Laps

I ran laps at the track this morning and then planted the two new bushes that I bought yesterday

Bought more shrubs today

I drove down to Conroe this morning and bought two more large shrubs, but did not get around to planting them before working out at Iron Works and running 2.5 miles on the park trails.  So, more heavy work ahead.

Heavy work

I dug big holes and planted 5 bushes on my property this afternoon.  So, I skipped Iron Works and went to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Good to see Lorie back

It was good to see Lorie back at the park this evening for our group run three weeks after her surgery.  I ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Back to trails

After Iron Works this afternoon, I got in 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler

I ran the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Cypress this morning.  Great running weather.  I finished in 1:11:21 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Changed races for Sunday

I was signed up for the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 10-miler tomorrow morning in Cypress, but with my sore big toe joint and terrible half marathon Wednesday, I switched to the 5-mile race.  Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Adjusting medication

I had an appointment with my Rheumatologist this morning and got an adjustment to my medication.  I am beginning to think I am seeing too many "ists."  Hopefully, the adjustment will help.  In the meantime, I am still trying to get use to the CPAC, the machine that blows air up my nose all night, while I am trying to sleep.  After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park, in some pain with inflammation in my big toe joint.

Feel tired

I still felt tired today after the half marathon yesterday.  After Iron Works this evening, I went out to the park to meet up with the group.  It was raining and no one else showed up.  So, I ran 1-mile+ and went home.

Texas Half Marathon

I got up early this morning and drove down to Kingwood to run the Texas Half Marathon.  It was a double loop on a concrete walkway.  I knew after the first loop that I was not adequately trained to run a half.  I struggled to finish and it took me just under 4 hours to finish.  I do not remember being that tired after running a full marathon.  The good news is that I got to visit with a lot of good friends.

2019 in Review

As far as my running goes, 2019 was not a good year.  I started the year with my right arm in a sling from rotator cuff surgery in December.  Running in the sling screwed up my left hip and had to get cortisone shots to fix that.   In March, I got my first ride in ambulance to ER due to dehydration from a 10-mile race.  In the spring, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthristis and then Afib. I had a heart monitor device implanted in my chest and was ultimately diagnosed with sleep apnea, which caused the Afib.  Now, I have to sleep with a CPAC machine with cold air blowing up my nose all night.  Then, I tore the rotator cuff in my other shoulder and got a cortisone shot for that.  Then, a bone spur in my right heel caused two bouts of inflammation; cortisone fixed that too.  Right now, I have inflammation in  my big toe joint.  I still have not decided on running the Half Marathon in Kingwood tomorrow morning.  The good news is that I kept my streak alive in 2019.  I reached 10 years on October 18.  My race count was down from an average of 67 per year for the last few years.  I only ran 49 races in 2019 (3-10 milers, 1 Quarter Marathon, 4-10K's, 4-5 Milers, 1-8K, 35-5K's and 1-1 Miler).  2020 will be better.  Happy New Year.

Monday trails

After Iron Works early this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Late run

After church this morning, outing at the ice skating rink in The Woodlands and dinner in Huntsville with visiting family, I finally got to run at 8:30 tonight.  I went to the track and ran laps.

Park instead of 5K

I got up early this morning, but decided not to drive down to The Woodlands for the 5K.  Instead, I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  I iced my heel when I got home.

Mechanical work

I replaced the front brakes on my wife's car this afternoon.  This was my first time a a while doing mechanical work.  I ended up plenty tired and dirty, but saved a few bucks.  After a good shower, I went to the track and ran laps.

Group run

As usual, Thursday is group run day at the park.  The group today was just me and Glen.  I ran 2 miles on the roads.

Merry Christmas

I had a house full of visiting family today, but I slipped out this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads at the park.  The heel is much better, but I still iced it when I got home.

Another mile day

Even though the inflammation in my right heel is much better, I ran another mile at the track this afternoon and then iced it.

Day 2

This was my 2nd day of icing my heel, taking Ibuprohen and running a mile at the track.  The treatment seems to be working.  My plan is to run a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on January 1.

Darn

Last month, I had inflammation in the back of my right heel.  An xray revealed a bone spur and a floating bone causing the inflammation.  The podiatrist gave me a cortisone shot and within a few days the inflammation went away - until late last night.  Guess the trail run yesterday was too much.  I have been icing it today, taking Ibuprohen, and inserted a gel pad in the heel of my running shoe.  I ran an easy mile at the track this afternoon.  I will continue the treatment for a few days and see how it goes.

Around the lake

I went to the state park this morning for a 7 a.m. run with a group, mostly from the Houston area.  I ran around the lake, which is 6.9 miles.

Friday

Normally, I run laps on Friday with a race on Saturday.  No race tomorrow, but I plan to run trails with a large group.  So, late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Another 2.2

At the group run at the park this evening, I ran 1.1 miles on the trails and another 1.1 on the roads.

10 years and 2 months

It is hard to believe that it has been 2 months since I hit 10 years on my streak.  Even though I run slow, time goes by fast.  I got out to the park late this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Group run at the park

As we have done every Tuesday and Thursday for over 30 years, the group met up at the state park this evening to run.  I ran 2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

30 degrees cooler

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.  It was 30 degrees cooler than yesterday.

Hot Sunday afternoon

It was 78 degrees this afternoon when I arrived at the park to run.  Got in 6 miles on the trails.

St. Nick's 5K

I drove over to College Station this morning and ran the St. Nick's 5K.  Did not realize that it was changed to non-timed and non-competitive.  According to my watch, I finished in 41:34.  HEALTH UPDATE:  I have not mentioned my Rhuematoid Arthritis (RA) and Afib for a while and I only bring it up as it affects my running.  The only thing I am now taking for the Afib is a blood thinner.  After a number of tests, they determined that my Afib is caused by sleep apnea.  Yesterday, I picked up a machine for the sleep apnea.  I think they refer to it as a CPAP.  I started using it last night and was awake off and on all night.  I am not sure I can use to wearing a thing over my head and cold air blowing non-stop into my nostrils all night.  Maybe, if I keep wearing it, the Afib will go away.  I'm also not sure about the RA.  I am taking a pill for that.  Either the pill is working or my sore and swollen hands and body soreness has just gone away.  I just wonder if the sleep apnea is related to the RA diagnosis.  For now, I just have to get use to the CPAC.  Maybe it will make me run faster.

Short Friday trail run

With a race in the morning, I ran a 1.2-mile loop on the trails at the park.

Jingle Jog

I went down to The Woodlands tonight to run the annual non-competitive Jingle Jog, put on by Fleet Feet.  It was suppose to be a 3-mile course from the Fleet Feet store.  I missed a turn somewhere and ended up running 3.5 miles in 48:29.  This included waiting for traffic at a couple busy intersections.  Had a good time, anyway.  Some of my family participated and got to visit with a lot of friends.

Trails and roads

After Iron Works this evening, I ran 3 miles at the park, 1.1 on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Cold and rainy

It rained most of today and the temp was in the 40's.  No one else showed up at the park this evening for our 4:30 run, so I ran 2 miles on the roads and added another day to my streak.

Trails

After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Visiting family

I had visiting family today, but I broke away this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the state park.

Reindeer 5K

For the 6th straight year, I ran the Reindeer 5K in Lufkin this morning.  After being run on courses of various distances at the zoo, it was moved to the convention center in downtown this year.  According to my GPS, the course was accurate and I ran 39:27.  I was the only one in the 71 and over age group.  Nice running weather and I got a chance to visit with a lot of good friends from Lufkin.  Also got to meet Krystal Riley (inaskirt.com).  She interviewed me several weeks ago and included it on her website (Episode 34).

Laps

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

Trails/roads

I met up with the group this evening at the park and ran 1.1 miles on the trails and another 1.1 on the roads.

Avenues 5K course

With the state park closed today for squirrel hunting, I ran the very hilly Avenues 5K course in town.

Park closed this evening

The state park closed at 5 pm today for squirrel hunting and will reopen at noon this Thursday.  So, I went out to the park late this morning and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.  I warned all the squirrels I could.

Back on the trails

It was a little late before I got to the state park this evening, but I got in 2.2 miles on the trails before it go dark.

Texas 10 Series Conroe 10 Miler

I ran the Texas 10 Series Conroe 10 Miler this morning.  Beautiful sunny skies and low 50's.  Could not ask for better weather.  I finished in 2:29:45, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  I had to make a pit stop, so that cost me a few minutes.  I was 5th of 5 in the 70 and over age group.

Leftover Turkey 5K

I ran our club's Leftover Turkey 5K this morning.  It was rather warm and humid and the course is nothing but hills.  I finished in 46:48, about a minute slower than the same race last year.

Back to the park

This morning, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler

For the 18th straight year, I ran the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler in The Woodlands this morning.  I finished in 1:10:05 and was 4th of 4 in the 75 & Over age group.

Good running weather

Sunny and in the 50's today.  I went out to the park late this morning and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  Good day for running more, but I have a race tomorrow.

Podiatrist appointment

A week ago, my podiatrist gave me a cortisone shot in my right heel.  I had a followup appointment with him this afternoon.  I still have some tenderness, but it is much better.  No real pain when I am running.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.7 miles, 1.1 on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Trails and roads

It was nearly dark by the time I got to the park to run this evening.  So, I ran 1.1 miles on the trails and finished with 1.1 on the road back to my truck.

Had to wait in a long line

In between football games this afternoon, I went out to the state park to run.  There was a long line of cars backed up at the gate.  They finally opened a second gate and I finally got in.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Conroe Turkey Trot 5K

I like these 9 a.m. starts.  I slept in and went down to the Conroe Turkey Trot.  I finished in 41:28, which is actually my be 5K time since last spring.  Nice to run without heel pain.  The upper age group was 60 and over, so I was far from placing.

And another

This was my third straight day of short runs, so that my heel will recover from the cortisone shot.  I ran laps at the track this morning.

Another short run

I met up with the group at the park this evening.  While they ran 3 miles, I ran 1 easy mile+ back and forth on the flat roads near the Nature Center.  I plan another short run tomorrow and then a 5K race on Saturday.  The heel feels much better, but I know I have to take it easy for a few days after a cortisone shot.

Kept my agreement with the doc

I kept my agreement with the podiatrist and ran one easy mile at the track tonight.  With the cortisone shot yesterday, my heel felt much better.

A talk about streaking

Knowing that I had an appointment with the podiatrist this afternoon and a cortisone shot was a possibility, I went to the park this morning with my inflamed right heel and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.  This afternoon at the podiatrist's office, xrays showed that I have a spur and a floating bone in my right heel.  I got a very painful cortisone injection and was then told I would be in a boot for a few days and no running.  The doctor and I then had a talk about streaking.  I left with no boot and the understanding that I could run a slow and easy one mile at the track for the next couple of days.

Late run

I was tied up at the house all day and did not get a chance to run until after dark this evening.  I worked out a Iron Works and then ran laps at the track.  I have an appointment with a podiatrist tomorrow to look at the inflammation in my right heel.

Back to the park

I went out t6 the park this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Foregoing the La Porte Half Marathon

Months ago, I signed up for the La Porte Half Marathon, which is tomorrow morning.  While I have been struggling somewhat in recent months with the RA and Afib, the inflamed right heel is still inflamed and hurting after 19 days.  I have been treating it and maybe it has improved somewhat. I have debated with myself about running the half anyway, but I may really screw up the heel.  My plan is to see if I can get an appointment with a podiatrist next week.  My regular doctor thought it was gout in an odd place, but gout would have gone away by now.  So, I will skip the half tomorrow.  In the meantime, I went to the state park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Ran short of time

Nice running weather today.  Sunny and cool.  However, I got busy today and ran short of time.  I ran 2 miles on the track late this afternoon.

Cold and rainy

I ran 2 miles on the park roads this morning in the cold (41 degrees) and rain.

Late run

By the time I left Iron Works and got to the park, it was nearly dark.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads and it was totally dark by the time I finished.  Of course, there was hardly any traffic on the park roads.

Cold

I spent much of the afternoon operating a race clock for a series of runs put on by the Alpha Omega Academy here in Huntsville.  Fun, but standing around in the cold was a challenge.  I finished in just enough time to make it to the park for a run with the group.  Ran 2 miles on the roads.

Weather change

It started raining this afternoon and getting much colder.  Seeing that in the forecast, I ran in town this morning.  My heel is still very sore, so I only ran 1.3 miles.  I may have to see a podiatrist if it does not improve.

Crowded house

We had a crowded house yesterday.  In fact, 20 people slept at my house last night.  Great having all my kids and their families together.  Some were still here this afternoon when I slipped out and ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Family all together

Today was the first time since the mid-80's that all six of our kids have been together at the same time.  With the spouses and 9 grand kids, the house is full.  I did slip away this morning for a 2.4-mile run on the trails at the park.

Heel pain getting worse, again

The inflammation in my right heel is getting worse, again, just when I thought it was gradually going away.  I'll have to work on it, I guess.  I have a house full of visiting family, but I went to the park this afternoon and got in 2 miles on the park roads.

Rainy afternoon

It rained part of the afternoon and was much cooler this evening.  I met up with the group and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Late run

I got tied up with something all day, but finally ran laps at the track at 9:30 tonight.

Orthopedic Surgeon appointment

I had an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon this afternoon  to check my sore left shoulder.  I had major rotator cuff surgery on this shoulder back in the 90's.  Looks like some of it came undone.  He gave me a choice of shoulder replacement or occasional cortisone shots.  At least for now, I chose the shots and he gave me the first one.  Then, I went to the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

New shoes

I put on a new pair of running shoes today and ran 1.5 miles on the park roads to break them in.

Texas 10 Series Katy 5-Miler

I overslept this morning, but made it down to Katy just in time to run the Texas 10 Series Katy 5-Miler.  Cool and sunny.  I finished in 1:12:53, about 2 minutes faster than Cypress 3 weeks ago.  I was 3rd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.

Alex's 5K

I got up early this morning and drove down to southeast Houston to run the Alex's 5K.  Nice cold running weather.  I finished in 43:39, about 3 minutes slower than last year.  My foot was still a little sore, but I think the RA is slowing me down about a minute per mile.  I got to visit with a lot of "old" friends.  In fact, there were so many that I was 4th of 5 in the 75-79 age group.

Friday short run

With two races this weekend, I ran 1-mile+ on Veterans Memorial Parkway this morning.

Annual physical

I limped into my doctor's office this morning for my annual physical.  He thought I was in pretty good shape, except for my sore heel, RA, Afib and a sore left shoulder, which I am having checked an orthopedic surgeon next week.  He prescribed some pills for the sore heel.  I picked them up from the drug store this evening, but have not taken any yet.  This afternoon, my heel seemed much better.  Still sore, but I ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening without much pain.

And, another short run

The swelling and pain in my heel continued today, so I ran 1.3 miles on the park roads this evening.  I have my annual physical exam tomorrow morning.  Maybe the doc can fix it.

Continuing

My foot was about the same today.  I ran 1.1 miles on the roads at the park.  The first quarter mile was tough.

Paid the price

I guess I paid the price for running a 5K yesterday on a sore heel.  When I woke up this morning, my whole foot was sore and swollen.  I stayed off it most of the day and went to the park this evening and ran a little over 1 mile on the trails.  It was ugly, but I got it done.

Sweat IV Vets 5K

My heel was still very sore this morning, but I decided to go ahead and try to run the Sweat IV Vets 5K in Humble, which I signed up for many months ago.  By the time I parked and walked around a bit at the race site (Harris Co. Sheriff's Training Center), my heal was tolerable.  Perfect running weather and a perfectly flat and smooth asphalt course.  After a half mile or so into the race, my heel was not a problem (probably numb).  I finished in 44:12, almost 5 minutes slower than the same race last year.  Must by my RA.  In any case, I was first in the 70 and over age group (only one).  My son, who lives in Houston, was there as my support crew, so that made it a good time.  By the time I got home, the heel was as sore as ever.  I guess it will have to run its course.

Streak challenge

Late last night, I started getting pain in my right heel.  It was extremely sore this morning and all day.  I realized that it was probably gout.  When I had it in the past, it was always in my big toe joint.  I have been taking a pill every day for years to avoid it.  However, one of the pills that the doctor told me to quit taking daily was that pill.  So, I spent all day, icing it, rubbing it with icy/hot, putting icy/hot pads on it and taking some of the pills that I had quit taking.  It was a challenge to get up at 7 p.m. tonight and go run.  I went to the track and ran one slow painful mile.  It feels a little better tonight.

Nice running weather

A frant came through last night.  By this afternoon, the rain stopped and the temp was in the low 50's.  I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Ditto on the run

After Iron Works, I met up with the group at the park and ran the same course as yesterday.  2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Cardiologist appointment

I had an appointment with the cardiologist this morning.  The results from my chest scan last week were negative.  In other words, no blockage that would be causing the Afib.  Over this last weekend, I slept in an apparatus that checks for sleep apnea, which can also cause Afig.  Those results are not back yet.  The doc did eliminate one of the medications that I had started taking to reduce my pulse rate.  Maybe that will help.  Anyway, after working out at Iron Works this evening, I ran 2.2 miles at the park, about half on the trails and half on the roads.

Went back to Iron Works today

Due to RA issues and pain in my left shoulder, I have not been to Iron Works for the last week.  I went there this afternoon for a light workout and then a 2-mile road run at the park.  Cardiologist appointment tomorrow.

Park roads

The RA is slowing me down, but I got in 2 miles on the park roads this afternoon.  Running day 10 years and 3 days.

Short trail run

Busy day, but I went to the park this afternoon and ran a 1.4-mile loop on the trails.

Huntsville Quarter Marathon

I ran our club's annual Huntsville Quarter Marathon (6.55 miles) this morning.  The race is less than a mile from my house, so it is nice to sleep in before a race.  I finished in 1:39:52, right at 6 minutes slower than last year.  I was the only one in the 75-79 age group, so I got first.

10 Years Done

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the park this morning and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Park roads, again

I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Park roads

This afternoon, I ran 3 miles on the park roads.  Nice cool weather.

Getting close

After my 2-mile road run at the park this evening, I have 3 more days to reach 10 years on my streak.

Back to summer

After it got down into the 40's a few days ago, it was back into the 80's today.  I ran 2 miles on the roads at the park late this afternoon, about half in a light rain.

Texas 10 Series Cypress 5-Miler

I got up at 4:30 this morning to make it down to Cypress for the Texas 10 Series 5-Miler.  I was originally signed up for the 10-mile race, but switched to the 5.  The weather was perfect, 50's and low humidity.  When I finished the 5-mile loop, I was tempted to go around again.  I finished in 1:14:23 and was 5th of 5 in the 70 and over age group.

Saturday trip to Tyler

With a race tomorrow morning, I ran 1.3 miles on the roads in town this morning.  Then I made a trip to Tyler this afternoon for a family affair and got back late this evening.

Cold and rainy

We suddenly went from summer to winter.  A storm came through overnight and the temperature was in the high 40's this afternoon.  I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon, most of it in the rain.  One week to 10 years.

More testing

More testing today, in relation to the heart issue.  Had a CTA (???) scan on my chest.  I am not sure when I will get the results.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Trails

late this afternoon, I got in 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.

Cardiologist appointment

I had an appointment with the cardiologist this morning.  I have to go to the hospital on Thursday for a scan.  In the meanwhile, they are monitoring my heart via the thing embedded in my chest.  Then, they removed the five staples from the incision in my chest.  My plan is to run the Texas 10 Series 5-miler in Cypress next Sunday and the Huntsville Quarter Marathon on October 19.  Hopefully, I can get to back to the 10-mile distance by November 3 (Texas 10 Series Katy).  I met up with the group this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Ten days to ten years.

Another change in medication

I received a call from my cardiologist's office this morning.  They have been monitoring my heart (from the implant in my chest) and found that my heart rate sometimes gets too low.  So, they reduced the dosage of the medication I am taking that slows it down.  Apparently, the device does not have a GPS, because they did not say anything about how slow I'm running.  Anyway, I hope the reduced dosage will result in a corresponding reduction in side effects.  I went to the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Wylie and laps

I drove up to Wylie (NE of Dallas) Friday night to visit family for the weekend.  The new medicine is worse than the old.  I really felt tired, sore and unsteady all weekend.  I got a a short 1.2-mile road run in Wiley on Saturday and then ran laps at the track in Huntsville this evening.  I was signed up to run the Space City 10-Miler this morning in Houston, but was advised by the doctor not to do, since I ended up the ER last Sunday.

Doctor appointment

I had an appointment with my Rheumatologist this morning.  Due to my fatigue and other side effects, he changed my RA medicine.  Maybe that will help.  Later this afternoon, I went to the park, and despite five staples in my chest, ran 2 miles on the trails.  Two weeks to 10 years.

Iron Works and the park

I made it back to Iron Works for a workout this afternoon, followed by a 3-mile road run at the park.

Tuesday at the park

After errands in The Woodlands and Conroe this afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the state park roads.