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%2032%20District%204%205K
My apologies for the dark spot in the corner of the camera. I think it's time for a new camera, I think my lens cover on this camera was not opening 100 percent.
BEFORE MY START
My 32nd race of 2017, held on May 13, was the District 4 Heroes 5K, held at Port San Antonio - which used to be Kelly Air Force Base way back when. This event is part of the series of San Antonio physical activities (races, walks, fitness in the park, etc) put on by the city, the city's Fit Family Challenge and San Antonio Sports. Our host for this race was Councilman Ray Saldana, as District 4 is his area. This was a FREE race, so lots of people registered. Someone told me 3,500 had registered. I don't know if they all showed up, but there sure were a lot of people at this event. We had a beautiful day for it too. Scheduled 8 a.m. start time, very sunny, blue skies, in the 60s, and low humidity and dew-point, sweet. My wife, Gail, was registered too, and she walked the course as part of her training as she plans to walk the San Antonio Rock n Roll Half in December. We arrived at the start/finish area with about 45 minutes to go to start time and I wandered around doing my pre-start photos thing.
Me with the Love of My Life. I definitely married 'up'. Gail is wearing the race shirt participants got.
Me and friend, Joe, with Yeti the Wonder Dog. As you can see as we faced the sun for this photo, it was a VERY bright morning. Not only were my clothes orange, me and Joe were too.
With my amazing friend, Sandra. She has arthritis too - much worse than mine, and often has a lot of pain - and yet she keeps on keepin' on. She personifies NEVER GIVE UP.
San Antonio Police Academy cadets
With Police Chief McManus.
The lonely start/finish line before the umpteen hundreds of runners and walkers moved into the area
Stage for the opening ceremonies, national anthem and post-race activities
My wife's favorite radio station, KLove, was one of the sponsors and played the music for us.
Others...and sorry about some of the sun-shadows...as said, it was a bright day!
ON THE COURSE
One of the flattest courses I have ever done. Unless you get over to Security Hill near Lackland or Lackland Air Force Base, which is adjacent to Port Antonio, you won't find a hill around this place. We started in one of the port's humongous parking lots, went out onto a side road, and then did a kind of loop-around on Port Antonio roads, coming back to the start/finish area from a different direction. The beginning was a bit crowded but overall it was a nicely thought-out course with wide roads that had plenty of room for everyone to maneuver around.
Right turn at Lockheed Martin
Heading toward the flight line
Down a straight-a-way road for a bit
On the road that took us back to the start/finish area. This guy ran with his kid on his shoulders for most of the 5K.
AFTER MY FINISH
DONE!
My chip time was 33:01 and I was 5th in my age group (60 - 69). There was no post-race beer so I settled for a gatorade and water, drank that slowly while doing my cool-down walk and then it was off to get photos of the happy finishers et al.....
Yeti the Wonder Dog and Joe finished ahead of me...and Yet got his finisher medal, lol.
Yet is the Poodle breed's answer to Rin Tin Tin and Lassie. This dog does amazing stuff and has all kinds of adventures with his human, Joe.
Our MCs
This lady is moving out of our fair state and did not get a finisher medal for her last Texas race - I think they ran out - so I gave her my finisher medal as a Texas remembrance.
Right before heading home....my lady on the right - who walked the course in 45-something - , friend Sandra in the middle, and her friend.
EPILOGUE
Very nice event on a beautiful day. Lots of friendly people, nice course at a nice location, finisher medals - I think for the first 1,000 finishers, if I remember correctly - and the overall winners got gift certificates and there was a drawing for a few prizes. Goodies were okay - gatorade, water, some fruits, nutrition bars, etc. Nothing really fancy, but understandable, the city and District does have a budget and it is taxpayer money, so you really can't go crazy. Might suggest maybe get a sponsor - like H-E-B perhaps, one of our largest local companies and really community-oriented folks to donate lots of ice and to ice that water and gatorade down for the finishers, that would be helpful and really appreciated for folks coming off the course, especially on a very sunny morning. Other than that, I think it was pretty well organized and from the people I chatted with off-and-on, they pretty much seemed to have no complaints and enjoyed themselves. Would definitely recommend this one to my fellow runners and certainly would do it again in the future.
MUCHO thanks to all the folks that made this one happen for us: San Antonio Fit, San Antonio Sports, District 4 people, the City of San Antonio, all the sponsors and volunteers, the medical folks out there for us, etc. We runners and walkers could not be out there if it were not for all of you pitching in. Thank you very much!
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Awww, glad to see a picture of you and Gail. <3
Damaris
As part of the 2024 London Marathon, I am fundraising for VICTA, a charity that helps blind and visually impaired children. My mentor while in law school, Jim K (a blind attorney), has been a huge inspiration and an example of courage and perseverance. Please consider donating.
Fundraising Page
For a free event, you can't expect too many frills. Looks like a good one.