Photos are here:       https://photos.app.goo.gl/N9UBr457WT7qxx1x5

 Before the Start:  My 41^st race was the Chasing Dreams 5K held on July 5^th at Greenline Park located on Brooks City in the San Antonio Area. There was also a 10K. This was my second race of the weekend, having done the Let Freedom Run 5K on July 4 in Schertz, Texas, which was the route of the 4^th of July Schertz Parade, with participants getting cheered on by the spectators. Brooks City was previously Brooks Air Force Base before it closed in 2011. It was taken over by the city and became Brooks City Base and then ultimately Brooks City, a mixed-use community of businesses, housing, parks, etc. This event supports Running Down A Dream – also the name of a Tom Petty song. The organization provides running shoes, health education, and training to kids, including a weekly Run 4 Life program, to promote a healthier lifestyle. There were 220 finishers for the 5K and 141 finishers for the 10K, so a very nice turnout.  I had previously picked up my race packet so upon arrival enjoyed interacting with friends, other participants, volunteers, sponsors, etc., and getting a few pre-start photos.

On the course: The 5K and the 10K started together. There was a slight delay with the 8 a.m. start time, so we all started at 8:15 a.m. The course was a mix of paved running trails, off-road running trails and a short distance in two places on paved asphalt roads. The course was mostly out-and-back, with a couple of short loops. The majority of the course was pretty flat, with just a few short inclines to negotiate. This course gives you a nice tour of the running/walking/cycling area in and near Greenline Park. The course was open to non-participating patrons, so on occasion, we did encounter some cyclists and non-participating walkers and runners, all of whom, from where I was on the course at any given moment, were pretty patient about our being out there. With my spinal arthritis and degenerative disc disease, I can’t run nonstop anymore for any great length of time, so I did my usual 8-min-run/2-min-walk and got some on-course photos during my walk breaks. After getting to Mile 2, I then ran the last part of the course nonstop to the finish.  I ended up with a chip time of 42:23, averaging 13:39 per mile, and my last mile was my fastest at 13:10.

After My Finish:   I got  a few photos of others coming into the finish and then found the water area and a place to just sit and relax for a bit, while I got some liquid into me. After that, I wandered around getting some post-race photos and chatting with other participants, supporters, sponsors, etc. and also handing out some doggie treats to the dogs that were there; yes, this is a dog-friendly event. I was very popular with the dogs, lol.  The awards ceremony started, and I was surprised to find I had placed first in my 65-74 males age group for the 5K, mainly because I was the only one in my age group, lol, so I jokingly asked one of the awards people since I was the only one, I did not get 3 medals for being 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd? Umm, that would be a big no, lol. I stuck around for a while, getting more photos and watching some of my friends who placed get their awards. Finally, it was time to go so, since I am a member of the YMCA, I headed to one on the way home – a pretty short trip – and got to shower and changed into dry clothes so I would not have to drive home all sweaty; very convenient. Epilogue: This is the first time I’ve ever done this event, but it won’t be the last.  I don’t remember if this was an inaugural 5K for the Running Down A Dream 5K or if it’s been around for a while. Either way, it is very well organized and has a really nice, well-thought out course. We also got lucky with the weather; it was around 78 degrees and humid, but we only got some spitting rain and that was pretty brief, so I was very thankful for that, especially after the news of all those people affected by the flooding farther upstate, just really sad for them and their families. This race includes a really nice finisher medal for all participants, and the award medal is pretty nice too.  There was a shipping problem with the age-group award medals, so we got word they would be mailed out to us upon arrival. I told them when mine came, just to keep it and give to one of their kids in the program. I do so many races over the year, I always end up with a boxful of medals, so once I get enough of them I usually donate mine to the disabled kids at Morgan’s Wonderland – I was a March of Dimes baby, born with dislocated hips – or to the kids with cancer at Children’s Hospital, since I am also a 3-time cancer survivor; so I did not mind one of their kids getting this one. Mucho thanks to all who made this one happen for we participants, including iaap for the course setup, timing, results and being the bike leads; our MC, and my friend, Anthony Zamora, doing his usual great job; all the many volunteers out there for us, as well as the EMT folks and the police officers there for our safety; our music-and-sound guy; all the sponsors/vendors supporting this event; the patience of non-participants using the course too, as we invaded their space for a while; and anyone else involved I may not have mentioned here.  Thank you all!  Good luck to all my fellow runners in whatever your personal goals are. May you always stay safe and healthy, and achieve what you want to in your personal programs.  Next up for me: my third 5K of this weekend, on Sunday, July 6^th, the e-Dragon Summer Series 5K #4 at McAllister Park. I live very close to this park so can sleep in a bit tomorrow, lol