Getting ready for tomorrow

Mark Robinson and I went out to the back side of Huntsville State Park this afternoon and set up our club's aid station for tomorrow's Rocky Raccoon Trail Run.  While there, I picked up my packet for the 25K.  Not sure why, but I got bib number 1.  It was sure not for winning the race last year.  In between a lot of other things I had to do, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

East two

My wife and I had an appointment this evening for church photos, so I never made it to the park.  Earlier this afternoon, I ran 2 easy miles around the campus.

Last church run for a while

I ran the 5K course on campus this evening, starting and finishing at the church on Sycamore.  Since it is sorta dangerous running the streets on campus after dark, starting next week our Wednesday evening runs will be on the sidewalk along Veterans Memorial Blvd.  Nice, cool running weather this evening and the weather for the races this weekend should be cool and dry.

Tapering the rest of the week

This weekend, I have three races.  a 25K Saturday and a 10-miler and a 5K on Sunday.  I ran 4.8 miles on the trails this evening and will taper for the next three days.  Happy 47th anniversary to me and my wife.

Late post

I was messing around on the computer and just realized that I forgot to post today.  I was thinking it was my wife and I's 47th anniversary today and went to the store and bought some flowers while she was out.  She thanked me for the flowers, but reminded me that our anniversary is tomorrow.  Guess I have been running too much lately.  In any case, I ran 2 miles on the roads in town this evening.

I'm getting good

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 9 miles on the trails without falling once.  I'm getting good.

Willis Volleyball 5K Trail Run

My friend, Robyn Sproba, from Willis asked me to run the Willis Volleyball 5K, a race that she was directing.  The weather was perfect and the race was on trails at a ranch just east of I-45 between Willis and Conroe.  The course was relatively flat and the grass freshly mowed.  I finished in 37:57, but there was no age group competition.  When I got back to Huntsville, I took a nap and then went to the Sam Houston State football game.

Easy Friday

I spent much of the day working on the financial report for the Huntsville Half Marathon.  I also had an interview with a student doing her Masters Thesis on the Texas Prison Museum, which I got started back in the 1980's.  Then, I ran laps at the track.  Tomorrow, I have a 5K and then 3 races next weekend, 25K, 10-Mile and a 5K.

Same as Tuesday

Just like Tuesday of this week, I ran 3 miles on the roads at the park.

5K in parts

I met up with the group this evening to run the 5K course on campus.  About half way, I ran into Amy Moyer, who I ran part of the half marathon with last Saturday.  We both interrupted our runs and had a nice visit.  Then, Dana Formon, came by and joined the visit.  So, my run this evening was in two parts.

Park roads

After Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  Nice, clear and cool weather this week.

Busy Monday

After, getting and installing a new battery for my wife's car and doing some yard work, I wrote my column on running for the Huntsville Item for tomorrow's paper.  That required contacting and interviewing most of the winners for the Huntsville Half & Quarter Marathon & 5K last Saturday.  Then, as the club treasurer, I had to work on race finances. I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran an unplanned route on the roads in the avenues.  The course turned out to be 3.4 miles.

Started new 5-year streak

After completing 5 years on my current streak yesterday, I started the next 5 years today.  This afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the streets around the university.

Huntsville Half Marathon - 5 Years

I ran the Huntsville Half Marathon this morning and finished in 2:54:02 (2nd in age group).  Today was my 1,826th consecutive day of running.  That’s exactly 5 years.  On October 14, 2009, I broke a running streak of 6 years, 9 months and 18 days due to a knee injury, which turned out to be an 80 percent tear of the quadriceps where they connect to my left knee.  No surgery, but I missed 4 days.  I started my new streak on October 19 at age 68.  During the last 5 years, I have run 312 races (average 62 a year).  These include 1-50 miler, 7-50K’s (31 miles), 50 marathons (26.2 miles), 4-25K’s and 15 half marathons.  To all my running friends and my wife, thank you for your support and encouragement.  Streak on.

Further tapering

Resting up for the hilly half tomorrow.  I went to the track this morning and ran laps.

Tapering

I am running the hilly Huntsville Half Marathon this Saturday, so I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park this evening.

Church 5K

The beautiful weather continues.  I met up with the group at the church this evening and ran the 5K course around the campus.

Extended ideal running weather

Beautiful day.  Clear and cool.  Only four of us showed up at the park this evening.  Jason and Julia ran 4+ miles and James and I ran 3 miles on the trails.

Wasted weather

After a storm came through Huntsville this morning, the afternoon was clear and cool, with a nice breeze.  Perfect weather for a long run.  Since I ran two 10-milers this weekend, I decided to waste the weather and run only 2 miles on the roads.

Texas 10 Series Fort Worth

We went to Jose and Haley's wedding at 4 pm. yesterday in Trinity.  About 5:30 pm, we left for Fort Worth to run the Texas 10 Series Fort Worth 10-Miler this morning.  It was a little cooler this morning, compared to The Woodlands yesterday.  I finished in 2:07:25.  That is 13 seconds slower than yesterday.  In any case, it was good enough for 1st place in the 70 and over age group.  Of course, there was no one else in my age group.  So, I picked up a nice finishers medal, age group award and a free entry into the same race next year.  Can't beat that.  After the race and a shower at the hotel, my wife and I went down to the Fort Worth Stockyards.  We walked around a bit and had lunch at one of the streak houses there.

10 for Texas

I ran the 10 for Texas in The Woodlands this morning.  I ran this 10-mile race back in the late 80's and early 90's and then it went away until several years ago.  This was my first chance to run it again.  It was a little hot, but it rained some during the race and that felt good.  I finished in 2:07:12. and was 7 of 9 in the 70 and over age group.  Got to visit with a lot of friends and there was plenty of food.

Friday laps

As I do on many Fridays, I went to the track today and ran laps.  Later, I drove down to The Woodlands to pick up my packet for the race tomorrow.

Three with Marissa

I ran 3 miles on the park roads with Marissa this evening.  She ran with us years ago and is getting back into it.  Glad to have her back.

Early run, again

I had a meeting at 6 this evening, so I worked out at Iron Works early and then ran 2 miles on the road in a new pair of shoes.  I need to break them in before two 10-mile races this weekend.

Early park run

I had a social engagement at 6 p.m., so I worked out early at Iron Works and then ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the park.

2 Miles

After running 16.1 miles yesterday, I took it easy today and ran 2 miles around the campus.

Tyler Rose Half Marathon & Sunday Night 5K

From Wylie, I drove a couple hours to Tyler to run the Tyler Rose Half Marathon this morning.  Nice weather, relative cool and breezy.  The course is hilly and lots of brick streets (hate to run on those).  I felt strong the entire race and passed a lot of people in the last few miles.  I finished in 2:50:56, a big improvement over the half marathon in Waco a couple weeks ago.  I was 4th of 5 in the 70 and over age group.  I then made the two and a half hour drive back to Huntsville and then drove down to The Woodlands this evening for the Sunday Night 5K.  There was some other activity at the school where they have the race and they had to cut the distance to 3 miles.  I did not complain.  I was sore and stiff the first mile, but felt comfortable after that.  I finished in 34:22.  I will sleep well tonight.

St. Anthony's Fall Festival 5K

I ran the St. Anthony's Fall Festival 5K in Wylie (northeast of Dallas) this morning, for the 6th straight year, I think.  It was cool and clear morning and the course was relatively flat.  I finished in 35 minutes something and won 2nd in the 65 and older age group.
Today was my 1,812th consecutive day of running, surpassing my old second longest streak of 1,811 days.

Friday rest day

With at least 2 races this weekend, I went to the track this morning and ran laps.  The "cold" front came through last night and it was cool and clear.  Hopefully, it will stay that way for the weekend.

New trail runners

Marissa Padilla, who ran trails with us years ago, was back at the park this evening.  She brought Liz Berger for her first trail run at the park.  Gerald Johnson showed up too, as well as our regular, Jacob Gautreaux.  We all ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Abbreviated church run

After Iron Works this evening, I met the group at the church and ran 2.7 miles on the road, shorter than the normal 5K course.