Barking Mad To Run
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%2057%20Hocus%20Pocus%205K
BEFORE THE START
My 57th race of 2016 was Hocus Pocus 5K, a dog friendly event that supported the local Animal Defense League. This was my first race of 3 races I had scheduled for the Oct 29 - Oct 30 weekend. This one was held on Oct 29 in the morning at Valero Energy Corporation headquarters. Valero is a Fortune 100 company and one of the biggest refiners in the world. Also a good community neighbor as it sponsors and supports a lot of local events, universities, and schools. This is a popular annual event and this year there were over 600 registered. I don't know if that included dogs. Lots of people and dogs in costumes and there was a costume contest also. I was onsite about an hour before the 9 a.m. start time and wandered around getting some photos.
Sit means SIT, Scottydog. lol.
Me and Race Director Virginia
Virginia with local Fox News TV station reporter Hanna Trippett (if I remember correctly)
Very nice lady who graciously let me have this "Beauty and the Beast" photo. I am sure you can figure out who is the beauty.
Two of my pals, Bill and Duke - very speedy, they finished in 20-something.
In the start line crowd....
All those orange shirts are the tech tees that participants got
ON THE COURSE
Start at Valero, down to a local trailhead, then an out-and-back on off-road paved trails and then back to Valero to finish. For some reason, our 9 a.m. start turned into a 9:30 start, with us waiting for a while in the start chute. Finally we go got going and it was all good. With the exception of a downhill to the trail - which was an uphill on the way back to Valero - the course was pretty flat. I did pretty good, felt pretty strong and ended up with a 33: 44 chip time, good enough for 2nd in my age group. Nice thing about getting older, your age group is usually smaller than the other age groups. As slow as I run, my personal strategy is to try and outlive the competition
AFTER MY FINISH
My first stop - the Shiner Beer table. Enjoying a cold one.
And then...wandering around getting more photos.
This kid ran the whole thing in this outfit...that must've been quite warm!
Our music man
These two are now thinking "Mmmmmm.....lunch!"
Me with my pal, Emma, the official dog of Run Wild Sports. Whenever I visit the store, I always bring her a treat.
Team iaapweb.com
EPILOGUE
Put on by Carrera Races, which always throws a good event. Timing and results done by iaapweb.com, a very good local race management and race coaching/training company. Nice course, lots of post-race goodies - and lots of free snacks and freebie little food bags for the doggies - nice quality tech tees. I do several Carrera Races events over the year and they do not disappoint - although there was a little disruption in this one with the start time and a delay in the awards ceremony, but not a really big deal. Definitely would do this one again and recommend it. Mucho thanks to all the folks who made this one happen for us: sponsors, volunteers, law enforcement, Valero for the use of their campus, etc.
"Do what you can, with what you have, where you are." Theodore Roosevelt
Love all the doggie costumes, as well as the more common people in costume. Folks in SA do seem to enjoy dressing for the occasion.