https://photos.app.goo.gl/WQQSUbwQpgbkcQjM7
Race photos are at the above link.
BEFORE MY START: My 12th race of 2021 was Spring Thing 5K on Sunday, May 2, my 2nd race of the weekend after having done the Life is Good 5K on May 1. This event, held on he grounds of the San Antonio State Hospital, supports raising mental health awareness in the community. About 138 or so participants, runners and walkers. After all the rain we had on Friday and Saturday, this day gave us abundant sunshine, clear skies, and a temp of around 64 at the 8 a.m. start time. Also pretty humid. I arrived with about 40 minutes to start time, got my race packet, and then got a few pre-start photos.
ON THE COURSE: I did this race previously a few years back. The State Hospital campus is very large, so large it kind of reminds me of some of the smaller military bases I was assigned to during my Air Force career. This was an out-and-back course that included a few inclines – some would call them hills, but to me they were really not that steep, just really long up-and-down inclines. Because we were high up on the campus at various spots on the course, we had some really nice views of the surrounding area. The campus is like a community unto itself with the hospital, a church on the grounds, some medical labs, and more, and even a small train area which I assume is to bring in supplies, etc. Makes for some nice running and walking, gives you a pretty good workout. Be nice if the State Hospital would allow you to come get in a run or walk there once in a while, but don’t think they are really open to the public, except for special events. Maybe they should charge a fee – like the State Parks do t enter the parks – just to run on the grounds, might raise a bit of money that way for the cause. At 38:45 finish time, I was 5th in my 60 – 69 age group, averaging 12:24 per mile. Mile 2 was my slowest mile as we were on the inclines for that portion, and I extended one of my walk breaks to get a few more photos. Did a negative split for Mile 3. The first 3 guys in my age group all finished in the 20s, zowie! Speedy old guys. After I crossed the finish line, I got a few photos of others coming in.
AFTER MY FINISH: Awards to the top males and females in each age category. Some of those runners were really speedy. The first 3 male finishers all finished from 17 – 19 minutes. I’d probably explode if I tried to run that fast, lol. Enjoyed chatting post-race with friends and other participants and wandering around getting some photos of the Happy Finishers. Also, nice spread of post-race goodies, with breakfast tacos, various nutritious bars, gingerbread cookies, lots of water, bananas, and more. Lots of smiles, chats with friends, cheering in other participants coming in, both runners and walkers, and there were even a few dogs doing the event too. Yes, they all got treats from me.
Epilogue: Very well-organized event by Race Director and iaap at a very nice location with a good course. Really nice quality race shirt and good post-race treats. Indoor bathroom instead of porta-potties, nice. A smaller event but a fun one with lots of camaraderie and interaction between the participants. Definitely would do this one again and definitely would recommend it to others.
MUCHO THANKS TO: Race Director, iaap, all the volunteers that were out there for us, the State Hospital for use of its facilities, all the race sponsors, and anyone else I did not mention who were involved in making this one happen for we participants.
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