Short trail run

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 1.4 miles on the trails.  Now, I am rested up from the weekend.

Texas 10 Series Sienna

After a trip to Tyler yesterday afternoon and getting back after 10 p.m. last night, I got up at 3:55 this morning to drive down to Missouri City (south of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series Sienna 10-miler at 7 a.m.  Nice cool weather for the first 5-mile loop, but it was much warmer for the second loop.  My friend, Jon Walk, ran the 5-mile race, but ran another 5 with me for my second.  We had a nice visit and solved a lot of the world's running problems.  I finished in 2:22:28 and was 3 of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  This was my 1,022nd race.

Spring Fling 5K

I ran our club's Spring Fling 5K in the Elkins Lake Sub-division in Huntsville this morning.  It is a very hilly loop course around the lake.  My nurse from my doctor's office joined me early in the race and we ran together for the rest of the race.  It was her first race.  I ran slow, but I probably looked good running with her.  We finished in 42:19.

Friday laps

With another 2-race weekend coming up, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Early park run

I had a running club officer meeting at 6 this evening, so I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Running Streak Day 3,112.

Empty trails

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went out to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Did not see anyone else on the trails, only a squirrel and a few flying insects.

Rested

After a short run yesterday, I felt rested today.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  The summer creatures are coming out.  Plenty of spider webs across the trails and some flying insects.  Also, ran into a huge doe on the trail.  We use to see deer all the time; now it is seldom.

Back to the park

I felt a little beat up today after the tough half marathon in Waco yesterday.  I made my first trip back to Iron Works this afternoon and then to the park for the first time in over a week.  I ran 1.4 miles on the trails.

First Responder Half Marathon

I got up at 4:30 this morning to make the 2-hour drive to Waco to run the First Responder Half Marathon.  New course this year,  almost all on the concrete walkways for two sides of the Brazos River.  Strong headwind going one way and a strong tail wind the other way.  I struggled somewhat on the second of two loops.  My right hip, which I hurt last summer almost gave way several times.  I never walked, but ran awful slow for a while. The temperature was nice, in the 50's.  I finished in 3:23:36 and was one of one in the 70 and over age group.  The finisher medal was an ambulance, complete with a battery and flashing red lights.  Last year, it was a police car with flashing lights.  My little granddaughter played with it and put it in her mouth once, shorting out the electronic circuits.

Run the Ramps 5K

I ran the Run the Ramps 5K at Kyle Field in College Station this morning.  This was the 11th time I have run this race.  The first time was 1997.  It was called the Ramp Romp before this year.  It has been an off and on race with an variations in the course, depending on construction at the stadium.  And, it has been sponsored by at least three organizations on campus.  The course is up and down all three sections of the stadium, then around the outside of the stadium and then back in with a run around the track to the finish line.  I am not sure how accurate the course was, but I finished in 37:15.  No age group competition, but everyone got a nice finisher medal and a hamburger.

Usual Friday

With a 5K tomorrow and a half marathon on Sunday, I went to the track this morning and ran laps.  Rainy weather is moving in this weekend, so these races may be fun.

Running the Strip - Back from Las Vegas

I flew out to Las Vegas on Monday and got back this evening.  This was my first time there since 1961.  It has changed a bit.  Interesting place and a lot of interesting people walking up and down the strip.  I was not there for a race, but I did get in runs up and down the strip every day.  While on the trip, I passed Running Streak Day 3,100 and 8.5 years.

Blue Bell 5K and Alamo Half Marathon

I drove to Brenham yesterday to run the Blue Bell 5K.  A storm had just came through and it was cold waiting around for the race and hanging around afterwards.  I am sure they did not give away as much ice cream as they usually do.  Good running weather, though.  I finished in 39:51 and was first (and last) in the 75-79 age group.

I left Brenham and drove on to San Antonio for the Alamo Half Marathon this morning.  The race started and finished at the Alamodome.  The race started at 7:20 this morning.  The temperature was in the 50's and 60's and it was sunny, with low humidity.  Could not ask for better running weather.  The course past the Alamo at about 1 mile.  I have to admit that running past the Alamo gave me goose bumps.  At about 3 miles, the course reached Fort Sam Houston and left the post at about 9 miles.  While in the Army, I was stationed there in 1961 and have not been on the post since about 1982.  The barracks I lived in and the building I worked in are no longer there, but it was great being back on the post.  I finished in about 3:14:52 and was 9th of 9 in the 70 and over age group.

Friday laps

With two races coming up this weekend, I went to the track this morning and ran laps - mostly in a light rain.  RSD 3,099.

Warming up

The temperature is on the way back up.  In the 80's today.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails this evening.  Three more long runs before the summer heat, 2 half marathons and a 10-miler.

Less pain

My inflammation was still there today, but not as bad.  To avoid the nausea, I did not take any medication this morning.  I ran 3 miles on the trails this afternoon with some pain and took a dose of medication this evening.

Much better

The inflammation was much less painful today.  The medicine seems to work well, except that I felt a little nauseated all day.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and due to a time restraint, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Rough night last night

I was awake most of last night with throbbing pain in my right big toe.  I went to my doctor's office this morning and got my inflammatory pill prescription renewed.  I took one at lunch and another this evening.  In between, I ran 1.4 miles on the trails at the park.  Not too painful.

Not much better

I had hoped to go to the park this afternoon and do a long run.  However, my foot was inflamed this morning and really hurting.  I did go to the park and run 1.4 miles.  The cooler weather would have been perfect for a long run.  My concern is for a 5K and half marathon coming up this next weekend.

Not a good day

About the time I went to bed last night, my right big toe starting becoming inflamed and sore as heck.  I have been around enough to know that it was gout (high uric acid goes to the coldest joint in the body (big toe joint) and crystalizes).  The crystals are like needles in the joint and it is very painful.  I got up a bunch of times during the night, took medication and drank tart cherry juice.  Due to the pain, I never got any sleep until about 6 this morning and then slept until about 9:30 a.m.  I was signed up for a 5K in Livingston, but did not make it.  I hate not going to a race that I was signed up for; especially when I was looking forward to seeing some friends over there.  It was much better later this afternoon and I went out to the park and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Nice running weather in the 40's.

Friday laps

Since Friday is my normal rest day, I ran laps at the track this morning and then spent much of the rest of the day doing my taxes.  The running was more fun.

Spider webs

I met up with the group this evening to run trails.  Glen and Jacob ran ahead of me for the first mile.  Then, I turned and went down a different trail.  As soon as I turned, I ran into one spider web after another until I finished 2.4 miles.  This time of the year, I suppose it is always best to follow someone else all the way.

Cool, again

It stormed late last night and it was in the low 50's when I got up this morning.  I think the high was 70 today - and sunny.  I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.

Suppose to storm

The forecast was for thunderstorms at the time we normally meet at the park to run.  So, I went out early alone and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  As it turned out, the weather was fine at 5:30 p.m.

Back to normal

It's Monday after Easter and the state park seemed to be back to normal.  After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I went out and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Did not see anyone else on the trail; just a few flying critters.

Sunday Night 5K

After spending most of the day with family and eating too much, I drove down to The Woodlands this evening to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 40:54.  This was race number 1,016.