Beginners and Beyond

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Veterans Assistance Dogs of Texas 5K/10K (Read 10 times)

scottydawg


Barking Mad To Run

    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!

     

    Done on June 11th, the Veterans Assistance Dogs of Texas was my 29th race of 2016.  Put on the Elks Lodge of San Antonio, this event supports getting and training assistance dogs for those veterans who need them.  The timing and course setup was done by local race company www.iaapweb.com who did their usual great job.  Events included a 5K and a 10K.  I did the 5K. This was a fairly small event with maybe about 80 participants for the 5K/10K.  I ended up finishing 35:33 chip time, first time since I had an injury back in March that I’ve finished under 36 minutes, so I’m making progress.  Did not place in my age group as I’m 62 so I was in the 50 – 99 age group for this event, and that was the biggest group of the 5K if I remember correctly.

     

    On to the photos!  I do tend to take a LOT of photos at the events I do.  So if you’d rather just see photos only without my commentary you can check out the slideshow of this event at this link:  http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2029%20Veterans%20Assistance%20Dogs%20of%20Texas 

     

    BEFORE THE START

     

    Participants (some of us) parked at the Elk Lodge and then were shuttled over to the Valero Trailhead area.  This parking lot fills up quite fast – a very popular weekend venue for runners, walkers, cyclists, and the trails were open for nonparticipants too – so the shuttle was a nice touch, didn’t have to find any parking.   As usual for a race, I wandered around taking some pre-start photos.

     

    These guys were out here in support and cheering us on

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    Registration volunteers

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    Mr. Chip Man

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    Timing and Results guy

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    Color Guard

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    Some of the participants, supporters, etc.

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    Surprise!  This laddie only has 3 legs...and is very speedy on them too; his human told me he can run about a 7-8 minute mile. He loves to run!

     

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    4 minutes to go....

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    ON THE COURSE

     

    Started at the Valero Trailhead and did an out-and-back along the trails.  Due to the past rain we had there was about a foot of water over part of the course, so our turn-around was in front of that.  We then went back to the trailhead, through part of the parking lot, and did an out-and-back alongside a local Drury Inn, and then finished back near the trailhead.  The weather was kind of overcast with some sunshine and VERY humid (in the 90% range) and the dew-point did not make it feel any better, being at 75.  Lots of sweating going on this morning, especially for the 10K folks who had to do 2 laps of the course.

     

    A very gray and humid day....

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    Rooftop of the Drury Inn in the background of this one

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    iaapweb guy Paul leading the lead runner.

     

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    This guy in green was the overall male 5K winner

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    Here comes my friends Margaret and Rocky Dog

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    One of the 10K guys, 2nd lap

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    Almost done...Drury Inn out-and-back part of the course

     

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    AFTER THE FINISH

     

    Short cooldown walk and water and then got some post-race photos near the trailhead start/finish.

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    Me and friend Carolyn, who was first overall 10K female

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    After that, I took the shuttle back to the Elks Lodge – and the ride back in the air conditioned van was a very pleasant way to cool off after a humid run – and then got some more photos there.

     

    Sax player giving us some entertainment

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    Me with the lovely lady that passed me right before the finish line

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    Awards ceremony

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     EPILOGUE

    This is the first time I’ve ever done this event.  I would certainly do it again and recommend it to my fellow runners. Especially a nice run for veterans as that is one group the Elks definitely support.  Nicely organized event and good quality race shirts.  The course to avoid the water was well-thought out and I am SOOOO glad the course planners had us go by the Drury Inn instead of having us do an out-and-back up-and-down the Valero Hill, which is pretty narrow and, although not that long, fairly steep.    Also back at the lodge, some nice cold beer post-race – yay! – and enjoying more A/C in the nice cool lodge.

    "Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt