Halloween 5K

 I ran our club's new Halloween 5K this morning in Forest Hills, my old sub-division in Huntsville.  I lived there 20+ years and know the streets and hills very well.  It was on a new course and I missed a turn somewhere, maybe during aa rather heavy rain.  I ended up running 3.45 miles in 1:07:50.  First in my age group, though.

That wraps up October 2026.  My total milage for the month was 114.5 miles, the most of any month since last October.  That gives me 1025.1 for the year (average 3.37 per day).

So, I passed the 1,000 mile mark for the 5th straight year and became the 406th runner to be inducted in the Run 1,000 Miles Challenge, a Facebook-based organization.  I probably ran at least a 1,000 miles for the years before, but never logged my miles until my cardiologist made me start doing it 5 years ago.  I have to log my run time and distance, so he can check it against my pulse rate.

Another milestone reached today:  2,000 days on my current running streak.

Friday at the park

 I went to the park early this Friday afternoon and ran 3.4 miles, mostly on the trails.

2 runs

 I forgot to post last night.  I ran twice yesterday, 2 miles in town in the afternoon and another 2 miles at the Fass Brewery in Conroe last night.

Late run at the park

 I did not get out to the park until after 5 pm today.  It's getting dark earlier now and there was a kEFW herd (sounder) of wild pigs on the other side of the narrow end of the lake.  I ran 3.2 miles, almost all on the trails.

Roads and trails

 I did not get out to the park until late this evening.  Got in 3.4 miles, about half on the roads and half on the trails.

Earlier than usual

My truck is still in the shop, so I had to borrow my wife's car to go to the park and run.  Since it was not available later this afternoon, I went to the park earlier than normal to run.  Ran 3.3 miles, all on the trails.

Lots of people on the trails

Most of the time I ran trails at the state park, I never see anyone.  However, this Sunday afternoon, there were lots of people on the trails.  Must be the cooler weather.  I ran 4 miles, 3 on the trails and 1 on the roads.

Pumpkinpalooza Trail Run

I drove over to Millican this morning to run the Pumpkinpalooza Trail Run.  I was signed up for the 5K.  There was a turn sign missing and everyone in the race got off course and finished with varying distances.  I ran 3.8 miles and finished in 1:20:17.  In any case, I was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  I left the race and made the long drive to Humble for my grandson's football game.  The 3.8 miles put me over the 1,000-mile mark for the year.  I have been hitting that mark a little earlier in October each year, but heart procedures in the Spring delayed reaching that milestone.

Busy day

I had to take my wife to The Woodlands this morning for an appointment.  Before leaving, I had to get her flat tire fixed.  Then, I started having transmission problems with my old truck.  I managed to get it to the shop, but will be without it for a few days for sure.  Later this afternoon, I squeezed a 3.1-mile run in town.  While running, I got a call from my doctor's office to tell me that all the blood work from my physical came back normal.  That was good news.  The doctor also referred me to another cardiologist for a second opinion on my heart issue and I have an appointment with him next Tuesday.

Annual Physical, voting and 2 runs

 I had my annual physical this morning.  Of course, I will not get the results of the blood work for a few days, but my doctor is referring me to another cardiologist for a second opinion on my heart issue.  After the physical, I ran 2 miles in town.  This afternoon, I voted and then went to Conroe tonight and ran another 2 miles from the Fass Brewery.  Four miles for the day.

4 at the park

 Relatively cool and clear day to run at the park.  Got in 4 miles, mostly on the trails.

More people at the park

 With cooler weather, there at more people at the state park, campers and hikers.  I keep expecting to see a snake basking in a sunny spot on the trail.  Not that I am really looking, but I have not seen a snake on the trail since last spring.  I ran 3.5 miles this evening at the park, mostly on the trails.

Trails with my grandson

 When my 11 year old grandson is at our house, I always ask him if he wants to  go run trails.  Today, he surprisingly said yes.  So, went to the state park and ran 3.2 miles, mostly on the trails.  Nice to spend quality time with him.

Huntsville 10K

 I ran the Huntsville 10K this morning.  The Huntsville Half Marathon was an old local race.  I directed it for 10 years and ran it for many other years.  It was discontinued several years ago.  A friend of mine from The Woodlands brought it back this year as the Huntsville Half Marathon & 10K.  He did a great job.  And, the weather was perfect, 50 degrees and sunny.  Very hilly course.  I finished in 1:58:34 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Spring Park Run 5K

 I ran the Spring Park Run 5K this morning and finished in 56:34.  Since my heart started operating at 30 percent, that seems to be about my average 5K time.  Nice weather with the temperature in the 50's.  This was my 50th race in 2026, a little behind my normal for the last few years.

Guess alligators don't like pumpkins

 I ran 3.4 miles at the state park this afternoon.  Mostly on the trails.  The 3 pumpkins that were at the bench on the trail along the lake were still there - untouched.  Guess alligators don't like pumpkins.