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

I don’t have great camera skills and take photos with a camera that is like me  - old fashioned, lol - so sorry if a photo appears a bit blurry, etc.  However, they are free to save, share, etc.

Here is yet another of my photo reports.  Full commentary report below.     

Photos Slideshow is here: 

https://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2019%2520Race%2520Reports/2019%2520Race%2520Number%252061%2520Scallywompus%2520Leon%2520Creek%25205K?sort=2

BEFORE MY START

My 61^st race of 2019 was the Scallywompus Battle of Leon Creek 5K on Nov 16, starting and finishing at an apartment complex near the University of Texas at San Antonio.  This was the last race in the Alamo Beer Series, a series of 4 races that gradually built up distances in preparation for the upcoming San Antonio Rock n Roll Marathon/Half Marathon the first weekend of December.  The main event was a 20-miler and there was also a 10-miler. After a lot of rain this past week, the weather was sunny and blue skies, but a bit chilly for we South Texans, around 36 – 38 degrees before the start.   The 20-miler started at 7:30, the 10-miler at 8:15, and the 5K at 9 a.m.

My friend Albert was doing Course Marshal duty for this one. First person I saw when I arrived at the race location.

Welcome to the event.  Start line area.  The 20-mile folks had already gone, these wee the 10-mile folks getting ready to go

And they are off!

Various participants, sponsors, supporters, etc.

Prepping up the sausages for post-race

Drinks on the table waiting for post-race

Our MC

MC and Race Director

This is a wheeled-chair and dog-friendly event

ON THE COURSE

Starting in front of the apartment complex, we proceeded a very short distance up a paved road and then moved onto a concrete sidewalk that took us down to the Leon Creek greenway concrete paved trails, part of San Antonio’s extensive greenway system for off-road running, cycling, walking, etc.  Very nice trails with lots of room for everyone.  Since the 5K started the latest, we did encounter some of the speedier 20-miler and 10-miler folks coming back toward us on the way to their finish.  All courses were out-and-back. Ditched my hat and one of my shirt layers right before the start as I knew I'd warm up pretty quick on the course.  I ended up with a time of 36:07 chip time, about 11:38 per mile, although Mile 2 – 3 I did in 11:11, my fastest mile in a long time, since I got my pacemaker implant.  There were only 5 in my age group (65 – 69) and I ended up 2^nd.  The first guy in my age group did a 7:37 per mile pace, finishing in 23:40, zowie!

Got a photo of the official photographer

Inspiring lady.  She had a friend pushing her chair behind her just in case, but she never used it.  She walked the whole 5k.

Right before the finish, stopped for a few seconds to get these photos.  This is the way we came down to the trails from the start area, and then had to climb back up this to get to the finish.

Not really that steep as you can see...but I bet the 20-mile and 10-mile folks felt that in their legs after all those miles.

After My Finish

The motto of Scallywompus is “Come for the race. Stay for the party.”  They are not kidding.  DJ playing music; food included pizza slices, Kiolbassa sausage-on-a-stick, various fruits, and more. Drinks included water, of course, various juices, cold, iced-down Alamo Beer, bloody mary’s, vodka and more. I got water in me first and then enjoyed a sausage along with a cold beer as I wandered around munching, drinking, chatting and taking photos.

Happy finishers, et al....  

She is done!  At the finish line area, getting a well-earned sit-down now...

Age Group awards were these Scallywompus/Alamo Beer designed glasses

My friend Bernadette placed, as usual

 My friend making sure it's beer, lol.

Guess he's happy with it...

My friend Woody, here, was 2nd in the 20-miler.  Zowie.

The finisher medal bling all finishers got

EPILOGUE

I have done this one before, will continue to do it in the future. Scallywompus always puts on great events and this one is no exception.  Nice quality race tees, finisher medals for everyone, unique glass awards for the age-group winners – which goes to 4 places and there is also a competitive walker’s division too – and nice race venue.  I would certainly recommend this to other runners/walkers.

Many thanks to all the people who made this one happen for we participants, including:  Race Director Tony who did his usual great job; Bart Childers – and probably his wife too - who started the Scallywompus events way back when and the rest, as they say, is history; all the volunteers, sponsors, vendors out there for us.  University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA, where I work) for the use of the campus parking lots; the residents of the apartment complex we invaded for several hours, thanks for your patience; and anyone else I may not have mentioned here.  Thank you all!