Finishing up August

 After a lot of rain today, I went out to the park this evening and ran 3.6 miles on the roads.  With that run, I completed 107.8 miles for the month of August (average 3.48 per day).  So far in 2025, I have run 878.6 miles (average 3.62 per day).  My streak is 1,574 days or 4 years, 3 months and 21 days.  However, with today's run, I have run at least 3.1 miles per day for 13 months.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 51:40.  Not fast, but my fastest 5K since last April.

Friday morning run

 With a race on Saturday, I usually try to run earlier on Friday.  So, I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 3.9 miles on the roads.  Not much traffic on the roads, but one of the rangers said that they are completely full this holiday weekend.

Fass Brewery 5K

I had my 3rd rehab appointment this afternoon and then worked out at Iron Works.  Then, ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

Four in town

 I stayed in town this evening and ran 4 miles in around the park on 7th street.  With the heat, its nice to have some shaded areas.

Group night at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.4 miles, one mile on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Back to the roads

 After all trails yesterday, I returned to the roads at the state park late this evening..  The camping areas are almost empty, so there is very little traffic on the roads.  Got in 3.4 miles.

Like the old days

 It was a hot Sunday afternoon and I went out to the state park to run TRAILS.  I ran 4.4 miles.  I tripped on  a root, fell and skinned up my knee.  However, I was able to get upright again without crawling over to a tree.   I started running again, but then got bit twice by biting horse flies.  It was like the old days.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 53:22.  Slow, but my fastest 5K in a while,  Hopefully, I can get my 5K time back under 50 minutes.  The doc said that rehab on my back will help with my speed.  I see him at the gym once in a while, but have never seen him running.

Rainy run

 It rained much of the afternoon.  It was letting up later this afternoon, so I went into town for a run in the rain.  Ran 3.5 miles.  After a mile or so, it stopped raining.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewry 5K in Conroe tonight,  83rd time.

First rehab appointment

 I had my first rehab appointment for my back today.  Am not sure how many appointments I will have, but I am booked for twice a week through September.  Hopefully, it will help.  Storms  were moving through the area late this afternoon, but I managed to get in a 4-mile run on the roads at the park.  No rain there - or at my house.

Trails!!

 According to my post-op instructions given to me on August 4, today is the day I can start doing strenuous activity again.  So, I went to the part this evening and got on the trails.  Gosh, I have not been on the trails at the park in a long time.  I ran 2 miles on the trails (no falls) and another 1.6 on the roads.  Total 3.6 miles.

Dodged the storms

 I went out to the park to run late this evening.  Storms were moving through the area, but managed to get in 3.2 miles on the roads with only a few drops of rain.  None at my house, either.

Sunday at the park

Due to the heat, I waited until late this evening to run.  Went to the state park and ran 4 miles on the roads.

Heat Wave 5K

 I ran our club's Heat Wave 5K this morning.  It is held in the Waterwood Sub-division, about 20 miles east of Huntsville.  Nice course, but hilly and hot.  I finished in 54:35 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Noon run in the heat

 I usually have a race on Saturday morning and run earlier on Friday.  So, I went into town at noon and ran 3.7 miles in the 90+ degree heat.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

Tied my own running shoes

 My back must be getting better.  I tied my own running shoes today with little pain.  Before surgery, when I tried it, it was a very painful process.  Getting out of a chair is easier now, too.  And, I feel a little more stable while walking.  However, I realize that it is going to take a while to fully recover and get back to my normal slow running pace.  I waited until late this evening to run.  Got in 3.6 miles on the roads at the park.

Follow up doctor visit

 After bleeding at the surgery site and going to the doctor for rebandaging last week, I had a follow up appointment with the doctor this afternoon.  He took the bandage off and said I could leave it off and that I did not need to come back and see him next week, as scheduled.  I did not ask him if I could resume "strenuous activities."  I proceeded to the park and ran 3.9 miles on the roads.  I start physical therapy on August 20.

Hot early afternoon run

 I ran 3.1 miles in town at 1 this afternoon, mostly on the shady walkways in the park on 7th Street.

Millican post series party and awards

 I went to Millican late this morning for the Millican Summer Series post-series party and awards.  Lots of good food and friends.  I won the 80 and over age group award for the series, but I was the only one over 80 running.

Late this evening, I went to the state park and ran 4.3 miles on the park  roads.

Southern Star 5K

I ran the Southern Star 5K in Conroe this morning - for the 11th straight year.  I finished in 55:16 and was 1st of 1 in the 80 and over age group.

Tried to stay in the shade

 I ran 3.5 miles in town late this morning, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible.  No more bleeding, but am still  sore from the surgery on Monday.

Millican Summer Series 5K Trail Run Number 6

 I was somewhat apprehensive about running the 3.2-mile technical trail run tonight in Millican.  My back has been bleeding off and on since the surgery on Monday.  I went to the doctor this morning and they rebandaged it.  So, I went on to Millican tonight and ran the last race of the summer series.  My goal was to finish without tripping and falling.  I accomplished that.  My time was 1:06;55, over 2 minutes slower than the last race in the series 2 weeks ago.

Late morning at the park

 I ran 3.4 miles on the roads at the park late this morning.  The doc called today and wants me to start physical therapy.

Split run

 While I am obviously sore from the incision in my back, I am finding it easier and less painful to get upright and move around.  Tissue was removed from around two vertebra to relieve pressure on the nerve by the bulging disk. It was also going down my right leg, causing pain there.  The surgery seems to be working.  According to the post-op instructions, I cannot do anything strenuous for two week - an I cannot take a shower for 4 days.  I went to the park late this morning and ran 2.2 non-strenuous miles on the roads.  Later this evening, I went back to the park, met up with the Tuesday group and ran another 1.3 miles.  Total for the day 3.5 miles.  I hope to get back to a normal running schedule tomorrow.

Surgery done

 At midnight this morning, I went to the old mall parking lot in Huntsville and ran 3.5 miles.  Did not get much sleep afterwards and got up early and drove down to Conroe for my back surgery this morning.  The doc said all went well.  I suppose time and running speed will tell.  I am back home and being real lazy for the rest of the day.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands tonight.  It is held on the first Sunday of every month.  I finished in 55:22.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

I got up early this morning to run the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia at 7:30.  Finished in 55:03.

Early afternoon run

 With a race in the morning, I ran about 1 this afternoon.  Went to the park and ran 3.2 miles in the heat.