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, and conversation forums for runners and much more!

April 1-2-3 in 2016 was a busy weekend for me.  On Friday, April 1, I did the April Fools 5K, which turned out to be 4.2 miles instead of 3.1 miles (report and photos here: http://www.runningahead.com/groups/BF_and_Beyond/forum/234181b1177841d198a5dfab53da543d/resume#focus     On Saturday, April 2, since I have a bit of an adductor issue in my right thigh, I opted not to do this very hilly 5K, but gave my registration to a friend and gave my leg a rest.  Instead of running, I was a ‘photo volunteer” and did a photo report on this one (report and photos here (:http://www.runningahead.com/groups/BF_and_Beyond/forum/4d4a782ace65417396342577df5ea401/resume#focus  ).  Finally, on Sunday, April 3, I did the Get Your Rear in Gear 5K, which was my 23^rd race of the year. This event raises funds for colon cancer  and colorectal cancer research, so I try to do this even whenever I can as my cancer was in my colon. Held at Wheatley Heights, a local sports and events venue, with stadium, track, and football field.  I took it easy and did okay, and the course was pretty much flat all the way, thank goodness, and I finished in 36:17, good enough for 2^nd in my age group.  My time was a far cry from my usual 31 – 33 minutes for a 5K, but all things considered, I was happy with that.  And I will probably take a running break now, as my LEFT thigh kinda ‘tweaked’ at me near the end; I think it may be compensating for my right thigh, which actually felt pretty good for this event.  Anyway, I am going to heed the warning and will probably just walk all the remaining events I have in April, and maybe not do any races in May at all, just rehab and work on flexibility and strength and let things heal up.

On to the photos!  I do tend to take a LOT of photos at the events I do.  So if you’d rather just see photos only without my commentary you can check out the slideshow of this event at this link:   http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2023%20Get%20Your%20Rear%20In%20Gear%205K

BEFORE THE START

Got to the stadium with about an hour to go to race time.  Had already picked up my packet the day before so just started getting some pre-start photos.

My pals at AthleteGuild getting the start/finish area ready for the event. They did the course setup, timing, results, etc.  Mucho excellent race management company!

And they are done and ready....

Some of the participants, volunteers, etc.  Very bright day in San Antonio, sunny, and 55 degrees at 9 a.m. start time, so some of these folks are squinting from that bright sunlight;  or maybe just taking a quick nap before the start.

This attractive young lady with me was the local RD for this event

Our Music Men and announcer

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Lots of goodies to partake of - before or after the event.

Before we started there was a moment of silence for lost ones and then a balloon release, with notes attached in memory of loved ones lost and prayers and thoughts for survivors and those still fighting.  I got a little dizzy looking up, so the 2nd photo I laid on the ground and aimed the camera straight up.

Getting ready to go at the start line, where I found my speedy pal Bernadette

ON THE COURSE

Once around the stadium track, then out a side gate, through part of the parking lot and onto a nearby Greenway trail where we went to a turn-around point and came back the way we had gone out, finishing by going back around the track.  Pretty nice course, well-paved mix of concrete and asphalt trails, mostly flat – the only ‘up’ on the course was a pretty short incline - lots of shade trees, fauna, etc., along the way.

I was in the proximity of this stroller couple quite a bit, but I could not convince them to give me a ride. 

AFTER THE FINISH

Walked around a bit, did some mild stretching, and then got some goodies, sausage wrap, potato-and-egg taco, and a Shiner beer.

Mmm…beer!

After my repast and short rest, it was time for taking photos of some of the “Happy Finishers”, volunteers, supporters, etc.

Gentleman to my left is a survivor and served in the military.

This large team earned a 2016 award for its fundraising efforts

Medal winners

This team got the "Most Inventive" award

The medal giving to the Age Group winners.

I also loved the way they did the medals.  The announcer just went right down the list, reading the names of the age group winners and you went up and got your medal and a photo and were out of there.  No muss, no fuss, and went really quickly, no standing around for a long while, very nice.

EPILOGUE

Glad I got to do this one for this very personal cause for me.  Also met and chatted with lots of survivors, which was very inspiring – and just about all of them went through way much more than I ever had to deal with when I had my cancer – and also heart-rending and heart-warming at the same time, hearing some of their stories, memories of loved ones lost, etc.  I fervently hope sometime in the future there will come a time when we no longer need events like this because a cure will have been found and all types of cancer will be totally eradicated very easily.  Until then, though, these people are in inspiration in determination, courage, and heart, and never giving up!   This one will definitely continue to be on my race calendar.

Mucho thanks to our local colon cancer/Get Your Rear in Gear folks and all the volunteers, law enforcement, vendors, sponsors, etc. who make this one happen for we participants every year.  Kudos to the national Get Your Rear in Gear folks for putting this event on in multiple cities across the United States and providing awareness, learning tools, resource links, etc.