Barking Mad To Run
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%20No%2057%20Ovarian%20Cancer%205K
A couple of the photos may not have come out so well; sorry about that. Plus, at times post-race I forgot to wipe my sweaty lens - duhhhh - so there might be a smudge or two on some of them. All in all, I think they came out fairly well. I am certainly no professional photographer with skills; but at least all the photos are free to save. J
BEFORE MY START
My 57th race of 2017, on Sep 2, was Break The Silence On Ovarian Cancer 5K. Held at Missions County Park in San Antonio. This race supported research for finding a cure for Ovarian Cancer. 9:30 a.m. start time for the 5K, so I got to sleep in a bit, then drove to the park where a friend had kindly gotten my packet for me, got my bib and timing chip, and then wandered around taking some pre-start photos.
I have arrived. In front of the Ovarian Cancer poster
Some of the first ones I encountered were these colorful and talented folks.
Nice place to stay in the shade and keep cool while waiting for the start
These two had to hold up the start/finish line for the whole event.. Caught them while they were waiting for all the air to fully pump it up.
Some of the goodies laid out....mmmm....cookie....my favorite dessert!
Various participants, volunteers, supporters, etc
Ovarian cancer color is teal...right down to the lipstick
My two friend here - banditing the event! Just joking. They live nearby and were doing their training run on their own and stopped by for a look at all the activity.
Taking a bow - this guy with the violin played the National Anthem beautifully on it. Apparently one of the dogs there agreed - every time he hit certain notes, the dog would sing along.
Thanks for being there for us. I told these guy I did not want to see them at the finish line when I got there, lol.
One of our MCs giving us instructions right before we start
He had to be hot in this outfit
The start and finish line is ready...let's go!
ON THE COURSE
As noted, start time of 9:30 a.m., a bit of a late start for us San Antonio and Texas runners, especially as Sep 2nd is still considered part of our summer season, so we much prefer earlier morning starts; so it was pretty warm by the time we got going. Even so, felt pretty good out on the course – thank goodness over the summer I do some weekly 5 pm runs when it is 90+, so that probably helped – and did pretty well. The course was a tad short – about 2.9, instead of 3.1. – but that was okay for me – don’t know about the other participants - it was just a fun run for me. I ended up with a chip time of 31:04 for the 2.9 miles. The course was an out-and-back along the Mission Reach part of the San Antonio Riverwalk, had a couple of fairly mild hills, and some really nice views of the river.
I am on a hill above, looking down at this bridge I just crossed moments ago
and where I was before.
Moving forward again
Halfway point - turn-around volunteers
Heading toward the finish, river on my left as I go back
Standing on the bridge as I head back to the finish, looking down the river
And then up the river
AFTER MY FINISH
After I got done, got a few photos around the finish line, and then wandered around the park grounds getting some of more of the ‘happy finishers’, volunteers etc
Three 'sisters'
If I remember correctly, I believe this young lady on the right was first in her age group
Announcing the winners - which was not me, lol
Batman found his girl....
And finally....
Two old dogs, lol
EPILOGUE
Aside from the late start, this was a pretty well organized event with a lot going on. Packet pickup for race day was at 7 a.m., there was an ‘opening ceremony’ at 8 a.m., then a ‘strut parade’ for costumed people at 8:30, then a photo at 9 of all the ovarian cancer survivors there; a warmup at 9:15 and then the 5K got going at 9:30. I enjoyed myself and would recommend this one to my fellow runners and walker, even with the late start –I would do this one again – but I sure hope they do change the schedule around a bit next time for an earlier start. The only ‘glitch” I heard about from a few participants was that the bottled water provided ran out too early before the start, my guess being probably from people trying to stay hydrated while they waited around for the late start. Thankfully, the park did have several water fountains, so people could drink from those, but might want to order more water for the next one.
MUCHO thanks to all the people who did all the hard work to make this one happen for the participants: all the sponsors, volunteers, park police and EMT folks that were there, et al. Without all of you doing what you do, there would be no events for us to do, so thank you very much for what you do!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt