INTRO

I am Scott aka Scottydog aka Scotty Dogg, runner since 1983, cancer survivor, retired Air Force, employee of University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), friend of dogs, fun-runner, and all-around 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.  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, hence my nickname “Scottydog.” Here is yet another of my Race Reports With Photos, and my thanks to all the people I interacted with for their graciousness and good humor in letting me take photos of them.

Held on October 18, 2015 at River Ridge Business Park in San Marcos, Texas.  This was my 51st race of 2015 and my second Breast Cancer support 5K after doing Paint the Parkway Pink 5K in San Antonio on October 17th.  This event was sponsored by the Pink Heals Tour (www.pinkfiretrucks.org).  They drive their pink firetrucks across America to various cities every year sponsoring various events.  They also sponsor Gunner's Kids, a program for children.  There were about 150 - 200 participants for this event, runners and walkers.  I ended up with a finish time of 33:56 - much better than my 37-something for the 5K I did on Oct 17 - and was the only one in my age group (60-64) so got first in my age group.  The age group award for each age group placer was a nice "bobble-head" fireman, with the name of the race on a small plate below the statue.

BEFORE THE START

San Marcos is about a 40-minute drive from San Antonio.  I arrived with about 40 minutes to go to start time, got my bib, race shirt, and packet, and then got some pre-start photos. It was a VERY bright day, with the sun just beginning to shine down on us, turning several people "orange" in the rising sun sunlight.

First thing I see in the business park where the race is held is this clock tower - which participants see a lot on the course doing the race loops

The Pink Heals vehicles are out in force for this event

Participants, supporters, volunteers, etc

Yours Truly, with friend Daryl, one of the event MCs and awards presenter, a leader of San Marcos running club, and all-around nice guy.

AthleteGuild folks, a very good local area race company who did the course set-up and timing.  As many area races as I've done over the years, I've come to know these folks, and owner Scott Wood is a friend of mine.

One of the event MCs

Facing into the sunrise, even these folks became a bit 'pink"

OK, a little less direct sunlight for the photos.... lesson learned... it's probably a good thing I don't do photography for a living, lol

The bike pacer for the lead runners

ON THE COURSE

The course in River Ridge Business Park  is very flat - highest elevation on the course is 12 inches - and done in loops.  We started a little up from the fire station in the park, did a loop that brought us back by the fire station, and then ran other park roads.  There is a big clock tower in the park that we pass 4 times during these loops - once after we start, once after we start a short out-and-back one one of the park roads, once as we come back from that out-and-back, and then we pass near it on our left for the last time as we head back  to the finish; by the time you get to the last passing, you've pretty much had enough of seeing that clock, lol. We finished in the parking area in front of the fire station.

First walk break...about a half mile done...

There's that clock again....

2nd walk break...heading for the Mile 2 marker...

Convenient we passed this...as I needed a bit of power at this point... 

After that it was nonstop running for the last  1.2 miles to the finish...and DONE!

AFTER THE FINISH

"Happy Finishers", volunteers, supporters, etc.

These Pink Heals guys graciously let me have a photo with them

And then I got them...

My running friend, Cathy, with me

Daryl announcing the age group and overall awards.

Cathy got an overall award for her age group category

And I got a bobble head....oh, and the award too, besides my own bobble head that's always with me.. 

EPILOG

Not so fond of the course - quite frankly, it's pretty boring, lol, not much scenery in a business park - but I get it, it's the most convenient one to use for this event, with the fire station right there, and the convenience of the park businesses being closed on Sunday, and lots of parking for all participants, and no road closures needing to be done.  Well, the people make the event, and for this one we had great folks out there..the Pink Heals folks, the volunteers, the participants, etc.  And this is really a good event done for a very good cause, so you just get past the course thing, remember why you are doing this, and do it for the cause.  In my case, it was also personal, as I did this one for my boss and friend, Sarah, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, and will get my race shirt and my bobble head figure.  In spite of my non-fondness for the course, I did manage to enjoy myself, and that is very much because of all the good people there.  And hey, for those so inclined, this course is a good one to shoot for a new 5K PR because, as noted before, the course is flat as a pancake, maybe even flatter than a pancake.   And if you've never done one of these Pink Heals events, I would definitely recommend it to my fellow runners; nice race shirts, very unique awards, lots of camraderie, good cause.  This event does go to a lot of  different US locations, so check your local area to see if you have one scheduled, and then just go do it.  You won't regret it.

Hi Scotty, the course does look pretty boring, but I'm glad you made the best of it anyway.  (you always do!)

That's a lot of pink! You need a pink version of your shirt.

The AG award is awesome. Bobble heads are always a fun award. With your pictures that have the pink hue, you could just say you did it intentionally to go with the event theme.