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 December 24, 2015, this was the third annual Frosty 5K/5Mile/1-Mile fun run, and the first time I had ever done this one. With the completion of this event, I ended up for the year 2015 with 70 races done – no more racing for the rest of this year and now I am going to take a long winter’s nap.      Quite a nice turn-out too for fun runs on Christmas Eve, probably more than 100 participants, so obviously a very popular holiday event for our local area runners and walkers. Host of the event was Alamo 180 [link - http://www.alamo180.com/] , a training and fitness center co-founded and co-owned by the lovely Bree Soileau, a very nice lady I met for the first time at this run. This was a FREE event benefitting Street2Feet [link: www.street2feet.org ], a running training program in partnership with the Haven to Hope, which helps the homeless, and participants brought various donations for S2F, like clothing, running shoes, etc.  9 a.m. start time – and since I live pretty close I got to sleep in a bit, which was nice. Weather was a bit overcast, 61 degrees at start time, pretty low humidity and dew-point, but no wind or rain which was nice. I chose to do the 5K – which was actually 3.3 miles, so just a tad long, but that was okay – and I ended up with a time of 34:09.

BEFORE THE START

The "Cat King" before I headed out to the run, relaxing at home with Peanut (front) Midnite (lap) and Paisley.

Sinatra was a bit miffed all the others were getting the attention...so here is our "pretty boy' cat....

Arrived about 35 minutes before the 9 a.m. start time and got a few photos before we all got going.

They had a map of the course..thank goodness, as I am 'directionally challenged", lol...so I took a photo of  the route, just in case, lol...

Redo....they can decide which one they like better

My friend, fellow veteran, and one of my personal heroes, Roy; he carries the flag at quite a few of the events he does.

Bree giving everyone some instructions and info on the course before we get started

ON THE COURSE

The course for all 3 events was 5K/5 Miler/1 Mile was done in Olmos Park, a very nice area of wide roads and beautiful homes – lots of million dollar houses in this area. Local billionaire Red McCombs – you might have heard of him through his former ownership if the Minnesota Vikings – lives in this neighborhood. Very nicely thought out route.   The roads were open to traffic, but not too much traffic on Christmas Eve; I don’t know how some of the other participants fared, but wherever I was at any given moment on the course, the drivers I saw were very cooperative with us, slowing down, giving right of way, etc. The course, all on paved roads, had a bit of everything: flat, some inclines, a fairly long hill we had to climb, and then a bit of a downhill incline on the way to finishing.

Up the hill, past some parked cars..

Looking behind me, back down the hill

After that, it was nonstop running back to the finish.

AFTER THE FINISH

Back at Alamo 180, lots of water, Christmas cookies, fruit, and other goodies, very nice. Lots of photo being taken by everyone, including me, getting photos of the participants, volunteers, etc.

My friend Roy would make a good Santa...he has a very comfortable lap, lol.  

I jokingly told this guy he was going to be some 'eye candy' for my lady viewers, lol.

EPILOGUE

I wish I had known about this one for the previous two years it was being done, I would have done every one of them. Very nicely organized event, and lots of good camaraderie among all. This one is definitely worth doing and lots of fun before, during, and after.   Mucho thanks to Alamo 180, Street2Feet, and any sponsors the organizers had helping with this one. Thanks, Olmos Park residents and drivers, for your patience and understanding as we participants invaded your streets for a while. I suspect this one will keep growing, so thanks for your patience in the future too. Definitely would recommend this one to my social circle of runners!

Wishing everyone a very safe and happy Christmas and New Year!

70 races huh? Well I guess it's as good a year as any for a cutback from your normal 73-ish. lol

70 races huh? Well I guess it's as good a year as any for a cutback from your normal 73-ish. lol

lol.