Scottydog Reports

Photos are here:  https://photos.app.goo.gl/mDCMho83RKyDW9Up9

Before The Start:    My 54^th race of 2022 was the Now You See Me Foundation Monster Dash 5K Run, Walk or Wheelchair.  This was my second event of this weekend after doing the Harp & Shamrock 5K the day before. Events for the Monster Dash included a 10K and a 1-mile event.  held on Sunday, October 30 at Eisenhower Park in San Antonio, this event raises funds for critically injured athletes and spinal cord research. I chose this one to as I can somewhat relate to being disabled. I was born a March of Dimes baby with dislocated hips wearing braces on my legs for a short time and then a pair of shoes held together with a bar in-between them. I lived a pretty normal life – even did 24 years in the Air Force – but can never sit or stand perfectly straight due to a curvature in my spine from all this.  When I was in my 50s, my spinal arthritis flared up – arthritis and spinal disc disease at 6 levels in my back – so per my doc’s recommendation, I began to use the run/walk method, which has worked very well for me. Of course, I have nowhere near the damage a critically injured athlete has, but I can empathize maybe a tad with what they may deal with. Also, I am a cancer survivor twice over, colon area and currently prostate cancer.  So when I choose my races to do, ones that support funding for cancers and disabilities are high on my priority list.  This event had a late morning start time of 9:30 a.m., so got to sleep in a bit. Weather was perfect.  Sunny skies, but not hot at at all, with a nice temp in the 50s, very low humidity, and no wind. I arrived with about an hour to go to start time and got a few pre-race photos.

On The Course:  The course started and finished at a small compound at the park that included a pavilion, several other structures, and some supply sheds and so forth. After we exited the compound, we proceeded on asphalt trails near the parking lot area and then onto the nearby concrete Greenway trails.  All courses were out-and-back and, no matter what distance you were doing, all participants started together. The paved trails inside the park were fairly flat. Once we hit the greenway trails, the hills began.  These were no baby hills either; we climbed and climbed for most of the way, both uphill and downhill.  My friend Jose from iaap was the one who laid out this course. As I went along, I kept thinking “After I finish, I don’t know if I should kiss Jose for giving me a really good workout; or kick him in the butt for all these darn hills!” lol. And I only did the 5K; my friends who did the 10K had even more hills, as they went out almost to The Rim area nearby before their turn-round. Well, I was out here now so just had to get it done. I plodded along at my two paces of slow and slower and took some photos during my walk breaks. As I was heading back to the finish, the speedier 10K folks started passing me, good grief; their 10K time is better than my 5K time, lol.  I finally did finish, chip time 42:25, 4^th out of 6 In my 5K 60-69 males age group, averaging 13:39 per mile. I ran most of mile 3 nonstop, so had a negative split for that one, nice.  My walking friend, Patrick, was 4^th in our age group.  He walks almost as fast as I run, lol.

After My Finish: Lots going on post-race. There was a costume contest for the female kids and then the male kids; and a costume contest for the women and the men. There was also a raffle  – I won Nada, but my friend Carolyn got a prize – and all kinds of post-race goodies including water, breakfast tacos, lots of types of fruits, and more.  Lots of places to relax post-race after that hilly route; the pavilion had a whole lot of seating. I got some water and  banana, relaxed and rehydrated and sat for a while, just chatting with other participants. After that, I was out-an-about getting what I call “Happy Finisher Photos” since more people seem to be smiling after they are done than before and during, lol. 

Epilogue:  Total of 168 finisher for the 5K and 71 for the 10K, per iaap results. This one is a keeper, and it is nice that it’s done on Sunday morning, giving it just about no other race competition for the day, as most of the local races are done on Saturdays – this weekend there were TWELVE total races in the local area on Saturday, good grief. This event is very well organized and very well done, with nice facilities; a course that is wide enough to accommodate all; very good quality tech tee race shirt; finisher medal to all finishers; and the goody bag was nice too, with coupons for free stuff from sponsor Chik-Fil-A, and other various sundries. Challenging course, but it really was a good one, well thought out for what iaap had to work with, as Eisenhower Park is not one of the largest parks in San Antonio. DJ playing music for us, and our MC, Jason – a friend of mine – was his usual crazy and entertaining self, doing a great job for us.  I would definitely do this one again – hills and all, lol – and would recommend it to others.  Much thanks to Now You See Me Foundation for giving us this event; and thanks to all the sponsors, vendors, park police out there for our safety, the many volunteers doing things for us (packet pickups, water stop, etc); iaap for the course setup, timing, and results; and anyone  else involved I may not have mentioned here.  Thank you all so much!

Photos are here: https://photos.app.goo.gl/hCEPtcPeSvZgK6wa9

Before The Start:   My 53^rd race of 2022 was the Harp and Shamrock 5K, which had originally been scheduled in March 2021, but the Pandemic pushed it back a couple of time and those of us who kept our original registration finally got do to this event on October 29, 2022.  Event was held at Southside Lions Park East. RunSignUp showed 114 participants registered. Results for actual race day showed 58 total participants finishing.  With a start time of 8:30 a.m. I got to sleep in a tad more and arrived at the race site around 7:30 a.m. on a brisk morning.  Temperature was in the mid-50s. I picked up my race packet, got myself ‘arranged’ and then got a few pre-start photos. Lots of people there that I personally knew, so this event was like a really nice ‘get-together’ of family members and friends, something nice about doing these less-populated races at times.

On The Course: For those familiar with this park, for this one we did not start and finish at the main pavilion.  We started and finished at the pavilion closer to the park’s playground and indoor-restroom building. We went along the park’s paved trail for a bit, then crossed a park road, proceeded across a bridge in the park, and then headed for our turn-round point, which was on a trail that would have eventually taken us to Comanche County Park if we had stayed on that trail.  We came back the way we had come out from the start, with the exception that this time when we went back onto the trail that circles the park’s nice man-made lake, we made a left turn and went on a trail that gave us a nice view of the park lake – which I stupidly did not take photos of, duhh…I think mainly because I could ‘smell finish line” now and just kept going  until I was done..  I passed by the park’s main pavilion on our right and then after a slight curve in the trail, there was the finish line ahead.  My friend Terri came out to run in with me a bit and then went back again to run in another friend, so nice of her.  After she left, my very speedy friend Sammy – who had finished way ahead of me, lol –  ran in with me, veering of just right before I crossed the finish line. I ended up 6^th out of 7 in my 60 – 69 males age group, chip time 40:12, and I had negative splits too, nice.

After My Finish:  Got a banana post-race, did a short cool-down walk as I ate that and drank some water, and then I enjoyed a post-race Guinness; I don’t know which ‘flavor’ it was, but dang that thing was really good; going to have to get some of that. Of course, as I usually do, I also wandered around chatting with other participants and friends and getting some post-race photos. This was a smaller event, but a very enjoyable and fun one. 

Epilogue: Very nicely done, and I much like this course a lot better than the one usually used, that brings us back exactly the way we had come out.  With this course, you get to see a bit more of the park and also have a nice lake view. Very nice quality race shirt for participants, and a small, nicely designed finisher medal to all finishers.  There was also a post-race raffle – I didn’t win a thing, darn the luck – and some nice post-race goodies too.  Some of the volunteers were also in various costumes too. Very nice weather for this one too – a bit brisk before we started, but once we got going, very nice, cooler with less humidity.  One of my favorite events, from the time when this event used to be done in Brackenridge Park and always had a huge turnout.  Hope this one grows again for next year, it really is an enjoyable one. Mucho thanks to all the sponsors, volunteers, organizers, park police out there for us, Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas that puts this one on, and anyone else involved I may not have mentioned here  Thank you all, so very much!   

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/TXU63GPX2a8ymP3U7

Before The Start:  My 52^nd race of 2022 was the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) 5K held on October 22, 2022 at 5 pm. in McAllister Park, San Antonio.  This was my 2^nd event of the day after doing a 5K in the morning. This is a very popular annual 5K put on by top-notch race management company iaap. This year the event had 333 finishers, which is half of 666…spooky, huh?  The weather was cool for my morning 5K, but by 5 pm our Texas warmth had come back with a temp in the 80s, humidity climbing, and plenty of sunshine.  I arrived with about an hour to go to start time and enjoyed chatting with friends and other participants and getting a few pre-start photos.  Lots of participants and supporters dress up in all kinds of really imaginative Day of the Dead themed costumes.  There was also a Kids Race.

On The Course: iaap is really good about laying out courses that often help the runners and walkers.  This course was laid out so along the route we had abundant shade as we went along. Mcallister Park is full of shade trees that go alongside the majority of the trails there, making for some very nice running and walking. We could still feel that warmth but from what I saw, I think most of the participants were fairly comfortable as they went along. I did my usual 8 minutes run/2 minutes walk intervals, taking photos during my walk intervals. After we came off the trails, we then had to do an out-and-back portion on one of the park roads and then headed for the finish.   I jokingly told iaap that the final out-and-back was a bit annoying, lol, as when you get to the end of the trail, mentally you just want to turn left and go to the finish, but you have to do that out-and-back first, darn the luck.  Even so, the course is very nicely laid out by iaap to accommodate all the runners and walkers, trying to make us feel as comfortable as possible and give us maneuvering room. Iaap did very well with this. I ended up with a finish time of 44:25 chip time, averaging 14:18 per mile – I was trying to take this one a bit easy, after pushing myself a bit at my morning 5K – and, surprisingly, I did end up with negative splits doing Mile 3 in 12 minutes, jeez; guess I was ready to be done, lol.  

After My Finish:  Fun times.  This is a really nice after-party event, with grilled Kiolbassa sausages, Alamo Beer, ample water, and various other goodies.  I enjoyed some of the goodies as I went around post-race getting photos I call “Happy Finisher Photos” as more people seem to be smiling after they are done than before-and-during, lol.  Stayed until just about everyone else had left, that is how much fun this event can be.  I’ve done this one often in the past and will continue to do it in the future – and especially now, as my cancer treatment is almost done and I am feeling stronger and better a little bit more every day, thank the Lord and my great oncology doctor and staff members taking care of me.

Epilogue:   One really fun and very imaginative event put on excellently by iaap. DJ music and sound from friend Paul;  a really fun MC, my friend Anthony, who keeps everyone entertained; one of the best-ever MCs I have ever encountered, and the is quite the runner too in his own right, very speedy and talented; really nice quality and unique race shirt and the finisher medal for all finishers is quite unique too; very nice course at a great venue; nice post-race goodies; and very entertaining participants too.  I definitely recommend this one to others. Much thanks to iaap;, our MC Anthony and DJ Paul; the park police officers out there for our safety; all the sponsors that made this on possible for we participants; and on a personal note: thanks so much to my iaap friend and co-owner of iaap, Cecilia, who put on the race bib the name of my very best running friend, Bernadette, who passed away of cancer on Dec 5, 2021. When I picked up my packet, pulled out the bib and saw that….I admit the tears flowed for a while, bringing back so many memories of the race times we had together.  Every race I do, sometimes I still find myself looking around for her.  I took an old race photo of her and me together and had some buttons made up with that photo on the buttons. I took some to the race to let other people have one if they wanted it; and every button was taken, that is how popular and so well-known Bernadette was in our running community.  I was so touched about how her fellow runners responded…I admit the tears flowed again before I went home.  I miss her every day, at every race I do,  and carry her with me on the button…and sometimes I think I can almost ‘feel’ her with me as I run. Thank you, Cecilia, for the bib, and thank you, my running community members and supporters for your respect, love and friendship for my late friend.  

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Qs1bpBpHjzUJydn7A

Before The Start: My 51^st race of 2022 was the Closing the Gate on Drugs Young Marines 5K held on Oct 22 at Rodriguez Park in San Antonio.  I was scheduled to do the Mission 4 Hope 5K at Eisenhower Park but, since I did not pay attention, didn’t realize it was a 9 a.m. start; for some reason I thought it was a 7:30 start.  Well, shoot, I did not want a race start time of that late – especially as I was signed up for a 2^nd race in the evening – so figured, well, guess I won’t be doing a 5K this morning, but then found this one on line.  I don’t live too far from Rodriguez Park – about a 20-minute or so drive – so got some cash for Race Day Registration and then zipped on down to the race location.  Nice bonus is that my friends Ed and his son Peter were the ones putting on this 5K.  After I arrived, I encountered my friend Ralph, who also did this one.  Got my bib and then got a few photos before the start.

On The Course:   Pretty small event, with maybe 25 or so participants.  I jokingly told everyone they did not have to worry about last since I was there, and I turned out to pretty much be correct, lol.   Ralph and I started together behind everyone else, but he was pretty soon way ahead of me.  Also, it probably did not help that I stopped to give treats to a couple of dogs that were out walking their humans. For the most part, I had the whole trail all to myself, so I just kicked back and enjoyed it.  The trails at Rodriguez Park – which is located just off the Enrique Barerra Memorial Highway aka Old Highway 90 – are really nicely done ‘greenway’ trails like most of the parks now in San Antonio.  The course was very wide and pretty flat, with one not-too-bad downhill.  River (or creek) to our left as we went along. Lots of shade in this park with all the treelines.  The loop we did on this trail brought us back to the parking lot. We went past the start/finish line, then did an out-and-back in another part of the park near some soccer fields. We then went back the way we had come – passing the start/finish area – and then went on another trail – this one off-road, unpaved, but really nice to run on.  After we exited this trail, we then proceeded to the finish line.  This park is fairly small – and isolated from other parks – so for what Ed had to work with to make this course a 5K, he did a very good job at it.  I ended up finishing in 36:30 – woohoo, haven’t seen that time in quite a while since  before I started my prostate cancer treatment – and felt pretty good the whole way. Someone told me it was a tad short; maybe, but not for me, lol.  I had 3.12 – probably because I often run BACK on the course in the direction I’d just come to treat a dog or get another photo – I did that twice on this course – so I usually end up with 3.1 or slightly longer even if the actual course is a bit short.  Anyway, whatever it was, nicely thought out; I liked it. We also had a couple of out-and-back, so I did get to interact with people on the course, even at my slow pace, lol.

 After My Finish:  For a smaller event they sure did this one up nicely.  Post-race sausage wraps and beer, water, and the Young Marines were even handing out various types of candy – lollipops, candy bars, etc – to those that wanted them…Trick or Treat! There was even a music group before and after, providing us some entertainment, nice.   Epilogue:  Ed told me he literally put this one together in about 2 weeks, awesome! Of course, didn’t make for much time to get a lot of people registered. Even so, very nicely done event with a nice goody bag, very good quality race shirt, and reasonably priced too.  Really nice race

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/9vb8reyRHG21CZnW7

Before The Start: My 50^th race of 2022 was the City Manager’s 5K held on Oct 15, starting and finishing at the San Antonio Zoo. Very early start of 7:15 a.m., as we had to be off the Zoo Grounds by 9 a.m., so the Zoo could open for its regular weekend business hours.  I picked up my race packet a couple of days prior to race date so get to sleep in a bit extra. I arrived at the Zoo around 6:45 a.m.  My wife arrived shortly after, as she had signed up for the 5K walk. It’s very rare when she is with me at an event, so made for a nice outing.  I took a few pre-race photos but as it was still dark, my old-time Canon push-button photography camera was a bit ‘iffy’ as it does not like the dark – me either, lol – so quality not always good for some of them. Even so, enjoyed being there.  It was quite the turnout, as the course included starting in the Zoo and running a bit on the Zoo Grounds. This was a big turn-out.  I don’t know how many actually registered for the event and did not show up, but for this one iaap, the company that did the course setup, timing, results, showed 1,257 finishers for this event.

On The Course:   We started in the Zoo, pretty much in the same area where the Zoo Relay event is done. After the starting horn went off, we did a short route through part of the Zoo grounds, then exited a back gate to begin a loop through Brackenridge Park.  This look took us over the old Iron Bridge near the baseball fields, then across the Zoo’s train railroad tracks. On this road, we did an out-and-back, then re-crossed the railroad tracks and made a left turn, heading toward the water-crossing area across from the Zoo Entrance. We turned left near the water crossing and did an out-and-back on this road. Once we got back to the water-crossing area we turned right, went back to the railroad tracks intersection and then turned left.  This took us past a pavilion and restrooms on our right as we went back to the Iron Bridge, and then proceeded onto the cobblestones path that took us just down from the Zoo’s Main entrance. We turned right, went past the Zoo entrance and then entered a gate that was just down the road from the Animal Shelter.  Back onto Zoo grounds, we went to the finish line, passing by the Zoo’s main entrance and then back into the Africa Live section before getting to the finish. Nicely thought out course, with lots of room for everyone.  I never felt ‘crowded’ the whole time I was on this course.  I was shooting for a 39-minute finish, but ended up with 41 minutes because just before the finish, this leopard was walking around in its cage, so I stopped to get a photo of it as it walked past the viewing plexiglass window.  Very cool; it was worth the extra 2 minutes.  I ended up 24^th out of 51 in my age group, with a chip time of 41:14, averaging 13:15 per mile, with a negative split for Mile 3, nice. I felt good the whole way; my third event in a row now that I have run pretty strong, making me feel almost like I am getting back to pre-cancer old running self, and that I truly am winning my battle right now against my prostate cancer.

 After My Finish:   The Zoo folks threw us a very nice after-party in a really nice area near the flamingo pool, and there were also a few monkeys on exhibit there. Lots of happy finishers. I enjoyed chatting with friends and other participants and also had the rare pleasure of relaxing post-race with my wife who walked her 5K in under an hour – 49:31 chip time, so she was not far behind me. She is an active walker and walks about as fast as I run, lol.  This was a very enjoyable event, which has grown quite a bit.  I remember doing the City Manager 5K way back when, and it did not have nearly this turn out.  We also started and finished near SAWS headquarters, and that route took us up Gorrilla Hill, lol. It sure has grown since then!

Epilogue:   For as many participants as there were, this was really organized nicely and done well overall.  The route is really nicely laid out and, since there are 2 course out-and-backs, gives you a nice chance to cheer on friends and family as you pass each other by, coming and going. Course volunteers were really great, appreciate them being out there. Nicely designed race shirt, very nice post-race relaxing area and, surprisingly, lots of parking available.  I had no problem getting parked pretty quickly when I first arrived. I would definitely do this one again and recommend it to others.  Much thanks to all those involved that made this one happen for we participants: iaap, the Zoo staff, the many many volunteers involved for us through the whole process from stuffing the packet pickup bags to being there for race day and more; all the police officers out there for our safety, the bike pacers for the speedy leaders; and, of course all the many sponsors supporting this event. I was hoping maybe I’d run in the Zoo’s Director to say hello, since he is a UTSA alum and I work for UTSA; he may have been there, but I never saw him; but thanks, Tim Morrow, for allowing us use of the Zoo for this.  If I missed anyone, my apologies; thanks to all involved!

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/o5qpesz6dNEopvN68

Before The Start:   My 49^th race of 2022 was the CleftStrong 5K held on October 8 at McAllister Park in San Antonio.  There was also a Kid’s Run.  This event, per their website, is the primary fundraiser for CleftStrong, which works to promote understanding of craniofacial conditions; and create events that foster hope, motivation, for those in the community, and to raise research funds. There was an opening ceremony, the National Anthem, then the Kid’s Race, and then the 5K started at 9 a.m.  I live very close to McAllister Park so slept in a bit, and then arrived on-site at 8 a.m and got a few pre-start photos.

On The Course:  There was something like 9 other races around the local area, so lots of competition to get participants to sign up for each of these.  This event ended up with 131 finishers. Large enough to be a lot of fun and small enough so there was lots of room for everyone on the course, very nice. Our start and finish was in front of the lower soccer fields at McAllister Park, the 2^nd largest park in the San Antonio area. We headed past the youth baseball field, then onto a paved park road that took us just down from Becken Pavilion.  Before we got to Becken Pavilion, we made a left turn onto one of the park’s off-road paved trails,, then a left turn onto another trail just down from Becken Pavilion. This trail took us to our turn-round point, where we rounded the turn-round cones and went back to the finish the way we had come out. I ended up 2^nd of 4 in my 60-69 males age group, 40:45 chip time.

 After My Finish:  Got a couple photos of others coming in, then went in search of water and post-race goodies. I did enjoy a very good paletta (popsicle) after the 5K.  There was also a food truck on-site, and lots of vendors/sponsors had some table treats.  After a brief rest of munching and hydrating, I then went around chatting with other participants and getting some more post-race photos.  

Epilogue:   This is really a very nicely organized event, with iaap doing their usual great job of course set-up, timing and results.  Really nice quality race tee; I ordered a Youth Small and when I went to packet pickup, they said “Umm, I don’t think that’s going to fit you.” No, it won’t, lol. I told them I wanted them to give it to one of their kids they are helping, so they said they would do that.  Very nice course with lots of shade – although it was a pleasant 60-something degrees for this event, so very nice weather. Food truck onsite, nice, paletta (popsicle) lady on site too and, as noted, lots of vendors giving away some treats. Dog friendly event, stroller friendly, kid friendly. Very nicely designed race bibs and finisher medals, and nice trophies for the overall winners. I’ve done this one in the past, will definitely do this again, and certainly would recommend it to others.  Much thanks to iaap; all the sponsors/vendors; the park police officers out there for our safety, all the race volunteers that helped make this one happen; our sound-and-music folks there; and, of course, to the CleftStrong 5K people that get this one organized each year for we participants for such a great cause. Apologies if I missed anyone.  Thanks to you all!

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/2u25svcuK18zh5yK9

Before The Start:    My 48^th 5K of 2022 was the Purple Run held on October 1 at Our Lady Of The Lake University.  This event supports The Battered Women and Children’ Shelter in partnership with the Kristine Meza Foundation, named for a young lady who sadly was killed by her ex-boyfriend at only 25 years old.  The Foundation’s mission is to raise public awareness about domestic violence. Race start time was 8:30 a.m., but opening ceremonies started at 7:30 am., with remarks from Foundation members – Kristine’s family, who started the foundation – and the San Antonio Police Chief, Bexar County Sheriff, and the Bexar County District attorney.  I arrived a little before 8 a.m. and got a few pre-start photos.  

On The Course:  Someone told me there were something like 400 registered for this event. If so, several missed out on a really nice 5K, as there were a total of 216 finishers.   We started in front of Our Lady Of the Lake University (OLLU), did a short route through part of the campus grounds, and then exited via one of the campus gates for a short stint on part of a sidewalk on Commerce Street.  Very short, as almost immediately we cut across a grassy field and then accessed the concrete trails of Lake Elmendorf Park.  We went to the end of this trail, crossed over a bridge and then returned toward the finish on the trail of the other side of the lake.  We crossed another bridge, returning to where we had first accessed the lake trail, and then returned to the finish the way we had initially come out.  I ended up 4^th in my age group (60 – 69 males) with a chip time of 39:39. I was 38 seconds behind the guy in my age group who finished 3^rd in 39:01.  I guess I shouldn’t have stopped during the last ½ mile to give  dog  treat, lol. All good though; I was very happy with my time.  I had a negative split for the last mile and also have not seen a finish time under 40 minutes in quite a while, since I began my treatment for prostate cancer back in 2021 (one more treatment in November and I am done, yay!), so this really affirmed to me I slowly but surely am beating this darn disease and getting better.  I did get  few photos of some others coming in after me, and then went searching for some post-race goodies.

 After My Finish:  First thing, get some rehydration and a bit of protein in me. After that, wandered around chatting with friends, supporters, other finishers, and getting some post-run photos.  Lots of post-run smiles, awards ceremony for the top 3 in each age group and for the overall finishers, and I also indulged in a popsicle a vendor had there, that was really good.

Epilogue:   This is really a very nicely organized event, with timing and course setup done by Athlete Guild, one of the area’s top race management companies, and they put on over the year quite a few pretty darn good Athlete Guild events too.  Music and sound provided by The Beat, 98.5, and there were just a whole bunch of vendors and sponsors there with all kinds of foods and goodies, including a food truck on site. Very nice quality race shirt. OLLU kindly gave us access to the main building, so we had actual restrooms instead of porta-potties, which was nice. I’ve done this event before; I certainly will do it again; and I would recommend it to others.  Very nicely done, all for a really good cause.

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/u17qfE8vxieXEmrq7

Before The Start:    My 47^th 5K of 2022 was Head For The Cure 5K held in San Antonio on Sep 24^th.  This event is held in multiple cities on various dates. Fund raised support medical research for brain cancer and patient programs.  This was the 9^th anniversary of the one held in San Antonio, started in memory and honor of local TV station KSAT-13’s news director Jim Boyle, who died of this disease. Start and finish are at historic Providence Catholic School in San Antonio, located near KSAT-13’s studio headquarters.  KSAT’s David Sears, if I remember  correctly, served as our MC for the event. There were something like 8 or 9 total races on this da around the San Antonio-Austin Corridor, so a pretty nice turn out for this one, with 459 finishers. Start time of 8 a.m.  I arrived about an hour before start time, wearing gray shirt – since gray is the ‘ribbon color’ for brain cancer, if you did not know – and got a few pre-start photos and also had a nice time chatting pre-race with friends and other participants.  As a past cancer survivor myself, and currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer, I try to do as many cancer-related events as I can in support of anyone who is dealing with this disease.

On The Course:  We started in front of an historic building on the school grounds. The course was out-and-back.  We went down a driveway on the school grounds, made a left turn onto St. Mary’s Street, then made a left turn onto another street – I forget the name of the street; Richmond, I think – went down that street, made a left turn on another street that took us back onto St. Mary’s. We then went back to the school and in front of the school on St. Mary’s, we did a turn-around and proceeded back the way we had come out, finishing on the driveway at the school.  I ended up 5^th in my 60-69 male age group with a chip time of 40:25, doing my usual run/walk thing and taking photos during my walk breaks.  I also stopped at a café we passed right after the turn-round point to give a dog a treat, lol, which probably did not help my finish time at all.  I did, however, run the majority of Mile 2 – Mile 3 nonstop.  Have not done that in quite a while, since before I started my current prostate cancer treatments, with which I am almost done – my last treatment in November, yay! Nonstop for almost that full mile made me feel like I am truly making progress and will be my old-self again once I get through my treatment and over some of these side-effects from the radiation therapy I had.  My speedy friend, Woody, was first in our age group. When he reached Mile 2, I was probably still at Mile 1, lol.  Woody runs a pretty darn good pace. My VERY speedy friend, Jackie, was first overall female, zowie. 

After My Finish:   Got some water and a banana, which hit the spot, and then got a few photos of some other finishers coming in.  After that, I enjoyed wandering around, chatting with friends, and getting several photos of them and other happy finishers, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, etc., and made some new friends. Also enjoyed some post-race food and drink from some of the vendors there, and there was also a vendor of medical supplies that provided blood pressure reading.  Convenient, as I keep a BP log for my cardiologist – I have a pacemaker, so this fit in nicely for me.

Epilogue:  Very well-organized event, with finisher medal for all finishers, really nice quality race shirt, lots of various post-race goodies, and there was even a food truck on-site. With this crazy warm weather we’re having, would have been nice to have a bit of an earlier start, but probably would not have made that much difference, I guess, since it was already in the 70s at 7 a.m.  The one thing I did not get is no water stop on the course; I was curious about that but never found out why this is. For a 5K, water stops are usually at the halfway point, and since the turn-round was right in front of the school, near the start and finish, don’t see why some water couldn’t be put right there at the turn-round near the cones.  Maybe it was a safety issue or something, who knows. Well, it is what it is, so be it.  I’ve done this one several times in the past and will do it again. I try to do as many cancer-related 5Ks as I can, especially being a cancer survivor myself. I would also recommend this one to others.  Good cause, nice course – really flat course, so good one to try and set a PR if one is inclined to do that.  Mucho thanks to all the people that made this one happen for we participant: all the sponsors, KSAT-13, all the many volunteers, the school for allowing the use of the grounds, all the police officers that were out there for our safety, and anyone else involved not mentioned here.  Thank you all!

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/muswX1hxduJDkF5E9

Before The Start:   My 46^th 5K of 2022 was the Zero Prostate Cancer 5K held on September 18 at Mission County Park 1 in San Antonio. This event is held at various dates in a variety of cities in the US. With national headquarters in Washington, DC, this event raises funds for prostate cancer research with a goal to find a cure and eradicate prostate cancer altogether. The San Antonio event was an untimed run with no awards, except maybe for the overall winners. I am not sure if all the hosting cities were like that, but probably so, as this allowed all funding to go to the cause, without spending money on medals, awards, etc. There was also a Kids Run at the San Antonio event.  Packet pickup started at 7 a.m., followed by an opening ceremony at 8 a.m, and then at 8:30 a.m, a celebration of all prostate cancer survivors – including me – at this event.  I also served 24 years in the Air Force, so I was additionally celebrating on Sep 18 the 75^th anniversary of the Air Force, when it was named a separate service in 1947.  I encountered quite a few veterans at this event, several of them also Air Force.  I arrived around 7:20 or so, got my packet – and all survivors also got a shirt – and then got a few photos before everything started up.  Participants can get a bib to wear “in honor of” a prostate cancer survivor or in memory of someone.  When I arrived, I was very touched to see that a few of my friends had put my name on their bib.  On my honoree bib, I put the name of my survivor friend Bill “Doc” Byrd, former combat medic with the 82^nd Airborne – jumping out of planes to treat people, crazy person that he is 😉.  When I was diagnosed, after my wife, he was the first person I talked to about it, and he gave me so much good information about what he had experienced with treatment, side effects, and more, which was so helpful for me.

On The Course:  For those of you in San Antonio who have done races at Mission Park, this was pretty much the usual 5K course. We started in the front parking lot of the park, went down a sidewalk, and then left onto Padre Drive. This took us down to Mission Parkway, where we made a left turn – and climbed a few up-and-down inclines – going out to a turn-round point under a bridge, and then back the way we had come out.  It is a nicely laid-out course with lots of room for everyone to spread out. There is very little shade on this course, however, so with a 9 a.m. start, it was pretty warm out there. Thankfully, the had a good water stop on the course, in case anyone needed it.  I started out with my friend Bill, and we were pretty much in the same proximity for most of the course, doing run/walk.  Bill has way longer legs than I do, lol, so his walking pace is about my running pace, lol. Sometimes he was quite a bit ahead of me and other times I was ahead of him a bit. From Mile 2 to the finish, I was ready to be done – especially with having done another 5K the day before this one – so I cut my walk breaks for that part a little short and ran more.  My finish time ended up being a slow 43:54 per my garmin, averaging 14:02 per mile, but Mile 3 was a negative split, so nice. 

 After My Finish:   I stuck near the finish line area and got some photos of Bill and other friends coming in.  After that, got some water – and my friends Terry and Ed who make PB sandwiches for their post-race “rejuvenation” had kindly made one for me too, how nice – so she gave me that and then I sat in the my car for about 10 minutes, a/c full blast, sipping my Zero Gatorade and eating that sandwich – hit the spot too! Ahhh, felt much cooled-down and refreshed after that. Back to the race area and got some more photos of volunteers, friends, other participants, and even a dog. Yes, dog friendly event. The park’s large pavilion had all kinds of vendors/sponsors with goodies, freebie handouts, and so forth, and a nice cross-wind was blowing in there, so felt pretty good.  There was also a DJ there for us, and one of the race organizers and a volunteer were announcing some of the finish times of the faster folks. I wanted to get a photo of them, so I just walked right out onto the big stage, much to the amusement of several of my friends on the pavilion floor, lol; hey, I’m not shy – and the DJ and 2 presenters kindly accommodated me, lol. After that, just enjoyed relaxing post-run, chatting with friends, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, etc., and having some goodies – there were breakfast tacos, nutrition bars, and other items, and, of course, keeping my camera busy, until it was finally time to go.

Epilogue:  Very well-organized event – although I would personally like to see an earlier start time; but the time may have something to do with what time the San Antonio Parks and Recreation Dept. allows the park gates to be open, so beyond the control of the organizers.  Very good facility with plenty of room for everyone; two pavilions, actual indoor restroom facilities – beats portapotties, lol – and even a playground area for the kids. Very nice quality event shirt for the survivors, and a really nice event photo backdrop for photo ops.  Local race management and running training program company iaapweb did their usual great job of course setup, etc. All the local race organizers and volunteers for this one were tremendous, very helpful and willing. DJ playing some nice tunes for us. Prior to the start, a young lady beautifully sang The National Anthem.    I have regularly done this event many times and will continue to do so. I certainly would recommend it to others. Mucho thanks to all the people making this one happen for we participants; all the organizers, volunteers, sponsors; the local police officers at this event for our safety; our music-and-sound guy; and anyone else involved I may not have mentioned here.  Thank you all!

Photos are here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Y4ZJZcXDqAmZHCXR9

Before The Start:  My 45^th race of 2022 was the Veronica’s Journey 5K, held on September 17 at South Lions Park East Side in San Antonio.  Veronica was a young child who died of brain cancer when she was just over 2 years old, so sad. In her memory, her parents helped establish the Veronica Nicole Finnie Endowment at the Catholic Charities Association of San Antonio, which supports Veronica’s Botique at The Guadalupe Community Center (GCC). GCC provides to those in-need free material assistance with such things as baby formula, diapers, wipes, etc. The event also supports Gabriella’s Smile Foundation, a local children’s cancer support organization. The 5K had 102 finishers.  There was also a Kid’s Run, about ½ mile, before the start of the event. Considering on this weekend, there were about 10 other races in-and-around the local area, not a bad turnout. Kid’s Run started around 8 a.m, with the 5K getting started at 8:30 a.m.  Mother Nature has not let up yet on completely ending Texas summer, so it was pretty humid with a start temp near 79 degrees, and the dew-point way up. After the kid’s run, there was an opening prayer and then the playing of the National Anthem by some very talented school band members. We then all lined up – me way in the back where I belonged at my pace, lol – and got going.

On The Course: Out-and-back course on the park’s paved trails, with some nice views at times of the park’s man-made lake. For those familiar with the park, we started near the main pavilion of the park, went along a paved trail, and then crossed one of the park roads. We then passed the first water station – about 0.6 on the course – went over a wooden bridge, and then climbed up a winding paved trail.  The ascent was more long than steep. We eventually flattened out, came to the 2^nd water stop – what, no beer?  😉 just kidding – and then went down a hill, traveled underneath an overpass, and down another hill.  After crossing another bridge, we then turned onto an asphalt trail that took us to our turn-round point. I recognized this trail from having done out-and-back races on the trails of Comanche Park, which is where we would have ended up if we had continued on. After making the turn-round, we proceeded back to the finish the way we had come out, with that long winding incline now being a downhill for us. Once back on the lake trail it was pretty flat back to the finish line. I ended up with positive splits – as usual for me right now with this prostate cancer I am dealing with – ending up with a chip time of 43:05 (gun time 43:28) and somehow managed to finish 3^rd in my 60-69 males age group. I also met my two primary race goals:  finish standing up, and no ambulance waiting specifically for me.  😉

 After My Finish:  First thing, a short cool-down walk for a little bit; sometimes I have a bad habit of just stopping after I cross the finish line and then, of course, the blood rushes from my head downward and I get a bit dizzy – which makes my pacemaker think I am having an issue and it starts zapping me.  You’d think after being a runner for 39 years (I started April 15, 1983, in Turkey, during my Air Force days) I would know better, lol. Well, no issues today.  Got some hydration back into me, ate a small protein bar, and felt much recovered.  Then it was off to chat with other participants – several of whom I personally knew – and get some post-race photos.   There was also a very nicely done awards ceremony with awards to the overall finishers, and age-group awards to the Top 3 finishers in each age group, very nice. I really was surprised when I found out I was 3^rd in my ag group, totally unexpected, but appreciated. 

Epilogue:   This is the first time I’ve done this event but certainly will not be the last.  It was really well-done and everything went off just as it was supposed to, which says a lot about the organizers, iaapweb who did the course setup, timing, and results, and all those many volunteers out there for we participants. Kudos to them all. Thanks to much to Veronica’s parents who got this event started, and to all the people that helped them get it done. A very worthwhile cause. Nice touch that there was also a food truck on site with breakfast tacos, water, coffee – my coffee-guzzler friend Woody would have been so happy at this one, lol – and other items too. Very nice course, set up by my friends of iaap, and the age group awards were really awesome, especially for a smaller event. Some of the larger-done events in the area could learn a thing or two from this group. Really nice quality race shirt too. I definitely would do this one again and would recommend it to others.  It is such a great cause; so I hope this one grows in the future. Mucho thanks to all involved that made this one happen for we participants; all the sponsors, volunteers, Catholic Charities and Gabriella’s Smile Foundation, the police officer out there for our safety – very nice guy, I briefly chatted with him – iaap web folks, all the band member kids, Mr. and Mrs. Finnie especially, and anyone else involved I may not have mentioned here.  Thank you all so much!