INTRO and SHORT REPORT

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.

My 13th race of 2015, held on March 21 at the Residences at La Cantera (www.lacanteraliving.com)  and  the Shoppes at La Cantera (www.theshopsatlacantera.com) .  #13 which is probably why it rained cats and dogs and San Antonio was under a Flood Watch on Saturday until 7 pm.  It started raining Thursday evening and had not quit by  8 a.m. race start time - although Mother Nature was kind enough to at least let it lighten up quite a bit for the time we were on the course.  64 degrees at start time - but feeling chillier with a biting wind blowing - 100% humidity, and VERY wet.   This  race is put on by Culinaria in San Antonio, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to benefiting the San Antonio community and promoting San Antonio as an ideal wine and food destination.  The Race benefits Culinaria's Hope for Hospitality umbrella of programs such as, Chefs 4 Chefs and The Urban Farm.  Because of the great after-party for this event, this is a very popular annual race in San Antonio, usually having over 1,000 participants.   This year there were 866 finishers, but I think more registered than that, and there were probably some no-shows due to the weather.   I ended up 4th in my Age Group (60-64) with a chip time of 32:08.  Guess I should not have stopped to take that last photo on course.    Naw, my stop did not matter at all...the 3rd place guy in my age group finished in 25-something; and my friend Bob, also in my age group was 2nd with 24:54.   There are some speedy old men in my town!  Guess my strategy will just have to be to outlive my competition. 

LONG REPORT WITH PHOTOS

First off, let me apologize for the quality of some of these photos.  My camera is not the best 'night-time' photo taker and also my lens in not retractable to keep it dry; so some of the photos came out a bit blurry, but you can still kinda make them out.  Some came out really nice.  So much for my great camera skills, lol.  Well, at least the photos are free, so just right click on any you may want to save and share.

Before the Start

With the wet weather, got up early and took a nice-and-easy drive to the start area, arriving with about an hour to go to start time.  Still raining pretty good at this point but, bless them, the Culinaria and Residence of La Cantera folks had worked out where we had a bit crowded but nice inside area for race-day packet pickup where we could all stay dry before race start.   With all the folks crowded in there it made it feel nice and warmer too.    I wandered around getting some pre-start photos.

Our inside room pre-start to get out of the rain a bit.  This was also where part of the post-race party was.   It was a little dark in here before start time.

Oh yeah.... I'm a rainy day fashion statement....

My speedy friend, Bob - who got 2nd in our age group - and friend

The 3 folks below in the gray are wearing the race shirts participants got

AthleteGuild folks doing their computer set-up for the race results, etc.

Three 'beautiful smiles" ladies

Law Enforcement Officers out there for us. Thanks guys!  The officer in the yellow raincoat has had is identity protected....by my camera skills, which caught a light reflection right where he was.

OK, there he is.....

This will be my first stop, post-race...

At the start area...almost time to go...

On the Course

We started in front of The Residences of La Cantera and did a loop on the drives and parking areas that go around the La Cantera Shoppes that brought us back onto part of the area where we had started and that took us to a turn that led us into part of the Shoppes area, where we finished in front of some of the stores there.   With the weather, it was VERY wet and -Splish-Splash We Were Takin' A Bath - I think we all splashed through at least 2 or 3 puddles along the way.  But it was all good.  I did not find it chilly at all as long as I kept moving; and, as said above, at least Mother Nature did not have it pouring on us during the race.   Oh, I did get rid of my garbage bag attire for the race.

This was the only small hill/incline on the course..which we had to do twice...and it gave us a view of one of the roller coasters at nearby Six Flags Fiesta Texas

The rest of the course areas were pretty much flat...and WET!

After the Finish

This lady and I encouraged each other into the finish, with another lady close behind us, it was quite a little push to the finish, lol.  Both ladies finished just slightly ahead of me, and I got a photo with my "Race To The Finish" partner.

Me and my friend, Jean, who got 2nd in her age group.  Beautiful and speedy!

Speedy Bob and friends, who finished way before me, lol.

A few more "Happy Finishers" near the finish line area

Then back to the food-and-drink party at The Residences....and of course, I went right for the beer.   Besides Bud Light, there was also Corona, Modelo, Modelo Light, and other brands..

Lots of other goodies there too!

The Sausage Servers...

Pancakes being served to anyone who wants them. Personally, I don't like pancakes.  I  jokingly asked one of the servers if he had any waffles, and he jokingly replied "Sure, just go to the back of all these people and get in line."  lol.

And, of course, here are a few of just the many "Happy Finishers", volunteers, supporters, vendors, etc., that were out there on this rainy day.

A better view of the race shirt participants got

I had a nice chat with these folks..and pretty much talked their ears off, lol, as my wife was not there to drag me away from my usual "rattling on and on..."  

My friend, David, from AthleteGuild, proving to owner Scott Wood he really is working... 

EPILOG

In spite of the weather,  a really nicely done event!  I did not do this event last year when the course was changed to what it was today and I was pleasantly surprised.  I like this course much better than than the old course that used to be used.  With this course, lots more 'loop" and lots less 'out-and-backs" around the La Cantera Shoppes parking lots.   Well designed course, so kudos to whomever laid this one out.   As usual, lots of great food and drink post-race, some nice medals, and very distinctive race shirts.  Mucho thanks to all the volunteers and vendors  - who had to be out there this morning for us WAY early to set up - and all the sponsors, law enforcement, etc., all the folks who make this event happen for us each year.   Special thanks to The Residence and The Shoppes at La Cantera for letting a horde of runners and walkers invade their space for a while..and a special tip-of-the-hat, to the the Shoppes stores that opened a bit earlier than usual and allowed some of we runners pre-start that needed it to have access to an ACTUAL restroom instead of a porta-potty, especially in the rainy weather...we participants really appreciated that!   As said, this race is always quite popular - so register early! - but definitely a good experience.  If you are a local area runner and have not done this one before, or a runner visiting San Antonio when this race is scheduled, it's very worth doing, I don't think you will have any regrets.  As the race flyer announces:  Run. Wine. Beer. Chefs. Fun.  Roger that! 

Next up for me:  Get Your Rear in Gear 5K on March 28th; a personal one for me as this supports colon cancer research.

That's quite a spread!

There are some speedy old men in my town!  Guess my strategy will just have to be to outlive my competition. 

LOL! Hopefully, your strategy will work out!

Bunch of troopers racing in that.    Honestly, a warm race in the rain sounds pretty damn good right about now.

Mmmmmmm... Modelo.