Barking Mad To Run
INTRO and SHORT REPORT
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 17th race of 2015. There was a 5K, which I did, and a half-marathon. Put on by iRun Texas, a very good local running and race company. Held at Luckenbach, Texas, about an hour's drive from where I live. This was the 2nd year this event has been put on and so far I'm on a streak for it, as I did the 5K last year too. The inaugural event last year was hugely successful and word must've gotten around because this year there were lots and lots of folks there. I ended up 4th out of 15 in my age group (60 - 64) with a time of 33:03. And since I did only the 5K, I got a head start over the half folks on the beer and food.
LONG VERSION WITH PHOTOS
Before the Start
I got up very early for the drive, so I would be there about an hour or so before start time. Luckenbach - of the song fame - is a quaint little place right off of a very rural country road.
Population 3.....
Here's two of them....
Me and Mitch, owner of iRun Texas. Super nice guy!
Nice, wide area for everyone to spread out...
Got some pre-start photos of some of the participants, supporters, and volunteers....
My apologies for this first photo. I began using a new camera for this race, so naturally my first 'focus' attempt did not go so well. OK, what REALLY happened is I was taking this photo and the Luckenback marshal came along and told me to 'blur it up a bit' because these two were his protected witnesses... Well, you can still kinda make out who they are, but again, my apologies to them, and the next time I see them at an event, I owe them a drink and few good photos.
The rest of the photos came out fairly well after I got my head out of my butt and began paying attention to the camera's focus signal....
These 3 are wearing the nice tech tees that participants got...
At the start area, people in front of me and behind me...
On The Course
The course started on dirt/gravel road with a 'light' climb' and then onto paved country roads - with no road shoulder, but the local residents I think knew about this event and I only saw 3 cars on the course and all those drivers were very patient with we participants, so thanks to them very much! The course was out-and-back for both the half and the 5K, with the half, of course, having many more hills than the 5K did; and of, course each race participant had to do his/her course in reverse once he/she all got to his/her respective turn-arund point.. The last mile to finish was pretty much a downhill, then flat for a bit, and then a slight downhill and flat to finish after that. From what my friends who did the half told me, Mile 5 was apparently the "brutal" hill on the course. Luckenback is in "Texas Hill Country" so some of these hills ain't no baby hills, that's for sure. Temp was around 64 degrees or so at the 8 am. start time and it was also a bit humid and 'misty' - as you can see in the photos - as our area has had off-and-on rain and storms that started Friday....but Mother Nature was kind to us and did not storm or rain for the races.
On the way to the turn-around point...the first two photos were on the road we started/finished on
I've made the turn-around point for the 5K and am heading back now...
After the Finish
My first stop - the Shiner Bock tent.
Yeah, beer!
There were also some very good sausages or bratwurst, or whatever they were...they were really good! Compliments to the sausage crew and the cook!
It's time for your close-up, Mr. Sausage...
Other goodies included....
Massages available post-race
The "massage crew"....and please think good thoughts for the young daughter of one of them, who is a fellow cancer survivor and is dealing with some health issues right now.
Nice area to relax post-race and enjoy the goodies
"Happy Finishers", volunteers, supporters...
My speedy 63 year old friend Jim, who finished the half in 1:52.
This half finisher is very tall...when I first saw him coming in, I thought he was running on stilts, lol.
No, he did not ride the course, he just happened on it, not knowing about the event today. Nice guy, took it all in stride (no pun intended) and the iRun folks let him hang out with all of us, cuz that's just the way those good folks at iRun are.
This is my friend, Eileen, with her husband. It took me 3 photos before I finally got him to 'sorta' look straight at the camera, lol.
The Longhorn Guy from last year rode in around 10 a.m.
People could get a photo with the Longhorn. I did not....me climbing anything, I have about as much balance and grace as a pig on ice...so I passed.....probably smart, as I may have ended up on the point of one of those long horns...
These were the Age Group awards for the half-marathoners
Friend Jim got 3rd in his age group...
Some of the half marathoners coming in to the finish
My running acquaintance, Mr. Galvan here, won the half in 1:19. His wife, my friend Liza Galvan, was the first lady in 1:25.
This is one of the Luckenback 'population' and he was out cheering people in...he also had some music by "Journey" loudly playing for us from his house right near the start/finish road. When we all began the races, he started us off with "Don't Stop Believin'..." nice! As we went by his house at the start, I jokingly told a friend near me 'I guess our 'journey' has started...
She and doggie were helping cheer the half folks in...
This lady had her own family cheer squad out there....
...and here they are!
Post-race music at the local dance hall....
EPILOG
Love this event! Mitch and his iRun Texas crew always do a great job with this event - and all the events they do! Unique location, great course - although some of the half folks who don't like hills might not agree - a great turn-out of great people, lots of 'race comradery' all around, really super post-race goodies. Definitely a keeper on the race calendar! MUCHO thanks to all the folks that made this one happen for us: organizers, sponsors, volunteers, post-race 'goodies and services' folks, law enforcement, etc.
Next up for me: Race 18 for the year. San Antonio RoadRunners Fiesta Missions 5K on April 18th. Yep, it is Fiesta time in San Antonio - party, party, party! Viva Fiesta!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Very cool and memorable venue for the race. Those age-group awards for the HMers looked awesome.
BTW, my DW has a friend in San Antonio. I politely informed my DW that I will accompany her to San Antonio if and only if get to race with Scotty Dawg. Who knows maybe in a year I will be able to run with you.
“Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go.” - T.S. Eliot
I remember this one from last year. It looks like a fun event. It certainly is a popular one. Nice AG awards. It's always good to have something unique.
Looks like a blast again this year- and a ton of people were out! Hope they put it on again next year!
Cool pics, Scotty. Growlers as AG awards, brilliant!
Population 3..... Here's two of them....
lol
This was pretty entertaining, nice job!
Say what kind of bun was that for the sausage? It looked like a pretzel roll.
I love how much fun you have at your races. And and race report with chicken pictures in it is a winner!
Life is good.
Congrats Scotty! Great photos and it looks like a fun event.
MM#5991
Nice photos. As usual. Love reading these. Congratulations.
Lori
*it's Bertha or me. My money is on me.*
**"There is no growth in the comfort zone and no comfort in the growth zone".---- Sandy**