Easter

I went out to the park this afternoon, with the intention of running the outer loop.  During my run, it started lightning and acting like a storm was going to blow through.  I turned around and headed back, but still got in 4 miles.  I did not see any wild animals, except for a scraggly looking rabbit on the trail.  Guess you would expect to see a rabbit on Easter.

CASA 10K

I got up at 5:15 this morning to make the 80-mile drive over to Lufkin for the CASA 10K.  It was storming when I arrived at the race site.  They delayed the race to about 8:45, when it was sunny and steamy.  It was a rather small race, only 14 runners doing the 10K and a lot more doing the 5K.  I finished in 1:13:39, which, obviously, was good enough for 1st place in my age group.  The race gave me an opportunity to visit with a friend, Jimmie Jones.  After returning to Huntsville, I took a short nap and then drove down to Houston for a family gathering.

Good Friday

I changed the oil in my son's car this afternoon.  By the time I finished, I only had time to get in a 2-mile run on the roads in town before going to Good Friday services at church.  Just decided to go to Lufkin tomorrow for a 10K.

Park starting to fill

It is Thursday before Easter and Huntsville State Park is filling up with campers for the weekend.  Lots of people on the trails.  I met up with the group and ran a 2.5-mile loop on the trails.  We have not had rain for a while, so the sand on the trail is getting deep in spots.

Short avenues run

After working out at Nautilus, I ran an unplanned course in the hilly avenues.  I was not into it mentally and ran a shorter distance than I problaby should have.  It turned out to be 2.2 miles.

Early trails

I worked out at Nautilus this afternoon and then went out to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  I had to get back for Veterans Night and tailgating before the Sam Houston State - Rice baseball game, which started at 6:30 p.m..  Enjoyed visiting with friends and meeting others.  It really got cold late in the game, but for the second time this year, Sam beat Rice.

Freeze tonight

I cannot believe that it is late March, the temperature has been in the 80's, the grass if growing, Marilynn and I planted the garden and now it is suppose to freeze tonight.  We covered everything in the garden, so hopefully it will be saved.  However, the cold makes for good running weather.  After working out at Nautilus this evening, I ran an unplanned road route in the avenues.  It turned out to be exactly 3 miles.

Annual Club Trail Run

Our running club had its annual non-competitive trail run at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  I went out early and marked the 3.5-mile course with signs.  The last mile was an out and back section, so I got in a continuous one-mile run on the way back in.  A continuous one-mile run is a minimum requirement of the U. S. Running Streak Association.  Then, just before the race, I went out a mile to a key trail intersection to direct runners and take photos.  Good running weather, but it was cold just standing out in the woods.  It is great seeing runners and walkers out on the trails for the first time.

Run with Lions 10K

A local private academy put on the Run with Lions 10K this morning in Huntsville.  They had over 100 runners doing the 5K and 10K.  The course is very hilly and the 10K was a double loop.  I finished in 1:14:30.  I have not run that many 10K's lately, but it was my fastest in 2 years.  I suppose that running marathons is good training for 10K's.  I was the only runner in the 10K over 70, so I won my age group.  The temperature was in the 60's, so that was nice.

Marathon Goal

As of May 1, 2013, I will have been running races for 30 years.  Of the 645 races I have run, 95 have been a marathon or longer (73 marathons, 21-50K's and 1 50-Miler).  I will be 72 years old this May, so I have decided to retire from marathons after 6 more.  That will give me 101 and I will stop at that number.  I served in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division.  So, my 101st marathon will be to, in my small way, honor all Vietnam Veterans.  If you read my Facebook page, you will have already seen my remaining marathon schedule.  In any case, here it is:

96 - April 21 - Army Marathon, Killeen to Temple*
97 - October 13 - Tyler Rose Marathon, Tyler*
98 - November 9 - Soldier Marathon, Fort Benning, GA
99 - December 8 - BCS Marathon, College Station*
100 - January 1, 2014 - Texas Marathon, Kingwood*
101 - February 15 - Love.Run.Marathon, Huntsville State Park
          * Already signed up.

I will continue to run every day and continue to run races, just not marathons.  My goal is just to stay healthy and promote the sport of running.

I have a 10K race here in Huntsville tomorrow morning, so I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Cool weather, again

Just when you think it is well into Spring, we get cooler weather again.  It was nice running trails at the park this evening, but I had to put on a jacket after running.  James and I did 3 miles on the trails, while Jacob, Becca and Melissa did 7 miles and finished after dark.

Squeezed in a run

I had a busy schedule today and ended up stopping at the track and running laps this evening.  After dinner on the run, I went to the Sam Houston State - Baylor baseball game here in Huntsville.

Lots of Yard Work

I spent most of the day doing various chores in the yard and garden, mowing, fertilizing, watering and rotor-tilling.  To rest up, I worked out and Nautilus and then ran 2 miles on the roads at the park.

Day After

I felt back to normal today.  I worked out at Nautilus this evening and then ran 1.3 miles on the roads in town.  Spring break is over and traffic is heavy again.

Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon

I ran laps at the track yesterday and then drove down to Seabrook for the Seabrook Lucky Trail Marathon.  With spring break is session, the traffic on I-45 and in the Seabrook on the coast was extremely heavy.  I-45 was jammed up north of Conroe this afternoon and I ended up taking Hwy. 75 back to Huntsville.  That was not any better; there was a 3-mile back up getting into New Waverly.  Finally, got home at 5 this evening.
I finished the marathon (4 loops on a 6.55-mile flat trail) in 6:25:54 and was 1st place of 5 runners in the 70-74 age group.  Nice finisher medal and glass mug age group award.  It was really warm (about 81 degrees) and I was hoping for a light rain on the last loop.  A dark cloud went by and I felt a couple drops, but that was it.  Got to visit with a lot of close friends and I always enjoy that.  Marathon 95 done!

It's gonna be hot

I just check the forecast for the Seabrook Marathon on Sunday.  It's gonna be 81 degrees and a 20 % chance of rain.  This may be good training for the Army Marathon in central Texas on April 21.
This afternoon, I drove to the track and then ran 2 miles on the roads around the campus.

Spring Break

Guess everyone is on Spring Break.  I went to the park this evening to meet up with the group - and no one showed up.  So, I ran 2 miles on the park roads and went home.

Solo Trail Run

The weather was so nice this afternoon, I went out to the park alone and ran 7 miles on the trails.  Seabrook Trail Marathon on Sunday.

Park roads

I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening with James.  Gosh, the camping areas were packed with spring-breakers.

Getting tired of this coughing

My fever is long gone, but the sinus drainage and coughing continues.  I only made it once to Nautilus last week, but am trying to get back on schedule this week.  So, I worked out this evening and then ran an uplanned route on the hilly roads in the Avenues.  It turned out to be 3.0 miles.  Next Sunday, I will run the Seabrook Trail Marathon down on the coast.  It will be my 95th race of a marathon or longer distance.

New Shoes

I took out of the box my last pair of Asics Fortitude running shoes and wore them for the first time today.  I think I went a marathon too far in my old ones.  They quit making Fortitudes, which I have worn for years.  The replacement shoe is the Asics Oracle and I bought a pair of those over the weekend and put them on the shelf.  We had a big family gathering at my house this afternoon and evening and I ate way too much.  I slipped away this evening and ran 2 miles on the roads in town.

Run the Woodlands 5K

Seems like I have been down to The Woodlands a lot lately.  I did not have another race, so I went down to run the Run the Woodlands 5K.  I finished in 35:21 and won a beanie doorprize after the race.  I stopped at Fleet Feet after the race and picked up my new running shoes and my age group award for the marathon last Saturday.

Garden and Yard Work

I spent most of the day planting corn in my garden, mowing and doing other yard work.  Later this afternoon, I went out to the park alone and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  My sinus's and throat are gradually feeling better, even though I still have drainage and coughing.

No Thursday trail run

I had to go somewhere this evening with the family, so I skipped trails at the park.  Instead, I ran an unplanned route around town this afternoon.  The course turned out to be 2.4 miles.

Fever gone, I think

I did not check it today, but felt like my fever was gone.  I had to make a trip down south today, but did get back to Nautilus this evening for a workout.  It was nearly dark when I finished, so I went to the track and ran 1.3 miles on the roads from there.

Fever continues

I still had a fever this morning and pretty much took it easy all day.  For the second day in a row, I skipped working out at Nautilus.  I did go to the park this evening with the intention of running one mile on the trails.  I ended up running 2.5.  Maybe the anti-biotics will fully kick in tomorrow and I will feel fine.

Streak challenge

I spent most of the morning working on my column for tomorrow's paper.  When not at the computer, I was in bed sick.  Finally got to see my doctor at 3 this afternoon.  As expected, he diagnosed the problem as a sinus infection.  He gave me a shot, decongestants and anti-biotics.  My temperature was still 101 tonight.  A little after 9 p.m., I drove to the track and ran laps.  That was a challenge, but the streak is still alive.  This was my first illness since a sinus infection in December 2010.

Sinus Infection

I had a high temperature last night and went to bed early.  By late afternoon today, I felt a little better and went down to The Woodlands this evening for the Sunday Night 5K.  I did not run very fast (obviously) and finished in 38:58.  I will try to see my doc tomorrow for some anti-biotics.

The Woodlands Marathon

My sinus's were draining so bad last night and my throat was very sore.  Only got a couple hours of sleep.  Got to The Woodlands about 5:45 for a 7 a.m. start.  It was cold and windy.  The marathon had nearly 1,000 finishers and a lot more runners in the half marathon, 5K and 2K.  All concrete and mostly flat.  I ran the whole thing and finished in 6:08:30, 16 seconds faster than my best time this year at the Louisiana Marathon, a few weeks ago.  Sure got to see a lot of friends on the course or along the course.  Even a cop at one of the intersections was a retired DPS trooper from Huntsville and a good friend.  I was 3rd in my age group.  Marathon 94 done.

Cold Marathon Tomorrow

I went down to The Woodlands today to pick up my packet for the marathon tomorrow.  Got to visit with several good friends.  That's a lot more fun than running.  Afterwards, my wife shopped at Trader Joes, while I napped in the car.  I have to get up very early tomorrow and get back down there for a 7 a.m. start.  The temperature is suppose to be 40 degrees at race time.  Maybe it will clear out my sinus's and make me feel better.