Back to trails

I did a light workout at Iron Works this evening and then went out to the park and ran 2 miles on the trails.

Wet trail run

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening.  The last half was in a heavy rain.  Of course, I got back home and not a drop here.  In fact, no rain for weeks.

Avenues

Still not ready to go back to Iron Works, but I went to the track this evening and ran an unplanned route through the hilly avenues from there.  It turned out to be just over 2 miles.

Laps at the track

The hilly 5K yesterday was a bit too much on my lower back.  So, I took it easy today and ran laps at the track this evening.

Dog Days 5K, 9-9-9

I ran our club's annual Dog Days 5K at Elkins Lake here in Huntsville this morning.  It is one steep hill after another.  I finished in about 47 minutes, probably my slowest 5K ever.  I ran every step, but two guys walking kept pace with me.  I hate that.  My back held up okay, but is sore this afternoon.  Today's run extends my running streak to 9 years, 9 months and 9 days.

Finally getting better

I ran laps at the track this morning, a painful mile.  However, this evening, my back started feeling better.  My intention is to attempt a 5K in the morning.

The back issue continues

I was hoping that the lower back pain would be gone this morning.  No such luck.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and slowly ran 23 minutes on the park roads.

Another one

The lower back was about the same today.  Again, I spent much of the day on a heating pad.  I went to the track this evening and ran slow and painful laps to get in a mile +.

Streak saving run

I woke up this morning with an extremely sore lower back.  At Iron Works yesterday, I increased my weights to that before rotator cuff surgery in December.  Obviously, it was too much.  I spent most of today laying on a heating pad, but got up in time to meet the group at the park this evening.  Although it was hard and painful getting started, I ran 21 minutes on the park roads.  As I am getting close to the 10-year mark on my running streak, I keep facing more challenges.

Short trail run

I went out to the park this evening with the intent of running a couple miles on the roads.  The biting horse flies have not been bad this summer and I did not use spray or wear a cap to fight them off when necessary.  I got a quarter mile down the road when I started being attacked.  I slipped off the road onto a trail where they continued to attack.  I ended up getting in about 1.5 miles before calling it a day.  Tomorrow, I will be better prepared.

Lunar Landing 5K

I got up at 4:30 this morning and drove down to the Clear Lake area of Houston to run the Lunar Landing 5K.  Lots of older runners there and I finished in 43:19 and was 5th of 5 in the 75-79 age group.  As expected, it was hot and humid, but I got to visit with good friends, Loren, Traci, Pete and Larry.

Saturday laps

With a race tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Park road run

With no race tomorrow, I went back out to the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Back to the trails

For the first time since June 11, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the state park this evening.  No falls, snakes or wild pigs - just heat and humidity.

Yard work

I did yard work this afternoon, worked out at Iron Works and got to the park a little late.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Stitches out

I went down to the doctor's office in Conroe late this afternoon and got the other half of the stitches out of my forearm.  When I got back to Huntsville, I went straight to Iron Works and then to the park.  I started to run trails, but decided to give my arm a little more healing time.  So, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Three

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

Sunday at the park

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K yesterday and finished in 42:22.  Hot and humid, but that is expected in July.

Friday laps

With a race tomorrow morning, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Another 2

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran another 2 miles on the roads.  Am anxious to get the other half of the stitches out of my arm and get back on the trails.

Heat

Running in the heat is a challenge to my motivation, but I got in a 2-mile run around the campus this evening.

Half the stitches out

I went down to the doctor in Conroe this afternoon to set the stitches removed from the 3-inch incision on my forearm.  However, he only removed every other stitch.  I go back in another week to get the rest removed.  Apparently, on that part of the arm it takes longer to heal.  So, another week of changing the bandage twice a day.  I did make it back to Huntsville in time to meet the group at the park.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Little sore

I was a little sore today after all the manual labor building the fence over the weekend.  However, I did work out at Iron Works this evening and then run 2 miles on the roads at the state park.

Back from Wylie

I drove up to Wylie Saturday morning to help build a fence for a family member.  Lots of work in very hot weather.  I took a break just before dark last night and got in a 1-mile+ run in the neighborhood.  I had hoped to get back in time today to go to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  However, we did not finish up until later this afternoon and I got back to Huntsville just before 7 tonight.  I took a nap and then ran laps at the track.

Diagnosis

I had a followup appointment with the doctor this morning regarding my swollen and sore hands and body soreness.  He said that my blood work came back normal and the xrays showed no damage.  He still thinks I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  According to him, I am one of the one in five who have the disease, but normal blood work.  So, I got a prescription for medication to control it.  I discussed running and he does not think it will interfere.  I guess that is to be seen.  This evening, when it was 95 degrees, I ran a 2-mile loop around the empty campus.

Stu's Country Mile 5K

I ran Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville this morning.  This was my 25th time running this race and my 24th consecutive year.  I finished in 43:36, one second faster than last year.  My good friend, Dennis Alston, was not there this year.  He is in my age group and always beats me.  Hope he is okay.  In any case, I was the only runner over 70 and got first place.

WANDA RETIRED.  After Stu's, our club members always have breakfast at the Town Cafe just off the square in Centerville.  We have been doing that for 24 years.  There was a blonde waitress who always waited on us in the back room.  A few years ago, I was going to Dallas on I-45 and decided to stop at the Town Cafe for breakfast.  When I walked in, the blonde waitress asked me what I was doing there.  "Its not the 4th of July."  She was not there this morning and the back room was turned into a smoking area.  We all had to sit at different tables in the main room.  I asked the young waitress about the blonde waitress who always waited on us.  She said, "the old lady?"  That was Wanda and she retired.  Guess, nothing stays the same.  We move to new traditions.  Good luck to Wanda.

Back to the park

With a race tomorrow, I went out to the park this morning and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Am anxious to get these 18 stitches out of my arm next week and get back on the trails.

Ankle better

As expected, my ankle was much better today.  I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then drove through heavy rains to the park and ended up running 2 miles on the park roads in a light rain.

Painful mile

I woke up this morning with a sore right ankle.  I have no idea where it came from, but it was hard to walk on it all day.  I did manage to get in a mile at the track this afternoon.  Based on my experience, pain that suddenly appears for no reason goes away just as quickly.  So, I am assuming that it will be gone when I get up tomorrow.  This evening, I went to College Station to visit someone at the hospital and then worked out at Iron Works late tonight.