Almost Fall

Beautiful sunny Sunday, with low humidity.  I went out to the park between football games and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Gruene 10K

Yesterday, I ran laps at the track and then left for New Braunfels to run the Gruene 10K this morning (for the 5th straight year).  Beautiful weather, 70's and low humidity.  For a change, I was not drenched in sweat when I finished.  I finished in 1:21:31, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  There was 2 of us in the 70-74 age group and I was second.

Back from Wylie

I got up early this morning and ran a mile+ on Veterans Memorial Parkway.  Then, I drove 3 hours up to Wylie for a family get-together.  Got home tonight at 10.  The first thing I did was get a flashlight and check the rain gauge.  We were suppose to get a lot of rain today.  One quarter inch in my gauge.

New Wednesday group

Dana organized a new running group for Wednesday evenings.  We met behind the mall and ran the Veterans Memorial Parkway 5K course.  It was less than 3 miles from my house and when I got home, it was RAINING.  I checked the gauge and found that we got one inch.  So now, that's 2 inches since June 30.

Just Jacob, Jason and me

Only three of us showed up at the park to run this evening, speedy Jacob and Jason and slow me.  I'm not sure how far they ran, but I ran 2.5 miles and they were finished when I got back.

Sluggish

I went to town this evening to work out and run.  Iron Works was closed and just after a heavy rain in town, I ran 2 sluggish miles on the streets.  I felt like I was running the last two miles of a marathon.  Maybe it was mental.  I went home to find that we had not gotten a drop of rain.

Wellness 5K and Sunday Night 5K

I got up early and drove to downtown Houston to run the Wellness 5K.  The temperature was in the high 80's with very high humidity.  I finished in 38:35, first in the 70 and over age group, because I was the only one.  My wife walked the course.  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  Because of construction, the course was modified.  The race director said that it was 3.25.  I finished in 39:52.  This was my 56th race in 2015 and 818th race since I began racing in 1983.  Today was my 2,149th consecutive day of running.

CapRock 5K

I went over to College Station this morning to run the 1st Annual CapRock 5K at College Station High School.  I was surprised about the crowd; they had 369 finishers.  It was well organized, with nice finisher medals for a 5K.  I was the only male in the 70 and over age group, so I won first.  The prize was a $130 Garmin Activity Tracker for all age group winners.  My time was 39:15, a minute or two slower than normal.  It was probably due to the very high humidity.  After the race, I drove to the neighboring city, Bryan, and had breakfast at my favorite Mexican restaurant, CoCoLoCo.  Then, I stopped by a store to get some stuff for my wife.  After that, I drove to a drug store in Conroe to pick up my wife's prescription.  It was after lunch before I got home.

Laps

With 3 races this weekend, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.  My wife and had lunch in town today.  When we came out of the restaurant, it was raining.  Of course, none at my house.  We have had on two 1/2 inch rains since June 30.  And, I am sure all that rain just went down into the cracks in my yard.

Back to the park

It was back to the park this evening for our normal Thursday trail run.  I ran 3 miles on the trails, while the others ran 3.5 and finished before I did.  Oh, the benefits of being a senior citizen.

Finished measuring the new trails at the park

I went out to the park late this morning and finished measuring the new trails on the Federal land adjacent to the park.  I walked about 6.5 miles with an engineer wheel.  If I was smart, I would have waited for the weekend when the bikers were on the trail to break the spider webs across the trail.  I must have run into 100's.  I also got bitten by a tick and several deer flies and walked passed a snake.  I never saw another person on the trails.  However, I got it done and hopefully my measurements will benefit race directors and runners who use the trails in the future.  I am not use to walking and was tired this evening.  After Iron Works, I went over to the track and ran laps.  It was my 2,145th consecutive day of running.

Park roads

It rained all around Huntsville this afternoon, but none at my house.  So, that's two 1/2 inch rains since June 30.  I got to the park this evening and decided, instead of trails, to run 3 miles on the park roads.

Unplanned avenues route

After Iron Works this evening, I drove over to the track and ran an unplanned route through the hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 2.1 miles.

Wellness 5K Katy

I got up at 4:30 this morning and drove 92 miles down to Katy to run the Wellness 5K at 7 a.m.  I finished in 37:36, exactly 1 minute faster than the last time I ran this race.  I was 2nd in the 70 and over age group.

Forgot the wheel

I went out to the park this afternoon with the intention of measuring the last 5 miles or so of the new trail with an engineer wheel.  I got to the trail head and realized that I forgot to bring the wheel.  Rather than go all the way back home, I stayed at the park and ran 3.5 miles on the new trails.

Long day

I got a call this morning that my disabled brother-in-law fell at his house across town.  My wife was running errands so she and I met at his house and loaded him up for a trip to the doctor.  They admitted him to the hospital for 3 days to check him out.  Then, I went out to the park with an engineer wheel and made some adjustments to the Rocky Raccoon 50K/25K course.  While there, I measured about 3 miles of the new trails.  They are longer than what my GPS says, but that is always the case when measuring trails under a tree canopy.  So, I walked about 4 miles with the engineer wheel..  When I was finished, I put the wheel away and then ran a little over a mile on the trails.  This evening, I went to Houston to surprise my son, who was singing with his band at the Concert Pub.  Being 74 years old, I was really out of my element.

New trails, again

The group went in different directions at the park this evening.  James and I ran 3.4 miles on the new trails.  For the first time in months, I tripped on roots and fell - twice.

Better

I felt a little better today and did not take any more decongestants.  After Iron Works this evening, I ran an unplanned route in the avenues.  It turned out to be 2.25 miles.

Woke up dizzy

I woke up with dizzy (a touch of vertigo).  I took a decongestant this morning and felt better later this afternoon.  After working out at Iron Works, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Off day

I did not feel well all day;  due to sinus congestion, I think.  I napped much of the day.  However, this evening, I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 1.3 miles on the streets in town.

Rocky Raccoon Course

Lately, I have been working on a new Rocky Raccoon 50K & 25K course at Huntsville State Park and it is now finalized.  The race will be held on Nov. 7.  The course change is necessary because much of the park will be closed for 9 months for reconstruction, starting in September or October.  My friend, Paul Stone, who is the race director, came down from Tyler this morning and we walked over 5 miles of the new course.  Later today, I ran 2.6 miles on the streets in town.

Heatwave 5K

This morning, I ran our club's Heatwave 5K about 15 miles east of Huntsville in the Waterwood Sub-division.  White the temperature was in the mid-80's, the humidity must have been close to 100.  It rained for a few minutes right after the start and again as I was finishing.  My time was 38:52.  This was my 52nd race in 2015 and 814th lifetime race.  Today was my 2,134th consecutive day of running.

Woke up to rain

I woke up this morning to rain.  However, we only got an half inch.  It probably all went down into the deep cracks in my yard.  I went out to the park this afternoon and hiked to a turnaround point that I had lightly marked the other day.  I improved the marking with tape and flags.  Then, I ran a mile + on the trails; 5K in the morning.

It was suppose to storm this evening

The weather forecast was for heavy storms at trail running time this evening.  So, earlier this afternoon, I ran 2.9 miles on the roads around the campus.  This evening, Sara emailed me and asked why no one else was at the park.  She took off alone on the trails, so I went out to the park to make sure she got in okay.  Not a drop of rain all day.

Most of the day at the park

I went out to the park late this morning with an engineer wheel to measure trail distances for use in an upcoming race.  I walked with the wheel for about 7 miles.  My leg passed within 6 inches of the business end of a water moccasin.  Luckily, he was not too hungry.  As I reached the Nature Center, it started lightning.  I met Sibley Lovett from Houston, who just finished a training run for the Chicago Half Marathon.  We had a nice visit and she kindly gave me a ride to another trail head a mile away where my truck was parked.  I came back to the the park a couple hours later to measure a mile+ out and back part of the course.  After marking the turnaround point, I carried the wheel and ran back to the start.  So, I got in about 8 miles walking and a 1-mile+ run.  Still no rain at my house.

Park roads

For a change, I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening, while everyone else ran trails.

A day it was suppose to rain

We had a good chance for rain today, but none at my house.  The only rain at my house since June 30 was the 1/2 inch or so on August 12.  I ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus this evening.  I ran into an old friend, Steve, who I have not seen in months and we had a nice visit.  He is a Texas Ranger, but not the baseball player type.

Sunday at the park

I went out to the state park at 2:30 this afternoon and ran 6.9 miles on the trails.  The temperature was down to about 95, so it was tolerable.

Watermelon Run for the Fallen

For the fourth year in a row, I ran the Watermelon Run for the Fallen in Hempstead this morning.  It is a race honoring our fallen servicemen.  After several ceremonies, a 4-plane flyover and 3 parachutists jumping into the football stadium, everyone (probably 600+) participants walk two laps around the track.  Then, those who want to run, leave the stadium and run 2.8 miles downtown, where they have refreshments and more ceremonies.  I finished the 2.8-mile run in 36:34, according to my GPS.  The race is not timed and there are no awards.

Short Friday run

I ran laps at the track this afternoon.  The temperature was a cool 98.  Then, I worked on digging the large tree stump in my backyard.  Makes running seem easy.

Old trails

After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles on the old trails at the park.

Rain, finally

After not a drop of rain at my house since June 30, we got just over an half of an inch this evening.  Maybe more will come soon.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I went over to the track.  There was lightning in the area, so I just ran laps.  Got soaking wet during the last lap.

Almost got a little rain

There was rain in the area this evening, but none at my house.  I ran 3.4 miles on the trails at the park this evening.  During our social hour after the run, it started raining at the park.  On the 10 mile drive home, there were wet streets until I got to mine.  No rain streak day 42.

Hand is better

My right hand is still sore, but I was able to go back to Iron Works and work out this evening.  It was 6 p.m. before I went for a 2-mile run around the campus.  The temperature was still 100.  And, this is no rain streak day 41.

Hot

I went out to the park at 2:30 this afternoon when it was 101 degrees and ran 5.4 miles on the new trails.  I started and finished at the trail head on the I-45 service road just north of the park and never saw anyone else on the trails.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning for the 71st time.  Of course, it was hot and humid.  I finished in 39:28.  This was my 50th race this year and my 2,120th consecutive day of running.  Also, today was the 39th day of our no rain streak.

Warrior 5K

I went up to Madisonville (26 miles north of Huntsville) to run the Warrior 5K at 9 tonight.  It was a non-competitive  and un-timed run..  The course was not marked very well and I and others got off course.  My friends who stayed on course said it was 2.8 miles.  According to my GPS, my route was 2.98.  I finished in 38.55.  I ran into several old friends at the race, including Mary Kaplan, who lives out near Marble Falls in central Texas.  She is 76 years old and a retired Air Force full colonel.  She is a on a quest to run a 5K and win her age group in all 254 Texas counties.  Tonight was her 200th county.  I think it was the 4th time I have seen her at a race.  I also had a chance to visit with Dr. Jennifer Sullivan of Madisonville.  I met her at a race many years ago when she was in Vet school in College Station.

Another hot day

This was another hot day with no rain.  Backyard photo above.  My swollen hand felt better today and I was even able to tie my own shoes.  Icing it seems to be helping.  I skipped Iron Works again today, but ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

Swollen hand

Yesterday, I was drilling holes in a tree stump in my backyard.  The bit caught on something and the drill twisted my right hand.  It was swollen today and very sore.  Hopefully, nothing is broken.  My wife had to ties my shoes today and it is painful typing this post.  I iced it a couple of times this afternoon, skipped Iron Works and ran 2-miles on the streets in town.  This was No Rain Streak Day 36 and no rain in the forecast.  It is suppose to get up to 105 degrees on Monday.

Old trails

The whole group ran on the old trails at the park this evening.  I ran 3 miles.

No rain streak

I work to keep my running streak going, but I'm worried about this no rain streak;  34 days now without a drop of rain at my house.  After so much rain in May and June, nothing.  Now, the temperature forecast for later this week and next week is 103.  Ugh.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.

Wellness 5K and Sunday Night 5K

I got up very early this morning and drove 74 miles to downtown Houston for the Wellness 5K at 7 a.m.  I finished in 37:46 and was 1st of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 38:13.  This was my 48th race this year and 810th since I started racing in 1983.  It was my 2,114th consecutive day of running.

Southern Star Brewing Company 5K

I made the 30-minute drive down to Conroe this morning to run the inaugural Southern Star Brewing Company 5K.  There were several hundred runners at the race, so it was a good chance to visit with many old friends and meet some new ones.  I ran the whole race with my friend from The Woodlands, Debbie Tripp.  We finished in 37:46.  I was the only runner over 70, so I was first in my age group.  The age group award was nice and practical - a bottle opener.  Two races tomorrow, one at 7 a.m. and one at 7 p.m.

Laps in the middle of the afternoon

With three races this weekend, I went over to the track in the middle of the afternoon and ran laps.

Early trail run

I had to make a trip over to Bryan and College Station this morning.  On the way back early this afternoon, I received a call from my son in Edinburg that he was on his way up to Huntsville for business and would stop by this evening for dinner.  So, I went out to the park at 3 p.m. when it was 100 degrees and ran 4.7 miles, mostly on the new trails.  I ran over a snake before I realized what it was.  I stopped, when back and checked it out.  Non-poisonous green snake.  In any case, it was the first snake I have seen on the trails this summer.  However, a few days ago, I found a Copperhead on the front porch next to the door.  Looking for water, I suppose.

Another hot day

Day 29 of our no rain streak and temps up around 100.  About 6 p.m., I ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.

New trails, again

James and Monica were at the park this evening and had not been on the new trails.  I ran 3.4 miles with them. Today was our 28th consecutive day without a drop of rain after so much in the early summer.

The heat goes on

It has been at least a month since it has rained at my house.  The cracks in my yard are so wide you have to be careful not to fall in.  For almost every day this month, the forecast was for a 10% chance of rain.  If my math is correct, it should rain every 10 days.  So much for forecasts.  It was in the high 90's when I ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus this evening.

Wellness 5K

I got up at 4:30 this morning to make it down to Katy for the 7 a.m. start of the Wellness 5K.  If I seem to be doing a lot more races this year, I am.  I have averaged 64 races a year for the last 3 years.  The race this morning was my 45th for 2015.  My friend, Jon Walk, of Spring, started competition between he, myself and Graham Schooley of Houston to see who could run the most races in 2015.  A couple weeks ago, I was at 43, Graham was at 38 and Jon at 35.  I was down in the valley last weekend and did not race, so I am sure at least Graham got in a couple of races.  Jon is the premier and busiest race announcer in the Houston area, so it will be difficult for him to catch up  I have no idea if anyone else in the Houston area has run more races, but it would be interesting to find out.  This coming weekend, I have 3 races.  In the meantime, I finished the flat 5K this morning in 38:36, a little faster than yesterday.

Dog Days 5K

I woke up early this morning and could not go back to sleep.  I left the house at 6:30 a.m. with my pickup full of signs, a race clock, water and a lot of other race stuff.  I drove over to Iron Works, where we started and finished our club's annual Dog Days 5K & 1-Mile.  Steve and I put out the signs and I ran the race at 8 a.m.  I finished in a slow 40:12.  Maybe it was a combination of the hills and heat.  We loaded all the stuff in the truck and then drove the course and took down and loaded up the signs.  I then drove over to the club storage place and unloaded it.  I was really beat, mostly from all the loading and unloading.  I have to get up early tomorrow for a 7 a.m. race down in Katy.

Regular Friday

With 2 races this weekend, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.  It was only 95 degrees.

Back to the new trail

I ran 3.4 miles on the park trails this evening, including about 2 miles on the new trail.  There is still about 5 miles of new trails that I have not run and they are currently building more.  All the new trails are part of the national forest, but connect to the state park trails.

High pressure

There is a high pressure system hanging out over Texas for several weeks, so we have not had a drop of rain and none is in sight.  Another hot day to run.  It was 97 when I ran about 6 p.m. today.  I ran an unplanned route around town and the campus.  It turned out to be 2.8 miles.

New trail

They have been clearing some new trails at the state park.  Actually, most are in the adjoining national forest, but connect to the state park trails.  I ran a little over 3 miles this evening, including about 1 mile on the new trail.  Hot, 97 degrees.

Back from Edinburg

I ran laps last Thursday morning and then drove 412 miles down to Edinburg in South Texas to visit my son and his wife.  I could not find a race in that area during the weekend.  Even though it was a busy weekend, including a visit to South Padre Island, I managed to get in a run every day.  Even in the evening when I ran, it was 100 degrees.  Yesterday, was my 2,100th consecutive day of running.  I drove back to Huntsville this morning and finished up my column for tomorrow's newspaper.  Then, it was back to my routine.  After working out at Iron Works, I ran my 2-mile course around the campus.

Ran out of time

I mowed the yard this afternoon and got a late start on my run this evening.  I only had time for a quick workout at Iron Works and a 2-mile run around the campus before having to be somewhere tonight.  Besides, it is getting hot and we have not had rain for a couple weeks.  And, none in sight. It is such a contrast to earlier this summer.

Just Jacob, Jason and me

It was just Jacob, Jason and me at the park this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Easy 2

After that 11.5K race in the high heat and humidity yesterday, I was beat today.  I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then ran 2 miles around the campus.

Magnolia Hill 11.5K Trail Run

It was hot and humid this morning for the XTerra Magnolia Hills 11.5K Trail Run near Navasota.  I had never run this race before or ran at the location.  Most of the trails were very narrow, ups and downs and twists and lots of muddy spots.  I took one light fall, but managed to grab a tree and cushion the fall.  I walked through the muddy areas to avoid slipping and falling.  I finished in a slow 2:13:27.  However, it was a PR, since I never ran a 11.5K race before.  I was the only runner in the 70 and over age group, so I was first.  I also won a door prize, a free entry into a future XTerra race.  This was my 43rd race in 2015, my 805th lifetime race and my 2093rd consecutive day of running.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K this morning.  I finished in 38:36.  No age group competition or awards, but I won a pair of socks from Luke's Locker in the door prize drawing.  I gave them to my wife as an early Christmas present.  After the race, I drove on down to Houston and spent most of the dark helping my son with work around his house.  It was a hot day for that.  Another race tomorrow morning.

Friday laps

With 2 races this weekend and a lot of family and visitors at my house over the weekend, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Ran short of time

We had a running club social meeting this evening, so I had to skip running at the park.  By the time I got around to running this evening, I only had time to get in 2 miles around the campus.

Posting late

It is well after midnight; I fell asleep on the couch.  After a busy day, including yard work, I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the roads around the campus.

Getting dry

It has been a while since it has rained.  My lawn is starting to need watering and the muddy parts of the trails at the state park have dried up.  I met up with the group this evening at the park and ran 3 miles on the dry trails.

Sore knees Monday

My highly medicated knees were sore today after 3 races this weekend.  After Iron Works, I ran 2 miles around the campus.

Wellness 5K and Sunday Night 5K

I got up at 4:45 this morning to make it to downtown Houston for the Wellness 5K at 7 a.m.  I finished in 38:31 and was 1st in the 70 and over age group (I was the only one).  Then, I drove back to Huntsville, took a nap and mowed the yard and did some work on my wife's car..  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  Finished in 38:02

Stu's Country Mile 5K

For the 20th straight year, I ran Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville this morning.  I finished in a lousy 39:49.  It was hot and my GPS showed the course to be a little long.  In any case, I was 2nd of 5 in the 70 and over age group.  We had over 20 of our club members there and we all met at the Town Cafe just off the downtown square after the race for breakfast.  Then, we watched the 4th of July parade after that.

Toe

I woke up today and my right little toe was dark red and slightly swollen.  I ran laps at the track this afternoon and it never bothered me.  So, it's off to the races this weekend.

Back from Houston

I had to go down to Houston today for a family matter.  Early this morning, I somehow dropped an empty coffee mug on my little toe.  It is really sore, but hopefully nothing is broken.  I made it back from Houston in time to meet the group at the park.  My toe was hurting, so I cut my run to 2 miles on the trails.  Hopefully, it will be okay for the weekend races.

Thought I was going to Houston

I thought I was going to drive down to Houston for a family matter this afternoon, so I did a quick 1.8-mile run in town.  As it turned out, I did not have to go.

More rain

My lawn has never looked so good in the summer., but I have to mow it ever 4 or 5 days.  It rained again today.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening, mostly in a light rain.

New shoes

I put on a new pair of shoes this evening and ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.  They always feel so cushiony when they are new.

Wellness 5K - 800th race

I got up very early this morning and drove 90+ miles down to Katy to run the Wellness 5K at 7 a.m.  I drove through rain most of the way, but it let up for the race.  However, my wife walked the race and got caught in heavy rain for the last 10 minutes.  I finished in 38:57 (2nd in my age group).  This was my 800th race since I started racing in 1983.  On the way back, we stopped in north Houston and had breakfast with our son.  Lots of rain yesterday and today, but none at home in Huntsville.

Polish Pickle 5K

For the 20th consecutive year, I ran the Polish Pickle 5K in Bremond this morning.  Bremond is about 95 miles northwest of Huntsville.  It was raining when I arrived and the rain continued for most of the race.  The lightening had passed and it was relatively cool for this race.  I finished in 37:43, which placed me 4th of 7 in the 70-74 age group.  On the way home, my wife and I stopped at the Kosse Cafe in Kosse and had breakfast.  This was my 37th race in 2015, my 799th lifetime race and my 2,078th consecutive day of running.

Normal Friday

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the track today and ran laps.

Solo park run

I went out to the park at 5:30 this evening.  Jason and Curtis were already out running and no one else showed up.  So, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.  When I finished, I visited with former runners, Hans and John, who had been biking.

Avenues 5K course

Waiting for it to cool down a bit, I did not run until 7 p.m. today.  After Iron Works, I ran the Avenues 5K course.  It is a relatively shady course, but has some tough hills.  It traverses the highest point between Houston and Dallas.

Flying J's

I met up with the group at the park this evening.  The three "Flying J's", Jason, Jacob and J. C.,  ran 3.5 miles together and finished before I completed 2.5.  Glen, James and April ran other distances.

Got it out

I have not mentioned it in my blog, but last Thursday night, I took out my contacts for the night.  My right eye kept waking me up during the night.  When I went to put them in Friday morning, I found that only half of the right eye contact was there.  The other half was obviously still in my eye.  I tried to find it all weekend and periodically felt it in my eye.  It kept waking me up during the night.  I went to the eye clinic this morning.  It took some searching by two ladies, but they finally found it and removed it from the corner of my eye.  That was a relief.
After Iron Works this evening, I ran 2.3 miles around the campus.  A good friend, Haleigh, stopped and we visited for a while during my run.  Great news.  She moved back to Huntsville and will be the track coach at Huntsville HS.

Gator Bait 5K

For the first time, I ran the Gator Bait 5K Trail Run at Huntsville State Park this morning.  Very hot and especially humid.  I felt sluggish and unmotivated and my finish time of 50:36 (50:23 chip time) showed it.  With all the rain lately, the trails were muddy in spots, but I managed to not to trip over a root and slip in the mud.  It was probably a new 5K PW (personal worst) for me.  However, I won first in the 70-74 age group (I was the only one).  I did beat the guy in the 75-79 age group.  My next race is the Polish Pickle 5K on Saturday.  It will be my 20th straight year for running this race.

June Bug 5K and Buffalo Bayou Brewery Run

I ran our club's June Bug 5K this morning in the Spring Lake Sub-division.  Hilly and humid.  I finished in 39:47m about 2 minutes slower than my normal 5K time lately.  I went home, showered and then left for Houston to run the Buffalo Bayou Brewery 3.5-Mile Run at 11:20 this morning.  Being Houston, it was a flat course, but the heat was terrible.  I plugged along and finished in 47:08.

Resting up for a 3-race weekend

It's Friday and I plan to run 3 races this weekend.  Late this morning, I went to the track and ran laps.

Wet trails

It seems as though it has been a while since I went to the park.  I ran 2.5 miles on wet and muddy trails this evening.  Lots of rain earlier today.

The storm has passed

Tropical Storm Bill has passed this area and has moved up north.  According to my rain gauge, we had one inch of rain overnight, but none today.  However, as expected, the humidity was very high.  After working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles around the town and campus.  Felt very sluggish.

Pre-tropical storm run

Tropical Storm Bill was headed up this way from the Gulf and there was a 100% chance of heavy storms this evening when we usually run at Huntsville State Park.  So, late this morning, I drove over to Veterans Memorial Parkway and ran 2 miles in a light rain.  It looks like the storm took a more westerly path and there was no rain this evening.

Cool run after the rain

We had a nice rain this afternoon and it was relatively cool.  After the rain, I ran 3.5 miles around the campus and avenues.

It was suppose to rain

The forecast was for 100 percent chance of rain today.  After church, I managed to mow the yard and still no rain.  I went for a run at 5 p.m., expecting to finish before the rain began.  I ran an unplanned course around the campus, which turned out to be 2.2 miles.  Here it is after midnight and still no rain.

Greyhound 5K

For the fourth straight year, I ran the Greyhound 5K in Kosse this morning.  Kosse is 88 miles northwest of Huntsville.  As usual for this time of the year, it was hot and humid.  I finished in 37:50 and was 2nd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  I got a chance to visit with some good friends, including Dennis Alston, who I had breakfast with at the Kosse Cafe after the race.  Today was my 2,064th consecutive day of running.  This race was my 33rd this year and 795th since I started racing in 1983.

Laps at the track

As on most Fridays, I went to the track and ran laps this morning.  5K race tomorrow morning.

Running club meeting this evening

We had a running club meeting this evening, so I skipped running at the park.  I ran an unplanned route through the hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 2.5 miles.

Easy day

I did not feel well today, but got in a 2-mile run in the heat of the early evening.

Dry trails

After so much rain in May through the 29th, we have not have a drop since.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  The trails were very dry, with deep sand in places.

Back to Monday

Mowed the yard, worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.  The knees were a little wobbly after 3 races this weekend.

Wellness 5K and Sunday Night 5K

I got up at 5 this morning and drove down to Houston to run the Wellness 5K at 7.  It started and finished at the U. of Houston Downtown campus.  I planned to come down Main St. from the north to the campus and avoid the downtown area.  However, roads were closed due to construction and I ended up south of downtown.  I finally made it to the race, but with little time to spare.  The course was out and back on a concrete trail along the bayou (probably under water a week ago).  I finished in 37:37.  They did not have age group awards, but I was the only runner over 70.
This evening, I went down to The Woodlands with Julia Buck to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 37:03.

Heights 5K Race

For the fifth straight year, I went down to Houston this morning and ran the Heights 5K Race - about 1,000 of Houston's fastest runners on a flat out and back course on Heights Blvd.  The overall winner ran 14 something.  I finished in 37:34, 4th of 5 in the 70-74 age group.  It was my 30th race in 2015 and I have 5 more scheduled this month.
After the race, I went to a couple stores in Houston, looking for a replacement part on my old binoculars, which I bought in Vietnam 48 years ago.  Luckily, I found the part.
On the way back to Huntsville, I stopped and had lunch with my son on the north side of Houston.

Friday routine

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the track and ran laps this afternoon.

Avenues 5K course

Normally I run at the park on Thursday.  However, we had a club officers meeting this evening and I missed the park.  So, I ran the hilly Avenues 5K course late this afternoon.  As far as my knees go, it was the most comfortable run I have done in a long time.  Cortizone works well.

Post cortizone shot day

Since I had a cortizone shot in my left knee yesterday, this had to be a short run day.  I spent most of the day mowing the yard and working on my son's car, but I did get to Iron Works this evening and then ran laps at the track.  Nice comfortable run without much knee pain.

Scare at the track

Since I had a doctors appointment at 1 p.m. today to presumably to get a cortizone shot in my left knee, I went over to the track and ran laps this morning.  During my my last, a Huntsville Police Officer, who I did not know, parked and waited for me to finish my lap.  I was a little scared.  I knew that I was not getting a speeding ticket for running too fast, but I thought maybe a family member had been in an accident.  He said that he needed to talk to me.  He said that he was training for the Huntsville Half Marathon in October and wanted to know if he could push a baby stroller.  I told him that I would talk to the race director, but was sure it was okay if the stay behind all the other runners.  Whew!
   The doctor and I were convinced that the pain in my knees was caused by the arthritis under my knee caps.  The cortizone shot in my right knee three weeks ago really helped.  So, as expected, he gave me a shot in my left knee.  I have to do another short run tomorrow, but no restrictions after that.  We had a serious talk about so much running, verses alternative exercises for cardio.  He said that even with my knee issues, I was in better shape than 99 percent of his other patients my age.  He said that he would continue to support me the best he could.  Reminder to myself - keep streaking.

Second day of the drought

Two days in a row now with no rain.  Seems like a drought.  After working out a Iron Works, I ran an unplanned route on the streets in town.  It turned out to be 2.7 miles.