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/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2062%20National%20Veterans%20Day%205K

BEFORE THE START

This was my 62nd race of 2016. Held on Veteran's Day, this event is put on in several cities around the country.  In San Antonio, the race location was McAllister Park, a very large park with paved and off-road running trails and nice park roads.  I live quite close to the park so got to sleep in a bit.   The race started at  7:11 a.m..  Prior to the start I wandered around getting photos.

Yeti the Wonder Dog, with his human, and my friend, Joe, and his friend.  This race was the 115th lifetime race for Yeti.  Love this dog, coolest dog ever.....the things he does...he is the Rin Tin Tin of Poodle World, lol.   He is also very popular in our local running community.

ON THE COURSE

We've had some rain lately so due to a bit of flooding in the park, the course was changed to being on the paved park roads. McAllister Park used to be the site of many a race in San Antonio but because of park construction and other issues, not many races are held here any more.  Too bad because it really is a nice place to run, so it was nice to be racing again in the park.   The weather behaved too, did not rain on us during the race - a little bit after - and the start time temp was a cool 60 degrees, with low humidity and dewpoint, and cloudy skies.  Nice.

Whoever laid out this course - NICELY DONE.  A well thought out and laid-out course, a kind of 'loop-out-and-back' course, with plenty of room for everyone.  The park was still open to traffic but at that time of the morning - especially on a holiday - it was pretty light - I think I counted 3 vehicles for the whole time I was on the course - and the drivers were pretty 'respectful; there are a lot of walkers, bikers, and runners who us this park daily, as well as kids playing soccer, baseball, etc., so patrons of this park know to be on the lookout and drive watchfully.

After that last photo, it was nonstop running back to the finish.  I actually caught up with Joe and Yeti near the finish and passed them - something that usually never happens when I do the same event with them, so I suspect Joe and Yet were saving themselves for a planned long run this weekend sometime - and I ended up with 32:35 finish time, good enough for first in my age group.  It also helped that I was the ONLY one in the 60 - 69 age group, lol.

AFTER MY FINISH

Many "happy finishers", volunteers, supporters, etc.

This class-act gentleman and I ran near each other for the majority of the course.

Our MC - she did a great job - reporting on and cheering in each finisher.

A couple of my fellow Team RWB members....Team RWB has a policy of  "No one left behind"....so these guys kept going back out on the course, found team members finishing - like me - and then 'flag-escorted' us back to the finish line.  Very nicely done, guys!

One of the Team RWB members coming in to the finish with Old Glory.

Another person happy to be finishing

My friend Bernadette with her just-finished friend...  Speedy Bernadette was first in her age group.

Closer...

Closer....

Me and friend Eileen....who I always want to call Dorothy for some reason, lol

Finisher medal and dog tag all participants got...

EPILOGUE

This year's San Antonio event was much nicer than last year's when the location was Lady Bird Johnson Park, our start time was in the late afternoon and the temp shot up to near 90 degree, with the heat index even higher...it was pretty miserable weather-wise. The morning start for this one was mucho better and the location a lot better too.  Hope in the future the San Antonio locale is kept at McAllister Park.  Nice finisher medal and dog tag, and a nice touch that if you were an age-group award winner, you filled out a paper with your info, and another "personalized" dog tag is mailed to you to partner with the blank race dog tag you got.   No free race shirt - I get it, everything is budgeted these days and, besides, most of the raised funds should go to veteran causes, that's what this race is all about, thanking and supporting veterans  -  but if you wanted one,  a shirt was available for purchase in various colors, in support of veterans organizations. A very nicely done event this year, kudos to the organizers.   Definitely will do this one again.

While I was at the race, my friend Joe surprised me with a 2017 "Yeti Calendar" highlighting in photos some of his many adventures...very nice.  And saves me from having to get a 2017 calendar too.    One very active and very cool doggie. 

Bernadette sighting!

I'm a fan.