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.

This was my 54th race of 2015 and the first of 3 races I did for the weekend of Nov 7 - 8.  Held on Nov 7 at 8 a.m. the Wurst 5-Miler is part of the annual New Braunfels Wurst Fest festivities and a ticket to the Wurst Fest is included in the goodie bag, along with a very nice tech long-sleeved tech tee shirt.  Race started and finished at Landa Park in New Braunfels about a 30 minute drive from San Antonio.  Raining in San Antonio when I left by when I got to New Braunfels, no rain.  A bit windy and for we South Texans a bit chilly at 55 or so degrees and very cloudy and overcast, but still some pretty decent running weather. This is a very popular event each year and usually has 1,000+ registered each year.   I think the potential of rain, possible course flooding etc, may have kept a few away.  We ended up with about 600 or so participants.  My goal for the 5 miles was under an hour, and I got that done. I felt pretty strong the whole way and finished in 55:41 (about 11:09 per mile)  my last mile was done in 10:41.  I took a lot of photos before, during, and after - more than 100 - so enjoy the show!

BEFORE THE START

Because of the rainy San Antonio weather, I left home early, giving myself plenty of time to take it nice and easy on the drive, and arrived with about an hour to go before start time.  I got my goodie bag and number, and then went around getting some pre-start photos.  I think I had a spot of water or two on my lens because a few of the first photos came out a bit blurry - my apologies to the subjects of these - before I realized it and wiped the lens dean and dry.

Landa Park is a popular spot - especially in good weather - with man-made lake, pavilions, pedal boats for rent, and part of the Comal River flowing through it.

Race Day Registration volunteers who had to be out there way early and probably did get rained on when they showed up.

Preparing the shells for the sausage wraps...

Volunteers, participants, supporters

My friend, Adrian

Our MC in the middle...

These folks are wearing the race shirt long-sleeved tech tees

Yes, he ran in that...and was pretty darn speedy too.

My speedy and attractive friend.   I see her at the start of races and at the finish...I'm way too slow to see her on the course, lol.

Getting ready to go...ahead of me...and behind me..

A tuba player played the National Anthem flawlessly with his tuba - that was pretty impressive - and then we were off.

ON THE COURSE

Out-and-back course, with a few 'rolling hills" along the way, and one 'dip' of a hill we started out on - going down into the dip and up the other side on the way out, and vice-versa going back to the finish, which made the short but fairly steep uphill our last hill at about mile 4.5.  Yeah, the legs could feel that a bit after 4 miles.  I know you people from 'real winter' states will think it's funny, some of these folks wearing jackets, etc, in 50 - 55 degree weather...but  that's chilly for we warm weather South Texans. Just imagine what we feel like when our temps dip down to freezing at times for a little while!  Break out the parkas! 

I think the 600+ of us may have interfered with this young lady's training run as she was going the other way.

My speedy friend, Liza, who was the first woman in.  Finish time 30:10.  Her husband was overall master's at 29:37.  That is a speedy couple!

This was 'crazy hill' for the race; because we startled some deer and went hauling from the field to the left and across the road to some woods over there, going in-between some runners and then braving the cars.  Thankfully, I did not see any runners or deer hit.

About 2 or so miles to go now...

For most of the course, I played "chase-and-catch' with these Fest-dressed lovely ladies;  yeah, it was tough...

The last hill..and then about a half mile to go after cresting the top.

AFTER THE FINISH

By the time I got done...this was the beer line....

My friend Adrian came in a couple minutes behind me.

"Happy Finishers", volunteers, et al....

Another speedy friend of mine, Elaine, and me with my speedy friend Liza and her husband.  Apparently, I know a lot of fast women. 

This is "Happy" with her humans.  Funny, I have trouble remembering names of people, but I can remember all the dogs' names lol.

Her humans told me she was a 'leaner' and when I got a photo with her, she leaned comfortably right into my leg.  She is a really sweet dog.

What's a Wurst Fest without a wiener dog?  This is the lovely Chloe...I don't remember the people's names...

Chloe is a better looking dog than my old-dog self..

The AthleteGuild timing folks.  Apparently their boss, Scott, does not allow them to smile...  

MC getting ready to announce the awards

EPILOG

This is one of my favorite events in the local area and I have done it several times in the past.  Nice course, unique age-group awards. beer, sausage, lots of friendly people, nice location, and free entry ticket into Wurst Fest.  Definitely do this one if you ever get a chance, I am sure you will not regret it.  Mucho thanks to:  all the law enforcement folks for us out there; and all the volunteers, organizers, and everyone who made this one happen for we participants; and the local-area residents for their patience in allowing us to run through their neighborhoods for a while, making many of their roads get closed off.

Very cool looking AG awards. Looks like a fun event.