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.

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!

LOTS of photos for this report!  I did not realize until I got home and saw my camera count that I took over 90 photos for this event. If you don't want to read the full report below with my commentary, here is a slideshow of the photos only: http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2035%20Fridas%205K

BEFORE THE START

This was my 35th race of 2016.  Free-Da's  5K - named for artist Frida Kahlo -  is a very popular local event put on by iaapweb.com. Held at local Lady Bird Johnson Park, race start time 7 PM.

Getting the start/finish line ready...

Yours Truly

Since the race bibs could be 'personalized' for this event, I personalized my doggie-style

My very patient and understanding wife, Gail (left) with our friend, Karen

Me and the love of my life

Gail and Karen in the cut-outs...

The lovely Ceci of iaapweb.com

Along with some of her Race Day helpers

Frida heads and Fridas everywhere!  Hand-made by Ceci

Some of the race participants. volunteers, etc.  Several were in "Frida-Mode"

Frida head-dress with bluebird....

Worn by this lovely lady

My friend, Bob, making himself look good..

MC Paul (left) and Roger Soler, founder of Soler Sports local running stores.

Yeah, I knew right where I was going after I finished the 5K...

Kids race getting ready to start

Then it was time for the 5K to start....paved trails in the park, pretty warm....95 degrees with about 101 heat-index.  At 7 pm in the evening, sheesh. Thanfully, LBJ Park has lots of shade trees along the trails

ON THE COURSE

I've made the turn-around and am on the right side of the trail,  heading back toward the finish

After that last photo, I boogied on into the finish, ending up with 34:14 finish time.  Then I went back to the top of the small climb we had to do to get to the finish line and got a few photos of people coming to the top

AFTER THE FINISH

Drink lots of water, rest a bit, even enjoyed a nice cold Mango popsicle, which really hit the spot.  Besides popsicles of a variety of flavors, there was also beer, kiolbassa sausages, music, dancing, etc.    I love Kiolbassa sausages, but it was just too hot to eat 'hot' right then, so I finished my popsicle and then it was off  to take some "after-party' photos

I was in the beer line when I took these next photos, and caught my friend, Karen, coming into the finish line, as she finished up walking the whole course.

My friend, Roger, with one of those popsicles

YAY, I AM FINALLY AT THE BEER!  That was a long line.

AHHHHHHHHH!   Oh yeah....

Drink...and on to more photos....

Play That Funky Music White Boy!

Debra and her Barney, one of the sweetest dogs ever

We started with two....and the group kept growing....

My friend, Moni, with Frida's head.....hmmm, I guess they are both becoming two-faced... 

My friend Victor got an AG medal.  He was already heading back to the finish before I even got to the turn-around point, lol.

My 'bestest' running pal, Bernadette who, as usual in races she does, placed in her age group.  I have know Bernadette know for almost 20 years now and we often do a lot of the same races over the course of a year.

EPILOGUE

This race is ALWAYS a keeper on my race calendar. Always well done, nice after-party, nice course, unique race theme.  This was the first time this race was done in the evening so that will take a bit of getting used to if it continues - especially in Texas summer!  Still not bad, as long as you've trained yourself to run in the heat - which is pretty much a necessity for ALL we Texas runners, even for morning runs too, lol.  Mucho thanks to Cecy and all the iaapweb.com folks who were out there for us, as well as all the volunteers, sponsors, etc - - all the folks that made this one happen.  The only thing I would suggest doing different for this one is to suggest Alamo Beer have beer CANS next year - and be at the finish line and hand a a REALLY COLD one to every runner who wants one as they cross the finish line!  Yeah, baby!