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!

Held on the 4th of July in Schertz, Texas, this was my 31st race of 2015.  The 'Let Freedom Run 5K" started at 9:15 a.m. and went along the Schertz 4th of July parade route.   Start time was 9:15 a.m, so this being Texas in July, it was quite warm by the time we got going.  There were about 130 or so walkers and runners and we all proceeded along the route, being cheered on by the people already waiting in their spots for the parade to start.  I ended up with a time of 35:20 - not speedy by any means, but I was pretty happy about it, only a few minutes off of my usual 5K time, so my torn adductor leg is making good progress in its healing.  I  maybe might have managed to even complete a couple minutes faster but, you see, I stopped quite a bit along the parade route not only to take photos, but also to hand out doggie treats to the dogs I saw along the way among the spectators, lol.  The dogs enjoyed it and the spectators seemed to get a kick out of it.   Anyway, it's all good, I thoroughly enjoyed myself.  My time was good enough for 3rd in my age group of 60-and-over; especially, lol, as there were only 3 in my age group.

BEFORE THE START

Shertz is not that far from where I live, so I got to sleep in a bit. Arrived on site about 8:20 a.m,, so plenty of time before the 9:15 a.m. start  to get in some photos.

My friend and me.  Karen walked the course in 47 minutes and something, dang.

The amazing local Purnell family - John, Mark, Sherri -  starting with the most wrinkled on the left to the most beautiful on the right.  They do so much for our local running communities.

Our race timers and results list people

One of my personal heroes and inspirations, cancer survivor Dana and her husband, who also inspires me.  They are really great people.

Some of my fellow team-mates of  Team RWB (Red White Blue) veteran's organization

Some of the other participants, supporters, etc.

This lady won best 4th of July costume and got all kinds of crowd cheers along the route

Looking ahead as we get ready to start

And behind...

ON THE COURSE

Once we turned onto this quiet street we were off the parade route and heading back to the finish.  This street had lots of trees which gave us some nice shade as we went along.

Lots of we back of the pack folks were taking some walk breaks at this point..it was pretty darn warm out there!

A Team RWB member cheering us on with Old Glory

After that it was nonstop for me back to the finish.  I really thought I would finish in 40-something, but surprised myself with a 35:20.  Yay me!

I got a photo of this lady coming in shortly after me.

AFTER THE FINISH

The first thing I did was find some water.  I found a chair that was in the shade between two supply sheds and it was a good choice, because the little 'alleyway" made for a nice wind tunnel and I got a good cooling breeze on me as I sat there and drank my water.  The wind was blowing so nicely my "Superman Socks" capes were blowing right out, lol.

After my cool-down and a bit of a rest, I went and found myself a cold  one to enjoy....ahhh.....

And along with the beer, I found Mr. Grill-Master cooking up our post-race hot dogs

Some of the "Happy Finishers" et al...

Me and one of the other guys in my age group.  This guy deals with his diabetes every day but still gets his running in.  Good for him!

Team RWB - the Eagles have gathered!

EPILOGUE

Not the biggest 4th of July event in the San Antonio-Austin Corridor area, but a really nice quality one with a good course (mainly flat), lots of friendly folks cheering us on and lots of great participants, nice award medals and nice post-race goodies.   Mucho thanks to all the law enforcement folks that were out there for us today keeping us safe.  Big thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors - and especially one of the local ReMax offices that opened their doors to let us have race packet pickup there - race timers, announcer Mark Purnell who did his usual great job - all the folks that made this one happen for we participants.  This one will continue to be on my future race calendar of events to do.