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 photo reports.  I took a lot of photos for this race (over 100) so if you would rather not read all my 'commentary' in my report below, here is a link to the slideshow of just the photos only:   http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2041%20Alamo%20Beer%205K%20and%2010K

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!

ABOUT THIS EVENT

This was my 41st race of 2016.   Alamo Beer events, done by "Scallywompus"  (www.scallywompus.com)   are a series of races in gradually increasing mileage, helping people to train for the upcoming San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. These are very popular local events, put on by my friend and all-around great guy Bart Childers and his staff, and usually have a huge turn-out of participants.  Hosted by the great folks at Alamo Brewery near downtown San Antonio. And Alamo Beer for all those that want it afterwards.   Scallywompus also has a few  other great-and-popular local running events, such as Carnival of Venice 5K and the Women's Midsummer Nights Dream 5K, both night-time events.  If you are ever in San Antonio, do one of their events..you will have a blast!

Weather was quite cooperative for August in San Antonio for this one.  Around 78 degrees or so at the start times - although the humidity was about 94% but a lower dew-point - around 65 instead of our 'normal' 70-something at this time of day during summer) made it feel a bit more comfortable. An off-and-on mix of cloud cover and sunshine.

BEFORE THE START

10K start time of 8 a.m. and 5K start time of 8:25.  I got there just a little past 7 a.m.. so had plenty of time to wander around taking photos of some of the volunteers, participants, supporters, sponsors-and-vendors, etc.   There were a LOT of folks at this event!

Welcome to Alamo Brewery!

The 'indomitable' Roy, one class-act of a guy and good friend....yeah, he 'got me' in the 2nd photo, lol.

Me with our Master of Ceremonies

Master Bart of Scallywompus and our MC for the event

Our Music Man

Local high school cheerleaders there to cheer on all the participants

My running buds Bernadette and Karen.  We do a lot of the same races together; and had just done another race the day before this event.

One of my personal inspirational people, Ms. Michelle; here with a runner she is coaching.

"Historic" Hays Street Bridge, which we 5K folks crossed once and the 10K folks crossed twice.

These folks always inspire me when I see them at events I do

"Phoenix Project" folks.  PP is a local nonprofit group doing "good in the community' through various projects, etc.

GO UTSA RUNNERS!  University of Texas at San Antonio is the university I work for.   Team name is Roadrunners.  "Runners" for short.

Besides beer post-race, there was also some wine concoctions waiting for the finishers..

10K start.  This was a lot of people.  I think more folks did the 10K than the 5K.

A little less crowded with the 10K folks on the road and the 5K folks awaiting their start.

My friend - and dental hygienist - Margaret with her niece (I think it's her niece) and her speedy little dog, Rocky, who is quite a talented runner himself in spite of those little legs of his.

We still had a bit of a crowd with the 5K too, though...

 ON THE COURSE

Before we 5K folks had even started, the leaders of the 10K had already come through, finishing up their first lap, jeez, and on their way to their 2nd loop.  Then we 5K folks hit the road.   The photos have a mix of the 5K and 10K folks in some places, as a lot of those speedy 10K folks were on their 2nd loop, lapping we 5K folks as they headed to the finish.

I am now on Hays Street Bridge, looking down from the bridge at our start/finish area.

Topping the 'big hill" on the course...yeah, my darm watch couldn't beep for my walk break on the hill, of course not,  it made me run up the whole darn thing and didn't beep for my walk break till I got up the whole hill and back onto flat ground. 

Heading for the turn-around point which was the 2-mile mark for we 5K folks.  Whatever 10K folks were in this group of photos were probably on their 2nd loop already and heading for the finish.

My speedy friend William heading for his 10K finish

Looking back the way I'd just come...

Looking ahead again..

Made the turn-round and back at the hill - this time a downhill for me - as I head to the 5K finish

Then it was nonstop back to the finish.  I ended up with a 35:01 chip time finish, which was good enough for 4th in my 60 - 64 age group.  And this race gave awards 4 places deep so I got one.  Nice.

AFTER THE FINISH

Happy finisher me, with my 'beer ready" socks, lol.

And I got my beer....

Served up by these good folks, with an assist from my friend Tony.

Some of the other "Happy Finishers" and volunteers, supporters, etc.  Everyone is wearing medals because everyone got a unique Alamo Beer finisher medal after crossing the line.

My lovely friend, Tanya, 2nd woman overall in the 5K.

oops, trying to get the doggie in better and cut off this poor guy's head.. 

Yeah, I'm with this lady in the middle, I needed a short nap too after this one

Ahh, there she is, now awake and all refreshed again...

A photo by the 'unofficial photographer' of the offical photographers

They are ready to hand out the age group awards...

Two cancer survivors

My speedy friend John who did the 10K, passed me on the Hays Street Bridge on his 2nd lap...and then when I was coming down the big hill to get to the finish, he was already done and on the hill taking photos, sheesh!

Happy to be done - especially as we all did a race the day before that went 'long' due to a volunteer misdirection - Karen and Bernadette.

My speedy friend Anthony and friend.  So speedy he even beat most people to the beer. 

My friend Liza, with her son and daughter.  They are ALL very speedy.  Liza was first overall woman for the 10K.

My friend Bernadette placed in her age group...

Whereupon, I proceeded to try and crack her up...

She's starting to crack....

Success!!!

EPILOGUE

Love the Scallywompus events and love the Alamo Beer.  My crazy race schedule allowing, I do as many of these as I can.  Nice tech tees, lots of post-race goodies - at this one there was beer and pizza; and wine; and food truck you could purchase food from; all kinds of vendors giving out free stuff;  a really unique course with some 'challenging" spots along the way; and, of course, lots of great people!  Definitely will continue to do these events.  MUCHO thanks to all the sponsors, vendors, law enforcement, and especially the volunteers, all the folks who did the work to make this one happen for we participants!

I think it is now time to nap in my chair for a while.