2,600

Minor milestone.  I hit 2,600 days on my current streak today.  I have a lot of family coming in this weekend and I did yardwork most of the day.  I finally got around to getting in a 2-mile run on the park roads just before dark and then a workout at Iron Works.

Back to the park roads

I met up with the group at the park this evening.  While they all ran trails, I ran 3 miles on the hilly park roads.

Much needed rain today

We got some much needed rain today, although not much at my house.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.  Obviously, there had been more rain at the park.  No mud, but the sand was packed down and the rain washed the leaves off many of the roots.  Nice running surface.

Leftover Turkey 5K and First Responder Half Marathon

We had our club's annual Leftover Turkey 5K yesterday morning.  I finished the hilly course in 38:14.  Then, I drove to Waco for the First Responder Half Marathon this morning.  The course avoids Cameron Park, so it is flat.  I last ran this race in 2013 and finished in 2:56:53.  This morning, I finished in 2:41:35, making it my fastest half marathon in recent years.  I was 2nd in the 70 and over age group.  The finisher medal was a police car, complete with battery powered flashing lights.  This was my 79th half marathon.

Trails instead of laps

With 2 races coming up this weekend, I would normally run laps at the track.  But the weather was so nice, that I went to the state park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler

For the 15th straight year, I ran the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler in The Woodlands.  I finished in 59:17, my fastest time in this race since 2010.  I was 4th of 4 in the 75 and older age group.

Thanksgiving eve

With a 5-mile race in the morning, I ran trails at the park this afternoon.  Part of my run was on the trails outside the park, so I am not sure of the exact distance, but it was 2 miles+.

Trails, again

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I went back to the state park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Right now, we are getting a much needed heavy rain.

Crowded park

Being Thanksgiving week, the state park was crowded this afternoon.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and encountered a lot of hikers.

La Porte by the Bay Half Marathon

I made the 100-mile drive down to La Porte (east of Houston) early this morning to run the La Porte by the Bay Half Marathon.  The temperature was in the 30's when I left Huntsville and was in the 40's for the start of the race at 7:30 a.m.  Clear weather, so a perfect day for running.  I ran into a lot of old friends, including John and Julie Loftus, who were here from New Zealand.  For the most part, the course was flat.  Then, there were out and back trips over the Hartley Bridge over the Houston ship channel.  Each way over the 178-foot bridge was 2.6 miles.  I made it without having to walk.  In any case, I finished in 2:51:47, less than 2 minutes faster than my half marathon in Nacogdoches last Sunday.  There were nearly 1,800 finishers and I was 4th of 5 in the 75-79 age group.  Half marathon number 78 done.

Conroe Turkey Trot 5K

I like these races that start at 9 a.m.  I was able to get up relatively late to make it down to the Conroe Turkey Trot 5K.  Sorta cold and windy, but the course was flat.  I finished in 35:57 and was 2nd in the 60 and over age group.

Laps in the rain

Late this morning, I went to the track and ran laps in a light rain.  Usual weekend coming up, a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday.

No rain for a while

Seems like it has been weeks since we had any rain.  The forecast if 100% for tomorrow and clear and cool this weekend.  So, the weather looks good for my Saturday and Sunday races.  In the meantime, I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening.

Sluggish

I had to get up early this morning for the AC guy and had a doctor's appointment and several errands in Conroe.  I felt sluggish, but got in a workout at Iron Works and a 2-mile road run at the park.  Two races coming up this weekend; a 5K and another half marathon.

Park roads

After working out at Iron Works, I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  They must have had a big law enforcement meeting at the park, because I got passed by many state troopers and park police.  The bad news is that none of them gave me a speeding ticket.

Back to the park

The temps were back up today, but still comfortable for running.  I ran the new trails just outside the state park this afternoon.  Not sure what the distance was, but it was something over 2 miles.

East Texas Half Marathon

I drove 2 hours over to Nacogdoches yesterday for the East Texas Half Marathon at 7 a.m. this morning.  The temperature was in the high 40's and low 50's during the race.  Could not ask for better running weather.  The course was mostly flat, going back and forth across the city and into some neighborhoods.  The pavement was rough in places and we ran over some curbs, but I managed not to trip.  I finished in 2:53:10, my best half marathon time since December 2014.  I finished 2nd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning in 36:00.  Enjoying this cooler weather.  This was my 915th race and 2,582nd consecutive day of running.

Usual Friday

With a 5K in the morning and a half marathon on Sunday, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Club meeting

We had a running club meeting this evening, so I went out to the park early and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Oops

It is just after midnight and I realize that I forgot to blog for this Wednesday.  Nice weather today, about 70 degrees.  I went out to the park at mid-afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Election day

I will be thankful when this day and the entire campaign is over.  Tonight, I chose to watch a football game I found on TV, rather than election results.  Jason and I were the only ones who showed up at the park this evening.  I ran 3 miles on the park roads, while Jason ran trails.

Back to the park

I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 2 miles on the roads at the park.

Texas 10 Series Conroe and Sunday Night 5K

Long day.  I got up early this morning and drove down to Conroe for the Texas 10 Series 10-Miler at 7:30 a.m.  Nice weather, with a temperature in the 60's.  I finished in 2:09:54 and was 4th of 4 in the 70 and over age group.  I got back to Huntsville in time to get a shower and make it to 12;30 Mass.  It was in Spanish and I did not understand a word.  Being Catholic, Mass every Sunday is an obligation.  After Mass, I changed clothes and went down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  It rained early in the race, but then let up.  I finished in 36:54.  I returned home to visiting famiily.

Ready, Set, Go 5K

I drove over to College Station this morning to run the Ready, Set, Go 5K at 9 a.m. on the Texas A&M campus.  Had not run this race before, but have run the course several times.  I drove through a heavy rain as I entered College Station, but there was no rain during the race.  I finished in 36:08, two seconds slower than my 5K last Saturday.  It was non-competitive, but I would have been first in the 70 and over age group if it was.

Three-race weekend coming up

I plan to run two 5K's and a 10-miler this weekend.  To be normal, I ran laps at the track this morning.  Rested up, but I still have the soreness in my foot.

Sore foot

I have had soreness in the upper part of my left foot this week.  I am not too worried about it, but ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening.  I wonder what they would charge me at the Cryotherapy place just to freeze my foot.

Planned Half Marathons

This evening, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.  I plan to run a lot of races this season, but my focus is on half marathons.  I have completed 3 this month to give me a life-time total of 76.  My goal is 101.  Below is a list of the half marathons I plan to run for the remainder of this season.  If I can complete these, that will give me a total of 91.  Then, I should be able to reach my goal next year.

Sunday, Nov. 13, East Texas Half Marathon, Nacogdoches

Sunday, Nov. 20, La Porte Half Marathon

Sunday, Nov. 27, First Responder Half Marathon, Waco

Sunday, Dec. 11, BCS Half Marathon, College Station

Sunday, Dec. 18, Santa Hustle Half Marathon, Galveston

Sunday, Jan. 1, Texas Half Marathon, Kingwood

Saturday, Jan. 7, River Road Half Marathon, New Braunfels

Sunday, Jan. 22, 3M Half Marathon, Austin

Sunday, Feb. 12, Rhythm & Blues Half Marathon, Houston

Saturday, Feb. 17, Love.Run Half Marathon, Huntsville State Park

Saturday, Feb. 25, Jail Break Half Marathon, Baytown

Saturday, March 4, The Woodlands Half Marathon

Saturday, March 18, Lucky Trails Half Marathon, Seabrook

Sunday, April 9, Vantage Half Marathon, Houston

Saturday, April 15, Big Star Half Marathon, Frisco

Zero traffic

I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening and faced zero traffic.  It reminds me why I tend to run at the park rather than on the roads in town when traffic is so bad around the university.