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%2033%20Margarita%205K
A couple of the photos may not have come out so well; sorry about that – I am certainly no professional photographer with skills; but at least all the photos are free to save. J
BEFORE MY START
My 33rd race of 2017 was the Margarita 5K, held on May 20 in San Antonio. This one was put on by Andiamo Race Productions (www.andiamorp.com), which does a lot of work with veterans groups, children’s causes, and so forth, and has several local events in our community. The timing and results were done by local race management company iaapweb, which also puts on some pretty good races themselves. Race location, appropriately, since May 20 is Armed Forces Day, was VFW Post #76, the oldest VFW in Texas and considered an historic location. The VFW sits right alongside part of the San Antonio Riverwalk. Start time of 7:30 a.m., so I arrived around 6:45, got my timing chip, and then wandered around taking some photos.
I have arrived - VFW Post 10
Pacer for the lead runners - which definitely was not me, lol.
Lots of room to sit, relax, get ready for the start...and nice to have all this sitting area after the race too.
Riverwalk view from the VFW ..the quiet before it became all filled up with runners and walkers...
With survivor and friend, Terry
With friend Jill. Yes, her name is Jill, you got that right, Jack.
"show some leg!" Okay...oh, wait...maybe they were talking to Jill.
Participants, volunteers, etc
Two arthritic people who are still out there doing the best they can - me and friend, Sandra. She is one of the most inspiring people I know.
Getting ready to go....ahead of me and behind me...
ON THE COURSE
Starting at the VFW, we were release in ‘waves’ to help avoid over-crowding on the Riverwalk, where the majority of the course was. Down the Riverwalk, then onto a paved street for a very short bit, and then back onto the Riverwalk, adjacent to the local Brackenridge Golf Course. We went down to a turn-around, and then it was back the way we had come out, finishing up at the VFW. Thunderstorms were predicted for Saturday night, so lots of dark cloud cover for us. It did not rain on us but it sure was very humid; dew-point somewhere in the mid-60s and temp in the low 70s. There was a lotta sweat goin’ on here! Everyone that I saw along the way seemed to be doing okay though. Hey, it’s Texas, and in Central and South Texas this is what we deal with for most of the year – even during some of our supposedly ‘milder’ months of the year, lol, as unlike some of the northern and panhandle parts of Texas, we hardly get any snow, ice, etc., just the occasional odd cold day or spell, which does not last too long usually. I ran, I walked, I took photos, I sweat-sweat-sweated, and I ended up with a 33:15 finish time, good enough for 2nd in my 60 – 69 age group.
I have made the turn-around now and am heading back...this is near the Brackenridge Golf Course
One of our course volunteers
AFTER MY FINISH
Got some water, drank that – felt like pouring it on my head, lol – and got a few photos of some people coming in after me. After that, wandered around the VFW ‘viewing area” and got more photos of happy finishers, volunteers, supporters, etc.
Two old guys with their finisher medals
I ran on the course with this young lady for a bit...a small bit, lol...then she left me in the dust
Me with my sistas...from Black Girls run...nice of them to make me an honorary member. I see these lovely ladies at quite a few races over the year. They are a really fun group too.
And before I went home, bid a fond adieu to the VFW, and Old Glory. She was flying at half-mast today in our fair city in respect and remembrance for, I believe, Scott Deem, local firefighter who was killed this week fighting a 4-alarm fire - the first loss of a firefighter in our city since, if I remember correctly, sometime in the 70s. Two others were hurt but survived. RIP, Scott. My heart goes out to your family and your fellow firefighters who I know miss you greatly.
EPILOGUE
They don’t call this Margarita 5K for nothing – lots of people in line to get a post-race margarita choice of alcoholic or non-alcoholic, which I thought was a nice touch, so the designated drivers of the “hard stuff” margarita drinkers could have a drink too. I think next year they need to add beer too, for people like me who can’t drink the hard stuff…I like to enjoy a nice cold beer after a race. Make a note of that, Race Director. It was all good though. Besides the drinks, there was also breakfast tacos, various kinds of fruit, and give-away stuff by some of the sponsors.
Mucho thanks to all the people who did all the hard work to make this one happen for we participants…Andiamo Race Productions, iaapweb, all volunteers, sponsors, vendors, law enforcement, VFW for the use of their turf, etc. Thank you so much, we runners and walkers could not enjoy these events without what all of you do for us.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
I wondered about the margaritas. On a hot day, I imagine they tasted very good.