2 Miles with J.C.

After much heavy work around the house today, I worked out at Iron Works and then went to the track to run the roads from there.  Speedy J. C. was there and wanted to run two miles with me.  He slowed down to run with me and I sped up somewhat.  So, it was a good workout.  I received my re-covered custom orthotics in the mail today.  I have been running in some old ones for about a month.  Felt good to be back in my current ones with new covering.

Cooler

It was a little cooler today and a good chance to paint the ceiling of my front porch.  My right arm and shoulder really got a workout, plus a lot of leg exercise going up and down the ladder.  Got it done.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Did not feel like running today

This was just one of those days, I did not feel like running.  However, I went to the track to run laps.  There were too many people there, so I ran 1.5 miles on the roads.  That's day 1,653.

90 degrees

It was 90 degrees this afternoon when I went out to run in the avenues.  Ran 3.3 hilly miles.

Spring Fling 5K

I ran our club's Spring Fling 5K in Huntsville this morning.  I finished in 36:13.  When not running, I played race photographer.  Photos at http://7hills.us/SpringFling2014.htm

2,000th blog entry

This is one of those milestones I was talking about a few days ago.  Since I started blogging 6 years ago this month, this is my 2,000th blog entry.  I know I have not said much and the blog is not read by too many people, but it somehow keeps me accountable for my running.  I need all the motivation I can get.  It's Friday and I have a race tomorrow morning.  I ran a short 1.3-mile course on the roads in town this afternoon.

Copperhead

For the first time in a couple years, I encountered a snake on the trail at Huntsville State Park.  While running a 2.4-mile loop this evening, I met up with a 18-inch copperhead laying across the trail.  I have been running those trails for about 20 years and use to see a lot more snakes, mostly coral snakes and copperheads.  Maybe my eyesight is going and I just don't see them anymore.

Wednesday group

As usual for Wednesday, I met up with the group and ran the 5K course around the campus.  Summer is here.

Gardening

Now that it is past Easter, I planted my share of the family garden - melons and corn.  Now, we will see which comes up first, plants or weeds.  I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park this evening.

Knee pain

I am continuing to have pain just below the left knee cap.  After a mile or so, it eases up a bit.  So, I will take it easy this week.  After Iron Works this evening, I ran an unplanned route in the avenues.  It turned out to be 1.80 miles.

Town Creek Trail

I finally ran on the Town Creek Trail in Huntsville.  It has been there for years in a green area of the city.  It is basically one loop, with some side trails.  Including the side trails, the distance I ran was 1.8 miles.  I ran this afternoon after having family in today and eating way too much.

Super Hero 10K

I got up early this morning, picked up Jill and Kelly and drove over an hour east to the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation east of Livingston to run the Super Hero 10K.  My niece, Amie, was visiting us and made the trip with us.  Even though it warmed up during the race, it was rather cool for the start.  Most of the course was on paved roads winding through a heavily wooded area.  I finished in 1:16:18, which placed me 2nd in the 60 and over age group.  After the race, they provided hamburgers with the fixings.  While there, I ran into several old friends and had a great time visiting with them.

Laps

It's Friday and I have a 10K in the morning.  So, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Running Milestones

As a runner, and especially as a streaker, I tend to keep track of milestones.  There are so many to track.  Such as, years since I started racing, number of marathons completed, number of races run, consecutive days of running, number of consecutive times completing certain races.  To me, it's all part of staying motivated to run and stay healthy.  The primary reason I blog is self motivation.  I probably have the most boring blog in existence, and I know from the counter, that only a few people read it.  However, I feel that it keeps me accountable.  I hate to run and many times I run farther than the 1-mile required to maintain my running streak, just because I have to account for my daily run.  In a week, I will reach a new milestone.  I make my 2,000th blog entry since starting my blog in April 2008.  Gosh, another milestone, 6 years of blogging.
Today, I worked out and ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Normal Wednesday

After working out at Iron Works, I met up with the group at the church and ran 3.1 miles around the campus.  The high temperature today with in the 60's.  From the looks of the forecast, this may be the last cool day in the foreseeable future.

Team RWB

I was invited by Team RWB to participate in an information program for veterans this morning at the VA Hospital in Houston.  I left Huntsville at 8 this morning and made it to the hospital just in time for a 10 a.m. start.  I worked with Daniel Cowart and Justin Taylor.  Justin was one of the members who ran with me carrying a flag at the Love.Run.Marathon last February 15.  We saw and visited with a lot of heroes.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Now, it's cold again

Just when I thought it was spring, the temperature got into the 40's today.  And, I had stored all my long sleeve running T-shirts for the summer.  I took it easy today and ran 1.3 miles on the roads after working out at Iron Works.

Texas 10 Series Huntsville

I ran the Texas 10 Series Huntsville 10-mile race this morning.  Warm and humid, with a light rain for part of the race.  It is the hilliest of the 7-race series, but I am use to the hills.  I finished in 2:12:44, which was good for 2nd place in the 70 and over age group.  However, having run all three in the series so far, I have accumulated plenty of points to be comfortably in the lead for the Armadillo Cup in the 70 and over age group.  A win for the series includes a cash prize of $250.  The next race in the series will be in Plano on May 10.  Then, three more races in the fall, Fort Worth, Katy and Conroe.

Bunny Run 5K

I drove an hour down to Humble this morning to run the Bunny Run 5K.  My good friend and member of our running club, Kas Kramer, directed the race.  It started and finished at the Sports Complex in a very nice sub-division.  There were over 100 runners for the 5K.  Everyone got a finishers medal, but no age group awards.  I finished in 35:50.

Friday rest day

Since I have a 5K in the morning and a 10-mile race on Sunday, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.  Then, to the Sam Houston State baseball game tonight.

Skipped Iron Works

Someone came to my house to pick up the club race clock to use in Groveton this weekend.  He came at the same time I am usually at Iron Works.  Then, I went straight to the park to run trails with the group.  I ran 2.4 miles.

Church 5K

After working out at Iron Works, I met up with the group at the church this evening and ran the 5K course around the campus.

Seven

I worked out at Iron Works earlier this afternoon and then went out to the park and ran 7 miles on the trails alone.  The group started later and ran shorter distances and we all finished about the same time.  Nice cool weather, but windy.

Roads

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran an unplanned route on the roads in town.  It turned out to be 2.6 miles.

Sunday Night 5K

I forgot to post last night.  For the 48th time, I went down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 36:41.

Dogwood Dash 5K

I drove and hour and a half east to Woodville to run the Dogwood Dash 5K this morning.  Nice cool and clear weather.  I finished in 34:25, but my GPS said that the course was exactly 3 miles.  My friends came up with the same distance.  I have never run this race before, but it has been around for many years.  Why can't race directors accurately measure their course?  In any case, I was first in the 70 and over age group - and there were three others in the age group.  I walked around the Dogwood Festival for a while and got back to Huntsville by 1 p.m.

Restful Friday

Since it is Friday and I have 5K in the morning, I went over to the track this evening and ran laps.

Skipped Iron Works

Just as I was leaving the house this evening to go to Iron Works, I received a phone call.  By the time the call was finished, I had enough time to get to the park to meet the group at 5:30.  I ran 3 miles on the trails.  It is really nice at the park now; dogwoods are in full bloom, as well as other flowers.

Had to run to rest up

I spent much of the day doing heavy yard work and was really tired this evening.  To rest up, I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles around the campus.  I felt much better afterwards.

Photos at the Park

The Chamber of Commerce is publishing a new Newcomers Magazine and they scheduled a photographer to take photos of our running group at the park this evening.  So, we had a much larger group than normal and they all looked good.  After the setup photos, we ran 3 miles on the trails.

Recovery day

My left knee was sore today and I am not due for another shot of the stuff from a rooster's cone until next fall.  It hurt at times during the 10-mile race yesterday.  So, after working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 1.3 miles on the roads.  It eased up a bit after a quarter mile or so.  I iced it when I got home.  I am sure it will be okay in a couple days.

Texas 10 Series Boerne

I ran the Texas 10 Series Boerne 10 miler this morning.  Perfect weather and a nice and relatively flat double loop course around the city.  I finished the first loop in 1:04:53 and the second loop in 1:05:17, 23 seconds slower.  My total time was 2:10:10, which placed me second in the 70 and over age group.

Running of the Bears 5 Miler

I drove down to Montgomery this morning and ran the Running of the Bears 5 Miler.  Nice run, but it took forever to get the awards ceremony started.  Good thing for chip timing.  I finished in 59:31 (2nd in my age group).  Within about 45 minutes from getting home, I was on the road to Boerne, west of San Antonio, for the Texas 10 Series 10 Miler tomorrow morning.  Went to Mass this evening in Boerne and then had hill country BBQ.

Laps

Since I have two races this weekend, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Skipped the park

The weather forecast called for rain this evening, so I skipped the park and ran 2.3 miles on the roads in town earlier this afternoon.  I ran in a light rain and the rain this evening did not materialize. Oh, well.

Church 5K

I met up with the group at the Baptist church this evening and ran the 5K course around the campus from there.  Earlier today, I mailed off my custom orthotics to be recovered.  So, for my run this evening, I wore an old ones, made from a cast years ago.  My feet were sore after the run this evening.  It may be a  few days before I adjust (or re-adjust) to them.  Five-mile race coming up this Saturday and ten-mile on Sunday.

Dogwoods

Every time I see the dogwood trees bloom at the park, I know that summer is near.  This is probably the best time of the year to run trails at the park.  Jacob (fastest in town) and I (slowest in town) were the only runs running this evening.  He ran 3.5 miles and I ran 2.5 and he was waiting for me at the finish.

Avenues 5K course

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I drove to the track and ran the Avenues 5K course from there.  Plenty of hills, including the highest point between Dallas and Houston.

Club run

Our club had its annual Run the Trails 3.5 miler at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  I hiked out a mile to a "T" in the trails to direct traffic and take photos.  There was a chance of rain, but the weather turned out nice.  Later this afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the roads in town.

Tyler Azalea 10K

I ran laps at the track on Friday before driving 135 miles up to Tyler for the Tyler Azalea 10K this morning.  The temperature was around 60 with a light mist for part of the race.  The red brick streets were rather slippery, but fortunately no slips.  Due to the crazy winter this year, there were no azalea blooms to be seen.  My finish time was 1:18:37.  The 3rd place finisher in my age group was 1:14 something.  We had a family get-together in Tyler this evening and made it back to Huntsville around 10:30 p.m.  My leg is still swollen and sore, but it did not bother me in the race.

Doctor visit

My leg was somewhat better this morning.  I went to the track and ran laps - before my doctor's appointment.  The X-ray of my leg was negative.  The doctor diagnosed the problem as a contusion (bruise).  The pressure built up at the point of the impact (where the log hit my leg) forced the blood into my lower leg and foot.  He did not see any danger of a blood clot.  So, the swelling in my leg will take time to go away.  Heat treatments will help.  I was relieved that nothing was broken and there was no danger of clots in my blood stream.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works.

Leg

My leg was not any better this morning.  It is swollen and discolored.  I tried to get an appointment with a doctor today, but the earliest I can get in is tomorrow afternoon.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then survived a 1-mile run at the track.

On the trails with Bridgette Collins

My long time friend, Bridgette Collins of Houston, ran trails with us this evening.  Bridgette is a marathoner, running coach, speaker and author of three books on running.  She, Leah Koester and Jan Parks and I ran 3 miles.  My leg injury from logging last Tuesday seems to be getting worse.  I will run tomorrow and then try to see a doctor.

Sprained ankle

I ran 2 miles on this roads this evening.  After getting home, I was stepping in the shower and noticed that the inside of my right ankle was dark purple and slightly swollen.  Sprained?  I don't remember doing anything to sprain it and did not notice any particular pain when running.  It is about 12 inches below the bruised and swollen leg from the logging accident a few days ago.  I wonder if the injuries are related.  Oh well, keep running.

Solo trail run

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 6.8 miles on the trails.  It was a little muddy in places, but no puddles that I could not get around. The temperature was in the 60's and it was very windy.  Nice running weather.

Veterans Memorial Parkway

Rather unusual, but I had no race this morning.  So, I ran 4.4 miles out and back on Veterans Memorial Parkway.

Laps

It's Friday, so I went to the track and ran laps this afternoon.  No race this weekend, but the club is having a social run tomorrow morning.

Beautiful weather

It was clear today and a high in the 60's.  After working out at Iron Works, I met up with the group at the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.

No Wednesday group

After working out at Iron Works, I went over to the church to meet up with the Wednesday night group.  Spring break.  No one was there.  So, I ran 3 miles on the roads.  My shin is still sore and swollen from the collision with a tree yesterday, but it is not a show stopper.

Logging accident

I was cutting down a couple trees on my property this afternoon and somehow one hit my right shin, not to mention a couple facial scratches.  I ended up with a huge knot and bruise on the shin.  Rather than taking time to work out at Iron Works, I iced it and then went to the park to run.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Then, I went to the Sam Houston State baseball game and iced it again when I got home. Hopefully, it will be okay tomorrow.

Yard work

I spent most of the day doing yard work.  It was much more tiring than the 16K trail run yesterday.  My running shoes were still soaking wet from being washed last night.  So, I put on a new pair of shoes out of the box and ran 1.3 miles on the roads this evening.

OMG, I forgot to blog yesterday

I just realized that I forgot to blog yesterday.  Nothing exciting.  I went down to The Woodlands and ran the Run The Woodlands 5K.  I finished in 37:09.  This morning, I went down to Lake Stubblefield, west of New Waverly, and ran the XTERRA 16K Trail Run.  I think that it was my first time to run a 16K (9.9 miles).  The temperature was in the 40's and the trail was muddy as heck.  The mud and water was up over the socks and it was very slippery in places.  I tripped and fell twice, but luckily it was in a relatively dry area both times.  I finished in 2:30:39.  I was the only one in the 70-74 age group, so I got 1st place.

Run at the park

I have to go to Houston this evening, so I went out to the park and ran a 3-mile loop on the trails this afternoon.

1,600

I reached a minor milestone today.  This was my 1,600 consecutive day of running.  I have been at this point twice before.  I went out to the park alone this afternoon and ran 2.3 miles miles on the trails.

Wednesday 5K

After working out at Iron Works, I met up with the group at the church this evening and we ran the usual Wednesday 5K course around the campus.  Nice cool weather and no melting ice.

Icy

We woke up today to a sheet of ice covering everything and it stayed in the 30's all day.  I went out to the park this evening and was the only one in the group to show up.  I ran 2 miles on the tree covered park roads.  The ice was melting, so it was like running in a cold rain.  Afterwards, I worked out at Iron Works.

Hopefully back to normal

I am still on antibiotics and other pills for my sinus infection, but hopefully I can get back to a normal routine this week.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 2 miles on the roads around town - in freezing temperatures.  It was such a contrast to running the half marathon two days ago in the heat and humidity.

Crazy weather day

I drove 70 miles down to Minute Maid Park in Houston this morning for the Sam Houston State and U. of Texas baseball game.  The game started at 10 a.m.  The temperature in Houston got up to the high 70's.  I made the trip back to Huntsville and arrived about 2:45.  It was much cooler here.  I left about 3:30 to drive down to The Woodlands for the Sunday Night 5K.  Just before I left, it was 41 degrees here and 75 degrees in The Woodands, about half way between here and Houston.  By the time I got to the race, the temperature was dropping fast.  It was in the 30's by the time I finished the race.  I finished in 36:58.  Now, it's 27 in Huntsville and is suppose to get down to 25.

The Woodlands Half Marathon

I got up at 4:30 this morning to take my antibiotics and other pills and then make it down to The Woodlands for a 7 a.m. start of The Woodlands Half Marathon.  There was a light rain all the way down, but very little during the race  The temperature at the start was probably in the high 60's, with 100 % humidity.  There were a total of about 8,000 for the full, half marathon and the 5K.  Despite the heat and humidity and the sinus infection and the congestion, I felt rather well after I started running.  I finished in 2:59:24, which was good enough for 3rd place in my age group.  Actually, 10 hours would have been good enough for 3rd place.  My age group award was a chair.  They also gave those to the younger age groups, so they were not just for the older runners.

Sinus headache

My allegery and sinus congestion woes continue.  Now it's a headache.  I drove down to The Woodlands this afternoon to pick up my packet for Half Marathon tomorrow morning.  Nice to visit with some friends.  I ran laps at the track when I got back.  The race starts at 7 a.m., so I will be getting up early tomorrow.  The forecast is for 65 degrees at the start, with 100% humidity and 10% chance of rain during the race.  Maybe the humidity will clean out my sinuses.

Better today

I have been taking my pills and heating my hamstring and felt better this evening.  I never made it to Iron Works, but I did go out to the park and run 2 miles on the park roads.

I would have preferred not to run today

I did not mention it yesterday, but I pulled a hamstring in my left leg while running laps at the track.  Am not sure what happened.  It was surely not from going too fast.  I think it was more of a pull than a tear.  I put heat on it today.  My allergies from the last few days turned into a sinus infection.  I went to the doctor this afternoon and got antibiotics and a couple other things to take.  So, I have been in bed most of the day.  I really did not want to run this evening.  It was in the high 30's and I sure did not feel like running.  However, when you streak, you run, if possible.  I drove over to the track and ran a 1.3-mile course on the roads from there.  The hamstring felt like a knot for a while, but after that it was okay.  I put heat on it when I got home.  My focus now is being ready for The Woodlands Half Marathon on Saturday.  It is suppose to be much warmer by then; high of 75.

Pending rain

It was suppose to rain this evening, so I worked out at Iron Works earlier this afternoon and then ran laps at the track.  By the time this evening we normally run at the park, it was sill not raining.  So, I went out there for a social hour.

Allergy problems continue

I woke up coughing and sneezing and with sinus congestion and sore throat.  I took some over-the-counter pills and napped on the couch much of the day.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and ran an unplanned course around town.  It turned out to be 2.2 miles, according to my new GPS.

Sweetheart 5K

Our club had it's annual Sweetheart 5K this afternoon at 2 p.m. on the SHSU campus.  Itt was 78 degrees and my allergies were killing me, not to mention that the course is very hilly.  I finished in 38:14.  We used a new course and someone turned one of the signs around and stole another.  I knew the course, but many got lost.  Based on the finish times, no one was too far off and nobody seemed to be upset.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I went down to The Woodlands for the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning.  Nice cool and dry weather.  I finished in 36:53.  Afterwards, I went to Luke's Locker and bought my first GPS running watch.  Now, I have to figure out how to operate it.  That's not easy for us in the 70 and over age group.

Restful Friday

With two 5K races this weekend, I rested up today with a 1.5-mile run on the streets in the Avenues.

Trail measuring

I went out to the state park this afternoon with an engineer wheel to measure some trail sections.  Starting next September or October, the whole south perimeter road all the way to the dam will be closed for resurfacing for about 9 months.  It will mess up all the races held at the park every year.  I am trying to come up with a new course for the Love.Run.Marathon.  I think it can be done.  After walking several miles with the engineer wheel, I put it in the truck and then ran for 2 miles on the trails.  Later this evening, I drove down to Houston to attend a Team RWB dinner.  Terrible rain and traffic going down;  took over 2 hours to get there.  Then, the normal 1 hour and 10 minutes coming back.

Wednesday Night 5K

After Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group for the hilly 5K run around the campus.  It was warmer than usual, but still comfortable.

Back to normal

I felt normal today.  On behalf of our running club, I had a meeting at the hospital this afternoon to talk about a new course that starts and finishes there.  Looks like it is going to work out.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the park roads.  After that, I went to Iron Works for a workout.

Sick

Except for a sinus infection every two years, I do not normally get sick.  I must have some stomach virus.  I stayed in bed much of today.  I did go out to the park this afternoon to run trails.  I figured that if I was going to get sick that the trails was the place to be.  I ended up running 2.5 miles and then felt much better.  So much so that I went to the SHSU - Northern Colorado baseball game.  Sam won.

Laps

I was sore this morning.  I'm not sure if it was from running 26.2 miles on the trails yesterday or falling 5 times.  After an enchilada dinner, taking some Ibuprohen and running laps at the track, I felt much better.

Love.Run.Marathon

 

I ran the Love.Run.Marathon on the trails at Huntsville State Park this morning.  It was my 101st and last marathon and I ran it as my modest tribute to all those who served with the 101st Airborne Division.  That is the division I served with in Vietnam.  It was an amazing day.  I wore bib number 101.  Team RWB (red, white, blue) from the Houston and Dallas area came to run with me.  It is a national organization to support veterans.  They ran behind and beside me the entire race.  And, they carried flags, including the 101st Airborne Division flag.  I felt humbled and honored that they ran with me.  Really great people and they are dedicated to serving veterans.  During the race, I fell five times and skinned up my knee on the last fall.  Funny, I fell five times in the same race last year.  I finished the first half in 3:16 and had a slow second half. Finished the race in 7:13:01.  My finish was a major surprise.  There were air horns, two police cars with flashing lights, many cameras and the Army song was played on the loud speaker system.  I received my finisher medal, first in age group trophy and a beautiful plaque from the race committee commemorating my 101st marathon.  The race committee also had a huge cake for me and our Seven Hills Running Club gave me a jacket, embroidered with "101 Marathons."  Most importantly, many of my family members and running friends were there for my finish.  Jennifer, Dawn and the rest of the race committee for the Love.Run.Marathon and absolutely great and considerate people.  And, they do such a good job putting on this race.

Ready to go

Thanks to Jennifer for bringing up my race packet to the park today and saving me a trip to packet pickup in The Woodlands.  Bib 101 is ready to go tomorrow.  It was 75 degrees this afternoon and I ran laps at the track.  Thank goodness, it will be a little cooler for the marathon tomorrow.

Tapering

My 101st and last marathon is on Saturday.  I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads, while they ran trails.  Worked out at Iron Works and went to see Lone Survivor tonight.  I probably average one movie every two years, so it was a rare occasion.

At the park twice today

This morning, I went out to the park and met with up with Jennifer, the race director for this Saturday's Love.Run.Marathon at Huntsville State Park.  We walked part of the course and remeasured part of it due to the construction of a new bridge on the trail.  We ended up walking close to 6 miles.  Later this afternoon, Christine drove over from College Station and we ran 6.6 miles on the trails.  Nice run with no rain and no freezing cold.

Rare sighting

Jacob and I were the only ones at the park this evening.  The temperature was in the low 30's, with a light rain.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads, while Jacob ran 3 miles on the trails.  He reported that while on the trail along the lake, he came across two otters mating.  They got mad when he stopped.  I have known only one other runner to ever see an otter at the park, so Jacob was lucky.

Short, cold and rainy run

It rained most of the day and it was 38 when I went out to run this afternoon.  I ran 1.5 miles on the roads in town before working out at Iron Works.

9 Miles

This afternoon, I ran 9 miles on the trails at Huntsville State Park.  It was in the 60's and no rain.  Nice.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I drove down to The Woodlands this morning and ran the Run The Woodlands 5K.  Finished in 36:00.  I spent the afternoon working at an aid station at Huntsville State Park for the Rocky Raccoon 50-Miler.  Running 50 miles looks easy from an aid station perspective.

Cold and rainy day

It was in the low 30's all day and rainy.  I went over to the track this afternoon and ran laps and then had a meeting this evening with members of a sorority from SHSU putting on a new run in March.  Hopefully, I was able to help.

Even colder

It was 29 when I got to the park this evening.  Only Jacob and I showed up.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads, while speedy Jacob ran 3 on the trails.  He was waiting for me when I finished.

Another cold run

I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran the streets around the campus with the group just as it was getting dark.  I ran 2.6 miles.  The temp was in the 30's.

Park roads

I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening with James.  Phillip, Jason, J. C. and Becca all ran trails.  Nice weather after rain all morning.

Tax day

I worked on my taxes today and finished up tonight.  I did take a break earlier to workout at Iron Works and run laps at the track.  Ready for warmer weather.

Half Marathon - in two parts

I got up at 5 a.m. this morning and drove to College Station for the Texas 10 Series College Station 10-Mile Race.  The race started at 7:30.  It was raining, cold (42) and very strong winds.  The temperature dropped to 38 during the race.  It was a double loop course.  I finished the first loop in 1:02:26 and the second loop in 1:03:58, for a total of 2:06:06.  The weather was terrible, but I felt strong the entire race.  I was first in my age group (yes, I was the only one).  That win gives me a free entry into the same race next year.  Thanks to my trail running buddies from College Station, Christine and Shelby, for being at the finish line.  I drove back to Huntsville, took a shower and a nap and then drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 37:55, a little slower than normal.  So, today I ran a half marathon - 10 miles + 3.1.

Track

I have a 10-mile race in College Station tomorrow morning and a 5K in The Woodlands tomorrow evening, so I ran laps at the track this afternoon.  Warm today, but it is suppose to be cold tomorrow.

Trails with Aggies

My Aggie running buddies, Christine and Shelby, came over from College Station this afternoon to run trails at the state park.  We ran 7 miles.  Great weather and a nice run with good friends.

Back to the park

I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening.  My run was interrupted by a visit with race director, Joe Prusaitis of Austin, and members of his committee, who were setting up for the Rocky Raccoon 100-miler at the park this weekend.

2.6

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 2.6 miles on the roads in town.

Back to the cold

We had a light snow early this morning and it has been cold all day.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I went out to the park to meet up with the group.  It was in the high 30's, but seemed much colder.  The group was speedy Jacob and I.  He ran a 4-mile+ loop on the trails, while I ran 3 miles on the trails.  He was waiting when I finished.  We had a "hot chocolate," visited for a while and went home.

Winter yard work

I did some winter yard work this afternoon (trimming bushes and stuff) and got a late start on my real exercise.  I then worked out at Iron Works and then ran laps at the track.  Easy day.

Recovered

I was a little sore yesterday after the half marathon, but felt fully recovered today.  I went out to the park this afternoon and ran a 3-mile loop on the trails.  My first half mile was rather slow; I ran into Craig, then Len and then Nancy.  I have a brief visit with each.  Great weather for being at the park.

Lake Benbrook Half Marathon - 700th Race

I drove up to Fort Worth yesterday afternoon and spent the evening with my younger brother.  We had a nice dinner and visit and then I drove down to Benbrook on the south side of Fort Worth for the Lake Benbrook Half Marathon this morning.  The race started at 8:30 with a temperature in the mid-30's.  During the race, it warmed up quickly to the 50's.  Really nice weather for a half.  The course was out and back on a paved road around Lake Benbrook.  Very hilly.  At about 3 miles, I met another retired Army guy, David Smith, and we ran and visited for the rest of the race.  I finished in 3:03:53 and won 3rd place in the 70 and over age group.  It was my 700th race since I started racing in 1983.

OMG, Snow

Woke up to about an inch of snow on the ground and 27-degree temperature.  I ran 1.3 miles on the roads and managed to avoid patches of ice.  Off to Fort Worth for a half marathon tomorrow.

Cold, rainy and windy

I was the only one who showed up at the park at 4:30 this evening.  Found out later that Jacob and Becca were already out on the trail running around the lake.  Anyway, it was 35 degrees, raining and windy.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads and my ears were freezing by the time I finished.  Afterwards, I worked out at Iron Works.

Trails with Christine and Shelby

Christine Mesecher and Shelby Faw, both Aggies, came over to Huntsville from College Station this afternoon to run trails with me at the state park.  Christine ran part of the BCS Marathon last month with me.  Neither had run trails before, but seem to enjoy the experience.  We ran 4 miles.  Beautiful weather.  Worked out at Iron Works this evening and skipped the Wednesday night 5K run on campus.

Park roads

We had a good group at the park this evening, but everyone seemed to be running a different course at a different starting time.  I got there and ran 3 miles on the park roads.  This great weather can't last much longer - but I hope it does.

Get a bush

I worked out at Iron Works and then went out to the park for a 3-mile trail run.  While on the trail, I came upon a couple standing in the middle of the trail kssing while in a deep embrace.  I had to leave the trail to get around them.  I wanted to tell them to get a bush.

In between football games

In between football games this afternoon, I went over to the track and ran laps.