Okay

Between my knee and groin muscle, I felt a little beat up today.  Think I will be okay, though.  I worked out at Iron Works and then ran laps at the track.

Not so good day at the park

The weather was so nice today, sunny and mid-70's this afternoon.  Perfect day for a trail run at the park.  When I got out there, Sara and J.C. were just finishing a long run, so I visited with them a bit.  I did not feel tired at all after the half marathon yesterday, so I decided to run a 2.5-mile loop.  My left knee is sore and a little swollen.  I got about 1.5 miles from the start and tripped on a root.  I have always advised people to go ahead and fall, rather than stumbling around trying to stay upright.  Skinned up knees heal quicker than pulled muscles.  Anyway, I decided to try to stay upright and stumbled around and felt like I was pulling muscles throughout my body.  After managing not to fall, I took a roll call of all the muscles to see what was still intact.  Looks like I pulled a groin muscle.  I ran/walked the last mile and took plenty of Ibuprofen with my dinner.  Hopefully, I will be okay for my half marathon on Saturday.

Katy Half Marathon

I went to bed real early last night (10:30), but woke up about 2 a.m. and could never go back to sleep.  So, about 3:15, I got out of bed, showered and got dressed.  I left the house about 3:45 and drove 94 miles down to Katy to run the Katy Half Marathon.  I  got a parking place about 100 feet from the start/finish area at the Katy Mills Mall.  There were over 2,000 running the half and a bunch more doing the 5K.  The half was suppose to start at 6:30, but was 10 minutes late.  The temperature was in the 40's and 50's during the race.  It was foggy until the sun came out late in the race and cleared things out.  I finished in 2:54:05, a few minutes faster than my last half.  They said that the race results were messed up and that they would mail the age group awards out later.  According to what is posted online now, I was 3rd of 4 in the 70-74 age group.  They were also suppose to give out caps, but they did not arrive in time for the race.  They said they would mail those two.  That's going to be a big postage bill.  There was a long line for the beer and another long line for the food.  After driving back to Huntsville, I took a much needed nap.  This evening, I went out to the state park and visited friends at the Rocky Raccoon 50 Miler start/finish line.  I suppose that it was also good weather for running 50 miles.

Friday off

Since I have a race tomorrow, I went over to the track this afternoon and ran laps.  I am ready for tomorrow, but dread getting up at 3:30 a.m., driving to Katy, getting parked, etc and being ready to run at 6:30 a.m.  Ugh.

Tapering

With a half marathon on Saturday, I began "tapering" today.  After working out at Iron Works, I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park.  Jason and Sara were there and they ran trails.  When I finished, Curtis had just finished going around the lake and we all had a nice visit.  The temperature was in the mid-30's, but no rain.

Upcoming Katy Half Marathon

A long time ago, I signed up for the Katy Half Marathon, which is scheduled for this Saturday.  Last week, I received an email telling me that there is no race day packet pickup and that I have to pick up my packet in Houston Tuesday or Wednesday or in Katy on Friday.  I sure don't recall reading that there was no race day packet pickup when I signed up.  In any case, I emailed them about it last week and asked for a refund or an exception since I live up in Huntsville.  They (Onurmark Productions) refused.  So, this afternoon, I drove down to the west side of Houston (80 miles one way) to pick up my packet.  After finding a parking place in a parking garage, I had to stand in a long line to sign in at the Fitness Center.  Then, I went to the 3rd floor and waited in another line for packet pickup.  They assigned a bib number to me and hopefully it was correctly entered into their database.  No T-shirt; they said that you get that after you finish the race.  I had to drive 160 miles this afternoon to pick up a bib.  Why not a mail option?   I have no idea how this race will turn out.  I have a feeling that it will be screwed up.  The race starts at 6:30 a.m. on Saturday in Katy, 93 miles from Huntsville.  I think I might have to get up early.
I got back to Huntsville this evening just in time to meet Dana and Samantha at PTA to run the 5K course.

Mid-40's and raining

It was in the mid-40's and raining when I went out to the park to run this evening.  Dana, Samantha and April were there too.  The rain eased up and I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  While I was running, a truck stopped and it was my friend, Joe Prusatis, who directed the Rocky Raccoon 100 last weekend and will direct the Rocky Raccoon 50 this Saturday.  We had a nice visit.

Easy trail run

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the trails.  They were well beaten down from the Rocky Raccoon 100 over the weekend.

Texas 10 Series College Station and Sunday Night 5K

I ran two races today.  The first one was the Texas 10 Series 10-miler over in College Station.  The earlier forecast of rain did not pan out.  Instead, it was dry and the temperature was in the high 60's.  Last year at this race, it was raining, windy and the temperature was about 30.  I finished in 2:08:52.  Since I was the only runner over 70, I was first in my age group.  Besides a nice finisher medal, I received a glass mug for the age group award and a free entry into the Texas 10 Series Huntsville race next September.
This evening, I went down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 37:37, a little slower than my recent normal on that course.  So, the total for both races was a half marathon.

Rest day

I spent some time today watching live coverage of the Rocky Raccoon 100 start/finish line at Huntsville State Park.  I had family coming in this afternoon, so late this morning I went to the track and ran laps.  Up early tomorrow for a 10-miler.

Third day in a row at the park

For the third day in a row, I went out to the park and ran trails.  Ran 3.5 miles.  The weather forecast for Sunday's 10-miler is looking a little better at this point.

Nice weather continues

It was a nice warm day again.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails this evening.  The forecast for the 10-miler in College Station on Sunday is still 80 percent chance of rain, with the temperature in the 50's.  Not bad if there is no lightning.

Looking ahead to Sunday

I will be running the Texas 10 Series 10-Miler in College Station on Sunday.  The forecast is for a temperature in the 50's and 80 percent chance of rain.  Last year, at this race it was cold, rainy and windy.
Today in Huntsville it was near 80 degrees and clear.  I ran 2 miles around the campus this evening.  First time in a while I worked up a sweat.

Lots of time at the park today

I met 5 ladies of the Love.Run.Marathon race committee this morning at the park to review turn around points and critical turns for the race on February 14.  We all hiked 6.49 miles.  Then, I went back to the park this evening to meet up with the group.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Nice warm day and it is suppose to get up to 76 tomorrow.

Nice sunny weather again

It was a nice sunny day.  I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran 2 miles around the campus.  In the last mile, I ran into 3 friends and had short visits.

Knee

Last night, it was difficult and painful to walk with a sore and swollen left knee.  However, a few hours of rest made a difference.  This afternoon, I went out to the park with the intention of running 1 mile on the trails.  The knee felt much better and I stretched it out to 2.5 miles.  Beautiful weather today and the park was crowded.

Lake Benbrook Half Marathon

I drove up to Benbrook (southwest of Fort Worth) last night to run the Lake Benbrook Half Marathon this morning.  When I went out to my truck this morning, the temperature was 30 degrees and my window were iced.  However, the weather was clear and it warmed up quickly during the race.  Just after the race started, my friend, Jon Walk, from Spring caught up with me and we ran the entire race together.  I did not know he was going to be there.  I finished in 2:57:22, according to the published race results.  My watch said about 2:56:00.  In any case, my time in this race last year was 3:03:53, so I improved my time.  Besides a finisher medal, I received another medal for placing second in my age group (there was only 2 of us).  I drove back to Huntsville this afternoon.  My left knee hurt during the race and is really sore this evening.  I will have to take it easy for a few days.

Wimped out

It was in the 30's this afternoon and raining.  So, I went to Iron Works and ran a mile+ on the treadmill.  First time in a long time I have been on that thing.  Half marathon tomorrow.

Wet

It rained all day.  This evening, the temperature was close to 40 degrees when I went out to the park.  No one else showed up, so I ran 2 miles on the park roads in the rain.  A park police officer pulled up next to me while I was running.  I thought he was going to give me a speeding ticket, but instead he just wanted to say hello and tell me that I was dedicated.  After running, I turned the heater on full blast in the truck and drove to Iron Works to work out, half dried out.

Armadillo Cup

I worked out at Iron Works this afternoon and then got in a 2.2-mile run on the roads in the Avenues.  This evening, I went down to The Woodlands for the 2014 Texas 10 Series Awards Dinner.  Our club tied with The Woodlands Running Club for 3rd place in the club competition and we picked up a $475 check.  I won 1st place in the 70 and Over age group competition.  That comes with an Armadillo Cup and a check for $250.  For completing all 7 races in 2014, I was given a nice backpack.  A first class race series all the way!

Airborne Beer

After running 3 miles at the park this evening, I shared an Airborne Beer with Hans Jaeger and John Cook.
In 1944, the 101st Airborne Division (the unit I served with in Vietnam) was in Bastogne, Belgium, surrounded by the Germans during the Battle of the Bulge.  Private Vince Speranza, who was in a foxhole on the perimeter, was sent into the city to find batteries for the radio.  While there, he went to visit his wounded friend who was in a church being used as a hospital.  His friend ask him to get him something to drink.  Speranza went down the street and found a bar, but it was bombed out.  Then, he found another bar, which had a working tap.  He filled up his helmet with beer and brought it back to the church.  Other wounded soldiers wanted beer too, so he had to make another trip.  The regimental surgeon at the hospital caught him and sent him back to his unit.  Sixty five years later, Vince Speranza revisited Bastogne.  He told someone what he did and they told him that he was famous in Europe.  After the war, the story about the beer in the helmet got out and a local Bastogne Brewery started making Airborne Beer.  They serve it in little ceramic helmets.
My friend, Hans Jaeger, served with the 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam.  For Christmas, his sons bought him a 6-pack of Airborne Beer, which comes with the ceramic helmet.  They had it shipped from Batogne.  He brought one of the bottles to the park tonight and we shared it and he gave me the empty bottle.  Good stuff.  7.5% percent alcohol.  It costs about $70 a 6-pack, but shipping to the US costs a lot more.
Vince Speranza tells the story here.
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AhKGiACKtZTjyzJFwRe5NKebvZx4?fr=yfp-t-300-s&toggle=1&fp=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8&p=youtube%20airborne%20beer%20bastogne

Looking ahead to Saturday

Next Saturday, I am running the Lake Benbrook Half Marathon, just south of Fort Worth.  I ran it last year and really enjoyed the course around the lake.  The weather forecast calls for no chance of rain and temps in the 40's and 50's.
This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 2 miles on the roads around the campus.

Houston Half Marathon

I got up real early this morning and drove down to Houston to run the half marathon.  My foot felt better this morning.  I taped it and wore heavier socks.  Surprisingly, it never bothered me during the run and even felt okay after the run.
This was my first time running the Houston Half Marathon.  I have run the full 15 times, but not in the last two years.  When arriving in Houston, I noticed more traffic and an obviously bigger race crowd.  However, I managed to park in the parking garage that I used for the last few years that I ran it.  It is next to the Four Seasons Hotel and I hung out in the hotel lobby until it was time to walk 4 blocks or so to the start line.  My friend, John Slate, happened to be there doing the same thing, so we had a nice visit.  I ran into so many people I knew, at the start line, running the race and others spectating.  I finished the race in 2:55:44, which placed me 31st of 47 in the 70-74 age group.  According to the results, there were 11,758 finishing the half marathon and 7,143 finishing the marathon.

Houston Expo

Later this morning, Marilynn and I drove down to the Houston Marathon Expo to pick up my packet for the half marathon this morning.  I made several stops at other places on the way down and on the way back  So, it was a multi-purpose trip.  We spent several hours at the expo, mostly shopping and visiting with friend.  The place was really packed.  We got home about 4 p.m. and I went to the track and ran laps about 5.  The cut on my foot is very sore and redder than yesterday.  I am sure that I can make the run tomorrow, but am equally sure that I will be shoe-less the rest of the day.

Ugh! Foot problem

All day, the ball of my left foot next to my little toe has been sore.  I figured it was the new shoes and a long trail run yesterday.  So, this afternoon, I ran 1.7 miles on the streets in the avenues.  Tonight, I started looking for something in the medicine cabinet to would reduce the soreness.  Then, after looking at my foot, the skin is split, probably from dryness.  My wife put something on it and then a band aid.  It will be an interesting weekend.  I am going down to Houston tomorrow to the Marathon Expo to pick up my packet for Sunday's half marathon.  Sometime tomorrow, I will get in a short run in.  Then, I will run the half marathon on Sunday.  I am not too concerned with running the half (soreness gets numb after a few miles); it will be the days afterwards that concern me.  Soreness can go away quickly, but cuts have to heal.

Half marathon training run

Since I have not run over a 5K since my half marathon on January 1st and another half marathon coming up this Sunday, I decided to stretch my distance today.  I went out to the park ahead of the group run and ran 6.9 miles on the trails.  Nice sunny and cool weather today.  The trails are really in good shape.

PTA 5K Course

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I went over to Physical Therapy Associates (PTA) to run the 5K course with the group.  I was the group.  Guess 40 degrees is too cold for some.  Actually, it was a comfortable run.

Park run and club meeting

I met up with the group at the park at 4:30 this evening.  It was speedy Jacob, Jason and Becca and me.  They ran 3 miles on the trails and I ran 2.  They still finished ahead of me.  In any case, we had a quick hot chocolate and then rushed home to get changed for the club meeting at 6 p.m.  We elected new officers for 2015 and I remain the treasurer.  Here is our club officer photo.

Shots today

I got Synvisc shots in my knees today for the fourth time since 2009.  This is the stuff from a rooster's cone and it lubricates the arthritis under my knee caps.  It works great and there has been no side effects.  I ran laps at the tracks late this morning and will do a short run tomorrow.  Based on experience, my knees should feel a lot better in a couple weeks.  Am looking forward to the experience of running the Houston Half Marathon on Sunday.  I have run the Houston Marathon 15 times, but never the half.  I do not look forward to the logistics (getting there early, finding a parking place and a restroom and getting to my starting corral on time).

Escape to the park

After watching the Cowboy-Packer game, I escaped to the state park to run off my frustration.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and saw no one else on the trails.  It was in the mid-40's with a light mist.

Run the Woodlands 5K

For the 67th time of June, 2009, I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning.  I finished in 35:34.  The temperature was in the 30's, but no wind or rain.  Nice running weather.

Short Friday run

After it rained this morning and before it rained later, I ran 1.3 miles on the road.  It was in the mid-30's, but comfortable, with no wind.

Getting injections on Monday

I am looking forward to injections in my knees on Monday and some relief of the aching.  In the meantime, I have a 5K on Saturday and then half marathons every weekend for a while, starting with Houston on January 18th.  It was about 40 degrees when I ran this evening.  Cold, but not as windy as yesterday.  I ran 3 miles on the streets around the campus.

Suppose to get cold tonight

No one else showed up for the group run at PTA at 5:30 this evening.  It was in the 40's and the wind was strong.  Am not sure what the wind chill was, but it had to be cold.  I took off on the out and back 5K course, but was so cold that I turned around at the one-mile mark and went back.  So, I got in 2 miles.  It is suppose to get down to 23 tonight.

Park is closed

The group normally meets and runs at the state park on Tuesdays and Thursday.  However, for the last time this season, it is closed this week for controlled hunting.  So, I ran an unplanned route around the campus.  It turned out to be 2.7 miles.

Finally felt like Monday

It is easy during the holidays to get confused on what day it is.  It finally felt like Monday today.  Now, back to a routine.  I wrote my running column for the paper this morning, worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran 2 miles on the roads in the avenues.  My next long race is the Houston Half Marathon on January 18.  I have run the full there 15 times, but never the half.

Sunday Night 5K

Julia Buck and I drove down to The Woodlands this evening to run the Sunday Night 5K.  Nice clear and cold weather.  I ran the course with Jon Walk and we had a nice visit.  I finished in 34:14, which is my best time on that course in 3 years.

Said goodbye to a runner friend

I drove to Lufkin today to attend the funeral of Lynne Perkins.  She was a fellow member of the Lufkin Area Pace Setters (LAPS).  She passed away at age 52 from cancer.  Nice lady and a good runner and biker. She will be missed by so many.
After returning to Huntsville, I ran 3 miles on the streets around the campus.

Run in the rain, again

It rained all day in Huntsville.  I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran 2 miles on the roads in a new pair of shoes.

Texas Half Marathon

I have run the Texas Marathon in Kingwood for the last 7 years.  This morning, I ran the half marathon race.  It was cold with a light rain part of the time.  The course is a double loop on concrete sidewalks through the green belt of Kingwood.  I finished in 2:56:29.  There was no age group competition, but the finisher medal weighed 1.1 pounds.  I got back to Huntsville, got a shower and then went to our club run at 2 this afternoon.  I thought about running, but my knees were aching.  So, I took photos for the club web site.  We had a nice crowd considering the cold and rain.

2014 in Review

With a half marathon tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.  It was my 1,900th consecutive day of running, which by coincidence occurred on the last day of 2014.  I'm still almost 600 days from equaling my longest streak.  When I broke my streak in 2009 and had to start over again, I thought, my God, I will be 75 years old when I get back to 6 years, 9 months and 18 days.  Darn, I'm 73 now and will be 74 in May.  My, how time flies.
Looking back over this year, I competed in 66 races:
Marathons - 2
25K -1
Half Marathons - 7
16K - 1
10 Miles - 8
10K - 5
5 Miles - 3
5K - 38
2 Miles - 1
No major injuries and I completed my goal of 101 marathons.

Tapering

With a half marathon on Thursday, I only ran 2 miles this evening.

Looking ahead

My next race is the Texas Half Marathon in Kingwood (near Houston) this Thursday, January 1.  I have run the full marathon there for the last seven years, but this will be my first half (2 loops instead of 4).  The forecast is for a high of 40 degrees and rain in the afternoon.  If that forecast holds, it should be good weather for running.  In the meantime, I ran 3 miles on the streets in town this evening.  It was around 50 degrees and no rain.  Very comfortable - except for achy knees, of course.

Hard to get off the couch

After watching football this afternoon, it was hard to get off the couch and go out and run in the 38 degree temperature and rain.  I ran 2 miles on the streets in town.  On the way home, I saw Dana (another streaker) out running.  She reaches the one-year mark at the end of this month.

Run the Woodlands 5K

My house was full of family last night.  People were up late and sleeping all over the house.  I figured they would be sleeping in this morning, so I got early, snuck out of the house and drove down to The Woodlands to run the Run the Woodlands 5K.  It was rather warm and very humid and I finished in 38:22.  I thought I was running faster.  Maybe it was the humidity - or maybe too much food yesterday.  In any case, I drove straight back to Huntsville and about half the family was still asleep when I got back.

Family day

After a quiet Christmas Day, we had a lot of family in today.  I managed to get in a 2-mile run in a light rain on the streets in town this afternoon.

Christmas Run

I ran 2 miles on the nearly deserted streets in town this afternoon.

Christmas Eve at the Park

This afternoon, I went out to the state park and ran 6.9 miles on the trails.  I only saw one other runner and two bikers on the trails.  Merry Christmas to all.

Back from Conroe

I had a doctor's appointment down in Conroe at 3:30 this afternoon, but had my running shorts on under my jeans.  I made it back to Huntsville and to the park at 4:30.  Only Jason and I showed up.  He ran 3 miles on the trails and I ran 2.  Then, I went to Iron Works for a work out.

Achy knees

I am past due for shots of Synvisc in my knees.  That's the stuff from a rooster's cone to ease the arthritis under my knee caps.  I have a doctor's appointment on January 12, but at least one more half marathon before then.  Today, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 2 miles on the roads around the campus.

Santa Hustle Half Marathon

I ran the Santa Hustle Half Marathon in Galveston this morning.  I had never raced in Galveston and have not even been to the city in many years.  If I can count my 25K's, the Santa Hustle was my 50th half marathon and it was my 65th race in 2014.  Nice weather and a flat course, mostly along Seawall Blvd.  There were 1,351 finishers in the half and 2,852 in the 5K.  I finished in 2:48:20, which is my fastest half marathon since February of last year when I ran 2:48:04.  I picked up a finishers medal and then another medal for 3rd of 6 in the 70-74 age group.

Morning laps at the track

I went to the muddy track this morning and ran laps.  Now, off to Galveston for a half marathon tomorrow.

Rain last night and this morning

We received much needed rain last night and this morning.  I went out to the park later this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.  The trails were in very good shape.  No sand pits and no mud.

Two at the park

It was me, Jacob and Curtis at the park this evening.  Speedy Jacob and Curtis ran 3 miles on the trails, while I ran 2 on the park roads.  I barely finished before them.

Started Christmas

Even though my wife has been Christmas shopping for a few days, I wrote the Christmas letter today, to be sent with cards and worked on the address list and mailing labels.  I also put up the Christmas tree.  This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran the PTA 5K course with the group, finishing after dark in a light and chilly rain.  Another half marathon coming up this weekend.

Done

I finally finished the greenhouse today, complete with a water faucet, light and an electrical outlet.  Now, I can move on to getting ready for Christmas.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group at the park.  Jacob was there after running a 100-mile race over the weekend.  He and Becca ran 6.9 miles on the trails while I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  I'm not sure where or how far Jason ran.

2 easy miles

This morning, I went to Jacob Gautreaux's house to interview him and take his photo.  I featured him in my running column for tomorrow's Huntsville Item.  He ran his first 100-miler on Saturday,  After turning in my column early this afternoon, I went to Home Depot and then built the flooring for my wife's new greenhouse.  I hope to complete the project tomorrow and then get started on Christmas.
This evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran an easy 2 miles around the campus.  In the last mile, I ran into fellow streaker, Dana Formon, and we had a nice visit.

BCS Half Marathon

I ran the BCS Half Marathon over in College Station this morning.  I have run the full the last 3 years, but this was my first time running the half.  Mentally, it was just as difficult as the full.  I never walked a step, but ran my usual slow pace.  For most of the race, I was back there with people running and walking, which to me is very annoying.  I swear I passed one lady 50 times.  In any case, I finished in 3:02:29.  I had hoped for about 2:55.  Maybe it was the relatively hot and humid weather.  I was 4th of 5 in my age group.

Reindeer Run and Jingle Bell Run

I got up early this morning and drove over to Lufkin to run the 3.3-mile Reindeer Run.  About half was on paved roads and the other half on trails.  Got a chance to visit with a several friends from that area who I had not seen for a while.  I finished in 39:08, which was good for second place in the 60 and over age group.  They also gave me an award for being the oldest runner.  I will sleep on it tonight.  Actually, it is a very nice Mattress Firm memory foam pillow.  After the race, I had breakfast at Cracker Barrel in Lufkin and then drove 40-something miles south to Livingston to run the Jingle Bell 5K at 1 p.m.  Again, I got to visit with some old friends.  I finished the race in 35:42.  Then, I drove back to Huntsville (total miles 180 for the trip) and finished up the electrical part of the greenhouse.  The light worked and no one got shocked.  Early to bed tonight.  I have to get up at 4:45 in the morning for a 7 a.m. start at the BCS Half Marathon in College Station.

Restful Friday

Except for filling in the ditch for the power and water lines to my wife's new greenhouse, I had a rather restful Friday.  I have two 5K races tomorrow and a half marathon on Sunday.  So, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Continuation with the greenhouse

I finished running the power line to the greenhouse today.  With the shopping at Home Depot, that took most of the day.  Next is filling in the ditch.  We had a running club officer meeting this evening, so I went to Iron Works earlier than normal and then ran 2 miles on the roads in town.

Tired

I put the drive belt back on the trencher this morning, but it kept coming off.  I went to the store and bought a new belt and then spent about 2 hours trying to dig the trench to the greenhouse.  The ground is hard black clay.  I finally gave up and loaded the trencher and took it back to the rental place.  They reimbursed me for the belt and tried to give me half my rental fee back.  Anyway, I refused the refund and went home and dug the rest of the trench by hand.  Then, I laid the water line  Next is the conduit with the power line, which I will do tomorrow.  I rested for 30 minutes and then met the group at PTA for our Wednesday group run.  I intended to only run a mile or so, but ended up doing the regular 5K course.

Still working on the greenhouse

I mentioned several times about erecting my wife's new greenhouse.  Once it was up and all the shelves were built, I had to start running underground power and water lines to the greenhouse.  Today, I rented a trencher to dig the trench for the underground lines.  After an hour of digging (like operating a rotor tiller on concrete), it quit working.  I called the guy from the rental place and he was suppose to come and look at it.  He never did.  I determined that the belt came off under the housing.  I called him and he agreed that I could fix it tomorrow.  In the meantime, I did a lot of manual digging.  Hopefully, tomorrow, I can get it going and finish the trenches.  Then, I can install all the pipes and conduits with the wire. After plenty of upper body exercise, I was beat this evening.  I skipped Iron Works and went to the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Ran through a demonstration

I ran 2 miles around town this evening.  After making a turn onto the sidewalk along Sam Houston Avenue, I ran into a 100 or so "anti-police" marchers going the opposite way on the sidewalk.  They were chanting and carrying signs.  I stayed on the sidewalk and kept running through the crowd until they all passed me.

Texas 10 Conroe and Sunday Night 5K

I went down to Conroe this morning and ran the Texas 10 Series Conroe 10-Miler.  This was the last of a series of seven 10-mile races in different cities in Texas in 2014.  I ran all 7 and all 3 last year.  For the second year, I won the series Armadillo Cup for the 70 and over age group.  So, I will receive a trophy and $250 in cash.  Nice.  For running all 7 this year, I will receive a backpack.  Today, I ran 2:09:47 and got 2nd in my age group.  Someone misplaced at least one of the turnaround points and the course was a little long.  My GPS said it was 10.2 and others said 10.3.
After getting back home, I took a shower and a nap, worked on posting race results on the club web site and then drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  My friend, Jon Walk, who was the announcer at the race this morning, ran with me and we had a nice visit.  We finished in 38:00.

Laps, again

I ran laps again at the track today to give my sore knees a rest.  Two races tomorrow.

Time for another Synvisc injection

My knees have really been sore lately, so it must be time for another Synvisc injection in my knees.  It is basically the stuff from a rooster's cone and "oils the knees."  I will call Monday for an appointment.  In the meantime, I went over to the track this evening and ran laps and then worked out at Iron Works.

Waterway Jingle Bell Run

Tonight, I ran the Waterway Jingle Bell Run in The Woodlands.  Due to construction in the waterway area, the course was a different than in previous years.  Most of the course was on the streets, rather than along the waterway.  The distance was 5K.  It was not timed, so I am not sure what my time was.  Anyway, I have run it all 8 years that it has been held.

PTA 5K Course

This evening, I ran the 5K course, starting and finishing in front of Physical Therapy Associates (PTA).

Staples out

Today was the 7th day since I cut my head erecting my wife's new greenhouse and had staples put in at the emergency room.  As I was leaving the emergency room, they gave me a staple remover, which my wife used to take the staples out (after she went online to find out how to use it).  I spent much of the day building racks, shelves, beds or whatever you call them for the greenhouse.  This evening, I ran 2 miles on the streets in town and then worked out at Iron Works.

Just me and Monica

The park is closed tomorrow for controlled hunting, so we rescheduled our group run for this evening.  It was rather cold and only Monica and I showed up.  We ran 3 miles on the trails.

Sunday at the park

After church, lunch at Carbonero and the Texans game, I went out to the park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Leftover Turkey 10K

I joined over 60 other runners this morning in Huntsville to run our club's annual Leftover Turkey Run (10K, 5K, 1-Mile).  I finished the 10K in 1:23:16.  A little slower than last year and much slower than I expected.  The entire course is up or down hills and I ate too much yesterday.  Maybe my slow time was a combination of both.

Finished the darn greenhouse

With the help of two of my visiting sons, I finished the greenhouse today.  Still have some work to do.  I have to do some digging to level the ground where it will be placed, build plant racks inside and flooring.  Then, I have to run a water line and electricity to the greenhouse.  That will be fun.
Late this afternoon, I took a break and ran 1.3 miles on the roads.  10K in the morning.

Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler

Julia, Jill and I drove down to The Woodlands this morning to run the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler.  It was my 13th consecutive year for running this race.  I finished in 1:00:47 (5th of 8 in the 70-74 age group).  Then, it was back to Huntsville to be with a lot of family and food.  Happy Thanksgiving.

Ready for Thanksgiving

We have family in for Thanksgiving, so early this afternoon I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the roads in town.  Headed for The Woodlands tomorrow morning for a 5-miler.

Trip to the emergency room

This afternoon, I was installing the metal rafters on my wife's new greenhouse.  One fell on my head and made a 1-inch incision.  I could not see it, but felt the blood.  I decided to go see the nurse in my regular doctor's office.  She looked at it and told me to go to the emergency room.  I was in the waiting room for 2 1/2 hours and in the treatment room for another hour.  They put in 2 staples and gave me a staple remover to remove them in 7 days.  Since it was all my wife's fault (she wanted the greenhouse), she will have the privilege of removing them.  They also gave me a tetanus shot.
There was a large family (number and size) in the waiting room to support their mother, who just suffered stroke.  It got to be supper time and one of them made a run to Whataburger.  They all ordered hamburgers with large fries.  I wanted to say something, but I kept my mouth shut.
I finally got around to running at 9 tonight.  I went to the track and ran laps.

Minor hamstring issue

Several days ago, I tweaked my right hamstring.  So, I am trying to take it easy this week and hopefully be okay for the long runs next month.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 2 miles on the roads in town.

Sunday at the park

I spent much of the day continuing to work on putting together my wife's new greenhouse, but I did take time to watch the Texans and Cowboys games and run 3 miles on the roads at the state park.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I drove down to The Woodlands this morning to run the twice-a-month Run the Woodlands 5K.  I finished in 35:30, my fastest 5K in several months.  While down there, I picked up some stuff for my wife from Trader Joes, had breakfast at Skeeters, bought a pair of running shoes from Luke's Locker and then picked up some stuff for my wife at Michael's.  Then, I went to the Sam Houston - Central Arkansas football game here in Huntsville.  It rained some during the second half, but the heavy rain came later this evening.

Rainy Friday

I bought my wife a 8 x 10 green house for Christmas.  It was delivered in a box a couple days ago.  The advertisement said that it should take 2 to 3 hours to put it together.  Not so.  I worked on it for about 10 hours today and I am only about a third finished.  It rained all day, so I worked on it in my garage.  At some point, I need to move it to the back yard.  I took a break this evening and ran 1.2 miles on the road - in the rain.  5K tomorrow.

Back from Dallas

I drove up to Dallas early yesterday morning to meet up with other family members to be there for my sister's serious operation.  All went well and I was able to slip out for 1.2-mile run in the hospital area and a shower.  I got back to Huntsville after dark this evening, so I went to the track to run laps.  Two friends, Amy and Ashley, got there at the same time and I ran 3 miles with them.  They will be running their first marathon in San Antonio in a couple weeks.

Post 2,200

Gosh, I just noticed that I reached a milestone today.  This will be my 2,200th post.  Only 3 of us showed up in the cold at the park this evening, me, Jacob and Jason.  I ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Still cold

It was in the 40's when I went out to run this afternoon.  It's really hard to get motivated when it cold, but once you start running, it's okay.  I ran an unplanned route in the avenues and it turned out to be 3.2 miles.

Hard to get off the couch

After church, dining out and watching the Texans game, it was hard to get off the courch and go run, especially since it was cold with a light rain.  However, I did got out and run 2 miles on the roads in town.

No race Saturday

This was one of the few Saturdays of the year, I did not have a race.  So, I went out to the park late this morning and ran 8 miles on the trails.  Nice cold and dry weather.

Freedom Run

I ran the Freedom Run on campus tonight.  It was put on by a fraternity and was billed as a 5K.  It turned out to be 1.98 miles, according to my GPS.  Lots of up and down steps around the campus.  They did not time the race, nor were there awards.  According to my watch, my time was 23:42.  No races this weekend.

Early park run

We had a running club meeting tonight, so I went out to the park earlier this afternoon to run trails.  It was 44 degees and windy.  Just to do something different, I drove to a different trail head and ran from there.  I ran 3 miles.  Is is suppose to get down to 27 tonight.  I don't remember it getting this cold in Huntsville this early.

Almost freezing

It is in the 30's now and is suppose to get down to 31 tonight, even colder tomorrow night.  And, it barely mid-November.  Instead of running from the church on Wednesday evenings, we moved to Physical Therapy Associates, behind the hospital.  The courses from there are virtually all on sidewalks.  Four of us showed up this evening, me, Jose, Darren and Monica.  I ran 3.3 miles.

It got cold all of a sudden

Winter is here.  The temperature dropped during the day and is suppose to get down to 35 tonight, even colder within the next few days.  Only James, Jacob and I showed up at the park this evening.  I ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Feeling better

I felt better today.  I mowed the yard (maybe for the last time this season), ran 4 miles on the trails at the park and worked out at Iron Works.

Sinus congestion is not getting better

I drove up to Tyler yesterday afternoon for a family think last night and drove back to Huntsville this afternoon.  With the sinus congestion and headache, I really felt lousy all day.  I went to the track and ran laps.  Tonight, we went out for Mexican food and I piled Jalapeno peppers on top of my enchiladas.  Maybe that will clear my sinuses.

Veteran's Day 10K

I ran the Team RWB Veteran's Day 10K in The Woodlands this morning.  Nice weather and a lot of friends.  I finished in 1:16:59.

Laps

Since my sinus congestion is still bad, it's Friday and I have a 10K in the morning, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Still felt lousy today

The sinus blockage continued, even though I took some decongestants this morning.  Late this morning, I drove down to The Woodlands to pick up my packet for a 10K on Saturday.  I combined the trip with some other stops I had to make down there.  I got back in time to work out at Iron Works and then meet the group at the park at 4:30.  I ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Fighting sinus blockage

I have been fighting sinus blockages all day.  It rained about all day and I really felt lousy.  However, I did work out at Iron Works today and run 2 miles on the roads in town - in the rain.

Park, twice

The race director of last Saturday's Rocky Raccoon Trail Run asked me to remove a couple miles of flagging on the trails.  So, I did that this morning, but only a 2-mile walk  I spent most of the afternoon unloading a huge trailer of compost from the Monterrey Mushrooms in Madisonville.  I must have shoveled 50 wheel barrow loads of the stuff.  So much so, that I decided not to go to Iron Works and lift weights.  I did go back out to the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the trails - in the rain.

Busy day

For being retired, I had a busy day.  Most of the morning, I worked on my column for the Huntsville Item and had a lot of errands to run.  I finally got in a short run (1.3 miles) on the roads in town.

Texas 10 Series Katy, Sunday Night 5K, 750

My low battery alarm in the bedroom smoke detector went off at 2:30 this morning.  It woke me up and I spent about an hour looking around for a replacement battery.  I could not find one and finally went back to sleep in another bedroom with the door closed.  So, I lost that one hour we gained by the time change.  I got up at 4:30 and drove to Katy (west of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series Katy 10-Miler.  Just as yesterday, the weather was beautiful, mid-40's at the start and clear.  I finished in 2:06.32, which was good for 3rd place in the 70 and over age group.  My niece lives in Katy and we went to IHOP after the race.  I did not get home until after 2 this afternoon.  I managed to get in a 15-minute nap before Julia Buck and I headed down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  My friend, Jon Walk, and I ran it together and had a nice visit.  We finished in 36:26.  It was my 750th race.  My first race was the Night Fighters 10K at Fort Hood on May 1, 1983.  I finished in 1:03:00.

Rocky Raccoon 25K

I ran the Rocky Raccoon 25K at Huntsville State Park this morning.  It was 41 degrees at the start and at least cool, sunny and dry all day.  Just perfect running weather.  I ran every step of the race, but tripped over roots and fell five times.  I have two skinned up knees, one elbow and two spots on my hand.  I am really sore tonight, not from running, but from falling.  I finished in 4:12:00, a little better than last year.  Enjoyed visiting with a lot of friends.  While on the trail, a guy on a bike going in the opposite direction called me by name, but I had no idea who he was.  He circled back.  It turned out to be Jim Sawyer of Center, Texas.  We were officers in the same running club in Tyler, Texas - 30 years ago.  We have visited occasionally over the years, but I have not seen him for several years.