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/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2064%20Segways%20for%20Vets%205K

BEFORE THE START

This was my 64th race of 2016 and my 3rd 5K of the Veteran's Day long weekend.  Segway for Vets, put on by local Freetail Brewery, raises funds to purchase and donate Segways to Disabled Vets (DV).  A nice turn-out for this one, with lots of veterans participating for this good cause. This event has gone on, I believe, for 2 or 3 years, but this is the first time I did this event.  The brewery, located near the downtown area of San Antonio and quite close to the Mission Reach part of the San Antonio Riverwalk, is about a 20-minute drive from my house.  9 a.m. start time, so I was able to sleep in a bit - but not too much, because in the downtown area anywhere parking space is always 'at a premium"...so I arrived with about an hour to go, found a nice spot to park and then wandered around taking some pre-start photos.

One of the first people I saw - my friend Mitch, co-owner of iRun Texas, local race management company/running store.  For this race, iRun did the course setup, timing, results, etc.

Race Directors Charito and Mitch

Some of the team members of Project Phoenix San Antonio, of which I am also a member.  Check 'em out on their facebook page.

Close, closer, close-up.

Team RWB (Red White and Blue) veteran's organization (I'm also a member); some of the team members.  This organization has chapters in several cities across the US.

Me and friend, Cecy

Me with bud Roy, co-founder of Project Phoenix San Antonio

Friend Max (orange coat) with friends/family

Some of the other runners, walkers, vets, sponsors, volunteers, supporters, etc.

My friend George was a bike volunteer making sure everyone on the course was ok.  He got a workout going up and down the course several times.

Got to get the flags in...

My friend, Trinne, who just did the NYC Marathon, and one of my fellow Air Force retirees

My 4-legged friend, Abbie, and her human.

My friends Margaret and Rocky, who is one speedy little dog!

My friends John and Jennifer.  Not only did they race, they were volunteers too.

My speedy friend, Tanya, who was first overall Masters female

Inside Freetail Brewery...do we get to tap these kegs after the race?

Race Day registration volunteers

Darn, I got my friend Bart, here, a bit blurry...and I hadn't even had any beer yet!

Getting ready for The National Anthem - Color Guard

Lady on the left sang The Anthem beautifully

Getting ready to start....

ON THE COURSE

The Segway riding participants started first, and then the rest of us started about 10 minutes or so later.  Start at the brewery, wound around a couple streets through an adjacent neighborhood, and then onto the off-road Riverwalk paved trails,  the "Museum Reach" part, with the San Antonio River beside us and the course taking us down to a turn-around point; then back on the Riverwalk to the streets we had started out on, which took us to the finish back at Freetail Brewery.   I had seen several of the 'speedy people'  in my age group (60 - 69) here, so knew I was not getting an award today.  My strategy continues to be to just try and outlive them.     After two other 5Ks this weekend done already, I thought I did pretty good though, finishing in 34:02 chip-time, 7th in my age group.   And, as usual, took photos on the course during my walk breaks.   The weather cooperated very nicely...cloudy/overcast, around 64 degrees at start time, low humidity and dew-point.  Thank you Mother Nature!   Also, I'll tell you what...you start to get a bit tired on this course..and then you see a DV coming toward you...and your motivation gets all rejuvenated.

After that last photo, it was nonstop running for the last 1.2 miles all the way back to the finish.

AFTER MY FINISH

Going for the beer!   Oh yeah!

There were also sausages, popcorn, and other goodies.  Brewery tour was given also to any of the participants who wanted to do that - and more free beer.  And an enjoyable time was had by all.  At least, as far as I could see where I was at any given time.

Happy Finishers, supporters, volunteers, etc.

Ahhh, Bart is clear this time..and he is even wearing a halo...  

iRun Texas crew.  Thanks guys!

Our MC for today's event, who did a great job.

EPILOGUE

Well done, Mitch and Charito and Freetail,  the organizers of this event.  This is a quality event for a very good cause. Very nicely thought-out and well-designed course; nice race shirts; lots of post-race goodies, nice medals to the age group winners; and door prizes too - none of which I won, darn the luck.  This one is definitely going to be a keeper on my race calendar. Mucho thanks to all the people who made this one happen for us - Segway for Vets, Freetail Brewery staff,  Mitch and Charito and all the volunteers, "my man" and friend, Mannie, who cooked up the sausages, all the sponsors, all the law enforcement folks that were out there for us, etc.

Looks like a great course and a nice turnout.  Congratulations on another 3 race weekend.