Easter 5K

 I ran the first ever Easter 5K in Magnolia this evening and finished in 53:48.  This gave me 101.9 miles for March and 338.7 for 2024 (1 mile ahead of last year at this time).

Late run

 Had a busy day and did not get a chance to run until about 7 p.m.  I drove to Kate Barr Ross Park and ran 3.2 miles on the roads.

Park getting crowded

 The park is getting crowded for Easter weekend.  I made it out there late this afternoon and got in 3.5 slow miles, mostly on the trails.  I have an appointment on Tuesday with a Pain Management doctor.  Hopefully, he will have a quick solution to the bulging disc in my lower back.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I made it down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass Brewery 5K.

Unplanned course

 I went to the park this afternoon and started an unplanned course from a different trail head.  The back is no better, but I got in 3.8 slow miles.

All trails

 Since it is Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I stayed on the trails and ran 3.4 miles.

MRI results

 My doctor's office called today and said that my MRI shows that my back pain is from arthritis and a bulging disc.  They are referring me to a pain management clinic.  Years ago, I had a bulging disc problem, but as I recall the pain was more severe and it went away after a short time.  I cannot remember what treatment I went through.  I had a busy day, but managed to get in 3.2 miles at the park, mostly on the trails.

Back to trails

 We had our club's annual 3.5-mile run at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  My job was to hike out to the 1-mile point, take photos of all the runners and then pick up the course markings on the way back to the starting point.  My left eye is much better and I was able to put my left contact back in.  3-D vision now!  So, after the race, I ran 3.2 miles, mostly on the trails.

Tyler Azalea Run

 I drove up to Tyler last night to run the Azalea Run this morning.  This was my 13th time running this race, the first time in 1983.  I have always run the 10K, but with my back issue, I switched to the 5K this year.  I finished in probably a Personal Worst 56:18.  I was 3rd place of 3 in the 80 and over age group.

MRI and run

 I had my MRI on my lower back this morning and then went to the park and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight, partly in a light rain.  The heavy rain began a little later.

Stayed on the roads at the park

My infected eye is improving, but am staying on the roads for now.  Got in 4 miles at the park this evening.

No MRI today

 I was looking forward to the MRI on my back this morning.  The imaging place would not do the MRI because of my pacemaker.  I am trying to get an appointment at the hospital, but I have to go to the cardiologist first and get the pacemaker placed in a "safe mode."  In the meantime, my left eye is a little better today and I have an appointment with the eye doctor tomorrow.  Hopefully, I can start using my contact on my left eye and return to 3-D vision.  I stayed on the roads again at the park this evening and got in 3.1 miles.

Eye not much better

 I had an appointment with my regular eye doctor this morning.  I showed him the ER doctor prescribed anti-biotic I was taking for my infected eye.  He said that it was for glaucoma and was not an anti-biotic.  He gave me a new prescription.  Turns out, the ER gave the right prescription, but Walgreens gave me the wrong medicine. I hate that place anyway and wish my insurance would contract with CVS.  I  am taking the right medicine now and hopefully I can get my regular vision back  soon.  I stayed on the roads again at the state park later today.  Got in 3.6 miles.

Mono-vision run

 My left eye was sore and swollen shut this morning, presumably from my allergy problem.  I had an appointment with the eye clinic tomorrow, but decided not to wait.  So, I went to the ER late this morning.  As expected, it is infected and the doctor prescribed anti-biotics.  Hopefully, it will clear up soon.  In the meantime, I went to the park this afternoon to run.  With one eye swollen shut, I had mono-vision and stayed on the roads.  I got in 3.5 miles, the last mile in a light rain.

Avoided a PW

 At the risk of sounding positive, I avoided a PW (Personal Worst) this morning.  I had planned to get up early and go down to Magnolia and run the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run.  However, with my back issue, I figured I would set a new 5K PW.  So, I slept in.  I went out to the park later this afternoon and ran 4.1 miles on the trails, partially ii a light rain.  I spent much of this evening on a heating pad.

Slow trail run

 I went to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 slow miles (slower than my normal slow) on the trails.  I have an MRI on my back next Tuesday morning.

Fass Brewery 5K (Minus)

 I had my last appointment for rehab on my back this afternoon.  It including dry needling.  Tonight, I went down to Conroe to run the Fass Brewery 5K,expecting not to be able to run the whole thing with my back pain and a question mark on the right leg.  When I started running the right leg pain was bad, but eased up after running a while/  It probably masked the back pain.  I thought about completing the whole 5K, but I did not carry a light for the second half in the dark.  I ended up running 1.5 miles.

Surgery day

 I ran 1 mile at the track at midnight this morning to keep my streak alive.  I did not get much sleep and had to be down in The Woodlands for surgery on my leg at 8 this morning.  I guess all went okay.  I had to take it easy all day, but I notice some weakness in the leg where the vein was neutralized.  In the meantime, I called my doctor's office about the possibility of getting an MRI on my back, which is my primary concern right now.  Two more veins to go - and then no compression socks.

Back issue worsens

 My lower back issue was worse today.  After my rehab appointment this afternoon, I went to the track.  I was barely able to run one mile.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and started out on the trails.  It did not take long to realize that I could get in 2.1 miles for my minimum daily run of 3.1.  I ended up with .7 for a total of 1.7 for the day.  One mile is the minimum for the Streak Association, but I have been running at least 3 a day for about 2 1/2 years and 3.1 a day for nearly 2 years.  I have leg surgery in The Woodlands early tomorrow morning and will be able to run for the rest of the day.  My plan is to go back to the track at midnight tonight and get in a run for tomorrow.

Split run

 My BP seems to be back to normal, but I am still dealing with sinus and back issues.  I spent much of today in bed on a heat pad.  I went to the track early this afternoon and ran a mile to make sure I kept my streak alive.  Late this evening, I went to the state park and ran 2.5 miles on the road and trails.  So, 3.5 today.

Another challenging run

 I went back to the park this afternoon and got in a challenging 3.4 miles on the trails.

Skipped a race

 I had planned to run the Spindle Tree 5K in Magnolia this morning, but with the low BP problem, I slept in.  Later this afternoon, I went to the spring break crowded state park and ran 3.4 miles on the trails.  Not easy.  I had to stop and rest a couple times.

Streak challenges

 I seem to have a lot of challenges to my streak lately.  Back pain, sinus headaches and earaches, blood pressure and upcoming surgeries.  I had another episode of low BP today.  I managed to get in 1.6 miles on the trails at the park early this afternoon, but had no strength to go further.  While the minimum distance for Streak Runners International is 1 mile, I have maintained a minimum of 3 miles for about 2 and a half years and a 3.1 minimum for nearly 2 years.  So, I went to the track late tonight and ran 2 miles, to give me 3.6 for the day.  Hopefully, the BP will be back to normal tomorrow.  Next Wednesday, I am having surgery in The Woodlands to remove the first of three bad veins in my legs.  I have a plan to keep my streak alive, but am not sure if it will be the 1-mile minimum or the 3.1 mile minimum.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I went down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass Brewery 5K.

Mid-80's

 I am not sure winter is over, but it was in the mid-80's when I went to the park early this afternoon to run.  No change in the back issue (now accompanied by a sinus headache).  I ran 3.8 miles on the roads and trails.

Mostly park roads

 I went from my third physical therapy appointment (back problem) this afternoon to the park to run.  Got in 3.2 miles, mostly on the roads.

Back to trails

 After 4 days of running in Conroe or The Woodlands, I went to the park early this afternoon and ran trails.  With my back issue, it was not a pretty site.  However, I got in 3.3 miles.

Sunday Night 5K

 This was a bad day for my lower back, but I made it down to The Woodlands this evening for the Sunday Night 5K.  It was probably my slowest 5K ever and I finished in 56:15.  

The Woodlands 10K

 I ran The Woodlands 10K this morning.  It is held in conjunction with The Woodlands Marathon and Half Marathon.  I finished in 1:47:25 and was 3rd of 3 in the 75 and over age group.  This was about 7 minutes slower than the last time I ran it (2 years ago).  Got to visit with a lot of good friends.

To The Woodlands for Packet Pickup

 I went to The Woodlands late this morning to visit the expo and pick up my packet for The Woodlands 10K tomorrow morning.  Gotta get up real early in the morning for a 7 a.m. start.  While I was down there, I ran 3.2 miles on the waterway.