Longer line

There was even a longer line to get into the park late this morning.  After a long wait, I ran 7 miles on the busy trails.  No falls, but I did run by my first snake at the park this year.  I did not hang around to look at it closely, but it appeared to be a cottonmouth.

Crowded park

Easter weekend.  I went to the park this morning and had to wait in line for a long time to get in.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  I went back out this afternoon with visiting family and hiked and visited the Nature Center and playground.

Annual Eye Appointment

I had a complete eye exam this morning.  The doctor told me that I had excellent blood circulation in my eyes and that it probably due to running.  I know running has a lot of health benefits, and that is why I run, but I never heard that it improves blood circulation in the eyes.  So, I went to the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Deep water

It rained almost all day.  Really heavy rains this morning.  After Iron Works this afternoon, I went out to the park to get in a run - in the rain.  The trails were like rivers, water up over the socks in places.  I got about a half mile into the run, then lightning started getting close.  I got in 1.3 miles and was glad to get back to my truck.  Running streak day 3,083.

Early run

I worked out at Iron Works this morning (saw a whole new crowed) and then ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.  This evening, I took my son down to see the Rockets - Bulls game in Houston.  It was the first time for both of us to see a professional basketball game.  I'm really not into basketball, but it was a good experience, except for the real expensive beer.

Park roads

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the roads, instead of the trails.

Texas 10 Series College Station

I got up at 5 this morning to make it back over to College Station to run the Texas 10 Series College Station 10-Miler at 7 a.m.  It was 70 degrees and humid.  I finished in 2:27:25, almost my slowest race in this series.  I am wondering if my trail running during the week is slowing me down.  Maybe I need to run more on the park roads.  In any case, I was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Run for the House 5K

I drove over to College Station this morning and ran the Run for the House 5K.  It was a double-loop course around Wolf Pen Park.  According to my watch, I finished in 40:05, but there were no age group awards.  In fact, they did not time the race.  After the race, I had breakfast at the Coco Loco Mexican Restaurant in nearby Bryan.

Friday laps

With two races this weekend, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Looking toward the weekend

5K and a 10-miler coming up this weekend.  In the meantime, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Early run

It's a beautiful day, sunny and rather warm (about 75). I went to Iron Works after lunch and then to the park for a 3-mile trail run.  Running streak day 3,076.

Four regulars

It was the four regulars (me, Glen, Jason and Jacob) who showed up at the park this evening.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Normal park

There is a street in Huntsville named Normal Park, but it has nothing to do with my run this Monday.  I went out to the state park this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  With spring break over with, the park was back to a "normal park."  Never saw another person on the trail.

Worked the club run

We had our annual club's non-competitive 3-mile trail run at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  I went out on  the course by the lake and took photos of all the runners.  Then, I went back to the start line, put up my camera and ran 1.3 miles on the trails to get in a run before we wrapped up the run.

Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon - 101

I got up just after 4 this morning to drive down to Seabrook to run the Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon.  It was my 101st half and run in honor of all those who ever served with the 101st Airborne Division.  The temperature got up to about 80, with humidity.  I finished in 3:26:25, much slower than about 3:01 last year.  In any case, I was 1st place in the 75-70 age group (yep, I was the only one).  For the half marathon, Seabrook is a double loop course (4 loops for the full) and is mostly out and back.  That means you get to see all your friends on the course and encourage each other.  After the race, I was pleasantly surprised to see my good friend (and one of the few readers of this blog, Jane Jackson) greeting me at the finish line.  Thanks, Jane.  With completion of my 101st half marathon, my goals and milestones for this running season are met:

October 28 - Ran the Huntsville Half Marathon on my 50th Wedding Anniversary
December 17 - Completed my 1,000th race
January 4 - Running streak reached 3,000 days
February 24 - Completed my 100th half marathon
March 17 - Completed my 101st half marathon

Now, I have to work on new goals.  Obviously, one will be to extend my running streak to 10 years.

Short trail run

Resting up for my half marathon tomorrow.  I went out to the park late this morning and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Running streak day 3,071.

Looking forward to Saturday

My plan is to run my 101st half marathon in Seabrook this Saturday in honor of all those who have served with the 101st Airborne Division.  I deployed with this division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Vietnam in December 1967.  I  ran my 101st marathon in their honor in February 2014.
In the meanwhile, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

Lots of people at the park

With Spring break in full progress, the state park had a lot of visitors today.  I went out at mid-afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Plenty of hikers on the trails.

Met up with the group

For the first time since returning from North Carolina, I met with the group at the park.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Routine

I got back to Iron Works this afternoon after an absence for over a week.  Then, to the park for 2.4 miles on the trails.  Routine.  Also learned today that the race director for the Jail  Break Half Marathon I ran a couple weeks ago, was killed this weekend when a tree fell on her tent at a camping ground.  She was only 40.  Very tragic.  While I never met her in person, she was very cooperative when I requested bib 100.  May she RIP.

Sunday afternoon on the trails

After church and lunch, I went out to the park and ran a 7-mile loop on the trails.  Many trails have been closed for over a year due to construction behind the dam.  That section was just reopened and this was the first opportunity to "legally" make the loop around the lake - not that I did it illegally.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K in The Woodlands this morning.  I finished in 41:40.  Afterwards, I went to Trader Joes to pick up some stuff for my wife.  This afternoon, the temperature was in the 80's and I mowed my lawn for the first time this season.

Park run

It has been over a week since I have run at the park.  I went out there this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles.

Back from North Carolina

I ran laps in Huntsville on February 28 and then flew to North Carolina to visit family at Camp Lejeune Marine Base on the coast.  Just got home a few minutes ago.  No races, but I did get in a run every day while I was gone.  Great place to run.  Miles and miles of asphalt paved running trails everywhere on the base.  I got in a good 10.5-mile run on Monday and it was a single loop.  The weather ranged from high 30's to low 60's with rain on some days and other days with strong winds.