2015 in Review

With a half marathon tomorrow morning, I went to the track this morning and ran laps.  This was my 2,265th consecutive day of running.  Earlier this year, I received a friendly challenge from a couple of runners from Houston to see who could run the most races in 2015.  They have not reported in, but I am confident that I won the challenge with 88 races.  They include 1-25K, 13-half marathons, 13-10-milers, 1-11K, 4-10K's, 2-5-milers, 1-4.4-miler, 1-4.3-miler and 52-5K's.  I ran races in 32 different cities.  It is a good thing that gas is relatively cheap.  That gives me a total of 851 races since I started racing in 1983.  Even though I am getting slow, I am thankful that at age 74 that I am healthy enough to get out and keep moving.  Happy New Year.

Another park run

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.  Nice weather again - low 50's.

Four of us at the park

It was me, Jacob, Jason and Glenn at the park this evening.  Glenn and I ran 3 miles on the trails and speedy Jacob and Jason ran 3.5 and finished before us.  Nice cool weather, with a temperature around 50.

30 degrees cooler

It was 30 degrees cooler when I ran this evening.  After Iron Works, I ran my 2-mile loop on the empty streets around the campus.

Stormy weather

My visiting family left this morning.  The forecast was for heavy storms all afternoon, so late this morning, I went over to Veterans Memorial Parkway and ran 1+ miles.  During that short run, the winds were strong, it rained and there was even sunshine.  Now, the temperature has dropped from the 70's this morning to 45 right now.

Run with my sons

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails with two of my visiting sons.  Nice weather, but it is suppose to be stormy tomorrow and get much colder.

Merry Christmas

I have a lot of family coming in this afternoon and some will be here for a couple of days.  With the temperature in the 70's, I ran 2 miles on Veterans Memorial Parkway this morning.  Merry Christmas.

Squeezed in a run

Christmas eve is a busy time, with so much last minute stuff to do.  I was in the barber chair in my running shorts and then stopped by the track to run laps.  The temperature was still in the low 80's.  No snow this Christmas, for sure.

Crazy weather

Here it is December 23 and the temperature was in the low 80's.  I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the new trails.  Later, I worked out a Iron Works.  Gosh, I do not have a race until January 1.

Started Christmas shopping today

Well, I started Christmas shopping today and should finish up by tomorrow.  I hate the crowds at the stores.  This evening, I worked out a Iron Works and then ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.

Goose's Acre Christmas Run

Tonight, I went down to The Woodlands to run the Goose's Acre Christmas Run.  It was a double loop course along the lighted waterway.  It was billed as a 5K, but my GPS showed it to be just over 3.5 miles.  I finished in 46:05.  This was my 88th race in 2015.  I need to get busy getting ready for Christmas and I have family coming in.  I plan to make it my last  race this year.

Santa Hustle Half Marathon

My wife and I drove down to Galveston yesterday.  I picked up my packet, checked into the hotel, went to Mass and then out to eat at Marios's.  I ran the Santa Hustle Half Marathon and my wife walked the 5K.  Most of the half course was along Seawall Blvd.  The temperature was in the high 60's and low 70's with strong winds.  I finished in 3:06:36 and placed 4 of 4 in the 70-74 age group.  Last year, I ran the same race in 2:48:20.  My back hurt today only when I thought about it.  I did lose 2 minutes for a porta potty break, so my real time was about the same as the half marathon last Sunday in College Station.  We had lunch at a deli and then my wife went down to the beach, which I took a nap.
In any case, this was my 87th race this year (probably the last) and 850th lifetime race.

Dumb fall

I went out on Veterans Memorial Parkway this morning to get in a run before leaving for Galveston.  I tripped on a seam in the concrete and fell.  Most of me landed in the grass next to the sidewalk, but my left knee hit the concrete.  I keep the band aid companies in business.  I still got in a mile +.

Different Friday

Usually, I have a race on Saturdays, so on Fridays, I skip Iron Works and run laps at the track.  However, today was different.  I spent some time this afternoon with the heating pad on my back.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran an unplanned route in the hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 2.3 miles.  I suppose I will be ready for the half marathon on Sunday.

Testing the back

This has nothing to do with running, but as I was going out my front door to check the mail, I found a lizard in the foyer.  I chased it outside and then crossed the lawn going toward the mailbox.  I walked right passed a Copperhead.  It is mid-December and the temperature is in the mid-50's.  I thought the snakes were hibernating.
      I treated my back with heat today and went out to the park this evening.  I decided to try 2 miles on the park roads.  Depending on movement, it was painful for that first mile.  The question was whether or not it would loosen up after that.  Just as I turned around to run the second mile, Scott, one of the park police officers, pulled up beside me in his patrol car.  I ran and we talked for the last mile.  He even gave me a report on my pace per his speedometer and lit up an oncoming car that was coming on too fast.  During that second mile, I was able to pick up the pace and run without pain.  I wonder if Scott will go down to Galveston on Sunday and pace me for the half marathon.  Joking aside, I do feel better about being able to run the half on Sunday.  The weather is suppose to be nice and most of the course is along the flat Seawall Blvd.

Not normal

My back was a little better today, but far from normal.  I had family visiting today, so I did not get a chance to run until after dark this evening.  I went over to the track and ran laps.  My lower back was stiff and sore, but I managed to get in a mile +.  I have 3 days to recover for the half marathon on Sunday.  Tonight, I got back on the heating pad.

The streak made me do it

After I got up this morning, I developed serious pain in my lower back.  I'm not sure what caused it, but I spent part of the day laying on a heating pad.  It was difficult to get around.  If it was not for my streak, I would certainly have not have run today.  I did skip Iron Works and went out to the park this evening.  I managed to get in a slow and painful 1.1-mile run on the trails.  My experience is that pain that comes on suddenly seems to go away suddenly.  Hopefully, I will be back to normal tomorrow.

Slept 10 hours

I went to sleep at 11 last night and woke up to a phone call at 9 this morning.  My right toe has a big blister on it from the half marathon in the rain yesterday.  Other than that, I felt okay.  After Iron Works this evening, I ran laps at the track.  I plan to get in my routine this week and look toward another half marathon next Sunday.

BCS Half Marathon

It was a dark and stormy drive over to College Station early this morning for the BCS Half Marathon.  Heavy wind and rain.  The race started a 7 a.m. and it rained throughout the race.  There were many places where the water was built up, so the shoes and socks stayed completely wet.  The temperature was in the 50's and I found that comfortable.  I finished is 3:03:50, about a minute slower than last year.  For the 2nd year in a row, I was 4th in my age group.  This was my 86th race in 2015 and my 849th lifetime race.  More importantly, it was my 2,247th consecutive day of running.

Reindeer Run and Jingle Bell Run

I drove 79 miles over to Lufkin this morning to run the Reindeer Run.  The distance was 3.3 miles and most of it was on trails.  The temperature was in the 70's and it was very humid.  I finished in 42:30.  I did not place in the 50 and over age group, but I did get a couple free dinners at a local restaurant for being the oldest runner.  I gave them to a local volunteers I was talking to.  After the race, I drove 51 miles south to Livingston and ran the Jingle Bell 5K, which started at noon.  I finished in 38:58 and did not place in the 60 and over age group.  From there, I drove 44 miles back to Huntsville, showered, and then drove 53 miles to College Station to pick up my packet for the BCS Half Marathon tomorrow morning.  I got back to Huntsville in time for church this evening and then dinner out.  I am going to try to go to bed early tonight.  I'm tired from all the driving, especially in heavy rain to and from College Station.

82

Here it is well into December and it was 82 degrees when I went to the track to run laps this afternoon.  However, the weather is suppose to be stormy this weekend and I have two 5K's tomorrow and a half marathon on Sunday.

Club meeting this evening

Our running club had a general membership meeting this evening, so I went out to the park early and ran 3 miles on the trails.  At the meeting, I was re-elected as the club treasurer and received the Speed Racer Award (certificate and $40 Academy gift card).  Maybe it was for being speedy in signing up for a lot of races.  In any case, it was appreciated.

Beautiful weather

Beautiful weather today.  Clear and in the 60's and 70's.  I have three races this weekend.  The weather for the two 5K's on Saturday should be okay, even with temperatures in the high 70's.  I bought tickets today for the 7 p.m. Saturday Sam Houston State - Colgate football game, but they just moved it to 11 a.m. due to weather Saturday evening.  I am running a half marathon in College Station on Sunday and the weather is suppose to be bad, including rain and dropping temperatures during the race.
This afternoon, I went out to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Trails

After Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group (Jason, Jacob and Glenn) at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Another 3-race weekend coming up.

Late run

I drove 138 miles up to Tyler this morning to visit my brother in the hospital and drove back this afternoon.  It was nearly dark by the time I got back.  So, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran laps at the track.

Texas 10 Series Conroe and Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Texas 10 Series 10-miler in Conroe this morning.  Beautiful weather; 40's and 50's and sunny.  I finished in 2:12:11 and was 4th of 4 in the 70 and over age group.  While I did not place, I won a $100 bill in the door prize drawing and got to visit with a lot of good friends.  Conroe is the 7th and last of the 2015 Texas 10 Series.  I placed 2nd in the 70 and over competition for the Armadillo Cup for the series.  Besides some sort of a trophy, that comes with a $175 check.  I plan to run all 7 in the series again in 2016.
After driving home, I worked on race results for the club web site, watched football and took a nap at the same time.  Then, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 37:46.  It was my 83rd race this year.  Probably, 4 more to go.

St. Nick 5K

I ran the St. Nick 5K in College Station this morning and finished in 38:16.  They had a 60 and over age group and I was 7 of 13.  I think I was the only one over 70, though.  Race 81 this year.

Rare morning training run

In anticipation of driving up to Tyler today, I got up and ran a little over a mile on Veterans Memorial Parkway this morning.  Mornings are for sleeping.  I ended up not going to Tyler.  Three-race weekend coming up.

Park roads

I went out to the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the park roads.  Cool and clear weather.

Trip to Houston

Late this morning, I drove down to Houston to visit a friend in M. D. Anderson Hospital.  I got back in time to work out at Iron Works and run the PTA 5K course before it got dark.

Darn door

I spent much of the day trying to get my disabled brother-in-laws front door open.  It has 3 locks on it and one is stuck.  I stopped short of breaking something.  Now, I will have to seek professional help.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I went out to the park to meet up with the group.  I did not realize that the park was closed for hunting.  So, I went into town and ran a 2-mile loop on the streets around the campus.