INTRO

I am Scott aka Scottydog aka Scotty Dogg, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, employee of University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), friend of dogs, fun-runner, and all-around 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.  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, hence my nickname “Scottydog.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports With Photos, and my thanks to all the people I interacted with for their graciousness and good humor in letting me take photos of them.

SHORT VERSION REPORT

My 19th race of 2015.  Held on April 25th by Carrera Races in San Antonio at the luxury living and business complex of Eilan, which is quite close to Six Flags Fiesta Texas amusement park.   Woke up this morning to major thunderstorms, lightnings and weather watch warnings for the San Antonio area and beyond.  Rain stopped by the time I drove to the race location, but I still saw plenty of lightning flashes along the way.  Uh oh.  No worries though; dark skies when I got to the race local, but rain had stopped and by race start time of 8 a.m., we actually had blue skies and sunshine - and VERY humid air, not a breath of wind, humidity near 100% and dewpoint in the 70s.   Even so, everyone seemed to manage well.  There were over 200 registered for this event and I think just about all of them showed up, regardless of the weather.  I think the cause helped - this race is in support of the Starlight Children's Foundation to help children with cancer, and who doesn't want to help children with cancer?  I ended up with a finish time of 33:03 chip, good enough for first in my age group, 60 - 69.  Of course, there were only two in my age group, lol.  Even so, I'll take it!

LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS

Before the Start

When I got to Eilan, the dark skies were still looming overhead

One of my 'running crushes" Virginia, co-owner of Carrera Races...nice boots!

Me and the Starlight Children's Foundation representative.

This gentleman is wearing the race shirt participants got, with the Dream log on the back.

Some of the participants, volunteers, and supporters, pre-start

"Play that funky music, white boy...."

My good pal and another running crush, Bernadette, back at her first event after a long recovery from an injury

Shoppes at La Cantera team..the came out in force

Sun starting to peek out a bit now...I guess Texas weather is made with Intel inside... 

By the time we lined up, we had blue skies and sunshine....and all-out humidity!

On the Course

The course was 2 loops around the Eilan complex, which consisted of several hills of varying size along the way.  The biggest hill, thankfully for most people, was a downhill.

The first lap....

Hurry up and get in front of me, ladies; I need some Great Legs motivation to keep my old-man legs moving forward!

By the time I began my 2nd lap, the crowd had thinned out quite a bit, lol, as slow as I am.  I think the hills and humidity were also getting to a few people too, as more folks were walking at this point.

I was near these two very nice people for most of the race.  I finished a bit ahead of them and got a photo of them coming in to the finish.

After the Finish

Me and Virginia post-race

Me and Bernadette.  She finished about 3 minutes ahead of me.  Usually she finished about 10 or so minutes ahead of me, but she's being careful during her recovery time so as not to injury relapse.

Some of the "Happy Finisher", supporters, and volunteers

Pancakes served up for anyone who wanted them..

These two lovely ladies were part of the group of great volunteers that were out there today for we participants.

Awards ceremony beginning

EPILOG

Carrera Races always puts on really good quality events. Quality race tees, good courses, lots of nice post-race goodies and their races always done for some very good causes.  This was the first time for this event with this cause and hopefully it will continue to be done with even more participation in the future.  Well organized, definitely one to put on your race calendar.  Mucho thanks to Northwest Mutual who is a big sponsor of the Starlight Foundation, and had a presence at the race; and to all the other sponsors, volunteers, race organizers, etc, all the folks that got this one done for all we participants.   iaapweb.com, as usual, did their great job of course set-up and race timing.

Next up for me: My second race for April 25th, the San Antonio Roadrunner Fiesta Fandango in the PM, and then on Sunday, April 26, Clark High School Sunday Funday 5K.   Umm, it's noon on Saturday right now and I think I may take a short nap.... 

Nice race. That place does look familiar.

That place does look familiar.

I think there are three or four events held there a year that Scotty races.

Yay for the return of Bernadette, still rocking race tees older than many of the runners