Wrapping up February

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles, mostly on the trails.  That gives me 106.5 miles for the month (average 3.8 miles a day).

Back to the smoky trails

 After two 5K's on concrete this weekend, I made it out to the park this afternoon and ran 4.2 miles on the trails.  There were still smoldering logs in the woods and plenty of smoke.

Darling Dash 5K

 I ran the Darling Dash 5K in Houston this morning.  First time running this race.  It was on the concrete trails along the bayou just west of downtown Houston.  I struggled the first mile.  I think it was the drive up to and from Tyler yesterday.  I felt okay the rest of the race, but my finish time was 48:55.  I was first of one in the 70 and over age group.  This was my 13th race in 2023.

The Woodlands 5K

 I ran The Woodlands 5K this morning and finished in 46:34.  That was good for 3rd of 4 in the 75 and over age group.  This race kicks off The Woodlands Marathon, which is next Saturday.  After returning to Huntsville, I drove up to Tyler to visit a relative in the hospital.  Got back late this evening.

I should have brought marshmallows

 I went to the park late this morning and ran 3.2 miles on the trails.  The entire course was through the burn area.  Many tree stumps and old fallen trees were still burning.  I should have brought marshmallows. 

Last day of the burn

 They were finishing up the burn at the park when I arrived to run with the group.  I wrapped up my knee and ran 3.4 miles on the roads.  I have to go around a fire truck at one point.  Lots of smoke.

As the burn continues

 They are still burning the north and west side of the park.  I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails in the southeast side.  This was my second day of running without custom orthotics.  I felt a little burning on the bottom of my feet, but northing more.

Still burning at the park

 They were still conducting the controlled burn at the park today.  The wind shifted a bit, so the smoke was heavier in the area not was not closed.  My new orthotics started coming apart, so I mailed them back to the maker this morning.  I had already thrown my old orthotics away, so this evening I had to run without custom orthotics for the first time in about 30 years.  I ran 3.2 miles on the trails.  I will see how my feet feel in the morning.

Smokey park

 They started a controlled burn at the state park today, so most of the trails were closed.  I ran 3.3 miles on the roads early this afternoon.  The smoke was not too bad

Crowded park

 As I expected on a nice holiday weekend Sunday afternoon, the state park was crowded.  It took me a while to get in the gate.  I ran on some less-traveled trails and got in 3.9 miles.

Law Week 8K

 I ran the Law Week 8K in downtown Houston this morning.  Finished in 1:15:47, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  I was 3rd of 4 in the 80 and over age group.  Got to visit with several good friends and then had lunch with my son in Spring on the way back to Huntsville.

Unplanned trail route

 I went out to the park this afternoon and ran a completely unplanned trail route.  I even ran on a trail that I have not been on for years.  It turned out to be 3.1 miles.

Better

 Today was the last day of taking antibiotics for my sinus infection.  I got to the park a little early to meet up with the group and took off running on the trails.  I felt better than yesterday and ended up with 4.1 miles, all on the trails.

Sluggish run

 I am still trying to recover from the sinus infection and I was particularly tired today.  Plus, I put on a new pair of running shoes out of the box.  I intended to stay on the park roads, but I ended up on the trails.  Slow and sluggish 3.2 miles.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles, mostly on the trails.

Monday at the park

 I made it out to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.3 miles on the trails and roads.

Longer trail run

 With a nice cool and clear Sunday afternoon and antibiotics for my sinus infection, I could not resist a longer trail run at the state park.  Got in 7.3 miles.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  I finished in 45:47, about a minute slower than last week.  I was the only one over 80, so I won my age group.

Sinus infection

 I developed a fever last night and this morning, so I went to the doc late this morning.  As I expected, he diagnosed it as a sinus infection and prescribed a couple pills.  I went to the park later this afternoon and ran 3.6 miles, mostly on the trails.  No problem with foot pain.  Am still not sure what that was yesterday.

Made it another day

 I was doing light work in my yard this afternoon and suddenly developed sharp pains in the front of my left foot.   I have no idea where that came from.  I met up with the group at the park this evening.  The first mile and a half was very painful, but the pain eased up after that.  For a while, it made me forget about the sinus problem.  I finished up with 3.2 miles on the trails.

Fighting sinus issues

 I have been fighting sinus issues this week.  I am allergic to something blowing around.  I had the same problem 13 months ago and it turned into a sinus infection and positive COVID test.  However, us streakers do it anyway.  I got in 3.4 miles on the trails and roads at the park late this morning.

Group evening at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Back to the park

 After a couple days of road racing, I returned to Huntsville State Park early this afternoon.  The trails were really beat down after the Rocky Raccoon 100 this weekend.  I was a little tired from 3 races this weekend, but I managed to get in 3.4 miles on the roads and trails.

Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler & Sunday Night 5K

 I got up at 4:45 this morning to drive about 100 miles down to Missouri City to run the Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler.  Great running weather and a lot of good friends there.  I finished in 1:15:08 and was second of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  After the drive back, a shower, a nap and yard work, I drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 46:41.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I went down to Magnolia early this morning and ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run.  Finished in 44:50.

Nice weather for a change

 It was warmer and sunny today.  Nice running weather.  I got to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.7 miles on the roads and trails.

Warmed up to 38

 It was a few degrees warmer today and the difference was noticeable.  I met up with the group this evening and ran 3.7 miles on the trails and roads.

Another cold run

 It was 36 degrees when I went to the park this afternoon to run.  I ran 3.7 miles on the trails and roads, partly in a light rain.  A couple stopped me in the camping area and said, "didn't we see you running before when we were camping here?"  Probably so.