2021 in Review

 2021 was not exactly a post-pandemic year, but it sure beat 2020.  I ended my 11 and a half+ year running streak on April 28 for implant of a pacemaker, due to a low heart rate.  I missed 13 days of running, but not a day since.  I turned 80 in May.  After so many years of running, this is the first year I have logged all my miles.  A monthly list is below.  The pacemaker includes a built-in heart monitor, so my doctor asked me to log what time I ran each day and how far, so he can check my chart and make sure the increased heart rate is consistent with the time I am running.  So, I plan to continue with my log.  In any case, I find it helps with motivation.  I ran 70 races in 2021, but nothing over a quarter marathon (6.55 miles).  My career total is 1,223 races.  Late this morning, I went to the crowded state park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Miles run each month in 2021:

January                 114.3

February                 87.8      

March                   110.6

April                      86,6

May                       52,2

June                       76,1

July                        81.2

August                   87.5

September           106,0

October               114.2

November           102.1

December            110.3

      TOTAL       1,128.9

Twice on trails

 Early this afternoon, I went out to the park with my daughter and two young grandkids to hike the trails.  We did nearly 2 miles.  That hiking stuff is hard work.  This evening, I went back to the park to meet up with the group.  I ran 3.1 miles on the trails.

Another snake

 It is in the middle of winter and I saw another snake (Texas Brown Snake) on the trail at the park today.  I suppose you can expect that when the temperature is around 80 for a week or so.  In any case, I got in 4 miles on the trails late this morning.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

Same 4

 I made it out to the park early this afternoon and ran the same 4-mile course as yesterday.

Crowded park

 As expected this holiday week, Huntsville State Park was crowded this afternoon.  I made it out there about 3 this afternoon and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Merry Christmas

 After church with visiting family this morning and a quick lunch, I went out to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Twice to the park

 I went to the park twice today.  Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails.  Then, this afternoon, I took 2 kindergarten grandkids fishing.  No fish.

Trails/roads, again

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 1.9 miles on the trails and another 1.2 on the roads.  Total 3.1.

Trails/roads

 I got out to the park late this afternoon and ran 1.8 miles on the trails and then 1.8 on the roads, for a total of 3.6.

Allergy issues

 I am having some allergy issues today, stopped up sinuses, sore throat, etc.  However, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the roads.  The run was not much fun - not that running is fun when you feel well.

Park roads again

 I took a hard fall on the trails yesterday and beat up my left knee.  So, early this afternoon I ran 3.1 miles on the park roads.

100 Days

 I ran 5 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.  That makes my current running streak 223 days (at least a mile a day).  However, today marked 100 days of running at least 3 miles a day. 

Another late run

 I was in Bryan most of the day attending a high school wrestling tournament.  While there, I ran into an old running buddy, Ray, who I had not seen in about 20 years.  Ray is a retired Houston Police Officer and was at the tournament as an assistant wrestling coach.  I had a late lunch in College Station and then drove back to Huntsville.  I got out to the park about 4 this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the roads, partly in the rain.

Combination

 It was late this afternoon before I could get out to the park to run.  I started on the trails, but when the sun started going down, I switched to the roads.  Ended up with 5.2 miles total, mostly trails.

Thursday roads

 I met up with the group (just me, Jacob and Curtis) this evening at the park this evening and ran 3.2 miles on the park roads.

Early afternoon on the trails

 Early this afternoon, I ran 4.3 miles on the state park trails. 

Back with the group

 With the state park closed for hunting last week, the group met up at the park this evening.  I ran 3.1 miles on the roads.

Three on the trails

 Late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park, the last part in a light rain.

Nice cool Sunday afternoon at the park

 I made it out to the park late this afternoon and ran 4.2 miles on the trails.  Nice cool and clear weather.

Jingle Bell 5K

 I drove over to Livingston this morning and ran the Jingle Bell 5K at noon.  I finished in 44:56 and was 2nd in the 61 and over age group.  This was my 70th race this year - and probably my last this year.

Park trails

After being closed for 2 and a half days for squirrel hunting, Huntsville State Park reopened today.  Early this afternoon, I ran 4 miles on the trails.  Down by the end of the lake, I passed a water moccasin next to the trail.  I was not surprised, since the temperature was in the mid-80's.  It was only the third snake I have seen at the park this season.  Today, I completed 7 months on my new streak.  Also, I completed 3 months of never running less than 3 miles a day.

Roads and concrete trails in town

 This afternoon, I ran 3.3 miles, some on the roads and the rest on a concrete trail in a local park.

3.2 at the track

 With the park closed for hunting, I went to the track late this morning and ran 3.2 miles.  That distance seems so much shorter on the trails.

Park closed today

 Huntsville State Park closed at noon today for squirrel hunting and will reopen early Friday morning.  I managed to get out there late this morning and run 3 miles on the park roads.  I will have to run somewhere else for the next two days.

Empty trails

 It rained all morning, but by this afternoon the trails at the state park were in good shape.  After no rain for a week or so, they drain very well.  I ran 4 miles and saw no one else on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  It is held on the first Sunday of every month.  I finished in 44:43.

Reindeer 5K

 For the 7th consecutive year (not counting 2020 when the race was not held), I ran the Reindeer 5K in Lufkin this morning.  I finished in 44:18.  They did not give out age group awards, but according to the posted results, I was first in my age group.  I was the only one over 60.  Enjoyed visiting with good friends in Lufkin.

3-Mile trail loop

 I made it out to the park this afternoon and ran my normal 3-mile loop on the trails.

Late run at the track

 Early this morning, I drove up to Tyler for a funeral.  After returning to Huntsville this evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then went to the track and ran 3 miles.

Wednesday on the trails

 I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.