, I made sure to arrive a bit early to get parking. Even so, the VFW area was already full of participants as I made my way in-and-out of the crowd taking various photos.

VFW Post 76, with flags flying - the oldest VFW Post in Texas

Large crowd already around the VFW

Some of the participants, volunteers, supporters, etc.

Some folks from Team RWB on Fort Hood, Texas, and me with them

Care Bear

The gentleman in green was our MC for this event

Me and friend Bob of San Antonio Roadrunners

Another great local race, which I will be participating in on Feb 20

Me and pal, Bernadette

Our Music Man for the event

Getting ready to start...ahead of me and behind me at the start

ON THE COURSE

Our MC lined everyone up by time, calling out for 5-6 minutes runners to line up first…then he’d wait for them to get up there, and then call out the next time group to line up..and wait until they did, then the next group, and so forth; smart because it got everyone lined up properly according to their expected pace. Then it was out onto the street in front of the VFW, right turn, another right turn onto the next road, and then onto the San Antonio Riverwalk heading towards the Pearl Brewery area. Then it was across Josephine Street, back onto the Riverwalk alongside Brackenridge Golf Course, where we did an out-and-back loop, back across Josephine and onto the Riverwalk again – this time on the opposite side we came out on – and finishing up at the VFW. It was a nice course, a bit crowded at the start, so you couldn’t go out too fast unless you were one of the speedy front of the pack runners; by the time we got to the turn-around and got going back to the finish we were able to pick up the pace a bit more – at least where I was, this was the case. So I ended up with negative splits and a finish time of 32:02, missing 3^rd in my age group by about 2 minutes, probably because I stopped a couple of times on the Riverwalk on the way to the finish to give a few dogs some treats; but it’s all good; it’s nice to place but not a priority for me as these days, my ‘golden years’ of running, I simply enjoy being more of a fun-runner. It’s certainly not for everyone, but it works for me. Each to his/her own.  My wife walked the course and finished in 48-something.

OK, after I looked at this photo, it cracked me up; they reminded me of military running, they are all just about in-step as they move along

I've made the turn-around and am heading for the finish.  People coming toward me are going to the turn around.

Looking back at the turn-around

And ahead of me...

AFTER THE FINISH

Back into the crowd of finishers at the VFW, wandering around taking photos of the ‘happy finishers’, volunteers, supporters, etc.  Also enjoyed the post-race Alamo Beer and Kiolbassa sausage wraps.

This lady and I played leapfrog for the last mile or so, with her beating me into the finish by about 20 seconds or so

These ladies also did the same race I did on Feb 13; so today was a 'two-fer' for them for the weekend too.

Mmm..Alamo Beer, as modeled by owner Eugene

Yeah, finally got mine...

My very favorite lady, my lovely wife (left), and one of my favorite ladies, Sandra

She and I were married on Feb 14, 1985.  Happy 31st Anniversary to my beautiful wife!

My friend, Paul and his true love, who is ever loyal

The beautiful Ceci, Race Director and official photographer

Cupid John

Cupid John has a way with the ladies..

iaapweb.com crew - thanks for the race set up, timing, results, etc!

Our sausage ladies.  Thanks for the kiolbassa sausages, ladies!

One day I am going to figure out a way to get my friend Arturo to smile in a photo

Announcing and photographing the award winners...Ceci and our MC

My pal Bernadette got 2nd in her age group

These two brothers got 1st and 2nd....

Bob got first in his age group

Thanks, Cupids!

EPILOGUE

Love this event and have done it several times in the past. Lots of costumes, fun-time course, great after-party, nicely unique ‘valentine’ awards for the age group winners. Most certainly would do this one again and recommend it to my fellow runners, etc.

Mucho thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, law enforcement, etc, who were all out there for us participants today

fun pics as usual scotty---but more importantly, happy anniversary!