Race for Hope Half Marathon

I got up at 4 this morning to get over to Lufkin for a 7 a.m. start of the Race for Hope Half Marathon, which started 15 minutes late.  I felt okay, but somewhere out in one of the neighborhoods, I, along with 2 other runners, missed a turn.  We eventually got back on the course, but ended up running 14.6 miles.  I finished in 3:47:19.  While they did not have age group awards, I was first place in the 70 and over group.

Resting up

I am a little apprehensive about running a half marathon tomorrow morning (remembering the struggle on January 1).  So, I rested up today.  Got in a little over a mile on the new road next to my house.

Cold and rainy run

I went to the park this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads in a cold rain.

Stitches out

I went to the doctor in Conroe late this morning and had the stitches removed from my nose.  Later this afternoon, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 3 miles at the part, 1.1 on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Change in temperature

About half way through my 2-mile run on the park roads this evening, a north wind started blowing and the temperature dropped at least 10 degrees.

Trees

I planted 21 pine seedling on my property this afternoon.  Normally, this would probably be easy, but the ground was hard and I had to jump on the shovel to get the depth.  So, I was plenty tired before I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  In the second mile, some nice folks stopped their car and offered me a bottle of water.  I must have looked bad.

Back from Wylie

Thursday afternoon, I drove up to Wylie for activities with my family and got back to Huntsville about 7 tonight.  On Friday, I got in a 5K run at a park in nearby Plano and another 2 miles at the same park on Saturday.  At 8 tonight, I went to the track and ran laps.  I still have some inflammation in my big toe joint, but it is much better.  My next race is a half marathon this coming weekend.

Post 4,000

Since I started blogging in 2008, this is my 4,000th post.  Thanks to blogger and friend, Jon Walk, for getting me started.  While it is probably the most boring blog out there, it has helped me stay motivated to run every day.  I appreciate those who follow the blog and appreciate the comments and emails when I go on a trip and miss posting for a few days.
I am not sure what the doctor injected in my foot yesterday, but it feels much better today.  I went out to the park this morning and ran 1.5 miles on the roads.

Day at the doctors

I had an appointment with a doctor in Conroe this morning to surgically remove a spot from the top of my nose (1-inch incision).  Then, I ran several errands in Conroe and The Woodlands.  After lunch at Cracker Barrel, I had an appointment with my rheumatologist in Conroe.  The inflammation in my big toe joint was much worse today and it was very painful to even walk on it.  He changed my medication and gave me an injection in the inflamed spot.  I came home and spent the rest of the afternoon on the couch.  About 5:30 this evening, I got up and ran a little over 1 mile on the new road next to my house.  So, the streak is still alive.

A little better

The inflammation was a little better today.  I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Gimpy one-mile+

My big toe joint became inflamed and kept me up much of last night.  I went out to the park this afternoon and ran a gimpy and painful 1-mile+.  Next race is a half marathon on February 22, so I have time to recover.

Back to the park

This afternoon, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.  A couple of sore spots from yesterday.

Kilgore to Longview 11-Mile Race

I drove up to Tyler yesterday afternoon and spent the night with family.  This morning, I drove over to Longview for the Kilgore to Longview race.  After getting my packet, I took one of their buses over to the starting line in downtown Kilgore.  Perfect running weather.  I finished the 11 miles in 2:40:05 (5 minutes slower than in 2018).  Given all my medical issues this past year, I was surprised that I was not slower.  Got a police motorcycle escort the last 2 miles.  You only get those if you are the lead runner or the last runner.  Yes, I was 92 of 92 runners, but first in the 75 and over age group.  Anyway, it was my 1,124th race and 3,765 consecutive day of running.

Laps

With a race tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this morning.  Rested up.

Tapering

With a 11-mile race on Saturday, I ran just 2 miles on the park roads this evening.

Mixed trails and roads

After Iron Works this evening, I ran 2.5 miles at the park, mostly on the roads.

Changing temperature

It was almost 80 degrees this afternoon and I spent most of it doing yard work.  I met up with the group this evening at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Now, it's 52 and is suppose to get down to 34 tomorrow night.  My next race is a road race from Kilgore to Longview (11 miles) on Saturday.  Just hoping for a trail wind.

Morning trails

It was suppose to rain this afternoon, so I went to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Sunday Night 5K in the Woodlands this evening and finished in 43:03.

The Woodlands Park Run 5K

Park Runs are free, non-competitive, timed 5K's held around the world every Saturday.  This was only the second one held in The Woodlands.  I liked the 9 a.m. start.  Most of the out and back course was along the waterway.  I finished in 41:56.

Late morning run

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  This afternoon, my 4-year old grandson and I walked with an engineer wheel in my neighborhood to measure park of a new 5K course for our club run in May.

Change in running shoes

I wear custom orthotics, so I have to wear a neutral running shoe.  For many years, I have worn Asics Fortitude.  Most of the time, I have been able to find them at a reasonable price online and buy several pair.  However, in the past few months, I cannot find my size 13 anywhere.  Recently, I bought a pair of Saucony Eschelon at the Fleet Feet store.  I have been walking in them for a couple week and ran in them for the first time today (2 miles on the park roads).  Maybe I will get used to them, but I did not feel much cushioning.  I probably did not run any faster than normal, either.

Three

After Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles on the roads at the park.

Two at the park

After Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Back to the park

I felt a little beat up today after the 10 miler yesterday, but I worked out at Iron Works this afternoon and ran 2.2 miles at the state park, mostly on the trails.

Texas 10 College Station 10-Miler

I ran the Texas 10 Series 10-Miler in College Station this morning.  I never walked, but ran awfully slow and finished in 2:37:31.  There were only 3 of us in the 70 and over age group, so I got 3rd place.

Short race

Yesterday, my big toe joint started getting inflamed again.  I started taking medicine to head it off, but it was still sore this morning.  I had planned to run our club 5K this morning, but switched to the 1-mile race because of the toe joint, to run with my 4-year old grandson and because I have a 10-mile race tomorrow morning.    I finished in 13 minutes something and was 2nd overall (behind my grandson).

Late morning run

With 2 races this weekend, I went to the park late this morning and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Veterans support banquet

I went to a veterans support banquet at the fairgrounds tonight, so I ran earlier at the park.  Did 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.  At the banquet tonight, I got a chance to meet and visit with Earl Campbell, who was introduced by the keynote speaker as the great running back, Hershel Walker.

Cold and rainy

It was suppose to rain all day, so I went out to the park late this morning when it was 43 degrees and ran 2 miles on the park roads - in the rain.

Heel improving

Even though all the inflammation is not gone from the heel, it felt better today.  After Iron Works, I went to the park and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Icing and Ibuprofen

I continued to treat my inflammed heel with ice and Ibuprofen today.  It felt a little better this afternoon, so I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the state park.

Darn heel inflammation returns

I woke up this morning with inflammation in my right heel (bone spur and floating piece of bone).  Guess it was brought on by the trail run yesterday.  I iced it twice today and ran 1.2 miles in my old neighborhood this afternoon.

Around the lake

After spending much of the day in Spring for my grandson's wrestling match, I went out to the park and ran around the lake (6.9 miles).

Lots of pig activity at the park

There has been a lot more wild pig activity at the park lately.  Every day I run at the park, I find fresh diggings along the trails.  Now, in some places, they are digging up the trail itself.  Its like running through a plowed field.  I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Park and then Houston

After Iron Works and then 2.2 miles at the park this evening, I showered and then drove down to Houston to have dinner with my son.

Trails

After Iron Works, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

2 more on the road

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Park roads

I went out to the park late this morning and ran 5 miles on the hilly roads.

Football Sunday

I had family in this afternoon to watch NFL playoff games.  So immediately after church and a big Mexican dinner, I went to my old neighborhood and ran an unplanned course on the streets, which turned out to be 1.9 miles.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K in The Woodlands this morning for the first time since last August. .  I finished in 44:33.  Not fast, but got to visit with good friends.  After the race, I crossed over I-45 and watched my grandson wrestle at a high school meet.

Laps

I ran laps at the track this morning and then planted the two new bushes that I bought yesterday

Bought more shrubs today

I drove down to Conroe this morning and bought two more large shrubs, but did not get around to planting them before working out at Iron Works and running 2.5 miles on the park trails.  So, more heavy work ahead.

Heavy work

I dug big holes and planted 5 bushes on my property this afternoon.  So, I skipped Iron Works and went to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Good to see Lorie back

It was good to see Lorie back at the park this evening for our group run three weeks after her surgery.  I ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Back to trails

After Iron Works this afternoon, I got in 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler

I ran the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Cypress this morning.  Great running weather.  I finished in 1:11:21 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Changed races for Sunday

I was signed up for the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 10-miler tomorrow morning in Cypress, but with my sore big toe joint and terrible half marathon Wednesday, I switched to the 5-mile race.  Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Adjusting medication

I had an appointment with my Rheumatologist this morning and got an adjustment to my medication.  I am beginning to think I am seeing too many "ists."  Hopefully, the adjustment will help.  In the meantime, I am still trying to get use to the CPAC, the machine that blows air up my nose all night, while I am trying to sleep.  After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park, in some pain with inflammation in my big toe joint.

Feel tired

I still felt tired today after the half marathon yesterday.  After Iron Works this evening, I went out to the park to meet up with the group.  It was raining and no one else showed up.  So, I ran 1-mile+ and went home.

Texas Half Marathon

I got up early this morning and drove down to Kingwood to run the Texas Half Marathon.  It was a double loop on a concrete walkway.  I knew after the first loop that I was not adequately trained to run a half.  I struggled to finish and it took me just under 4 hours to finish.  I do not remember being that tired after running a full marathon.  The good news is that I got to visit with a lot of good friends.

2019 in Review

As far as my running goes, 2019 was not a good year.  I started the year with my right arm in a sling from rotator cuff surgery in December.  Running in the sling screwed up my left hip and had to get cortisone shots to fix that.   In March, I got my first ride in ambulance to ER due to dehydration from a 10-mile race.  In the spring, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthristis and then Afib. I had a heart monitor device implanted in my chest and was ultimately diagnosed with sleep apnea, which caused the Afib.  Now, I have to sleep with a CPAC machine with cold air blowing up my nose all night.  Then, I tore the rotator cuff in my other shoulder and got a cortisone shot for that.  Then, a bone spur in my right heel caused two bouts of inflammation; cortisone fixed that too.  Right now, I have inflammation in  my big toe joint.  I still have not decided on running the Half Marathon in Kingwood tomorrow morning.  The good news is that I kept my streak alive in 2019.  I reached 10 years on October 18.  My race count was down from an average of 67 per year for the last few years.  I only ran 49 races in 2019 (3-10 milers, 1 Quarter Marathon, 4-10K's, 4-5 Milers, 1-8K, 35-5K's and 1-1 Miler).  2020 will be better.  Happy New Year.

Monday trails

After Iron Works early this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Late run

After church this morning, outing at the ice skating rink in The Woodlands and dinner in Huntsville with visiting family, I finally got to run at 8:30 tonight.  I went to the track and ran laps.

Park instead of 5K

I got up early this morning, but decided not to drive down to The Woodlands for the 5K.  Instead, I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  I iced my heel when I got home.

Mechanical work

I replaced the front brakes on my wife's car this afternoon.  This was my first time a a while doing mechanical work.  I ended up plenty tired and dirty, but saved a few bucks.  After a good shower, I went to the track and ran laps.

Group run

As usual, Thursday is group run day at the park.  The group today was just me and Glen.  I ran 2 miles on the roads.

Merry Christmas

I had a house full of visiting family today, but I slipped out this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads at the park.  The heel is much better, but I still iced it when I got home.

Another mile day

Even though the inflammation in my right heel is much better, I ran another mile at the track this afternoon and then iced it.

Day 2

This was my 2nd day of icing my heel, taking Ibuprohen and running a mile at the track.  The treatment seems to be working.  My plan is to run a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on January 1.

Darn

Last month, I had inflammation in the back of my right heel.  An xray revealed a bone spur and a floating bone causing the inflammation.  The podiatrist gave me a cortisone shot and within a few days the inflammation went away - until late last night.  Guess the trail run yesterday was too much.  I have been icing it today, taking Ibuprohen, and inserted a gel pad in the heel of my running shoe.  I ran an easy mile at the track this afternoon.  I will continue the treatment for a few days and see how it goes.

Around the lake

I went to the state park this morning for a 7 a.m. run with a group, mostly from the Houston area.  I ran around the lake, which is 6.9 miles.

Friday

Normally, I run laps on Friday with a race on Saturday.  No race tomorrow, but I plan to run trails with a large group.  So, late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Another 2.2

At the group run at the park this evening, I ran 1.1 miles on the trails and another 1.1 on the roads.

10 years and 2 months

It is hard to believe that it has been 2 months since I hit 10 years on my streak.  Even though I run slow, time goes by fast.  I got out to the park late this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Group run at the park

As we have done every Tuesday and Thursday for over 30 years, the group met up at the state park this evening to run.  I ran 2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

30 degrees cooler

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.  It was 30 degrees cooler than yesterday.

Hot Sunday afternoon

It was 78 degrees this afternoon when I arrived at the park to run.  Got in 6 miles on the trails.

St. Nick's 5K

I drove over to College Station this morning and ran the St. Nick's 5K.  Did not realize that it was changed to non-timed and non-competitive.  According to my watch, I finished in 41:34.  HEALTH UPDATE:  I have not mentioned my Rhuematoid Arthritis (RA) and Afib for a while and I only bring it up as it affects my running.  The only thing I am now taking for the Afib is a blood thinner.  After a number of tests, they determined that my Afib is caused by sleep apnea.  Yesterday, I picked up a machine for the sleep apnea.  I think they refer to it as a CPAP.  I started using it last night and was awake off and on all night.  I am not sure I can use to wearing a thing over my head and cold air blowing non-stop into my nostrils all night.  Maybe, if I keep wearing it, the Afib will go away.  I'm also not sure about the RA.  I am taking a pill for that.  Either the pill is working or my sore and swollen hands and body soreness has just gone away.  I just wonder if the sleep apnea is related to the RA diagnosis.  For now, I just have to get use to the CPAC.  Maybe it will make me run faster.

Short Friday trail run

With a race in the morning, I ran a 1.2-mile loop on the trails at the park.

Jingle Jog

I went down to The Woodlands tonight to run the annual non-competitive Jingle Jog, put on by Fleet Feet.  It was suppose to be a 3-mile course from the Fleet Feet store.  I missed a turn somewhere and ended up running 3.5 miles in 48:29.  This included waiting for traffic at a couple busy intersections.  Had a good time, anyway.  Some of my family participated and got to visit with a lot of friends.

Trails and roads

After Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles at the park, 1.1 on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Cold and rainy

It rained most of today and the temp was in the 40's.  No one else showed up at the park this evening for our 4:30 run, so I ran 2 miles on the roads and added another day to my streak.

Trails

After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Visiting family

I had visiting family today, but I broke away this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the state park.

Reindeer 5K

For the 6th straight year, I ran the Reindeer 5K in Lufkin this morning.  After being run on courses of various distances at the zoo, it was moved to the convention center in downtown this year.  According to my GPS, the course was accurate and I ran 39:27.  I was the only one in the 71 and over age group.  Nice running weather and I got a chance to visit with a lot of good friends from Lufkin.  Also got to meet Krystal Riley (inaskirt.com).  She interviewed me several weeks ago and included it on her website (Episode 34).

Laps

With a race tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Trails/roads

I met up with the group this evening at the park and ran 1.1 miles on the trails and another 1.1 on the roads.

Avenues 5K course

With the state park closed today for squirrel hunting, I ran the very hilly Avenues 5K course in town.

Park closed this evening

The state park closed at 5 pm today for squirrel hunting and will reopen at noon this Thursday.  So, I went out to the park late this morning and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.  I warned all the squirrels I could.

Back on the trails

It was a little late before I got to the state park this evening, but I got in 2.2 miles on the trails before it go dark.

Texas 10 Series Conroe 10 Miler

I ran the Texas 10 Series Conroe 10 Miler this morning.  Beautiful sunny skies and low 50's.  Could not ask for better weather.  I finished in 2:29:45, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  I had to make a pit stop, so that cost me a few minutes.  I was 5th of 5 in the 70 and over age group.

Leftover Turkey 5K

I ran our club's Leftover Turkey 5K this morning.  It was rather warm and humid and the course is nothing but hills.  I finished in 46:48, about a minute slower than the same race last year.

Back to the park

This morning, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler

For the 18th straight year, I ran the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler in The Woodlands this morning.  I finished in 1:10:05 and was 4th of 4 in the 75 & Over age group.

Good running weather

Sunny and in the 50's today.  I went out to the park late this morning and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Good day for running more, but I have a race tomorrow.

Podiatrist appointment

A week ago, my podiatrist gave me a cortisone shot in my right heel.  I had a followup appointment with him this afternoon.  I still have some tenderness, but it is much better.  No real pain when I am running.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.7 miles, 1.1 on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Trails and roads

It was nearly dark by the time I got to the park to run this evening.  So, I ran 1.1 miles on the trails and finished with 1.1 on the road back to my truck.

Had to wait in a long line

In between football games this afternoon, I went out to the state park to run.  There was a long line of cars backed up at the gate.  They finally opened a second gate and I finally got in.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Conroe Turkey Trot 5K

I like these 9 a.m. starts.  I slept in and went down to the Conroe Turkey Trot.  I finished in 41:28, which is actually my be 5K time since last spring.  Nice to run without heel pain.  The upper age group was 60 and over, so I was far from placing.

And another

This was my third straight day of short runs, so that my heel will recover from the cortisone shot.  I ran laps at the track this morning.

Another short run

I met up with the group at the park this evening.  While they ran 3 miles, I ran 1 easy mile+ back and forth on the flat roads near the Nature Center.  I plan another short run tomorrow and then a 5K race on Saturday.  The heel feels much better, but I know I have to take it easy for a few days after a cortisone shot.

Kept my agreement with the doc

I kept my agreement with the podiatrist and ran one easy mile at the track tonight.  With the cortisone shot yesterday, my heel felt much better.

A talk about streaking

Knowing that I had an appointment with the podiatrist this afternoon and a cortisone shot was a possibility, I went to the park this morning with my inflamed right heel and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  This afternoon at the podiatrist's office, xrays showed that I have a spur and a floating bone in my right heel.  I got a very painful cortisone injection and was then told I would be in a boot for a few days and no running.  The doctor and I then had a talk about streaking.  I left with no boot and the understanding that I could run a slow and easy one mile at the track for the next couple of days.

Late run

I was tied up at the house all day and did not get a chance to run until after dark this evening.  I worked out a Iron Works and then ran laps at the track.  I have an appointment with a podiatrist tomorrow to look at the inflammation in my right heel.

Back to the park

I went out t6 the park this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Foregoing the La Porte Half Marathon

Months ago, I signed up for the La Porte Half Marathon, which is tomorrow morning.  While I have been struggling somewhat in recent months with the RA and Afib, the inflamed right heel is still inflamed and hurting after 19 days.  I have been treating it and maybe it has improved somewhat. I have debated with myself about running the half anyway, but I may really screw up the heel.  My plan is to see if I can get an appointment with a podiatrist next week.  My regular doctor thought it was gout in an odd place, but gout would have gone away by now.  So, I will skip the half tomorrow.  In the meantime, I went to the state park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Ran short of time

Nice running weather today.  Sunny and cool.  However, I got busy today and ran short of time.  I ran 2 miles on the track late this afternoon.

Cold and rainy

I ran 2 miles on the park roads this morning in the cold (41 degrees) and rain.

Late run

By the time I left Iron Works and got to the park, it was nearly dark.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads and it was totally dark by the time I finished.  Of course, there was hardly any traffic on the park roads.