Sunday on the trails

 I made it out to the park later this afternoon and ran 5.2 miles, almost all on the trails.  Lot of hikers on the trails - and runners, presumably training the for Rocky Raccoon race coming up in a few weeks.

Spring 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spring Park Run at 7:30 this morning.  Nice temperature in the 50's, but very windy.  I finished in 52:38, a little faster than my last run on this course.

Tried to run before the storm

 I went to the park this morning to try to get in a run ahead of the storm.  I ran 3.3 miles on the trails, but ended up running in the rain and some nearby lightning.

100th Fass 5K

 I ran my 100th Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  I was privileged to run it with my friend from Minnesota,  the amazing "Pacer Tom" Perri.  He will be running his 771st marathon in Houston on Sunday.  He has run 275 marathons since being diagnosed with Stage 4 prostate cancer.

Feeling better

 Here is an update on the ailments that I have included in my blog entries in the past month or so.  The sciatic nerve pain in my right ankle and hip, stemming from my back problem, seems to have slowly gone away.  The pain from my right hip bruise from falling on the trail a couple times recently s better.  My left calf is better, but still a little sore.  No more pain from the bulging disc in my back when I run, even though it is still sore and stiff.  I may have to live with that.  It's not easy, but I can still tie my running shoes.  As had been said, getting old is not for sissies.  I expect that I will run slower and be faced with more injuries than I experienced in my younger years.  I am just thankful that I have the motivation and physical strength to keeping running - every day.  This blog, and the fact that I know that it is being read, is a large part of the motivation.  I just hope that my experience inspires or otherwise helps others struggling to find motivation to run.

The weather was warm this afternoon (nearly 80) and nice for running.  I ran 4.4 miles at the park, mostly on the trails.

Hunting is over at the park

 Hunting is over at the state park for this season.  So, no more interruptions of my running routine.  I made it to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles, about half on the roads and half on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K - Virtual

 Yesterday evening, I drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K, a race I have not missed in a long time.  I got to the race, but had to return to Huntsville due to a family emergency (every thing is okay now).  Bill Dwyer, the race director, told me I could run it as a virtual race in Huntsville.  I did that today on the roads at the state park.  Finished in 52:02 and reported my time.  Maybe I won first place in my age group.

Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler

 I ran the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Cypress this morning.  I finished in 1:25:47, about 4 minutes faster than last year.  I was 4th of 4 in the 70 and over age group.  The other 3 were in their low 70's.  Nice clear and cool weather and got to visit with a lot of good friends.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 53:52 (first of one in my age group).

Park closed again

 The state park was closed again today (and tomorrow and Sunday) for hunting.  This is suppose to be the last closure for this hunting season.  In any case, I ran 3.4 miles in town this afternoon.

Run Your Resolution 5K (New Years Day)

 I went back to Millican this morning and ran the New Years Day edition of the Run Your Resolution 5K    trail run. I felt better today and ran almost 4 minutes faster than yesterday.  Finished in 1:06:21 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Run Your Resolution 5K

 I went to Millican this morning and ran the Run Your Resolution 5K Trail Run (New Years Eve edition).  Very technical course, especially with the wild pigs digging up so much ground.  It is like running in a plowed field.  Then, there are the roots and steep embankments.  I felt weak from the sinus infection and was slower than my normal slow on these trails.  I finished in 1:10:02 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  Tomorrow, the New Years Day edition.

I finished 2025 with 75 races, with a total race count of 1,506.   During the year, I ran 1,320.9 miles (average 3.62 per day).

Getting better

 I still had a temperature this morning, but felt better.  I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.1 miles, mostly on the trails.  Tripped on a root and took a hard fall.  Two-point landing - right knee and right hip.  I iced the hip when I got home, but it is still sore.  It had not recovered from the last fall a few days ago.

Got through another day

 My temperature got up to 101 last night and stayed over a 100 until late morning. I was able to get a video appointment with my doctor at 12:30 pm.  He wanted me to come to the office for a swab test fir flu and COVID.  I did that and both came back negative.  He called in a prescription for an antibiotic and a decongestant.  I finally got those from the drug store after 4 pm.  I took a dose of both and then ran 3.3 miles in town.  Got through another tough day and the streak continues.

Streak threat

 I woke up this morning with a fever, from days of sinus drainage down the throat.  I stayed in bed until 2 pm.  Got up, went to the park and ran 3.1 miles, almost all on the trails.  My temperature is higher tonight; hopefully, I can get to see a doctor tomorrow morning.