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.

SHORT VERSION REPORT

This was my 30th race of 2015.  Held on June 14, 2015, Dog Days of Summer 5K supports Guide Dogs of Texas. The event locale was Eilan, a luxury living and business area in San Antonio, with hotels, shoppes, apartments, offices, etc. 8 a.m. race start with dark skies and rain threatening, 100 percent humidity, dew-point in the 70s, and a temp already in the low 80s at race start time of 8 a.m.  Kind of felt like a sauna out there!  Maybe around 100 to 200 participants and dogs were welcome too.  Hilly course of 2 loops.  I ended up with a 33:22 chip time, good enough for 3rd in my age group.

LONG VERSION REPORT WITH PHOTOS

Before the Start

Eilan definitely has some unique building designs..

iaapweb.com people who did the course set up, results timing, etc,

Mr. DJ

My lovely mate, Gail, was one of the vendors at today's event

Carrera Races volunteers with the lovely Virginia (pink shirt), co-owner of Carrera Races

My pals at Run Wild Sports, a very good local running store, including my 4-legged pal, Emma, whom I give a treat to whenever I visit the store

Participants, volunteers, etc. before the start

In this group, several are wearing the Dog Days nice tech tee that race participants got

Pre-start warmup

Getting ready to start

On the Course

As said, two loops around the Eilan community.  Started with a steeper but fairly short hill, then flat for a bit, then up a long incline, then a bit of a downhill, than a third hill which was a longer up incline than the 2nd hill we had just come off of.  Then we did a turn and went down a very long downill...then wound our way back to the start point and did one more loop.  Of course, with a 2-loop course, this meant we did all these hills twice.

My first walk break was on the 2nd hill of the course

In the below photos, looking ahead at the 3rd hill waiting for us

2nd loop - this it actually the first hill we had in the race...lot less crowded on this 2nd loop

Looking behind me

After that it was non-stop running for about the last 1.2 miles to the finish.  My last mile was my fastest, done in 10:35.  The very big downhill right before we finished helped with that.

After the Finish

"Happy Finishers", supporters, vendors, etc.

My friend, Jose, with Ms. Minnie's small dog (in the set of photos before the start).  I jokingly told Jose....."get a man dog!"

I love Weimeraners.  My wife once jokingly told me, with my gray/white hair, I kinda look like a 2-legged fat ole weimeraner, lol.

Triple threat...3 dogs now...

..plus 1 more coming up...yeah, dogs love me....or maybe I just smell like a dog.... 

Post-race popsicle...nice and cold too....very refreshing....thank you Chloe's!

My speedy pal, Bernadette

My 3 pals...Speedy Gene, first in our age group (60-69) for this race, his wife Loyce, and Bernadette

Doggies are really interested in whatever that kid has in his bowl...

Camera-shy dogs, lol

Awww.....

EPILOG

A bit humid today but in spite of the weather still a very enjoyable event.  Lots of both good friendly dogs and friendly people, some very nice post-race goodies - no beer though, bummer, although there was wine...but I'm not much of a wine drinker - and good, wide-road course.  Mucho thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, law enforcement, vendors, etc, who made all of this happen for we participants.  Don't know where this one will be next year, as Eilan is not going to have any more events at that locale for a while for whatever reason.  Hopefully, Carrera Races will find another good venue for the next one because this is a good event to keep on the race calendar.

P-p-p-puppies!!!  That looks like great fun with all the fur kids.

I laugh when I look at your pictures.  You've posted enough RRs now that I recognize Gail, Gene and Bernadette on sight.  I only remember Gails' name, but the other two are like old friends.

Doggers!!  I want to pet them all.

I love the dog up on the hydrant.  There were a lot of dogs there; do they ever get into fights?  That location seems to have a lot of races.  Is there a connection with the running community?

I love the dog up on the hydrant.  There were a lot of dogs there; do they ever get into fights?  That location seems to have a lot of races.  Is there a connection with the running community?

Yes, Eilan has an agreement with Carrera Races, a very good local race company, and the community also gives discounts in their restaurant, spa, etc., to participating runners, so Carrera Races brings some business to the community.   However, no more races there for a while, as the community is going to start a renovation soon, so this was the last event there for who knows how long.

That looks like a really fun event!

And there were treats for the dogs too, post-race, and wading pools they could lie in to cool off and drink from