10K in Livingston

I ran a 10K on the park roads at Livingston State Park in Livingston this morning. That's about 50 east of Huntsville. It was one of the most poorly managed races that I have been to, starting with no restrooms in the start/finish area. I am considering sending them a critique, so they will have an opportunity to improve it next year. I finished in 1:21:13 and did not place in the 50 & Over age group (combined males and females). They gave certificates for age group awards, anyway. The race T-shirt was one of the worst I ever received. I gave mine away. If the race had not given me the opportunity to visit with some old friends in Livingston and get a hamburger after the race, it would have been a complete waste of $30.

Four Days in a Row at the Park

I met up with Jacob and Callye this morning at the park to run trails. They ran 8+ miles and, since I am running a 10K tomorrow, I ran 3.

Rain Scared Most Runners Off

We had heavy rains in Huntsville this afternoon, but it quit raining in time for our group trail run this evening. It was just me, Jacob, Phillip, Jason and Glen. I ran 2 miles on the park roads, while they ran trails. The hamstring feels a lot better, but I know that I have to rebuild the strength. That will take some time, but it is nice not to have the pain.

Trails on Wednesday

Phillip, Jacob, Callye and I met up at the park at 10 a.m. today to run trails. I ran 6.9 miles and managed to avoid any trips on roots that would aggravate my hamstrings.

Alligator

We had a large group running trails at the park this evening. I ran 3 miles on the trails, which included the trail along the lake. In all the years I have been running trails at the park, it was the first time I've seen an alligator while running. It was in the water a few feet from the shore.

Avenues

After working out at Nautilus this evening, I drove to the track and ran 2.5 miles up and down the hills in the avenues.

Working Run

Our club had our annual 3.5-Mile Run the Trails non-competitive run/walk at Huntsville State Park this afternoon. The course is a lollipop shaped course, goes out one mile and then does a 1.5-mile loop back to the 1-mile point. An hour before the race, I ran the first 2.5-miles as a working run, putting up turn signs. When I got to the 1-mile point intersection, I stayed there as a course monitor for the entire race. Then, I ran the 1-mile back to the starting point. I'm tired from all that standing.

BMI 5K

I drove down to Conroe this morning for the BMI 5K. Nice race. I parked with a 100 feet of the start/finish line; indoor restrooms, chip timing beautiful and safe flat course through a nice neighborhood and nice age group plaques. I finished in 37:12 (1st in my 70 & over age group). The hamstring is still slowing me down, but it is definitely feeling better.

Laps

This morning, I had the final treatment on my hamstring. It's getting better; I just have to avoid anything that will re-injure it. I spent most of the day doing yard work, but did go over to the track this evening and run laps. I should be well-rested for the 5K tomorrow.

Late Night Run

I drove up to Tyler this morning for a family get-together and did not get home until late tonight. I went to the track about 10:30 tonight and ran laps.

Rare Morning Training Run

I ran 1.3 miles on the roads this morning before going on a trip for the rest of the day. I hate running in the morning; mornings are for sleeping.

Heavy Rains

We had heavy rains today, but it had stopped in time for our run at the park this evening. I ran two easy miles on the trails and managed to avoid the muddy areas.

Easy Run

I went in for a treatment on my hamstring this morning. After working out at Nautilus this evening, I ran 1.3 miles on the roads - in the rain. Felt good.

Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon

I got up at 4 a.m. today and drove down to Seabrook for the Lucky Trail Half Marathon. I ran the full marathon there the last 4 years, but this was my first time for the half (2 loops, instead of 4). It was hot and humid. I felt a little better than at the half marathon in The Woodlands two weeks ago, but my time was only slightly better and still about 45 minutes slower than my normal half marathon time. Of course, the trail slows you down some. I finished in 3:29:07 and got first in my age group. The Mayor of Seabrook presented my award. No more long distance races or running in the near future. I am going to concentrate on hamstring recovery.

Ready for Tomorrow

I ran laps at the track again today and then drove two hours up to northeast Texas for a wedding this evening. Just got back and have to get up at 4:15 a.m. for the half marathon in Seabrook.

Resting Up

I went in this morning for the third treatment on my hamstring this week. Three more treatments next week and that will probably be it. With the half marathon coming up on Sunday, I rested up today and ran laps at the track. After the difficulty in finishing the half marathon in The Woodlands on March 3, I am anxious to see how I do on Sunday.

Small Group at the Park

Guess most everyone around here is on spring break. Only three of us showed up to run trails at the park this evening. It was me, Ron and Glen. I ran 3 miles on the trails.

Making Progress

With three treatments a week on my hamstring, I think I am making progress. Even though I have to regain strength, it is not so painful when running. I am just trying to take it easy. I ran a new route on the roads this evening; it turned out to be 1.8 miles.

Muddy Trails

After all the rain lately, the trails at the park were a little muddy today. I ran about 2.5 miles, most of it very carefully on the trails and the rest on park roads. With the mild winter and rain and warmer temperatures, it will be a bad year for mosquitos. They are out in force.

Sunshine

It was sunny today and that gave me a chance to mow and trim the grass. I'm torn between resting the hamstring and training for the half marathon next Sunday. I had a pretty aggressive treatment on it this morning and it was sore this afternoon. I did a short 1.3-mie run on the roads this evening.

Wet Roads

It rained most of the day, but after it stopped this afternoon, I ran 2.8 miles on the roads in town. With the students gone for spring break, there was not much traffic.

Empty Trails

I went out to the park alone this afternoon and ran 4 miles on the trails. Did not see another runner, a hiker or biker. Even after all the rain the last few days, the trails were in good shape.

Cold and Rainy

It was cold and rainy all day. I wimped out and ran the treadmill at Nautilus this evening.

Beat the Storm

We had a light rain for most of the day, we we got in our trail run at the park this evening, just before a storm blew through. I ran two miles on the trails, while most of the group did three.

Had to run to rest up

I spent most of the day doing heavy yard work. To rest up, I went to Nautilus to work out and then to the track to run laps in the rain.

Switched to Seabrook Half Marathon

I officially switched from the Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon on March 18 to the Half Marathon. I learned my lesson by attempting the full marathon in The Woodlands last Saturday. I have to let the hamstring heal first.
We had a nice group at the park this evening We split up into three groups and ran three different courses. Hans and I ran the short 2.9-mile course, while the others ran longer.

Unstable Wheels

I had a good treatment at the chiropractor's office today, but my legs felt unstable. I ran laps at the track this evening, but I think I need to spend more time at Nautilus loosening up the knees. Maybe that will help.

Sunday Night 5K, The Woodlands

For the third day in a row, I drove down to The Woodlands. This time was to run the Sunday Night 5K, which is held on the first Sunday of every month and put on by The Woodlands Running Club. With the marathon and half marathon in The Woodlands yesterday, there were only 3 runners (2/3rds of us from Huntsville). I ran a 40:15, which placed me 3rd overall and last place. I was not too far behind my friend and fellow streaker, Vince, who ran the full marathon yesterday and tripped over the Mile 16 marker and cut his knee and bruised his ribs. When you are a streaker, you run when it hurts.

The Woodlands Half Marathon

Since re-pulling my hamstring on February 15, I have been in a recovery mode. I have continued to keep my streak alive by running at least a mile a day, but have not run over 3 miles on any one day. I completed three treatments at the chiropractor's office and will continue with the treatment for a few more weeks. I was registered for The Woodlands Marathon this morning. I decided to attempt it. It was a two-loop course with a 6:30:00 time limit. They told me that if I did not meet the cutoff for starting the second loop, they would give me an official Half Marathon finish. I ran the entire 13.1-mile first loop, but finished in 3:30:42. The last 5 miles was very painful and I felt that my leg was going to give way. I was right at the time cutoff, but there was no way that I could have finished another loop. I stayed around for a while and visited with a lot of friends. It was a well-organized and supported marathon and I expect to be fully recovered next year and run the full marathon with a respectable time.