Exploratory Run

The group met at the park this evening. Since I am driving out to the back side of the park tomorrow to set up the Seven Hills Running Club's aid station for the Rocky Raccoon Trail Run on Saturday, I ran to certain parts of the road to see if they are drivable. At one point, I stopped and filled in some deep holes in the road with nearby cut logs. I ended up running about 3 miles. Then, I went to the club meeting, where we elected the rest of the new officers for the year. It was a good meeting and many decisions were made. I think the club is off to a good start for the year.

2.9 in Town

After working out at Nautilus this evening, I ran a 2.9 mile loop around town. Felt good.

Trails at the Park

I met up with the group this evening and ran 4.2 miles on the trails. Nothing was sore from the 50K on Saturday and my quadriceps are still intact.

Easy Monday

After returning to Huntsville last night and having a Mexican dinner with Marilynn, I went to the track and ran one mile at 10 p.m. Actually, I felt okay. After a workout at Nautilus this evening, I went to the track and ran a 2-mile loop around town. I felt like I could have run much further, but I know that I needed the rest after the 50K on Saturday.

Helen Klein Classic 50K

I ran the Helen Klein Classic 50K (31 miles) in Sacramento, CA yesterday. The race is directed by Norman Klein, who directed the Western States 100-miler in California for 14 years and Sunmart Texas Trail Endurance Run at Huntsville State Park for 10 years. That is where I got to know Norman and his wife Helen. Helen started running at age 55 and holds about 75 world and U. S. records for long distance running. They are both very inspiring people and it was good to visit with both of them.

The first and last two miles were on a single-file rocky dirt trail. The rest of the course was out and back on a asphalt bike trail along the American River. It was a beautiful course and the trees were in full color. There were a few flat stretches, but mostly it was up or down hills. I felt good until I hit the wall at about 21 miles. (my lack of multiple long traing runs caught up with me). During the last 10 miles, I did more walking than running. My finish time was 8:17:25.

Rested Up

I'm rested up for the 50K on Saturday in California - maybe too rested. I went out to the park this evening to meet up with the group. It was raining, as it did all day, and no one else showed up. So, I went to Nautilus, worked out and then ran on a treadmill. That's the first time I have run on a treadmill in probably a couple years. How can anyone do distance on treadmills?

Track Run

I went to the track this evening, with the intention of running the roads from there. Randy Woodward was there finishing up his run. He had a half mile to go and I ended up running a mile with him. We talked a while and I had to leave to pick up Marilynn at the airport.

Easy Run at the Park

I'm tapering for the 50K this Saturday. I ran 3 miles on the roads at the park this evening. Marilynn gets back from Chicago tomorrow night. Except for coffee cups, I have no dirty dishes in the sink. All the restaurants in town, except those that serve stuff from the water, did well the last few days.

Rainy Run

I was asked to attend a meeting at the university late this afternoon at about the same time I planned to run. So, I ended up running a mile+ in the rain in my neighborhood before the meeting. Then, I went straight to a restaurant to have dinner with Ben and his friend.

Sunday Night 5K

Not being a early morning person, I like these evening races. I went down to The Woodlands this evening for the Sunday Night 5K. I ran it in 31:36, my fastest time on this course since November 2004. Think what I could do with 100% of my quadricepts. Jason and Laura from Huntsville were also there.

Nacogdoches

I slept in this morning and had just enough time to run a mile before going to the Sam Houston - Stephen F. Austin game in Nacogdoches with Ben. We had a good time, but Sam lost badly. We sat with an old friend of mine, Jim Sawyer, of Center. He and I were officers in the Rose Runners in Tyler in 1985. I also saw Kori Estrada, who was a van-mate at the Texas Independence Relay last March. She is a school teacher in Lufkin, not far from Nacogdoches. It was so crowded, I could not reach her for a visit.

Early Start

I got up at 4 this morning to take Marilynn down to the airport for a flight to Chicago. She will be visiting our daughter, Lisa, and will come back on Wednesday. So, it was a quiet day at the house, not that she is that noisy when she is here. I went to Nautilus this evening and then did a 3.2 mile run around town. Gosh, I love this cooler weather.

Knee Felt Good

Since we had a Seven Hills Running Club meeting at 7 this evening, we had a small group at the park at 5:30. John and I met up with Laura and we did the three-mile loop. My knee felt good. I plan on doing the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this weekend and the 50K in California on October 31. Congratulations to the new club officers elected at tonight's meeting.

Easy Day

I went over to the track this evening and ran laps. It was suppose to start raining and I figured I could not get in a long run anyway. Jill Baine, who just rejoined the Seven Hills Running Club after a 20+ absence, was running. She slowed down and ran a couple laps with me. I think I ended up with a mile and a half. At one time, Jill was the fastest female runner in Huntsville and at 48, she won her age group in the Huntsville 5K last Saturday with a time of 22:21. Anyway, its good to see her back in the club and running well.

Back to the Scene

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran roads while everyone else did trails. I did the 3-mile loop, which included the spot where I faltered last Tuesday. I did not realize that I was running down a hill at the time.

A New Beginning

After not running for four days, I went to see an Orthopedic Surgeon today. He examined my knee, looked at the MRI and said that the 80% tear in my quadriceps did not occur last Tuesday. It had been there for some time. He said that the sharp pain I felt last Tuesday was probably due to an awkward step and the hitting of two bones together. He said that I could run as much as I wanted. So, I ran 2.8 miles on the streets this evening - with no pain. The beginnings of a new streak.