Short trail run

After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 1.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Texas 10 Series Sienna 10-Miler and my first ride in an ambulance

I got up at 4 this morning to make the drive down to Missouri City for a 7 a.m. start of the Texas 10 Series Sienna 10-miler.  Hot, extremely humid, sunny, concrete course and no wind.  I took on extra fluids at the aid stations, but struggled to finish.  I ran the whole race, but my time was about 20 minutes slower than my worst time in a Texas 10 Series race.  While sitting down and trying to hydrate after the race, my vision got blurry and I was approached by an EMT.  Then, I threw up all the water that I had taken down.  They put me in the ambulance and gave me an IV.  While the IV was going, they checked my heart and found it not functioning right (I'm not sure I understood what it was doing or not doing).  Anyway, they transported me to the hospital emergency room.  More IV's, heart tests and a medication to bring down my heart rate.  I was finally released just after 3 this afternoon and got home about 5.  Thanks to my friends, Gretchen and Steve for their support, especially to Steve for hanging out at the hospital and driving me back home.  It was running streak day 3,633 and 19 days from 10 years.

Short park run

Late this morning, I went to the park with my wife and 3-year grandson.  While they were at the playground, I ran 1.2 miles on the roads.  Then, we had a picnic lunch.

Park roads

With staples in my chest (not sure how many), I plan to stay off the trails at the park to avoid the risk of falling.  So, this afternoon, I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  Ten miles on Sunday will definitely be a challenge.  I even started a new pill yesterday, one that keeps my body from rejecting the device (about the size of a thumb drive) they implanted in my chest.

2-Run day

I had an appointment for more testing at the cardiologist's office early this afternoon, including surgical insertion of a "loop" in my chest to allow remote monitoring of my heart.  So, I ran 1.1 miles on Veterans Memorial Parkway late this morning, just in case I was told not to run after the surgery.  At the doctor's office, they told me that I could run today.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and got in another 2 miles on the park roads.

Squeezed in a run

Got busy today and hosted a running club officer meeting at my house this evening.  However, I managed to squeeze in a 2-mile road run at the park late this afternoon.

Me and Jacob

It was just be and Jacob at the park this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Jacob ran 3 and was waiting for me when I finished.

Park roads

After Iron Works this evening, I got in a 2-mile run on the state park roads.

Trails, again

In between football games this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.  Next challenge is a 10-mile race next Sunday.

Change of plans

I was signed up to run a 5K in the Dallas area this morning, but plans changed and I did not make the trip.  So, late this morning I went to the park and ran 5 miles on the trails.

Lots of rain in the area

We had a lot of rain in the area today, but little at my house.  In fact, part of my normal 2-mile loop around the campus was under water.  I went out to the park this afternoon.  Traffic on I-45 was backed up and it took me a long time to get to the park.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Another early run to beat the rain

It was suppose to rain this afternoon and evening, so I went out to the park late this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  I did not see anyone on the trails and I broke a lot of spider webs.

9 Years and 11 Months

I ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening in a light rain.  Today marked 9 years and 11 months on my current running streak.  This morning, I had an appointment with the cardiologist.  He reviewed the 10 days on a heart monitor, ultra-sound on my heart and all the other tests and concluded that I have Afib, caused in part by a leaky valve.  I still have to have more tests done, but starting today, I am on a blood thinner.  I have no restrictions on running, but I know that with the RA and Afib and the side effects of the medication, my running will not be like it use to be (not to imply that I was ever fast).

No one else showed up

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I drove through rain getting to the park to meet up with the group.  No one else showed up.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads and then another 1.1 miles on the trails, for a 5K total.

Park roads

Got caught in some wind and a little rain, but I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening.

Back to the park

In between football games this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the state park.

Gruene Hall 10K

I ran laps at the track yesterday (Friday) before making the 3 1/2-hour drive to New Braunfels to run the Gruene Hall 10K this morning.  Had a rough day physically yesterday.  I'm not sure if it is the RA, the heart issue or the medications I am taking for both.  Of course, the weather was warm in New Braunfels this morning, but with low humidity.  This is the 9th straight year I have run this race.  I finished in 1:37:23 and was 4th of 4 in the 75-79 age group.  This must have been a PW (personal worst) for the 10K distance.  Here is my history for this race:

2019 - 1:37:23 (age 78)
2018 - 1:30:48
2017 - 1:26:13
2016 - 1:21:29
2015 - 1:21:31
2014 - 1:18:40
2013 - 1:22:42
2012 - 1:16:17
2011 - 1:16:38 (age 70)

Park roads

I met up with the group this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Morning run at the park

I ran 5 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  Ran on some trails that I have not been on for a while and broke up a few spider webs across the trails.  This was my 3,615th consecutive day of running.

Could not get to the park

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I headed to the park to meet up with the group.  There was a wreck on the southbound side of I-45 and traffic was backed up both on I-45 and the service road.  So, I made a U-turn on the service road and went to the track in town.  I ran an unplanned route in the avenues, which turned out to be 1.6 miles.

Rain

We finally got a little rain this evening.  I left Iron Works this evening to go to the park to run.  When I got there, it was lightning and raining.  So, I decided to go to the track and run laps.  The rain was heavier at the track.  I went home and checked my rain gauge;  3/4 inch.  Most in about 2 months.  By this time, it had quit raining.  I went up to Veterans Memorial Blvd. and run a mile +.

Sunday at the park

Early this afternoon, I went to the state park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Stretching out the distance

With no race this morning, I went out to the park about 11 a.m. and ran 6 miles on the trails.

Mid-Friday afternoon run

I went out to the park in the middle of this Friday afternoon, when it was 100 degrees or so, and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Got to the park early

I arrived at the park ahead of the group this evening.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads and another 1.4 on the trails for a total of 3.4.

Morning run for a change

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

Trails, again

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Park was full

I went out to the state park about 2 this afternoon.  About a mile from the gate, they were turning cars around because the park was full.  I got up to the turnaround point and the guy told me that the boss told him that I could go in anyway.  Guess being a "regular" has its perks.  There was plenty of parking at the Nature Center and I ran 3 miles on the park trails.  The picnic area must have been packed, because I only saw about 5 people on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening - for the 102nd time.  I finished in 46:21, exactly 2 minutes slower than last month.