Friday at the track

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the track later this afternoon and ran laps.  Running streak day 3,141.

Blog post 3,400

Since I started this blog on April 19, 2008, this is my 3,400th entry.  That is an entry virtually everyday I have been at home for over 10 years.  While someone who may stumble upon my blog may find so many entries (routine and boring) a little strange, the blog is part of my system of motivation for running motivation.  For 10 years, I wrote a column on running twice a month for the Huntsville Item.  My last column was published in December 2016.  I never wrote about myself until the last column.  Click HERE for a link to that last column.  It explains my system of motivation.
This evening, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at Huntsville State Park.  Now, I wonder how many times I have run at that park.  I remember a friend, Don Augustin, inviting me to run with him there.  It was my first and as I recall, we ran 8 miles or so.  That must have been nearly 30 years ago.

Birthday

Today was my 77th birthday.  I thought about running 77 miles, 7.7 miles or .77 miles, but never got around to it.  Instead, I ran 2.5 miles on the streets in town.

Tuesday park run

It was hot and steamy at the park this evening, but I got in 2.5 miles on the trails.  Lots of flying critters, but the Deep Woods Off worked pretty well - or maybe I just ran too fast.

Campus run

I may be getting into a summer rut, with another 2-mile loop through the campus.  With school out and virtually no traffic on the campus and no long races until the fall, it seems like a reasonable option.  Besides,  it gives me a chance to check progress on the summer campus construction projects.

Squeezed in a short run between thunderstorms

It started raining while we were eating at a restaurant after church today.  The rain and thunderstorms continued all day.  No complaints, though; it was the first rain in weeks.  I managed to get in a 1.3-mile run in the avenues between thunderstorms.  Got a little wet, but I managed to avoid close lightning.

No race today

This was my first Saturday without a race in a long time.  However, I got some exercise.  This morning, I walked back and forth across my lawn broadcast spreading fire ant killer.  According to my GPS, I walked about 2.5 miles.  Later this afternoon, when it was good and hot (90's), I ran 2 miles around the campus.

Forest Hills, again

This afternoon, I ran a loop around the Forest Hills Sub-division and even passed by my old house.  The distance turned out to be 1.7 miles.

Back to the park

I met up with the group at the park this evening for the first time in over a week.  I ran 1.7 miles on the hot and steamy trails.

2.6 around town

I had a lot of projects around the house today and it was later this evening before I got in a workout at Iron Works and a run.  From the track, I ran 2.6 miles around the town and campus.

Forest Hills

I was busy with projects all day and went to a baseball game in College Station tonight.  Just got home.  In between projects and a workout at Iron Works, I ran an unplanned route through my old Forest Hills Sub-division, across from Iron Works.  The route turned out to be 1.3 miles.

Empty campus

With classes being over, the campus is nearly empty.  I ran 2 miles through the campus this evening.

Visiting family

I had visiting family all day, but I slipped out in the middle of the afternoon and ran 1-mile plus on Veterans Memorial Parkway.  Nice hot weather, about 90 degrees.

Splendora Founders Day 5K

For the first time ever, I ran the Founders Day 5K in Splendora.  Never been to the town before, but this race has been going on for years.  It was suppose to start at 7 a.m., so I got up real early for the one-hour drive down there.  They never got around to starting until about 7:30 and there were only seven of us running the 5K.  Another 3 or 4 ran the 1-mile race.  Most of the distance was on the wet grass fields at a school.  I finished in 42:24 and picked up a medal for 2nd place in my age group.  I think the age group was 40 and over (males and females).  I did not hang around for the local festival.  It was my 1,025th race.

Laps

Friday laps at the track.

Early run

We had a running club meeting at 6 this evening, so I skipped the group run at the park.  Got in 2 miles on Veterans Memorial Parkway early this afternoon.

Campus run

Instead of running at the park this afternoon, I went to the track and from there ran a 2-mile loop through the campus.  I have not run that loop in months.  Part of it is closed for construction and I had to make a detour and run up and down steps.

It is now summer

The temperature is starting to get in the 90's and the biting horse flies are out at the state park.  That means that it is summer.  Ran 2.5 miles on the trails this evening, sprayed with plenty of deep woods off.

Avenues

The knot on the side of my left foot is not going away.  Just think the Brook Dyads are too narrow.  I ordered a pair of Asics Fortitudes online and got them in today.  Now, I have to break them in.  I decided to run the roads in the avenues this evening.  Ran an unplanned route, which turned out to be 1.75 miles.

Sunday Night 5K

For the 90th time, I drove down to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K, put on by The Woodlands Running Club on the first Sunday of every month.  Coach Bill Dwyer directs the race and always does a great job.  I finished in 41:29.  Over 40 minutes is now getting to be my norm.  Guess I am transitioning to being old.  I remember when my norm went over 30 minutes.

Fredonia 10K

I ran the Fredonia 10K this morning in Nacogdoches, nearly a 2-hour drive northeast of Huntsville.  I have run this race several times over the years.  It use to be a 5-miler.  Unfortunately, due to construction the course was a little short.  Then, the course guards sent everyone on a shortcut.  I did not wear my GPS, but with the two problems combined, the course was about 5.5 miles, instead of 6.2.  In any case, I finished in 1:12:02 and was first (and last) in the 70 and over age group.

Laps as usual on Friday

As usual for Friday, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Normal Thursday

I met up with the group this evening at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  My shoes have been off since to give my sore, bunion or whatever it is, a break.

Foot problem

I have a sore knot on the side of my left foot.  I have been breaking in a new pair of Brooks Dyads this last week and they are more narrow than the Asics Fortitudes I ran in for years.  So I have been going barefooted much of the day and only ran 1.4 miles on the trails this evening.

Renewed my annual park pass today

For many years, I have purchased an annual state park pass.  Still only $70.  I buy it on the first day of the month, one day after the old one expires.  That way, I get an extra month, since the new one expires at the end of the month when it is purchased.  I made a second trip to the park this evening to meet up with the group.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Short trail run

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 1.4 miles on the trails.  Now, I am rested up from the weekend.

Texas 10 Series Sienna

After a trip to Tyler yesterday afternoon and getting back after 10 p.m. last night, I got up at 3:55 this morning to drive down to Missouri City (south of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series Sienna 10-miler at 7 a.m.  Nice cool weather for the first 5-mile loop, but it was much warmer for the second loop.  My friend, Jon Walk, ran the 5-mile race, but ran another 5 with me for my second.  We had a nice visit and solved a lot of the world's running problems.  I finished in 2:22:28 and was 3 of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  This was my 1,022nd race.

Spring Fling 5K

I ran our club's Spring Fling 5K in the Elkins Lake Sub-division in Huntsville this morning.  It is a very hilly loop course around the lake.  My nurse from my doctor's office joined me early in the race and we ran together for the rest of the race.  It was her first race.  I ran slow, but I probably looked good running with her.  We finished in 42:19.

Friday laps

With another 2-race weekend coming up, I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Early park run

I had a running club officer meeting at 6 this evening, so I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Running Streak Day 3,112.

Empty trails

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went out to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Did not see anyone else on the trails, only a squirrel and a few flying insects.

Rested

After a short run yesterday, I felt rested today.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  The summer creatures are coming out.  Plenty of spider webs across the trails and some flying insects.  Also, ran into a huge doe on the trail.  We use to see deer all the time; now it is seldom.

Back to the park

I felt a little beat up today after the tough half marathon in Waco yesterday.  I made my first trip back to Iron Works this afternoon and then to the park for the first time in over a week.  I ran 1.4 miles on the trails.

First Responder Half Marathon

I got up at 4:30 this morning to make the 2-hour drive to Waco to run the First Responder Half Marathon.  New course this year,  almost all on the concrete walkways for two sides of the Brazos River.  Strong headwind going one way and a strong tail wind the other way.  I struggled somewhat on the second of two loops.  My right hip, which I hurt last summer almost gave way several times.  I never walked, but ran awful slow for a while. The temperature was nice, in the 50's.  I finished in 3:23:36 and was one of one in the 70 and over age group.  The finisher medal was an ambulance, complete with a battery and flashing red lights.  Last year, it was a police car with flashing lights.  My little granddaughter played with it and put it in her mouth once, shorting out the electronic circuits.

Run the Ramps 5K

I ran the Run the Ramps 5K at Kyle Field in College Station this morning.  This was the 11th time I have run this race.  The first time was 1997.  It was called the Ramp Romp before this year.  It has been an off and on race with an variations in the course, depending on construction at the stadium.  And, it has been sponsored by at least three organizations on campus.  The course is up and down all three sections of the stadium, then around the outside of the stadium and then back in with a run around the track to the finish line.  I am not sure how accurate the course was, but I finished in 37:15.  No age group competition, but everyone got a nice finisher medal and a hamburger.

Usual Friday

With a 5K tomorrow and a half marathon on Sunday, I went to the track this morning and ran laps.  Rainy weather is moving in this weekend, so these races may be fun.

Running the Strip - Back from Las Vegas

I flew out to Las Vegas on Monday and got back this evening.  This was my first time there since 1961.  It has changed a bit.  Interesting place and a lot of interesting people walking up and down the strip.  I was not there for a race, but I did get in runs up and down the strip every day.  While on the trip, I passed Running Streak Day 3,100 and 8.5 years.

Blue Bell 5K and Alamo Half Marathon

I drove to Brenham yesterday to run the Blue Bell 5K.  A storm had just came through and it was cold waiting around for the race and hanging around afterwards.  I am sure they did not give away as much ice cream as they usually do.  Good running weather, though.  I finished in 39:51 and was first (and last) in the 75-79 age group.

I left Brenham and drove on to San Antonio for the Alamo Half Marathon this morning.  The race started and finished at the Alamodome.  The race started at 7:20 this morning.  The temperature was in the 50's and 60's and it was sunny, with low humidity.  Could not ask for better running weather.  The course past the Alamo at about 1 mile.  I have to admit that running past the Alamo gave me goose bumps.  At about 3 miles, the course reached Fort Sam Houston and left the post at about 9 miles.  While in the Army, I was stationed there in 1961 and have not been on the post since about 1982.  The barracks I lived in and the building I worked in are no longer there, but it was great being back on the post.  I finished in about 3:14:52 and was 9th of 9 in the 70 and over age group.

Friday laps

With two races coming up this weekend, I went to the track this morning and ran laps - mostly in a light rain.  RSD 3,099.

Warming up

The temperature is on the way back up.  In the 80's today.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails this evening.  Three more long runs before the summer heat, 2 half marathons and a 10-miler.

Less pain

My inflammation was still there today, but not as bad.  To avoid the nausea, I did not take any medication this morning.  I ran 3 miles on the trails this afternoon with some pain and took a dose of medication this evening.

Much better

The inflammation was much less painful today.  The medicine seems to work well, except that I felt a little nauseated all day.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and due to a time restraint, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Rough night last night

I was awake most of last night with throbbing pain in my right big toe.  I went to my doctor's office this morning and got my inflammatory pill prescription renewed.  I took one at lunch and another this evening.  In between, I ran 1.4 miles on the trails at the park.  Not too painful.

Not much better

I had hoped to go to the park this afternoon and do a long run.  However, my foot was inflamed this morning and really hurting.  I did go to the park and run 1.4 miles.  The cooler weather would have been perfect for a long run.  My concern is for a 5K and half marathon coming up this next weekend.

Not a good day

About the time I went to bed last night, my right big toe starting becoming inflamed and sore as heck.  I have been around enough to know that it was gout (high uric acid goes to the coldest joint in the body (big toe joint) and crystalizes).  The crystals are like needles in the joint and it is very painful.  I got up a bunch of times during the night, took medication and drank tart cherry juice.  Due to the pain, I never got any sleep until about 6 this morning and then slept until about 9:30 a.m.  I was signed up for a 5K in Livingston, but did not make it.  I hate not going to a race that I was signed up for; especially when I was looking forward to seeing some friends over there.  It was much better later this afternoon and I went out to the park and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Nice running weather in the 40's.

Friday laps

Since Friday is my normal rest day, I ran laps at the track this morning and then spent much of the rest of the day doing my taxes.  The running was more fun.

Spider webs

I met up with the group this evening to run trails.  Glen and Jacob ran ahead of me for the first mile.  Then, I turned and went down a different trail.  As soon as I turned, I ran into one spider web after another until I finished 2.4 miles.  This time of the year, I suppose it is always best to follow someone else all the way.

Cool, again

It stormed late last night and it was in the low 50's when I got up this morning.  I think the high was 70 today - and sunny.  I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.

Suppose to storm

The forecast was for thunderstorms at the time we normally meet at the park to run.  So, I went out early alone and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  As it turned out, the weather was fine at 5:30 p.m.

Back to normal

It's Monday after Easter and the state park seemed to be back to normal.  After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I went out and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Did not see anyone else on the trail; just a few flying critters.

Sunday Night 5K

After spending most of the day with family and eating too much, I drove down to The Woodlands this evening to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 40:54.  This was race number 1,016.

Longer line

There was even a longer line to get into the park late this morning.  After a long wait, I ran 7 miles on the busy trails.  No falls, but I did run by my first snake at the park this year.  I did not hang around to look at it closely, but it appeared to be a cottonmouth.

Crowded park

Easter weekend.  I went to the park this morning and had to wait in line for a long time to get in.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  I went back out this afternoon with visiting family and hiked and visited the Nature Center and playground.

Annual Eye Appointment

I had a complete eye exam this morning.  The doctor told me that I had excellent blood circulation in my eyes and that it probably due to running.  I know running has a lot of health benefits, and that is why I run, but I never heard that it improves blood circulation in the eyes.  So, I went to the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Deep water

It rained almost all day.  Really heavy rains this morning.  After Iron Works this afternoon, I went out to the park to get in a run - in the rain.  The trails were like rivers, water up over the socks in places.  I got about a half mile into the run, then lightning started getting close.  I got in 1.3 miles and was glad to get back to my truck.  Running streak day 3,083.

Early run

I worked out at Iron Works this morning (saw a whole new crowed) and then ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.  This evening, I took my son down to see the Rockets - Bulls game in Houston.  It was the first time for both of us to see a professional basketball game.  I'm really not into basketball, but it was a good experience, except for the real expensive beer.

Park roads

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the roads, instead of the trails.

Texas 10 Series College Station

I got up at 5 this morning to make it back over to College Station to run the Texas 10 Series College Station 10-Miler at 7 a.m.  It was 70 degrees and humid.  I finished in 2:27:25, almost my slowest race in this series.  I am wondering if my trail running during the week is slowing me down.  Maybe I need to run more on the park roads.  In any case, I was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Run for the House 5K

I drove over to College Station this morning and ran the Run for the House 5K.  It was a double-loop course around Wolf Pen Park.  According to my watch, I finished in 40:05, but there were no age group awards.  In fact, they did not time the race.  After the race, I had breakfast at the Coco Loco Mexican Restaurant in nearby Bryan.

Friday laps

With two races this weekend, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Looking toward the weekend

5K and a 10-miler coming up this weekend.  In the meantime, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Early run

It's a beautiful day, sunny and rather warm (about 75). I went to Iron Works after lunch and then to the park for a 3-mile trail run.  Running streak day 3,076.

Four regulars

It was the four regulars (me, Glen, Jason and Jacob) who showed up at the park this evening.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Normal park

There is a street in Huntsville named Normal Park, but it has nothing to do with my run this Monday.  I went out to the state park this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  With spring break over with, the park was back to a "normal park."  Never saw another person on the trail.

Worked the club run

We had our annual club's non-competitive 3-mile trail run at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  I went out on  the course by the lake and took photos of all the runners.  Then, I went back to the start line, put up my camera and ran 1.3 miles on the trails to get in a run before we wrapped up the run.

Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon - 101

I got up just after 4 this morning to drive down to Seabrook to run the Seabrook Lucky Trail Half Marathon.  It was my 101st half and run in honor of all those who ever served with the 101st Airborne Division.  The temperature got up to about 80, with humidity.  I finished in 3:26:25, much slower than about 3:01 last year.  In any case, I was 1st place in the 75-70 age group (yep, I was the only one).  For the half marathon, Seabrook is a double loop course (4 loops for the full) and is mostly out and back.  That means you get to see all your friends on the course and encourage each other.  After the race, I was pleasantly surprised to see my good friend (and one of the few readers of this blog, Jane Jackson) greeting me at the finish line.  Thanks, Jane.  With completion of my 101st half marathon, my goals and milestones for this running season are met:

October 28 - Ran the Huntsville Half Marathon on my 50th Wedding Anniversary
December 17 - Completed my 1,000th race
January 4 - Running streak reached 3,000 days
February 24 - Completed my 100th half marathon
March 17 - Completed my 101st half marathon

Now, I have to work on new goals.  Obviously, one will be to extend my running streak to 10 years.

Short trail run

Resting up for my half marathon tomorrow.  I went out to the park late this morning and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Running streak day 3,071.

Looking forward to Saturday

My plan is to run my 101st half marathon in Seabrook this Saturday in honor of all those who have served with the 101st Airborne Division.  I deployed with this division from Fort Campbell, Kentucky to Vietnam in December 1967.  I  ran my 101st marathon in their honor in February 2014.
In the meanwhile, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

Lots of people at the park

With Spring break in full progress, the state park had a lot of visitors today.  I went out at mid-afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Plenty of hikers on the trails.

Met up with the group

For the first time since returning from North Carolina, I met with the group at the park.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Routine

I got back to Iron Works this afternoon after an absence for over a week.  Then, to the park for 2.4 miles on the trails.  Routine.  Also learned today that the race director for the Jail  Break Half Marathon I ran a couple weeks ago, was killed this weekend when a tree fell on her tent at a camping ground.  She was only 40.  Very tragic.  While I never met her in person, she was very cooperative when I requested bib 100.  May she RIP.

Sunday afternoon on the trails

After church and lunch, I went out to the park and ran a 7-mile loop on the trails.  Many trails have been closed for over a year due to construction behind the dam.  That section was just reopened and this was the first opportunity to "legally" make the loop around the lake - not that I did it illegally.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K in The Woodlands this morning.  I finished in 41:40.  Afterwards, I went to Trader Joes to pick up some stuff for my wife.  This afternoon, the temperature was in the 80's and I mowed my lawn for the first time this season.

Park run

It has been over a week since I have run at the park.  I went out there this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles.

Back from North Carolina

I ran laps in Huntsville on February 28 and then flew to North Carolina to visit family at Camp Lejeune Marine Base on the coast.  Just got home a few minutes ago.  No races, but I did get in a run every day while I was gone.  Great place to run.  Miles and miles of asphalt paved running trails everywhere on the base.  I got in a good 10.5-mile run on Monday and it was a single loop.  The weather ranged from high 30's to low 60's with rain on some days and other days with strong winds.

Back to the trails

After Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Another dental appointment

I finally got my new dental bridge installed late this morning.  Sure feels different than the temporaries and now I do not have to be so careful eating.  Worked out at Iron Works this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Then, I had to make the hour-long drive down to Cleveland (TX) this evening to drop off my grandson, then back to Huntsville.

Got wet

It rained virtually all day today.  It was not suppose to stop, so I went out to the park this afternoon and ran in the rain.  I ran 1.3 miles, almost all in water covering the trails.  Some of it over my socks.   Then, later this evening, it stopped raining.  Oh well.

Jail Break Half Marathon

I got up at 4 a.m. this morning to make the drive down to Baytown for the Jail Break Half Marathon.  No rain, but high humidity and a temperature in the high 70's.  I finished in 3:19:03 and was 3rd of 4 in the 70 and over age group.  Half marathon number 100 done.

Broke the park streak

With half marathon number 100 tomorrow, I opted for a short run today.  So, I ran a little over a mile on Veterans Memorial Parkway, breaking my 11-day running streak at the park.

11 Days in a row

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails this evening.  This was 11 days in a row at the park.

Rain all day

As forecasted, it rained virtually all day.  It was heavy at times, but I managed to find a window of light rain this afternoon and got in a 3-mile road run at Huntsville State Park.

Stormy run

It was lightning and raining when I left Iron Works this evening.  After making the 9-mile or so drive south to the park, it was a little calmer.  Glen and I were the only ones who showed up to run.  I decided to do a short 1.3-mile trail run.  By the time I finished, it was raining like crazy and lightning striking close by.  I was relieved to get in my truck.  Glen made it back in one piece too.

Dental problems

I ordered a BLT at a place downtown at lunch.  Two bites into the sandwich, and my temporary bridge broke in half.  I found half of it in my sandwich and the other half was still in my mouth.  I managed to get a dental appointment at 2 p.m.  I arrived at the appointment with my running shorts on under my jeans.  They made me a new temporary and then I went Iron Works for a workout and to the park for a 3-mile trail run.  When, I left for the dental appointment, I accidentally locked my wife out of the house while she was working in the yard.  Not a good day, except that she got a lot of yard work done.

Back to the park

It was sunny and nearly 80 this afternoon.  So, I went back out to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Half marathon number 100 coming up this Saturday.

Love.Run Half Marathon

I ran the Love.Run Half Marathon this morning on the trails at Huntsville State Park.  It was cloudy and 60 degrees.  Nice running weather, but as expected, the trails were muddy in places.  My shoes got a little muddy, but I managed to get around the standing water spots.  Took two falls - not from sliding, but for tripping over roots.  I finished in 3:42:02, a whopping 41 seconds faster than the same race last year.  I was 2nd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  Half marathon number 99 done.  Me and the best race committee around in the photo.  Click on the photo to enlarge.

Morning run

With a half marathon on the trails at Huntsville State Park in the morning, I went to the park late this morning and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Parts of the course tomorrow will be muddy and there is a possibility of rain during the race.

Hotter

Here it is the middle of February and my truck thermometer said 85 degrees when I got to the park to run this evening.  I had to be back at my house by 6 p.m. for a running club officers meeting, so I ran 2.3 miles on the trails and left before everyone else finished.

Hot

I worked out at Iron Works and then ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.  The temperature was 75 degrees.  I expected to see snakes.

Late for trail run

I had a dental appointment at 4 this afternoon and was late for meeting the group at the park.  They were already running when I got there.  So, I just ran 1.3 miles on the trails and finished about the same time as they did.  My next race is the Love.Run Half Marathon at Huntsville State Park this coming Saturday.  The trails are already muddy or under standing water and more rain is expected. Half marathon number 99 is going to be fun.

Kilgore to Longview Run

Friday afternoon, I drove up to Tyler and spent the night with family.  At 5:30 Saturday morning, I drove over to Longview, picked up my race packet, got bussed to Kilgore and at 8 a.m. ran 11 miles back to Longview.  This was an old race that they brought back last year.  It was a well-managed race and I got to visit with some old friends.  I finished in 2:35:06 and was 2nd of 2 in the 75 and over age group.  The temperature was in the 60's and virtually 100% humidity.
After the race, I drove to Wylie (NE of Dallas) and visited with family there for the rest of the weekend.  Between Longview and Wylie, the temperature dropped to below freezing.  Yesterday, I went with my son to the Wylie Recreation Center, where they have an indoor running track (10 laps equals 1 mile).  I lost track of my laps, but I ran for 25 minutes.  I drove back to Huntsville this morning and went to the park this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Laps

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the track this morning and ran laps.  Running streak day 3,036.

Diesel

As I entered the park this evening, I drove through what I thought was water over the road.  Then, all I could smell was diesel.  Apparently, a truck's fuel tank was leaking and it spilled onto the park road.  My truck was covered with the stuff.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  As I was leaving the park, I had to drive around cleanup vehicles spraying powder over the road.  Of course, I headed for a car wash.

Muddy trails

It rained most of the day.  When I went out to the park this afternoon, it was 38 degrees and the trails were muddy in parts.  I only ran 1.5 miles, but did meet up with a couple of deer.  Years ago,running into deer on the trails was frequent.  Now, very seldom.  Am not sure why the population at the park is down; they are in my back yard almost every day.

Foggy and rainy

It was foggy and we had light rain off and on all day.  Ugh.  Obviously, the group still met at the park this evening.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails, partly in the rain.

Long dental appointment

I got up early for a 9 a.m. dental appointment this morning and ended up in the chair for a long time.  Lots of needles, drilling and burning blue lights.  Went from there to a painless haircut appointment.  At mid-afternoon, I worked out and Iron Works and then ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.  The park was rather quiet after the 100-mile Rocky Raccoon there over the weekend.  I never saw anyone else on the trail.  Looking toward the 11-mile Kilgore to Longview Run this Saturday and the Love.Run Half on February 17.  It will be half number 99.  Then, the next weekend will be the Jail Break Half Marathon in Baytown - number 100.

Helping with the Love.Run Half Marathon/10K

The Love.Run Half Marathon & 10K will be held at Huntsville State Park on February 17.  I met with members of the race committee this afternoon to walk parts of the course to show them the turnaround points and other changes I made to the course.  Am not sure how far we walked, but by the time we finished, it was too late to drive to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  So, before going home, I went back on the trails and ran 1.3 miles.

Katy Half Marathon

Not much sleep last night.  Did not need the alarm clock this morning.  I was wide awake at 4 a.m., which I got up and drove down to Katy to run the Katy Half Marathon at 6:45.  The temperature was in the 40's and some light rain off and on.  Flat course, almost all on concrete.  Nearly 1,200 finishers.  I finished in 3:20:23 and was 8 of 8 in the 70 and over age group.  Not happy with my time, but half marathon 98 is done.  After the race, I went to my son's house in north Houston, took a shower, went to lunch with him and then took a nap.  Then, we went to the Texas 10 Series annual awards party at a brewery in Tomball.  I picked up an Armadillo Cup and check for $100 for 2nd place in the series competition for 70 and over.  I stayed around for a couple beers and a nice visit with a lot of friends.

Short Friday run

With a half marathon tomorrow morning, I went out to the park late this morning and ran 1.3 miles on the trails.  Running streak day 3,029.

Breaking in new shoes

I put on a new pair of Brook Dyads this week.  Two days on the trails and today 2 miles on the park roads.