Stayed in town

 With the state park still closed, I ran in town this afternoon.  Did 4 miles.

Park closed until Friday

 Huntsville State Park is closed for "natural resource management" (getting rid of some of the alligators) until Friday.  So, I ran 3.6 miles in town this afternoon.  I was suppose to have an appointment at the chiropractor's office, but I received a letter from my insurance company declining to pay.   In the meantime, my allergies hit today and I was sneezing and draining all day.  Not a fun run this afternoon.

Art Car 5K and Sunday Night 5K

 I got up at 5 this morning and got to the Art Car 5K in Houston at 6:30, two hours before race time. There were over 4,000 runners for the race, so I managed to get a parking place about a block away.  The was my first time running the Art Car 5K, which is connected to the big Art Car parade.  Finished the race in 55:36 was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  I drove back to Huntsville and then drove down to The Woodlands this evening for the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 55:37.  While I was slow today, I was consistent.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 54:28.

Friday at the park

 I stayed on the roads at the state park early this afternoon.  Got in 3.4 miles.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight - for the 70th time.  On the way back to Huntsville, the odometer on my 2016 Ford F-150 truck, which I bought new, passed 200,000 miles.  That's a lot of races.

Wet trail run

 No rain at the house, but when I started running trails at the park this afternoon, it started raining.  Rained for 3.7 miles.  Went home and still no  rain.

Second chiropractor appointment

 I had my second chiropractor appointment late this afternoon.  So far, no improvement in my back.  I ran earlier this afternoon.  Ran 3.2 miles in town.

Finishing up another month

 I ran 3.1 miles on the roads at the park this afternoon.  That gives me 116.7 miles for the month of March and 349.6 for 2025.  While my running streak is nearing 4 years,  I have run a minimum of 3.1 miles every day for 8 months.  So far in 2025, I have run 15 races.

Lots of flying critters

 I ran 4.6 miles on the trails at the state park this afternoon.  There are lots of flying critters out and I am sure it will not be long before they are joined by the biting horse flies.

Snake #1

 No race this Saturday morning.  I went my granddaughter's Taekwondo tournament this morning instead.  Later this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.  I encountered my first snake on the trails this season.  It left the trail in a hurry, so I did not get a good look at the head.  Large black snake.  Could have been a cotton mouth, but more likely a coachwhip.

Trails to myself

 I was a little surprised, but I ran 3.9 miles on the trails at the state park this Friday afternoon and never saw anyone else - or any wildlife.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

Another day on the trails

 I headed out on the trails at the park early this afternoon.  While running 4.1 miles, I ran into two old friends I have not seen in a while, one running and one biking.  I had to stop and visit both times.  It is starting to get hot, but I have not encountered a snake on the trail.  And, it is only about a month away from biting horse fly season.

Appointment with the Chiropractor

 The bulging disc in my back has been getting worse in the last few weeks.  I am trying to avoid another surgery, so I had an appointment this afternoon with a Chiropractor.  I was there for two hours, being evaluated and treated.  I go back next week.  I left his office and went straight to the park for a 3.4-mile trail run.

Back to the trails

 I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran  3.7 miles on the trails.

Tired today

 After the 10K and zoo visit yesterday, I was really tired today.  However, I went to the park late this afternoon and ran 3.5 slow miles on the trails.

Tyler Azalea 10K

 I ran the Tyler Azalea 10K in Tyler this morning.  Really nice weather, clear and in the 60's.  I finished in 1:52:37, a little over a minute faster than my l0K three weeks ago.  And, this course is much more hillier and a lot of it is on brick streets.  Lots of opportunities for tripping.  I was the only runner over 80, so I won first in my age group.  After lunch, I took my grandson to the zoo in Tyler.  Trying to keep up with him was harder than the 10K.

Resting up

 With a 10K tomorrow, I rested up today.  I ran 3.1 miles on the trails at the park this morning.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

Low BP again

 I ran 3.4 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.  It was obvious that my BP was down somewhat, but I finished.  Lots of fluids the next couple  days.  10K in my hometown of Tyler this Saturday.  I first ran this race in 1985.

Trails, again

 I went back to the state park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

BP almost back to normal

My BP is almost back to normal.  I was able to run 4.6 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon. 

Conroe

 I attended a family birthday party in Conroe this afternoon.  Then, I slipped into running clothes and stopped at the Barton Park in Conroe on the way back to run.  Got in 3.2 miles on the concrete trails around the park.

No Spindle Tree

 I got up at 5:30 this morning and checked my BP.  I had planned to run the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia, but the BP was too low.  I drank a lot of fluids during the day and took electrolyte tablets.  Later this afternoon, I went to the crowded state park and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.  Not 100 percent, but sure felt better than yesterday.

Tough run at the park

 I ran 3.2 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon and struggled to finish.  I checked my BP when I got home and it was very low, like a few weeks ago when I could not finish the Law Week 8K in Houston.  Took on a lot of fluids and electrolytes when I got home.  Hopefully, I will be back to normal (back and leg pain) tomorrow.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  With the time change last Sunday, most of the run was in daylight.

Warmer weather

 It was a little warmer this afternoon - in the 80's.  I ran 4.6 miles on the trails at the park.

Nice running weather

 No rain lately and the temperature is in the 60's and 70's.  Too early for biting horse flies at the park  Nice running weather.  Late this afternoon, I ran 3.7 miles on the trails at the park.

All trails at HSP

 I made it out to the state park late this afternoon and ran 4.5 miles, all on the trails.

Stayed in town

 I had a busy day and had to work in a run in town.  Being Spring Break, I figured there would be a long line to get into the park.  So, I stayed in town to run.  Got in 3.7 miles.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in a slow 57:56. 

Back to the trails

 I got in 3.4 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.  No falls.

Fass Brewery 5K

I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.  The group is growing in size.

All trails

 This afternoon, I went on some trails at the state park that I have not been on since they were closed due to heavy storms last summer.  I took it easy to avoid tripping and falling and finished with 4.1 miles.

Stitches out

 I went down to the doctor's office in Conroe this morning to get the stitches out of my face from the surgery last week.  From there, I went a little further south to the Jones State Forest Park to run trails.  It rained last night and the trails were a little muddy.  I got in 3.1 miles.

Slipped onto the trails

 I started running on the roads at the park this afternoon, but after a couple miles I slipped onto the trails.  Got in a total of 4.2 miles.  No trips or falls.

Sunday Night 5K

 Today, I made my 3rd trip to The Woodlands in 3 days.  Ran the Sunday Night 5K this evening.  Finished in 54:53.  I ran the entire race with an old friend, who ran with his dog on a leash.  He was also an Army officer back in his day, so we talked Army all the way.  That did not help with the speed.

The Woodlands 10K

 I ran The Woodlands 10K yesterday (743 finishers).  There were a lot more running the half and full marathon).  Nice clear weather in the 50's.  Of my 3 issues, the only one that bothered me was the leg.  I think it must be a hamstring.  I limped the whole way and finished in 1:53:44.  I was 2nd of 3 in the 75 and over age group.  The other guys were 75 and 76.

Expo in The Woodlands

 I drove down to Expo in The Woodlands this morning to pick up my packet for The Woodlands 10K tomorrow morning.  The 10K is held in conjunction with the marathon and half marathon.  With my back pain, leg pain and low BP, I was not sure if I could make a 10K.  On the way back, I went a little out of the way and stopped at the Jones State Forest Park for a "test run."  I ran 3.1 miles on the trails and felt okay.  So, my plan is to run the 10K tomorrow.  The 3.1 miles today, gives me 101 miles for the short month of February.  It also gives me 7 full months of running at least 3.1 miles every day.

No Fass tonight

 There was no Fass Brewery Run in Conroe tonight, so I ran 3.4 miles on the roads at the state park this afternoon.

Waited late to run

 The doc told me not to sweat for 2 days after the surgery.  It was up to about 80 degrees today, so I waited to late this evening to run.  Got in 3.2 miles in town.

Surgery today

 I went to my dermatologist in Conroe this morning.  He removed a cancer spot on my face, between my nose and left eye.  I'm not sure how many stitches, but I am not suppose to sweat or otherwise get it wet for 48 hours.  Oops.  The temperature was in the 70's today, not like the 30's a couple days ago.  So, with a sore leg and back, I went to the park this evening and ran 3.4 miles, trying not to sweat.

Tough runs right now

 I was doing some awkward heavy lifting at home on Sunday and I think I messed up my bulging disc, which I had surgery on last July.  Yesterday's run was hard, but today I had strong pains in my back during some movements.  I was not sure what running would do.  I applied heat and ice today.  This evening, I went into town and struggled to run 3.4 miles on the roads.  However, no sharp pains when running.  Am scheduled to run The Woodlands 10K this Saturday.  I would sure hate to miss that.  More ice and heat to come.

Late Sunday afternoon

 I felt lousy this afternoon and did not make it to the park until after 4 p.m.  Ran 3.5 miles on the roads.

The Woodlands 5K

 I ran The Woodlands 5K this morning.  It is held one week before The Woodlands Marathon.  There were 465 runners and it was cold (30's).  I finished in 51:27, about a minute slower than last year.  I was 4th of 6 in the 75 and over age group.

Still cold

 It was still in the 30's this afternoon when I went to the park.  I ran 3.5 miles on the roads, except for about a quarter mile on the trails.  Just could not resist.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight - for the 65th time.

Cold

 For Huntsville, Texas, it was cold today.  It was in the mid-20's went I went to the park late this afternoon.  Got in 3.4 miles on the virtually empty roads.

Another 4.2

 I ran another 4.2 miles on the roads at the park this afternoon (not the same course as yesterday).  Not back to 100 percent yet.

BP still a little low

 My BP was still a little low today, but I managed to get in 4.2 miles on the park roads this afternoon.

Better day

 I loaded up on electrolytes and salt today to get my BP up.  I felt better this afternoon and went to the park and ran 3.7 miles on the roads.

Got a ride in a police car

 I went down to Houston to run the Law Week 8K this morning.  It started at Sam Houston Park in downtown Houston and went out and back on Allen Parkway.  I felt weak when I started and it only got worse.  I made it to the turnaround point and a little further and finishing seemed hopeless.  I even tried walking a bit.  A police officer gave me a ride back to the starting area.  In over 1,400 races, this was my first DNF (did not finish).  I hung around for a while and visited friends and then drove back to Huntsville.  Later this afternoon, I went into town and ran 1.2 miles, just to make sure I had at least a 5K for the day.  I checked my blood pressure this afternoon and it was unusually low.  I suppose that was the cause.

Wet run

 I went to the park this afternoon to run.  With the ongoing back pain and leg pain, I felt weak, like I am coming down with something.  Then, at about 2 miles into the run on the roads, it started raining.  Got soaking wet, but finished up a slow 3.1 miles.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

After the rain

 It rained all morning, but was cloudy and low 50's this afternoon.  Good running weather..  Got in 4.1 miles on the roads at the park.

Back to the park this Tuesday

 It rained pretty much all day, but it was a light rain when I went back to the state park to run this afternoon.  Got in 4 miles on the roads.

New running venue

 I had a doctor's appointment this morning in Conroe.  I had been wanting to run at Jones State Forest in southern Conroe for a while.  So, after the appointment, I headed for Jones and hit the trails.  I never saw a trail map, so I just headed out and tried to remember how to get back the same way.  Lots of turns and options.  I ran for 1.7 miles and came back in the same way, for a total of 3.4 miles.

Back from Wylie

 I drove up to Wylie (northeast of Dallas) Friday afternoon to visit family and got back to Huntsville late this evening.  On Saturday, I ran 3.2 miles on a concrete trail in Plano and 3.3 miles this afternoon on the same trail.

In town run

 I ran 3.6 miles in town this morning.  The leg is not any better; I may have to cut back.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight. Still limpy.

About the same

 I ran 3.7 slow miles on the roads at the park this afternoon.  The leg pain was about the same as yesterday.  At least, it is not getting worse.

Better

 Even though I started my run at the park in pain, it lessened after a mile or so.  Got in 3.5 miles on the park roads.

Super slow 5K at the park

 I spent some time on a heating pad today, skipped my workout at Iron Works, took some Tylenol and then went to the park late this afternoon.  I was relieved to get to the 1-mile mark, but I kept going and finished with 3.1 miles.  Super slow and painful, but the streak is alive.

Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler and Sunday Night 5K

Long day.  I got up at 5 this morning and drove down to Missouri City (southwest of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler.  I finished in 1:25:17 and was first of one in the 70 and over age group.  Nice clear weather with the temperature in the 60's.  I started getting some pain in my upper right leg in the last mile, but did not think much about it.  After the race, I drove up to Cypress and met my son for breakfast.  Then, went to the Asics Store in the Outlet Mall in Cypress and bought a couple pair of new running shoes.  Drove on back to Huntsville, took a shower and a nap.  Later this afternoon, I drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  As soon as I started running, I knew that my leg was worse than I thought.  About 2/10ths of a mile into the race, my right leg collapsed and I fell on the concrete.  I should have quit then, but in over 1,400 races, I have never had a DNF (did not finish), so I got up and kept running.  I almost fell again, but I finished the race in a slow 55:41.  I am not looking forward to tomorrow's run.  I may have to break my "at least 3.1 miles" streak and do at least a mile.  We will see.  Today's total drive was 320 miles.  No wonder my 2016 truck is about to hit 200,000 miles.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 51:41.

Wrapping up the month

 I ran 4.3 miles on the roads at the park early this afternoon.  There were a lot of runners arriving for Rocky Raccoon 100-Miler at the park this weekend.  In fact, the park is completely closed to everyone not associated with the race.  My run today gives me a total of 131.9 miles for the month (average 4.2 per day).  That is my highest monthly total since my cardiologist told me to record my miles and the time I ran.  I started recording in January 2022.   My pacemaker automatically sends my heart rate data to his office and they check to see if increases coincide with my running.  Today also marks 6 months of running at least 3.1 miles per day.

Missed Fass tonight

 I missed the Fass Brewery run tonight.  We had a running club meeting this evening, so I ran 4.4 miles on the roads at the state park earlier this afternoon.

Warming up

 Gosh, the temperature was in the 60's when I went to run at the park early this afternoon.  First time in a while that I ran in a short sleeve T-shirt.  Got in 5.2 miles on the roads.

Group night at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 4.1 miles on the roads.

Park roads again

 I went back to the park this afternoon and ran 4.4 miles on the roads.

Park, again

 After 3 days of running elsewhere (Conroe, in town and Bremond), I returned to the state park to run this Sunday  afternoon.  Ran  4.3 miles, all on the roads.

Hog Wild 10K

 I ran the Hog Wild 10K (actually 6.4 miles) trail run on a ranch outside of Bremond this morning.  Great having my 17-year old granddaughter go with me and run the 5K.  I finished in 2:03:03 and was 1st of one in the 80 and over age group (about 5 minutes slower than last year).  My granddaughter was 3rd overall in the 5K.

Morning run

 I had visiting family this afternoon and I have a race tomorrow morning, so I got my run in this morning.  Did 4 miles in town.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I went down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass  Brewery 5K social run.

Warmer

 The temperature when I ran at the park this afternoon was in the high 40's, although it felt like the 30's.  Maybe it was the wind.  The guy at the gate said that I was only the 18th vehicle to enter the park all day.  I ran the roads and there was virtually no traffic.  I think about the days I ran the streets in town and there was so much traffic - and it seems that everyone was on a cell phone.  I got in 5.1 miles today.

Most of the snow was gone today

 Most of the snow last night melted today with the temperature getting in the high 30's.  We did not get as much in Huntsville as areas to the south, anyway.  The roads at the nearly empty state park were clear this evening.  I got in 4 miles with no problem.

Snowing tonight

 I ran 4.3 miles on the roads at the park this afternoon, but it is snowing tonight.  Tomorrow may be a rare run on the treadmill, if the gym is open and I can get there.

Back down to the 30's

 It was back down to the 30's today and it will get colder for the next few days.  I stayed on the park roads this afternoon and ran 5 miles.  Congratulations to all my friends who ran the Houston Marathon and Half Marathon today.

Frost Your Fanny 5K

 I ran our club's hilly Frost Your Fanny 5K this morning.  The temperature was in the low 50's, so not bad.  I finished in 51:31 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Friday at the park

 I got in 4 miles on the roads at the park this afternoon.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight - for the 61st time.

Another park road run

 I got in another 4.3 miles on the park roads this afternoon.  So tempted to get back on the trails.

Group night

 As usual for Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  Ran 4.4 miles on the roads.

Staying on the roads for now

 While  I am drawn to the trails, I am staying on the roads for now.  My back pain is back and a fall or two on the trails may have aggravated it.  So, this afternoon I ran 4.3 miles on the park roads.

Sunday afternoon at the park

 Nice warmer weather (60's) this afternoon for a Sunday run at the park.  Got in 3.4 miles, all on the roads.

Late Saturday run

 I went to my granddaughters high school wrestling match this morning and then attended a funeral this afternoon.  I did not around to running until about 4:30 pm.  Got in 4.1 miles in town.  Another subject:  They announced today that Jon Sutherland, 74, of Utah, who held position 1 on the international streak list ended his 55+ year streak.  I cannot imagine a streak that long.  I suppose it is a combination of self-discipline and good health.  Congratulations, Jon.  The next 5 on the streak list have at least 50-year streaks.

Stuck in the 30's

 The temperature seems to be stuck in the 30's.  It was 37 degrees when I got to the park to run this afternoon.  Ran 3.5 miles on the roads.  Today, my running streak reach 3 years and 8 months (1,341 days).  That makes me number 3,703 of 4,887 on the international streak list.  Got a ways to go.

Cold and rainy

 I had to attend a memorial service in Bryan this morning, so I did not get to run until this afternoon, when it was cold (37) and rainy.  Got in 3.3 miles on the roads at the park.

Virtually empty park

 It was 38 degrees when I got to the park this afternoon and the park was virtually empty, one guy fishing and a couple of campers.  I stayed on the roads and ran 3.7 miles.

Mostly park roads

 The temperature was up in the 40's today.  Nice for running.  Got in 4.4 miles at the park, mostly on the roads.

Cold park run

 After running 6 races in 6 days, I went to the park this afternoon and ran 3.6 miles on the roads.  Cold - 38 degrees, but nice and sunny.  About the only vehicle to pass me while I was running was the Park Police Officer.  Luckily, I did not get a speeding ticket.

Texas 10 Bridgeland 5-Miler and Sunday Night 5K

 This was another 2-race day.  I ran the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Cypress this morning.  The temperature was in the 70's.  I finished in 1:29:53 and was 3rd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  Then, I drove back to Huntsville, partly in a heavy rain.  The second race for the day was the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands.  I finished that in 53:12 in much cooler temperatures.  It is dropping into the 20's tonight.

Spindle Tree Park Run 5K

 I ran the Spindle Tree Park Run in Magnolia this morning and finished in 52:42.

Early run

 If you follow my blog at all, you know that I prefer to sleep in and run later in the day.  I had to go to a funeral in Caldwell, Texas this afternoon, so I got up a little early and ran in town.  Got in 3.6 miles.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran my 60th Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  Clear and cool weather.

Spindle Tree Park Run 5K and Resolution 5K

 I started 2025 off with two races, The Spindle Tree Park Run 5K in Magnolia early this morning and then our club's Resolution 5K in Huntsville this afternoon.  I finished Spindle Tree in 53:49 and the hilly Resolution Run in 55:22.