RTW/SN5K history

 The Run the Woodlands 5K (2nd and 4th Saturday of each month) and the Sunday Night 5K (now on the first Sunday) are held on the same relatively flat course in The Woodlands.  I have run the RTW 101 times and the SN5K 117 times for a total of 218.  I started running these races when I was 63 and have run 3 since I turned 80.  With the help of my smart daughter, I charted my finish time in 216 and the chart is below.  Two races from 2014 were omitted due to the transition to a new course and the races were short of a 5K.  The chart is below.  I ran my last full marathon at age 72 and ran a lot of half marathons until age 78.  Obviously, I ran faster when I was younger.  In the early 80's when I started racing, most of my times were in the mid-20's.  My personal record is 23:45 (May 1987 when I was 45 years old.)  I have run a total of 688-5K races.  I'm not sure what the chart says, except that you run slower as you grow older.

In any case, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this morning.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 46:57.  I suppose because of so many races this 4th of July morning, there were only 3 of us who showed up.  So, I was 3rd overall.

Stu's Country Mile 5K

 For the 25th straight year (except last year was cancelled) I ran the Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville this morning.  I finished in about 47:30 and was 2nd place of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  I actually ran this race on July 4, 1988 when it was 5.3 miles with no course volunteers or water on the course.  When I ran it again in 1996, it was changed to a 5K.  Have not missed a year since.  So, I have run the race 26 times.  We always have a lot of our club members there and we all go to the Town Cafe for breakfast after the race and finish in time for the 4th of July parade.

Noon run

 I went to the state park at noon and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Millican Summer Series Race 3

 I drove over to Millican this evening to run race 3 of the Summer Series.  The 5K trail race (3.2 on my GPS all three races) did not get started until about 7:20.  It was very hot standing around waiting for the start and I was glad to get on the shaded trails.  The trails were almost completely dry.  I finished in 1:00:03 (gun time), compared to 59:08 last time.

Park roads

 For a change, I ran 2.3 miles on the park roads late this morning.  That gives me 76.1 miles for the month of June.

Curtis' report

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails, partly in the rain.  Curtis was there and gave us a report on his 332-mile point to point race in a bunch of  states in the southeast.  Amazing race, 95% on the roads and 5% on trails.  He finished on Day 6 and came in second place of 76 runners.  Congratulation, Curtis.  Not many runners have a "332" sticker on the back of their car.  I was parked next to him this evening and it made me look like a wimp with my "50-Mile" sticker.

Found nothing

 I ran 2.5 miles on the trails early this afternoon and found nothing - except biting horse flies.

Odd find on the trails

 I ran 3 miles on the trails at the state park this afternoon.  About half way through the run, I found a lady's purse on the trails.  I have been running regularly at the park for over 30 years.  I found cell phones, cash and lost kids, but never a purse.  It was completely empty, so I left it where it was.  I did not want to finish my run carrying a purse, anyway.

Run the Woodlands 5K

 For the 101st time, I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning.  I finished in 48:50 and got the chance to visit with some good friends.

Trails at the park

 I worked out at Iron Works this morning.  As I was leaving, I ran into old runner friends, Jerry Flanagan and Marvin Dittfurth.  For many years, Marvin and I use  to  trade off being president of the running club.  Jerry ran Boston a number of times, until he broke his hip and had a hip  replacement.  Then, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Just when I finished, Hans Jaeger and John Cook showed up riding bikes.  Hans, John and I went off to run a number of marathons together.  I have not seen either one for a while.  Hopefully, they will get back to biking at the park on a regular basis.

Got it over with

 No food or drink until this afternoon.  I went to the track this morning and ran laps and was at the hospital at 11:30 for my colonoscopy, which was done about 1 p.m.  Got it over with.  I suppose the next one will be in 5 years.

Long day

 I have a colonoscopy scheduled for 11:30 tomorrow morning.  So, I had to  start my preparation last night.  No food today, just clear liquids.  Nothing tomorrow before the procedure.  That made for a long day today.  This morning, I found a chance to go to the track and run a mile to keep the streak alive.

Regular 2.5 at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Park roads

 I ran an unplanned route on the state park roads late this morning.  It turned out to be 2.3 miles.

Late Sunday run

 I had visiting family much of the day and did not get to the park until about 5:30 this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and got bit a few times by flying critters.

June Bug 5K

 I ran our club's June Bug 5K this morning in the Spring Lake Sub-division here in Huntsville. I finished in 47:38 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Regular 2.5 at the park

 Late this morning, I made it out to the park and ran my normal 2.5 miles on the trails.

Millican Summer Series Race 2

 I drove over to Millican this evening to run Race 2 (of 6) of the Millican Summer Series at 7 p.m..  What a contrast to the rain, water and mud  two weeks ago!  There was no water on the trails and very little mud.  Of course, there were plenty of roots on the  trails and lots of ups and down.  According to my GPS, the course was 3.2 miles (like last time).  I finished in 59:08 (3 minutes and 1 second faster than last time).

Took a break from the trails

 I took a break from the trails (hard fall yesterday) and ran 2.1 miles on the park roads at the park late this morning.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  It was nice to have Sara from Lovelady and her son, Brady, join us.

Noon run

 I got to the park at noon today and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Hot Sunday afternoon

 It was 95 and humid when I got to the park in the middle of the afternoon.  The lady at the gate even offered me a bottle of water when I entered the park.  With no rain for a week, most of the mud on the trails has dried up.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Greyhound 5K

 I drove up to Kosse (88 miles) this morning to run the Greyhound 5K for the ninth time.  Hot and humid.  I finished in 47:40 and was 1st of 2 in the 80 and over age group.  Got to visit  with a lot of friends at the race and a bunch of us had breakfast at the Kosse Cafe after the race.  This was my 30th race so far in 2021.

Two on the road

 I went to the park this morning and ran 2 miles on the roads.

One month

 My 5th running streak is now one month old.  In another 11 months, I can get back on the national list.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Summer time

 It was in the high 90's and very humid when I got to the park to run this afternoon.  I ran my "regular" 2.5-mile loop and for the third straight day, saw no one else on the trails.

Usual Tuesday

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Still muddy as heck.

Trails still muddy at the park

 I went out to the park this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  They are still muddy in parts, even with less rain for the last couple days.  However, they are bone dry compared to the trails at Millican last Thursday.

Sunday Night 5K

 I went down to The Woodlands this evening and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 48 something, probably my slowest ever in this race.   Maybe I need to replace my pacemaker for one that has a high speed transmission.

Hope for Hospice 5K

I went back to Bellville (they are having a lot of races there lately) this morning to run the first ever Hope for Hospice 5K.  Nice untimed race with 20+ runners and walkers.  I enjoyed the course and, according to my watch, finished in a slow 47:40.  After the race, I had a good visit with Jason and Jerri Smalley and their  boys.  Jason is the Bellville Chief of Police and Jerri  is an RN.  

Back to the park

 After a rough race yesterday, I felt a little beat up today.  However, I went to the state park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Millican Summer Series Race 1

 I drove 51 miles over to the Millican Reserve near Navasota to run the 1st of six 5K races in their summer series.  It rained all the way over and some during the race.  From where you park, it is a half mile walk to the start/finish line.  The course is all trails.  My GPS, which normally measures short on trails, showed the course to be 3.2 miles.  So, it was probably longer than that.  Very technical course.  Up and down, lots of roots, all very slippery mud and water everywhere.  There was 30 to 40 times we had to go through water over the ankles, sometimes up close to the knees.  I fell several times and was a muddy mess by the time I finished.  My finish time was 1:03:09.  There were a couple guys in their 70's running, but I suppose I was first in the 80 and over age group.  Awards are given at the end of the 6-race series, based on a point system.  It was my 24th consecutive day of running.

Global Running Day 5K

 I went to the Fleet Feet Store in The Woodlands this evening and ran their Global Day 5K along the waterway.  I finished in 43:47, but according to my GPS, the course was 3 miles.  Got a chance to visit with a lot of friends.  On the way back to Huntsville, I stopped in at Cheddars in Conroe and had dinner with my daughter and her family.

Hard fall

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  With more rain today, the trails were in bad shape.  I tripped on a root and took a hard fall.  No injuries that band aids won't cover up, though.

Memorial Day

 We hosted our club's annual Memorial Day 5K & 1-Mile at our house this morning.  Nice weather (not too hot).  We had 77 finishers and everyone seem to have a good time.  This afternoon, I went to the park to run.  Luckily, I made a reservation. because the park was full again.  I ran a 3-mile loop on the still muddy trails.  I encountered snake number 2 for the season.  I am not sure what kind it was.  Two feet were on the trail and the business end was in the bushes.  It looked like a water moccasin.

Got in

 I am hosting a club 5K at my house tomorrow, so I have been busy getting ready for that.  I did make it out to the park this afternoon.  After waiting in a long line to get to the gate, they told me that the park was full and that I could not get in without a reservation.  However, being about the most regular customer they have, they let me in anyway.  I ran the same 2.5-mile loop on the trails that I did yesterday.  Still muddy in parts.

Muddy and crowded trails

 There was a long line at the gate at the park this morning and it took me a while to get in.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  They are still muddy and there were a lot of other runners and hikers on the trails.  Surprisingly, the flying critters were not bad.  Maybe they were just not hungry anymore after I got there.  By the way, this was my 4,444th post since I starting blogging in 2008.

Park roads

 Even though this is the second day in a row without rain, I figured that the trails would still be muddy.  So, this morning, I ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Park roads

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

Catching up, again

 After having my computer working briefly, it went out again.  ATT came out this morning and got  it going again, along with the phone and TV.

May 25 - Ran 3 miles on the roads at the park

May 26 - Ran 2.5 on the very muddy trails at the park.

Catching up

 Last Friday night, I lost my Internet (and TV and phone) due to a blown Modem.  Just got a new one from ATT.

May 21 - Ran 2.4 miles on the trails and roads at the park.

May 22 - Mindy Moses Memorial 5K, Bellville.  I'm not sure who Mindy Moses was, but they put on a good race in her honor.  I finished in 45:46 and was 2nd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.

May 23 -  My 80th birthday.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park late in the morning and had family in for the rest of the day.

May 24 - I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park in heavy rain.  Luckily, the lightning was not too close.

Unusual Thursday morning run

 I normally meet the group at the park on  Tuesday and Thursday evening, but tonight I had to go to The Woodlands for my grandson's high school graduation.  So, I went to the park this morning and ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Park roads

 After a heavy rain last night, I did not even attempt to run on the trails this morning.  So, I ran 3 miles on the park roads late this morning.

Wet trails

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on very wet trails.  With a lot more rain tonight, the trails will be a mess tomorrow.

Partly

 I went to the park late this morning and ran 2.2 miles, partly on the trails and partly in the rain.

Same course

 Less than one week on my new streak and I forgot to post last night.  Yesterday, I ran the same 2.5-mile course on the trails at the park.

Back to the trails

 I went to the park this afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Luckily, no trips or falls.

2 at the park

 I had a lot of yard work this morning and early afternoon and did not get to the park to run until later this afternoon.  While tempted to get on the trails, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Back to 3

 I went out to the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the roads.  Was tempted to go on the trails, but am suppose to take it easy for 2 weeks,   I would hate to take a hard fall and knock the wires loose from my heart.

Cleared to run

 I went to the doctor this morning to get the 11 staples out of my chest.  All looks well and I am cleared to run.  I went to the park this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Day 1 of Streak Number 5

 Tomorrow, I have a doctors appointment to remove the bandages and stitches and/or staples from my chest.  Then, I am technically allowed to remove the sling from my left arm and be able to drive again.  So, I drove to the park this evening, met up with the group, and ran 1-mile+ on the park roads.

Streak Ended

 My 4th streak has ended.  The last day I ran was April 28, 2021, ending a 11-year, 6-month and 10-day streak.  My headaches continued today and with chest pain.  I went to the doctor this afternoon,  The pacemaker is working fine.  The headache is due to the sudden normal pulse rate, after so long at a slow rate.  The chest pain is from the surgery trauma (they removed the old heart monitor and inserted the pacemaker in a different place.  I go back to the doctor on May 12,  In the meantime, I have to wear s sling on the left arm, cannot get the bandage wet, cannot drive or run.  The danger is the wires being pulled out of the heart and infection.  I plan to start another streak when I can.  Thanks for your support.  The fact that a few people read this blog is a huge motivator.  I'll post again when I start streak number 5.

Pacemaker Implant today

 I went to the track at midnight last night and got in a mile for today.  This morning, I went down to The Woodlands to have a pacemaker implanted  Spent over 7 hours in the place.  The surgery lasted over an hour.  Right now, I am very sore and have an extremely bad headache.

Another 2.5

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Back to the park

 After a couple days running races on concrete, I went back to the park late this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Texas 10 Series Cypress 5-Miler

 I ran the Texas 10 Series Cypress 5-Miler this morning in Cypress.  I finished in 1:13:33 and was 4 of 4 in the 70 and over age group.  That's 4 seconds faster than Sienna last Sunday.  Cypress was the last of 7 Texas 10 Series race in 2020/2021.  

Run The Woodlands 5K

 I ran the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month Run The Woodlands 5K this morning and finished in 44:36.  This was my 100th time for running this race.  The first time was on June 12, 2004, when I finished in 30:13.  This afternoon, I went to the Sam Houston State and Monmouth U. football game her in Huntsville.  Due to the pandemic, Sam Houston had a late 6-game season and today's game was the first round of the FCS playoffs.  It ended up being a close game, but Sam Houston won and will play North Dakota State in Huntsville next weekend.

Another 2 races this weekend

 With 2 more races this weekend, I went to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Thursday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  The others saw a rattlesnake in the parking lot, but it was gone by the time I got back from the run.  In my 30+ years of running trails at Huntsville State Park, I have seen about every kind of snake, but never a rattlesnake.

Cool and clear

 It was cool and clear for a run on the trails at the state park this morning.  I ran 3 miles.

Tuesday with the group

 As usual for Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  The knee is feeling better.

Trails on Monday

 After two races on the roads this weekend, I went to the park early this afternoon.  I have been having some pain in my left knee for a week, so I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  I may have to get the knee strap  out again.

Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler

 I got up at 4:10 this morning to drive down to Missouri City for the Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler. - 7 a.m. start.  Nice weather with the temperature in the 50's.  I finished in 1:13:37 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  Two years ago, I ran the 10-mile course in Sienna in very high heat and humidity.  I ended up being taken by ambulance to the hospital with severe dehydration.  The race today was my 22nd race in 2021 and 1,175th race since I started racing 38 years ago.  Today was also my 4,200th consecutive day of running, which is exactly 11 and a half years.

Spring Fling 5K

 I ran our club's Spring Fling 5K at the Elkins Lake Sub-division here in Huntsville this morning.  It must be the hilliest course in Huntsville.  I do not have my official time yet, but it should be just over 46 minutes.  We did not have it in 2020, but in 2019, my time was just under 47 minutes.

Cardiologist appointment today

 I had an important appointment with the cardiologist late this morning and did not make it out to the park until later this afternoon.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Rain at the end

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails, the last half mile or  so in the rain.

Late afternoon run

 I had some errands to run today in Conroe and The Woodlands and did not get to the park to run until late this afternoon, breaking my late morning habit.  I ran 3 miles on the trails.  Lots of annoying (and biting) flying critters.   Guess it is time to get out the anti-bug spray.

Just me and Jason

 It was just me and Jason for the group at the park this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Back to the park

 After a couple days of racing, I went back to the state park this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Texas 10 Series Katy 5-Miler

 I got up at 4:15 this morning to go down to Katy (just west of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series Katy 5-Miler.  Beautiful sunny weather in the 50's.  I finished in 1:10:06 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  This was my 20th race in 2021 and I have 2 races every weekend for the next 3 weeks.  After the race this morning, I had breakfast at IHOP with my niece, who lives in west Houston.  Nice day.

Blue Bell 5K

 I ran the Blue Bell 5K in Brenham this morning.  I ran my first Blue Bell in 1996 and today was my 18th.  Most of those years, I ran the 10K.  There were 745 finishers in the 5K today.  I finished in 44:02 and was 3rd of 4 in the 75-79 age group.  I would have been much slower had I not crossed the track before the train got there.  The guard rail almost hit my head as it came down.  While they did not have a post-race park to hang around with friends, I did get to visit with a couple friends that I had not seen in a while.

Definitely getting close to summer

 I ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  Not only is it starting to get hot, the flying insects and spider webs across the trails were starting to appear.

Snake number one

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the trials.  I encountered my first snake of the year on the trails.  It was a common Rough Green Snake.

Still burning at the park

 They were still doing the controlled burn at the state park today.  However, late this morning, I was able to get in a 3.5-mile run on the trails.

Back to the smoky park

 Today was day two of controlled burns at Huntsville State Park.  I met up with the group this evening and ran my regular 2.5-mile course on the trails.  While the course was not in the burn area, it was a little smoky.

Waterway

 They had a controlled burn at Huntsville State Park today.  Even though some of the trails were to be open, it would be a smoky environment.  I had some errands to run in The Woodlands today, so while down there, I ran 4 miles along the waterway.  That makes for a lot of concrete running surface the last few days.  Hopefully, its back to trails tomorrow.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 43:42.  Happy Easter.

Guns and Hoses 5K

 I ran the Guns and Hoses 5K in Bellville this morning.  I have been through Bellville a few times, but never ran a race there.  Am not sure how many runners they had, but well over 100.  I finished in 43:25 and was 1 of 1 in the 70 and over age group.  I would have been a little faster, except  that I had to make a quick porta-potty stop on the course.  After running the ramps last night, I was a little sore and stiff the first mile.  This was my 17th race in 2021 and 1,170th overall.

Run the Ramps 5K

 For the 13th time, I ran the Run the Ramps 5K at Kyle Field in College Station this evening.  This is 3 trips up and down the ramps at the stadium.  I ran it for the first time in 1997.  The date, time, course and the Texas A&M organization putting it on has changed several times over the years.  While the stadium was under renovation several years ago and in 2020, it was not held at all.  In any case, I finished in 44:05, almost a minute faster than in 2019.

Thursday with the group

 As usual for Thursday, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  5K races the next 3 days.

March

 I ran 4 miles on the trails this morning.  That gives me 110.6 miles for the month (average 3.57 per day).  Today was my 4,182nd consecutive day of running.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Happy National Vietnam Veterans Day

 At noon today, I attended a flag ceremony and luncheon at the Veterans Museum in Huntsville to celebrate National Vietnam Veterans Day.  I served with the 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam in 1967 and 68.  Hanging around and telling war stories is not my thing, but it was nice to see the recognition of Vietnam Veterans and visit with some friends.  Afterwards, I worked out at Iron Works and ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the state park.

Texas 10 Series Huntsville 5-Miler

 No long drive for a race this morning.  I ran the Texas 10 Series 5-Miler here in Huntsville.  With a 7 a.m. start, I still had to get up early, though.  The course is on and around the campus, so it is very hilly.  I finished in 1:12:53 and was 2 of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Run the Woodlands 5K

 For the first time in over a year, I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning.  It is held twice a month, but was not held for most of 2020 due to COVID.  This was my 99th time running this race, starting in 2004.  I finished in 43:17.

4 on Friday

 I went to the park late this Friday morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Small group

 It was a small group at the park this evening.  Me, Jacob and Curtis.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Regular 4

 Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails at the park.

Run with the group

 I forgot to post last night, but yesterday I worked out at Iron Works and met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Back to Iron Works

 After a year of skipping Iron Works due to the pandemic, I went there this afternoon for a light start-up again workout.  This morning, I went to the park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Lots of time at the park

 I went to the park this morning, waited in a long line to get in, and then ran 2.5 miles on the  trails.  I went back out to the park this afternoon for our club's annual Run the Trails 3.5-mile  event.  I delivered the race clock and then hiked out  1-mile with my camera.  I served as a photographer and course monitor.  After the last runner, I hiked back in and took down course marking materials on the way back.

Green Ultra 10K Trail Run

 I ran the Green Ultra 10K Trail Run at Millican Reserve (between Navasota and College Station) this morning.  Beautiful  weather, clear and in the 40's.  According to my GPS, the course was 6.4 miles.  I finished in 1:53:50 and was 1 of 1 in the 70 and over age group.

Crowded park for a Friday

 I had to wait in a long line to get into the park late this morning.  Lots of people at the park for a Friday.  I ran 3 miles on the trails.

5K distance

 I got to the park ahead of the group this evening and took off running.  I ran 5K on the trails and finished up about the same time as the others.

Nice time of year at the park

 The park is starting to green up with the approach of Spring and the temperature is nice for running.  I went out late this morning and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

No line at the park

 There was no line to get into the park this evening to run with the group.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Long line at the park

 When I got to the state park yesterday, the line to get into the gate was so long (spring break) that I turned around.  I went to the parking lot near I-45 and ran and entered the trail head there.  I was suppose to have a day pass, but put my annual pass on my dash board, instead.  Luckily, I did not get a ticket.  I got in 3.3 miles, mostly on the south perimeter jeep trail.

Trip to Tyler

 I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this morning before driving up to Tyler for a long-overdue family get together.  The drive was 2.5 hours both ways in the rain, but it was nice to visit  with family again.

5K x 2

 I ran the Captain Rowdy Inman Memorial 5K on the SHSU campus this morning.  The course was in and around the campus was very hilly, but any race around that campus will be hilly.  I finished in 42:26.  There was no age group competition.   Later today, I went to the state park and ran the 5K distance on the trails, to give me 6.2 miles for the day.