Sunday at the park

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Run the Woodlands 5K

I ran the Run the Woodlands 5K yesterday and finished in 42:22.  Hot and humid, but that is expected in July.

Friday laps

With a race tomorrow morning, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Another 2

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran another 2 miles on the roads.  Am anxious to get the other half of the stitches out of my arm and get back on the trails.

Heat

Running in the heat is a challenge to my motivation, but I got in a 2-mile run around the campus this evening.

Half the stitches out

I went down to the doctor in Conroe this afternoon to set the stitches removed from the 3-inch incision on my forearm.  However, he only removed every other stitch.  I go back in another week to get the rest removed.  Apparently, on that part of the arm it takes longer to heal.  So, another week of changing the bandage twice a day.  I did make it back to Huntsville in time to meet the group at the park.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Little sore

I was a little sore today after all the manual labor building the fence over the weekend.  However, I did work out at Iron Works this evening and then run 2 miles on the roads at the state park.

Back from Wylie

I drove up to Wylie Saturday morning to help build a fence for a family member.  Lots of work in very hot weather.  I took a break just before dark last night and got in a 1-mile+ run in the neighborhood.  I had hoped to get back in time today to go to The Woodlands to run the Sunday Night 5K.  However, we did not finish up until later this afternoon and I got back to Huntsville just before 7 tonight.  I took a nap and then ran laps at the track.

Diagnosis

I had a followup appointment with the doctor this morning regarding my swollen and sore hands and body soreness.  He said that my blood work came back normal and the xrays showed no damage.  He still thinks I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  According to him, I am one of the one in five who have the disease, but normal blood work.  So, I got a prescription for medication to control it.  I discussed running and he does not think it will interfere.  I guess that is to be seen.  This evening, when it was 95 degrees, I ran a 2-mile loop around the empty campus.

Stu's Country Mile 5K

I ran Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville this morning.  This was my 25th time running this race and my 24th consecutive year.  I finished in 43:36, one second faster than last year.  My good friend, Dennis Alston, was not there this year.  He is in my age group and always beats me.  Hope he is okay.  In any case, I was the only runner over 70 and got first place.

WANDA RETIRED.  After Stu's, our club members always have breakfast at the Town Cafe just off the square in Centerville.  We have been doing that for 24 years.  There was a blonde waitress who always waited on us in the back room.  A few years ago, I was going to Dallas on I-45 and decided to stop at the Town Cafe for breakfast.  When I walked in, the blonde waitress asked me what I was doing there.  "Its not the 4th of July."  She was not there this morning and the back room was turned into a smoking area.  We all had to sit at different tables in the main room.  I asked the young waitress about the blonde waitress who always waited on us.  She said, "the old lady?"  That was Wanda and she retired.  Guess, nothing stays the same.  We move to new traditions.  Good luck to Wanda.

Back to the park

With a race tomorrow, I went out to the park this morning and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Am anxious to get these 18 stitches out of my arm next week and get back on the trails.

Ankle better

As expected, my ankle was much better today.  I worked out at Iron Works this evening and then drove through heavy rains to the park and ended up running 2 miles on the park roads in a light rain.

Painful mile

I woke up this morning with a sore right ankle.  I have no idea where it came from, but it was hard to walk on it all day.  I did manage to get in a mile at the track this afternoon.  Based on my experience, pain that suddenly appears for no reason goes away just as quickly.  So, I am assuming that it will be gone when I get up tomorrow.  This evening, I went to College Station to visit someone at the hospital and then worked out at Iron Works late tonight.

Sunday at the park

I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Lots of Sunday traffic, but with a 20 mph speed limit, it is still safer than in town.

Independence Day 8K

I drove down to Houston early this morning to run the Independence Day 8K at 7:30.  The temperature was in the 80's and it was very humid.  Flat course, sunny and no breeze.  I finished in 1:14:48 and was 2nd of 3 in the 75 and over age group.  Nice finisher medal and award plaque.  I was right at 2 minutes slower this year than in the same race last year.

Usual Friday

Normal Friday.  With a race tomorrow morning, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Park roads

After Iron Works this evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 3 miles on the roads.

Back to the gym

I went back to Iron Works this afternoon, but was careful not to pull the stitches in my arm.  Then, went to the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

More surgery

I had a doctor's appointment this afternoon in Conroe to get a spot removed from my forearm.  The incision was 3 inches and took 18 stitches to close up.  I made it back to Huntsville in time to meet the group at the park.  I ran 2 miles on the roads.

Campus loop

Feeling great with these steroids.  I go back to the doctor on July 5.  I worked out at Iron Works this afternoon and then ran a 2-mile loop around the campus.

Rain

I had visiting family today and I tried to get in a run between rain storms.  Just as I started out Veterans Memorial Parkway, it started pouring down.  I managed to get in 1.4 miles and got soaking wet.  It was running streak day 3,535.

Polish Pickle 5K

I ran the Polish Pickle 5K in Bremond this morning for the 24th straight year.  I finished in 42:49 and was 2nd of 4 in the 75-79 age group.  The first year I ran this race was 1996 and I finished in 28:10.

Friday laps

With a race tomorrow morning, I ran laps at the track this afternoon.

Early run at the park

With a running club meeting this evening, I went out to the park ahead of the group and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Feeling close to normal

The steroids are working well.  Felt close to normal today.  I worked out at Iron Works this afternoon for the first time since last week.  It was 97 degrees and humid outside, but I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the roads.  It was my first time over 2 miles since June 5.

Starting to feel better

I finally got my new medication this afternoon and am starting to feel better tonight.  The swelling and soreness in my hands has definitely gone down.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and opted to run 2 miles on the park roads.   All the others reported a big rattlesnake on the trail.  With today's run, I completed 9 years and 8 months on my current streak.

Doctor appointment results

I ran laps this morning and then drove down to Conroe for my long awaited appointment with a specialist.  He has tentatively diagnosed my problem as Rheumatoid Arthritis.  However, he is doing a lot of blood testing and xrays of my hands.  In the meantime is is prescribing a 30-day supply of steroids.  RA is not curable, but there is medication for the long run.  I go back to him on July 5.

In between storms

I got in a run early this afternoon, between thunderstorms.  Did 2 miles on Veterans Memorial Parkway.

June Bug 1-Mile

For the first time in about 29 1/2 years, I ran a 1-mile race here in Huntsville this morning.  My time was 14 something.  So looking forward to my doctor's appointment Monday afternoon.

Laps

I ran laps at the track this morning.  Only 3 more days until my doctors appointment.

And another short run

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 1-mile + on the park roads.

Another day

I got through another day.  I did a light workout at Iron Works this evening and then ran laps at the track.

Back to the trails

I got the stitches out of my back this afternoon, so I decided to run trails at the park.  I ran 1.4 miles, but took a fall.  Luckily, there was a tree nearby and I was able to get up.  Six more days until I see the doctor.

Another short run

My symptoms are getting worse.  I called my doctor's office this morning to see if they could refer me to another specialist that might get me in sooner.  This evening, they gave me the name and number of a specialist in The Woodlands.  I called that office, but they could not get me in until June 25.  So, I might as well keep my appointment with the doctor in Conroe on June 17.  I had visiting family all day today and went to the track at 9 tonight and ran laps.

Back from Wylie

My plan for Saturday was to get up at 5 a.m. to drive to Kosse to run the Greyhound 5K (for the 8th straight year) and then drive up to Plano (near Wylie) for my grand daughters first dance recital at 12:30 p.m.  I am not sure what was going on, but I could not get to sleep Friday night.  Still awake at 4 a.m., I decided to skip the race and leave at 9 a.m. for a direct drive to Plano.  I got about 3 hours of sleep before safely making the drive.  After the concert, I took a nap at my son's house in Wylie and then went for a run in his neighborhood.  The normal 3-hour drive back to Huntsville took over 4 hours with extra heavy traffic.  I got home at 6:30 this evening and went to the track and ran laps.

Friday laps

With a race tomorrow and the ongoing medical issue, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Another 2 at the park

I ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening.  I get the stitches out of my back next Tuesday; then, back to the trails.

Global Running Day 5K

I went down to Fleet Feet in The Woodlands this evening to run the Global Running Day 5K.  It was not timed.  My GPS refused to talk to a satellite for a long time, so I never recorded my time or got the actual race distance.  From what others said, the course was probably 3.4 miles.  In any case, I got to visit with a lot of good friends.  Also, got to meet fellow streaker, Paul Herman, who is over 7 years on his streak.

Just me and Glen

It was just me and Glen at the state park this evening.  With stitches still in my back from surgery last Tuesday, I stayed on the park roads.  2-mile run.

Rest day

Given my body soreness and 5K's on Saturday and Sunday, I rested up today by running laps at the track this afternoon.  Only 14 more days until my doctor's appointment.

Sunday Night 5K 100

For the 100th time, I ran the Sunday Night 5K, put on by The Woodlands Running Club on the first Sunday of every month.  I finished in 44:13.

Heights 5K

With continued body soreness and swollen and sore hands, I almost stayed in bed this morning.  But I got up and took Tylenol and headed for Houston to run the Heights 5K.  It was hot and humid as usual.  I finished in 42:55 and was 3rd of 5 in the 75-70 age group.  The was my 1,090th race.

Short Friday run

With a race in the morning, I went to the track (flooded) and ran a little over a mile on the roads from there.

Park roads

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  No trails until I get the stitches out of my back.

Numbness wore off

The numbness from the surgery on my back wore off late last night.  Not much sleep and some pain all day today.  However, I managed a workout at Iron Works this afternoon and laps at the track without breaking any stitches (at least the outer layer of stitches).

Surgery

I had a spot surgically removed from my back this afternoon, so I ran laps at the track this morning.

Hosted Memorial Day Run

As we have done for a bunch of years, my wife and I hosted the club's annual Memorial Day 5K & 1-Mile and breakfast at my house this morning.  I am not sure how many runners we had, but probably more than 100, including spectators.  All went well.  I was going to get up at 6 a.m., but woke up at 3:30 and never could go back to sleep.  Lots of work getting everything set up.  I took over 200 photos of the race and posted them on the club FB page.  This evening, I ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.

Busy day

I host our club's annual Memorial Day 5K at my house every year.  With nearly a hundred runners expected, I had a busy day preparing.  My wife, too.  She and others working on breakfast for all the runners.  I took time this evening to go run laps at the track.  Up early tomorrow.

Stayed at home

I set my alarm to get up and go down and run the Run the Woodlands 5K.  However, my body, including my hands, was too sore from what ever is ailing me.  I have family coming in tomorrow and had a lot of work to do around the house.  So, I took plenty of Tylenol and got it done.  Late this afternoon, I took a nap and then ran 2 miles on the empty roads around the campus.

Back from Wylie

I ran laps at the track yesterday and then drove up to Wylie (190+ miles) to attend my grand daughter's high school graduation.  It was also my 78th birthday.  The hands and body soreness was worse today.  When I got back this afternoon, I ran laps at the track again.  I called the doctor and was able to move my appointment up to June 17, by agreeing to go to his Conroe office.

Appointment with specialist

After getting the referral from my regular doctor, I called the specialist for an appointment regarding my swollen and sore hands and general body soreness.  The earliest I can get in is June 25.  My God, the body may heal itself by then.  I ran some errands in Conroe this morning and afternoon, but when I got back to Huntsville, I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the streets in town.

Call from my doctor

My doctor called this morning to refer me to a specialist regarding my sore and swollen hands.  They improved somewhat over the weekend, so I have not called for an appointment yet.  I have a lot going on in the next week, so I may just wait and see.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Trip to Tyler today

I drove up to Tyler (135 miles) this morning to attend a funeral and got back this evening.  I was tired and I have a bad blister on a toe (sweaty socks in the 10K on Saturday), so I ran 1.3 miles on the streets in the avenues.

National Running Month 5K

I went down to The Woodlands this morning to run the non-competitive National Running Month 5K put on by Dick's Sporting Goods.  The course was along the waterway and included steps.  I finished in 43:59.  Today was my 3,500th consecutive day of running.  That's 9 years, 7 months and 1 day.

Impact a Hero 10K

I got up early this morning to drive down to Sugar Land to run the Impact a Hero 10K.  Hot and humid and mosquitos.  I know why the minor league baseball team there is the Sugar Land Skeeters.  I finished in 1:43:22 (3 of 4 in the 70 and over age group).  I did not wear my GPS, but I think the course was probably long.  My last 10K time several weeks ago was 1:28:56.

Laps

With a race tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this morning.  Still waiting for my doctor's referral.

Swollen and sore hands return

After completing the second round of medication, my hands are again swollen and sore.  I have a call into my doctor to get a referral to a specialist.  I forgot to blog last night, but I ran 1.3 miles on the roads in the avenues.  This evening, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.

Trails

I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

New shoes

I put on a new pair of running shoes today and did a 1.3-mile break-in run on the streets in my old neighborhood.

Campus

Since it was Sunday, there was not much traffic around the campus.  So, I ran a 2-mile loop around the campus, starting from the track.

Run the Woodlands 5K

For the 96th time, I went down to The Woodlands this morning and ran the Run the Woodlands 5K.  I finished in 41:44.  This race has been held at Barbara Bush Elementary School and on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of every month for many years.  $1 entry and very few frills.  Today was special for my good friend, Vince Attanucci, who is a fellow streaker (16 years+).  He ran this race for the 250th time.  Congratulations, Vince.

Avenues

After the storms came though last night, it was 60 degrees this morning.  I ran an unplanned course through the hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 1.8 miles.

Nearly normal

My medication is kicking in.  The fever is gone and my hands are no longer sore and swollen.  Still congested, but I got in 2.5 miles on the trails this evening.

Doctor appointment

I saw my doctor late this morning and he prescribed antibiotics for my sinus infection.  However, he cannot figure out why my hands and sore and swollen.  He gave me the same prescription that  worked last time.  He said that the issue returns after I complete the prescription, he is referring me to a specialist.  I expect that to be the case. Still felt lousy this afternoon, so I ran a little over a mile in my old neighborhood.

Fever

I woke up last night with a fever and it hung around all day and my hands are sore and swollen.  I doubt that the fever and hand issue are related..  Right now, my temperature is over 100.  I have an appointment with the doctor tomorrow morning.  In the meantime, I went to the park this evening a ran a little over 1 mile on the trails - in the rain.

Sore and swollen hands returning

Now that I am off the pills the doctor prescribed a week ago, the swelling and soreness in my hands is returning.  It is probably not related, but my sinuses are really messed up, sneezing, coughing, runny nose, headache.  I did work out at Iron Works this afternoon and ran an unplanned loop in the avenues.  It turned out to be 1.7 miles.

Sunday Night 5K

I forgot to post last night, but I drove down to The Woodlands last night and ran the Sunday Night 5K, put on by The Woodlands Running Club.  I finished in 41:55.

Chuck Norris 5K

My niece, Amie, came up from Houston yesterday and we drove over to College Station this morning to run the Chuck Norris 5K.  This was the first year for the race and I am not sure if it was a one-time race.  Amazing - 5,000 runners from 48 states and 7 countries for a 5K.  The race was non-competitive and un-timed.  According to my watch, I finished in 43:10.  Chuck Norris was in the finish chute and gave everyone a high five.  I bet his hands are sore tonight.

The doc called

I received a call from my doctor's office this morning regarding my lab tests.  Everything was normal except for one test that indicated inflammation.  However, they could not determine the cause of the inflammation.  My hands were swollen and sore and that has cleared up with the medication he prescribed.  I took the last pill today.  They said if the soreness returns, I need to see the doctor again.  In the meantime, I feel good.  With a 5K tomorrow, I did a normal Friday short run.  Went to my old neighborhood and ran a 1.1-mile loop.

Beat the storm

We had a storm come through this evening after I got home from running 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.

Still no call from the doc

I still have not received a call from my doc about the blood tests, but the swelling and pain in my hands has pretty much gone away.  The pills he prescribed are working well.  I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park this evening.  It is May 1 and the biting horse flies are out.  I think they have a little calendar nailed to a tree somewhere.  Every year, they are out for three months, starting May 1.

Pills worked

The swelling and soreness in my hands was much better today.  The pills worked.  However, I am still waiting for a call from the doc to get the lab results.  In the meantime, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

Doctor appointment this morning

My soreness of the last three weeks never went away.  Particularly, my hands have been swollen and sore.  I had an appointment with my doc this morning.  He does not know what is going on, but ordered blood tests and gave me pills to reduce the pain and swelling.  I made it out to the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Later tonight, I worked out at Iron Works.

Spring Fling 5K

Yesterday, I ran the Spring Fling 5K here in Huntsville.  The course in the Elkins Lake Sub-division is like a roller coaster.  I finished in 45 something, about 2 minutes slower than the last race on this course.  Then, I drove up to Tyler yesterday afternoon to my 60th high school reunion.  Enjoyed visiting with old friends.  Must have been close to 100 there, plus the spouses.  I drove back to Huntsville this afternoon and then ran an short unplanned course in the avenues.  It turned out to be 1.4 miles.

Laps

As fairly usual, with a race tomorrow, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Regular group run at the park

There were five of us at the park this evening; me, Glen, Jacob, Jason and Curtis.  We all ran different courses and distances.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Lots of rain today

It rained much of the day, but I managed to get in 2 dry miles on the park roads this evening.

Just me and Jacob

It was just me and Jacob at the park for the group run this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and Jacob 3 miles and he was waiting for me at the finish.  In fact, he probably waited a long time.

Back to the park

After Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the trails at Huntsville State Park.

Happy Easter

I had a lot of visiting family in the house today, but this evening I slipped out and ran 2 miles on the streets around the campus.

Yuri's 10K

I got up at 4:30 this morning and drove to Houston to run Yuri's 10K near NASA.  Really nice weather; sunny with the temperature in the 50's and 60's.  I finished in 1:28:56 (first place of one in the 75-49 age group).  After the race, I got to visit with good friends, Loren, Pete, Traci and Robert.

Laps at the track

With a race tomorrow morning, I ran laps at the track this morning.

9.5 Years

I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park this evening.  Today marked exactly 9.5 years (3,470 days) on my current running streak.  The soreness continued today, especially in both hands; sore and swollen.  Then, it dawned on me.  A few days ago, they switched my blood pressure medicine from a capsule to a tiny tablet.  It is suppose to be the same stuff, just in a different form. I talked to the pharmacist about the soreness today.  He said that it could be caused by something in the tablet and switched me back to the capsule form and gave me a whole new supply.  We will see.

Continued

I still felt sore all over today and felt like I had a fever, but I did yard work anyway and ran 2 miles on the park roads later this afternoon.

Sore today

I felt sore all over today.  Not sure why; probably from doing my taxes yesterday.  Anyway, I ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening.

Post tax run

I worked on my income taxes much of the day.  I finished this afternoon and made it to the post office well before 5 p.m.  Then, I worked out at Iron Works and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Sunday afternoon at the park

It was sunny and cool today after the heavy storms through Texas yesterday.  I went to the park this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Run The Woodlands 5K

With a cancelled half marathon up in Frisco, I went down to The Woodlands this morning and ran the Run the Woodlands 5K.  It was hot and humid and I felt sluggish.  My time of 43:08 reflected that.  Last Sunday, I ran this course in 40:38.

Race cancelled

I ran laps at the track late this morning and then got ready to drive up to Frisco for the Big Star Half Marathon tomorrow.  The weather forecast continued to predict thunderstorms for the race.  I emailed the race and told them that I was leaving at 2 p.m. to drive up.  They had the courtesy to email me back at 2 to give me advance notice that they were cancelling the race.  Bad news, but I was not looking forward to running in the lightning.  I then thought about running the Blue Bell in Brenham, but it looks like it will be storming there too.  So, I plan to run the Run The Woodlands 5K if the weather is not too bad there.

Uncertain about the weekend

I am signed up for the Big Star Half Marathon in Frisco (north of Dallas) on Saturday, but for the last 4 days the forecast calls for a 100 percent chance of thunderstorms.  Hopefully, they will make a go/no go decision tomorrow before I drive up there.  In the meantime, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

91

My truck thermometer showed 91 degrees when I went to the park to run this evening.  Yet, the forecast shows cooler weather ahead.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Bees

I mowed my yard this afternoon and thought about all the bees that I had run over.  Then, my son, who is a deputy sheriff in Arizona, called me this evening to tell me about a call he responded to Sunday evening.  A guy trying to remove a hive of bees from his backyard got stung about 200 times.  The fire department sprayed the guy with foam, while my son and another deputy removed him to an awaiting ambulance.  They were killer bees and the guy died at the hospital.  My son and the other deputy were stung several times, but they are okay.  I keep wondering about the bees that I encounter when I mow my yard, especially since I live in south Texas.  Anyway, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at Huntsville State Park this evening and only encountered a bunch of squirrels and spider webs across the trails.

Sluggish 3 Miles

After a lot of rain yesterday and high temperatures today, I felt sluggish running 3 miles on the park roads this evening.

Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  I finished in 40:38.  I ran the same race a month ago in 42:44.

Short trail run

It was suppose to storm today, so I went out to the park to run trails late this morning.  Got a half mile into my run and it starting lightning again.  So, I cut the run to 1.3 miles.  As it turned out, there was no rain this afternoon.  I should have waited.

Run the Ramps 5K

I ran the Run the Ramps at Kyle Field in College Station tonight.  This is the 11th time I have run this race since 1997.  It use to be called the Ramp Romp.  Now, the third different organization at Texas A&M is putting on the race.  They used a different course than last year and this is the first year that it has been a night run.  Three trips up and down the ramps and three trips around the top of the stadium.  Nice finisher medal and hamburgers after the race.  I finished in 44:48.  No awards.

Hot

It was about 80 degrees when we ran trails this evening.  A few days ago, it was down to about 39.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this evening and even broke a few spider webs.

Park roads

I ran 3 miles on the park roads this evening.

Just Glen and me

Glen and I were the only ones who showed up for the Tuesday group run at the park this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  All the fires are out from the controlled burn last week, but it sure smells different.

Back to the park

After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.