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.

Link to photos only:

http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2019%20Race%20Reports/2019%20Race%20number%2029%20La%20Lllorona%20Relay

Full report below.    

BEFORE MY START

 My 29^th race of 2019 was La Llorona Relay at LBJ park in San Antonio on May 11, with a star time of 6 pm.   This was my second event of the day after doing a morning 5K.  La Llorona is the ‘weeping woman’ ghost of San Antonio.  You can read about the legend here:  https://texashillcountry.com/la-llorona-weeping-woman/  .  The relay consisted of teams of 4 people, each doing a leg of 2 miles.  This was the first year for the La Llorona being a relay; in the past it has been a 5K and a 5-mile event.  When I arrived, one of my team-mates had already picked up our packets and bib numbers, so that was convenient.  Got myself pinned up with our team number and also got the baton since I was the first leg for our team.  Then wandered around getting some photos.

Welcome to the event

Our MC, who is also a VP with Kiolbassa Sausage

When I got to the parking area, 2 of my teammates were in their car waiting..."spookily' waiting, lol

My 3 team-mates.  Yet, it was 3 ladies and me.  Go figure... 

Our music man

Participants, volunteers, supporters, etc

 ON THE COURSE

 Concrete off-road paved trails in this park.  I have done several 5Ks in this park so knew about where the 1-mile turn-round point would be. Carried my camera and the race baton, and took one walk break – stupid arthritis won’t let me run non-stop – and got some photos, and then ran nonstop to the end of my leg.  I think I was the slowest team member, averaging 11:09 miles, with a time for my leg of 22:19.  Our fastest team member, Krista, averaged 9-something minute miles; she was the last leg of our team.

Had lots of rain Friday night and Saturday morning, but dried out by Saturday evening, leaving this mess near the bridge we crossed over.  Standing water and mud = bugs.  Glad I put my Avon-so-Soft non-toxic bug repellent on before I started.

AFTER MY FINISH

I wandered around getting photos of people coming into the finish, volunteers, other finishers, and participants waiting to do their legs.  Nice little after-party going on too, with Kiolbassa sausage wraps, beer, music playing, various fruits and other stuff, water, soda, etc.  There was also a costume contest;  lots of people dress up for this one.  Our team did not win anything but we sure had a lot of fun.

Race Director Cecilia of iaap; official photographer and Number 1 La Llorona for the event...here 'relaxing' at the finish line area, waiting for get photos of finishers coming in

I think she just gave me the La Llorona curse look, lol.

Thanks, iaap guys, for timing, course setup, results, etc

Important volunteers...handing out the sausage wraps

This guy had not intended to run but when he got here to cheer, a team was one person short and he got drafted...and he ran in those shorts and his non-running shoes...and still did like 8-or 9-something minute miles, good grief.

Found the beer and sausage!

Team members coming in

Friend Sally coming in, her teammate Bob waiting to take the baton

Teammate Krista finishing our final leg...she did great.

Team Dogg Handlers, happy finishers

Bob bringing it in for the last leg of his team

I'm surrounded!

Ceci and our MC Anthony

EPILOGUE

Before the start I heard a lot of chat about people not too sure of making this event a relay since it was traditionally a 5K for individuals, and quite a popular event – including me, I was a bit skeptical but  decided what the heck, just have fun with it.  The turnout was probably lower this year than it usually is for the ‘traditional’ 5K distance, but after the race, the majority of the chat was quite positive, with lots of people saying they had surprised themselves at how much they had enjoyed this event as a relay. I don’t know if it can replace the traditional event as individual runners and walkers, but it was well thought-out, well organized, and as said, very enjoyable. I think with ‘word-of-mouth’ getting around to our other community runners, this one might have a better turnout in the future, if iaap does it as a relay again.   I would do it again and would recommend it.  Nice course, nice post-race goodies, nice quality race tee – iaap always puts on quality events.

Mucho thanks to all the people that made this one happen for we participants: volunteers, sponsors, vendors, organizers, police officers that were out there for us, and anyone else I may not have mentioned here.  Thanks for what you do!