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 a slideshow of just the photos: http://s166.photobucket.com/user/scottydog69/slideshow/2016%20Race%20Reports/2016%20Race%2045%20Loteria%205K

BEFORE THE START

My 45th race of 2016.  Held at Lady Bird Johnson Park in San Antonio.  Start time of 7 pm.  There was also a kid's run before the main event.  Put on by excellent local race management company iaapweb.com.  Quite a nice turn-out, even with the 80-something temp and pretty humid conditions - but hey, this is Texas summer, yep even through September, we Texans just learn to deal with it.  Lots of people dressed in costumes too, some dressing like the cards of Loteria aka "Mexican Bingo."  After getting my race bib and timing chip I wandered around getting some pre-start photos.

SELFIE!  I HAVE ARRIVED. 

Me and friend Karen

Welcome to Loteria 5K!

folks from iaapweb also make great Hurache Turbo tech shirts, with a nice design

Ceci and Roger of iaapweb.  Thanks for this fun event!

My friends Adrian and Darlene, who run the B.I.S.H. Foundation for cancer research and put on the BEST and the original Santa 5K in San Antonio.

Various participants, volunteers, etc

This deer was all by himself so I guess he was going 'stag' for this one

Getting ready to start

ON THE COURSE

Out-and-back on paved trails of the park.  Lots of shade trees along the way.  A couple of mild inclines but nothing you could really call a hill, except for near the start, which was a slight downhill on the way out and then we climbed it on the way back to the finish.

AFTER THE FINISH

I finished in 35:31 (6th in my age group), got rehydrated, did my post-run stretches and then it was off to get some after-party photos.

btw, that beer is not that young lady's lol.  She was holding mine for me while I took the photo.

Thank you, young lady.  Ahhhh, beer!

Apparently, some others agree with me.

Happy to be next to 2 lovely ladies

Rocky looks thrilled to be held by a watermelon. 

My friend Sally placed in her age group

The Stag was 'hoofin' it after the event.  He ended up winning the costume contest

EPILOGUE

Always do this event any time I can.  One of the  Very Best events of the local races of the year. Lots of fun, great people, great costumes, nice course, lots of nice post-race goodies including Alamo Beer and kiolbassa sausages, music, costume contest, a very fun event. Mucho thanks to all the people that made this one happen for us, volunteers, sponsors, law enforcement, iaapweb, medical staff, etc.  This one is ALWAYS a keeper on my race calendar.

After that, it was home to watch my university - University of Texas at San Antonio aka UTSA, team name Roadrunners - play Arizona State Sun Devils.  I actually thought we'd get beat pretty badly, but UTSA surprised everyone by staying ahead until the 4th quarter, where we kind of lost speed and ended up losing 32-28.  Still, against a pretty darn fine nationally known team, I thought we did pretty darn good for a football program only in its 6th season.  Go Runners!