Late morning on the trails

I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Plenty hot, but it is June.

Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 47:31, probably my slowest  ever on this course.

Lingering Inflammation

The inflammation is still around, but I ran another gimpy 2.5 miles on the trails this afternoon.  Got bit by a horsefly for the first time this season.  More to come, I am sure.

Back to 2.5

The inflammation in my big toe joint was not as bad today, so I went to the park this Friday afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Worse

The inflammation was a little worse today.  However, I met up with the group at the park and ran 1.4 miles on the trails.

Three-peat

With continued inflammation, I repeated a 1.4-mile trail run at the park this afternoon.  Not a good way to celebrate Global Running Day.

Repeat

My big toe joint was still inflamed today, so I repeated yesterday's 1.4 mile trail run.

Big toe inflammation returns

I woke up this morning with inflammation in my right big toe joint.  I think that this is the 5th time it has become inflamed in the past several months.  This afternoon, I went to the park and ran a painful 1.4 miles on the trails.

Sunday at the park

I went back to the park late this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Crowded Saturday at the park

The park was crowded this morning; lots of hikers, bikers and a few runners on the trails.  I had to wait in line a the gate for a while, but I got in 3 miles on the trails.

Another 2.5 at the park

I got in another 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.

Humid

After all the rain yesterday, it was humid today.  I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Caught in the storm

It was suppose to start storming at 4 this afternoon, so I went out to run trails at the park at 2.  I barely got in a half mile and the lightning started getting close.  I took a shortcut back and got a little wet.  I think the distance I ran was 1.4 miles.

Trails in good shape

Despite all the rain late yesterday and more in the area today, the trails at the state park are in good shape.   I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.5 miles.

Memorial Day

For years, we have had the club's Memorial Day 5K/1-Mile at my house, with breakfast afterwards.  Because of COVID-19, we had the race, but runners ran the course on their own between 8 and 10 a.m. this morning.  No awards or breakfast and everyone kept their social distance.  It was suppose to storm this morning, but instead it was overcast and cool.  Surprisingly, we had 30 runners and walkers participate.  I expected 10 to 15.  In any case, I got up early and put out the signs, took photos and recorded everyone's time.  After the race, a friend helped me pick up all the signs, which I took to the storage locker on the way to the park.  I got in 3 miles on the trails - and still no rain.

Stormy day

I went out to the park late this morning and started on my 2.5-mile course on the trails.  When a storm  approached, I cut the run short, remembering several times that I have been caught on the trails in lightning storms.  I ended up running about 1.5 miles.  Rain and storms the rest of the day.

Birthday run

Today was my 79th birthday.  I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park late this morning and did yard work this afternoon.

Late morning at the park

Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  After completing the run, I had a nice visit with June Harris, who was visiting the park with friends.  I have known June for many years, super lady and a good runner.  She is the president of the Houston Aread Road Runners Association.

Park every day

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park yesterday, but forgot to post last night.  I went out there this evening to meet up with the group.  Curtis was the only one there and he had already run.  So, he waited while I ran about 1.5 miles on the trails and then we had a koolaid and visited for a while.

Not much sleep last night

I reported to the sleep clinic at 8:30 last night, filled out a bunch of paperwork, got wired up and went to bed at 9.  I think I finally went to sleep about 11:30.  Then, I woke up at 3:20 and never went back to sleep.  However, they said that they got enough data to complete the study.  Hopefully, it will lead to fixing the Afib and I won't have to break my streak with a pacemaker implant.  I was groggy all day today, but Mowed the grass and ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.

Early post

Normally, I post late at night.  However, I have spend tonight at a clinic to participate in a sleep study, ordered by my doctor.  This morning, I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.

2.5 Habit

With no races coming up soon, I guess my 2.5-mile run on the trails at the state park is becoming my habit run for now.  Back to the park late this morning.

Two days

I forgot to post last night.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails yesterday and another 2 today - in the rain.

Back to trails

I met up with the group at the park this afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Texas 10 Series Huntsville 5-Miler

The Texas 10 Series Huntsville was scheduled for this Sunday, but was cancelled due to COVID-19.  They offered a virtual option.  This afternoon, I had to go down to the doctor's office in Conroe to get the rest of the stitches out of my wrist, so I drove on down to The Woodlands and ran 5 miles along the waterway.  That will count as my virtual Texas 10 Series Huntsville 5-mile race.  At least, I did not have to run up and down all the steep hills in Huntsville.  I ran partly in the rain and finished in a slow 1:20:48.

Reversed course

Met up with the group at the park this afternoon.  Just to do something different, I ran my "normal" 2.5-mile course in reverse.

Cardiologist appointment

I had a visit with the cardiologist this morning, expecting to be scheduled for a pacemaker.  Instead, he said that the results of my sleep with a CPAP (monitored remotely every night) was not satisfactory.  I will be scheduled for another sleep study and a different CPAP.  So, no pacemaker for now.  That means I can continue with my streak and being tired and sleepy all day.  After a nap, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Sunday at the park

I ran 2.5 miles on the state park trails this morning.  I have an appointment with my cardiologist tomorrow morning to confirm and I suppose schedule my pacemaker implant.

Cooler

It was a little cooler this morning when I went to the park.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails, reversing my normal direction.

Late morning trails

I went out to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

More trails

I met up with the group at the park this afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Half the stitches out

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this morning and went down to Conroe this afternoon to get the stitches taken out of my wrist from my surgery two weeks ago.  The doc confirmed that the spot he removed was bad and took out only half the 20 stitches.  The half come out in a week.

Park

It was just me, Glen and Jason at the park this afternoon.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and for the first time in a few days, no foot pain.

Around the campus

I did not have reservations for the park, so late this morning, I ran my 2-mile loop around the campus.

Sunday Night 5K

I went down to The Woodlands this evening and ran the Sunday Night 5K, put on by The Woodlands Running Club's Bill Dwyer.  It was my first non-virtual race since March 14.  I finished in 45:14, about 2 minutes slower than the last time I ran this race.  I guess I need that pacemaker implanted as soon as possible.

Could not get into the park

My inflammation was down somewhat this morning, so I headed to the park this afternoon to run trails - without a reservation.  So far, all the gate attendants just waved me in and did not ask for a reservation printout.  Today, there was a brand new attendant and she would not let me in.  So, I went back to town and ran 2 miles in the avenues.

Laps

With continued inflammation, I ran laps at the track this morning.  My doc did call in a prescription this afternoon.  Hopefully, it will be better tomorrow.

About the same

My big toe joint was about the same today.  I met up with the group at the park this afternoon and ran a slow and limpy 1.4 miles on the trails.

Inflammation

I woke up this morning with inflammation in my right big toe joint.  So, I ran a gimpy and painful mile at the track.

Back with the group

With the park open again, we resumed our Tuesday and Thursday group runs, starting today.  Since the park closes at 5 p.m., we met at 3 p.m.  Of course, that leaves out some people that have to do that thing called "work."  It was me, Glen and Lorie this afternoon.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails and tripped and fell without breaking the stitches in my wrist.

Crowded trails

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  Lots of hikers on the trail.

Bearkat Country Crawfish 5K - Virtual

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Late this morning, my 4-year old grandson and I ran the Bearkat Country Crawfish Virtual 5K here in Huntsville.  It was his first 5K and he did well.  We finished in 48:17 and did not have to even be around nasty crawfish.  Then, after a dreaded trip to Wal-Mart, I went out to the state park and ran trails.  I did not get started until about 4:35 and I got stopped on the trails by a park policeman on a 4-wheeler about 4:45 to remind me that the park closes at 5:00.  I finished up a 1-mile+ run and left the park at 5.

Around town

This morning, I ran a 2.7-mile loop around town, the prison and the campus.

Catching up

My good friend, Jane, of Houston emailed me today to ask if I was okay since I had not blogged for a couple days.  I really appreciate her checking on me and reading my blog.  I let her know this evening that my PC was in the shop, so I could not post.  I had surgery Wednesday morning to remove a spot from my wrist.  I ended up with a 2 1/2-inch incision and 20 stitches.  I ran laps at the track Wednesday afternoon, 2 miles around the campus on Thursday and a little over 2.5 miles on the trails in Lufkin this morning.  Running at Huntsville State Park will take more planning.  Tomorrow and Sunday morning are already booked.  I hope this lock down is over soon.

Finally made it back to Huntsville State Park

I got through to Austin early this morning and they merged my two accounts on their system.  I was able to register for a pass this afternoon.  The trails really took a hit from the storms last week and it looks like the park staff worked hard to get them cleaned up.  I ran 2.5 miles.

The park is open again

Huntsville State Park reopened today for day use.  However, you must reserve online, wear masks, maintain social distancing and no more than 5 to a group.  So, I tried to reserve online, but it does not recognize my annual pass and wants me to pay $7 for entry.  Apparently, there are two accounts on the state system and I have to call Austin to merge the two accounts, so my annual pass will be recognized.  I called twice today, but never got a call back.  Looks like a lot of other folks have the same problem.  With all that said, I ran a 2-mile loop around the campus this morning.

Old neighborhood

I drove to my old neighborhood late this morning and ran a 1.7-mile loop on streets that I have run on a zillion times before.

3 miles in the avenues - 10.5 years

Late this morning, I ran a 3-mile loop through the hilly avenues.  My streak is now 10.5 years.

Laps

In between naps today, I ran laps at the track.

Blue Bell 10K - Virtual

Blue Bell was changed to a virtual race this year.  I went over to Lufkin this morning and ran 10K partly on the roads and partly on the trails at Kit McConnico Park in Lufkin.  My time was 1:43:44.  This slow heart rate is really slowing me down.  Hopefully, the pacemaker, when I ever get one implanted, will improve my time.

Laps at the track

I plan on a longer run tomorrow, so I ran laps at the track this morning.

Campus loop

I ran the 2-mile loop around the campus this afternoon.  Normally, it is difficult to cross Sam Houston Ave. twice, but with so little traffic due to the lock down, it is so easy.  It is good to see so many others out running.  Guess there is not much else to do.

Cooler weather

Cooler weather returned today and it was clear.  I ran a 3.2-mile loop around town and the campus this afternoon.

Happy Easter

Happy Easter.  My heel felt better today, so I ran my 2-mile loop around the campus this afternoon with very little traffic to contend with.

Laps, again

I still have the inflammation in my right heel, so I went to the track this afternoon and ran laps.

Back from the dark

Yesterday afternoon, I ran 2.2 miles in the avenues.  About 6 p.m. yesterday, a bad storm blew through Huntsville.  There a lot a trees down all over town, including one falling on a house two doors down from my place.  We lost power during the storm and it was finally restored just before 10 tonight.  I spent part of the day making two trips in town to get ice, trying to save food in the refrigerator and freezer.  The inflammation in the back of my right heel returned, so I went to the track and ran laps this afternoon.  If I have to break my streak for the pacemaker, maybe I need to get the spur removed at the same time.

Lufkin

To break up my Huntsville routine, I drove and hour and a half to Lufkin this morning to run trails at Kit McConnico Park.  I ran there once a few years ago with some friends.  My friend, Mariam from Lufkin, joined me  I ran part of the Race for Hope Half Marathon with her in February.  My GPS said 4.7 miles.  Since GPS does not work well on the trails, it was probably closer to 5 miles.  Nice trails, not as "rooty" as Huntsville State Park.  Looking forward to getting back over there again soon.

Campus loop

Late this morning, I ran a 2-mile loop around the campus and then went home and took a nap.

The end of my streak may be in sight

For the last few weeks, I have been tired and sleepy all day and my resting pulse rate has been averaging about 42..  Getting started on a run is tough.  I had a regular appointment with my cardiologist today.  Despite being on a CPAP machine to eliminate sleep apnea, which was suppose to be the cause of my Afib, the Afib continues and is resulting in a low pulse rate.  The doctor says that I need a pacemaker.  He said that there is no way I can run for two weeks after the implant, since it includes implanting wires into the chest.  They have to heal.  Because of COVID19, only emergency surgery is allowed in Texas.  So, I have to wait until this is all over.  In the meantime, I will keep my streak going.  This afternoon, I mowed the yard and ran 1.3 miles in the avenues.

Old neighborhood

This afternoon, I ran a 2.8-mile loop around Forest Hills, my old neighborhood.

2 Wet miles

It rained pretty much all day.  So I ran the 2-mile loops around the campus this evening in the rain.

2.2 in the Avenues

I ran an unplanned route through the avenues this afternoon.  It turned out to be 2.2 miles.

Campus loop

The foot was better today, so I ran a 2-mile loop around the virtually empty campus.

Doctor appointment in Conroe

I had an appointment with my skin doctor in Conroe this afternoon.  I left early and picked up a pair of new shoes from Fleet Feet (delivered to the door) in The Woodlands.  After all this being stuck at home due to the virus, it was almost nice to get out of town for a while.  This morning, I went to the track and ran laps, trying to get the inflammation out of my big toe joint.

Right foot problem, again

I woke up this morning with inflammation in my right big toe joint.  I took medication a couple times today to head it off and ran 1.9 miles in the avenues this afternoon.

Avenues

This afternoon, I ran an unplanned course in the very hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 2.2 miles, including going up and over the highest point between Houston and Dallas.

Foot is better

As I expected, the foot was better today.  This afternoon, I ran an unplanned course from the track to downtown, around the prison and through the campus.  It turned out to be 3.3 miles.  Just before finishing, I was stopped by a Huntsville Police Officer.  I thought I was going to get a speeding ticket, but it was my friend, Stacy.  We had a nice visit, with a lot of talk about the closing of Huntsville State Park (she biked out there, a lot).

Rainy track run

My foot was still hurting today, so I went to the track early this afternoon and ran laps in the rain.

Laps

I had pain in another place in my right foot today.  Am confident that it is not serious, but I decided just to run laps at the track this afternoon.

Avenues

I forgot to blog last night, but I ran the 2-mile loop around the campus yesterday afternoon.  Today, I ran an unplanned course through the hilly avenues.  It turned out to be 2 miles.

And, again

This afternoon, I ran the same 2-mile loop around the campus.

Campus, again

While in town for a stop at the drug store, I drove to the track and ran a 2-mile loop around the campus.

Old neighborhood

I went over to Forest Hills (my old neighborhood) this afternoon and ran a loop around the sub-division.  I turned out to be 1.9 miles.

Campus loop

I drove to the track this afternoon and ran a 2-mile loop on the streets around an empty campus.  This was the first time in months that I ran this course.  Of course, I was suppose to be running a 10K in Tyler this morning, the first race of several that I signed up for that got cancelled or rescheduled because of the virus.

Trying to stay motivated

With this virus thing going on and all my races through April cancelled or postponed, plus the uncertainty of it all, it is hard to stay motivated.  It rained pretty much all day.  I ran some errands in town this afternoon and drove to the track to run from there.  However, it started lightning with the heavy rain.  So, I went home and ran on the new street next to my house.  I am not sure of the distance, but it was about 1.5 miles.

Getting out of the park habit

I have gotten so use to running at the state park in-between races.  Now, with the park closed, I had to run elsewhere.  This afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the sidewalk along Veterans Memorial Parkway.  With so much traffic whizzing by, it does not feel very safe.  I probably need to go back to the avenues.

Last trail run for a while

When I arrived at the state park this afternoon, the superintendent came out to my truck to tell me that starting tomorrow, the park would be closed indefinitely because of the coronavirus.  Only overnight camping will be allowed.  So, I ran my last trail run (at least at the state park) for a while.  Got in 2.4 miles.  All 5 races that I am signed up for during the remainder of March and April have all been canceled or postponed.  But the streak continues.  Today was 10 years and 5 months.

Short trail run

My right heel was worse today.  I ran 1.5 miles on the trails this evening and then iced it.

Working run

I forgot to post last night, but I did get in a 2.2-mile working run yesterday.  I was trying to find the 2-mile mark on an old course I measured years ago.  So, I ran part of the course, but never found the mark.

Different Sunday

My church asked people over 60 not to attend Mass this morning due to the virus.  So, I went out to the state park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the time I would normally be in church.  Encountered my first snake of the season, a large rat snake.

Green Ultra 10K Trail Run - Running Streak Day 3,800.

I drove nearly an hour to Milligan this morning to run the Green Ultra 10K Trail Run.  Never ran this race before and I enjoyed the experience.  The inflammation in my heel was better this morning.  The course was pretty technical and I feel lucky that I only took one light fall.  Lots of rocks and a few steep embankments.  The course, according to my GPS, was 6.33.  Since GPS normally measures short on trails, the course may have been longer than that.  In any case, I finished in 1:52:19 and was 1st of 1 in the 70 and over age group.  In fact, I was the only runner over 57.  This was my 3,800 consecutive day of running.  With so many races being cancelled due to the virus, I am not sure when my next race will be.

Not any better

I ran laps at the track this morning and have iced my heel twice today and have taken Ibuprofen.  My right heel is still inflamed.  My plan is to run the 10K trail run tomorrow and then take it easy for as long as necessary to get rid of the inflammation.  Guess the first thing I need to do if I every break my streak is to get the bone spur and floating bone in my heel removed.

Darn heel inflammation, again

I ran 4 miles on the trails yesterday and another 2.5 today and now my heel is getting inflamed again (from a bone spur).  Not sure what brought it on, but I iced it tonight and will take some Ibuprofen tomorrow.  I have a 10K trail run this Saturday and it is still on, considering the virus scare.  However, the Azalea 10K in Tyler the following weekend has been cancelled or maybe postponed until May.

80 degrees

It was 80 degrees when I went out to the park this afternoon.  Summer is almost here.  I ran 4 miles on the trails.

Another 2.5

I met up with the group at the park this evening (it was just me, Glen and Jacob).  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

2.5 in the rain

After Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails - in the rain.  I've been asked many times by non-streakers, "What do you do when it rains?"

Back to trails

I went out to the park this afternoon and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

The Woodlands Half Marathon

I ran The Woodlands Half Marathon this morning and finished in 3:16:26.  I was 2nd of 3 in the 75 and over age group and was the oldest runner of over 3,000 in the race.  It was my 106th half marathon and I keep thinking that it may be my last.

Friday rest

With a half marathon tomorrow, I ran 1-mile+ on the new road next to my house with my 4 year old grandson.  He tells me that I am slow.  After that, I met up with my daughter and two other grandkids in The Woodlands for lunch.  Then, picked up my packet for tomorrow.

New shoes out of the box

I put on a new pair of shoes out of the box today and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  For many years, I have worn Asics Fortitude (neutral shoe for wear with custom orthodics).  They quit making them, so I switched to another neutral shoe (Saucony Echelon).  Terribly uncomfortable shoe and they wear out fast.  If anybody knows of a good neutral shoe to wear with custom ortodics, please let me know.

Rainy day

After a doctor's appointment in Conroe this morning, I drove back to Huntsville in a heavy rain.  Later this afternoon and after the rain, I ran 2.4 miles on the trails at the park.  No mud or standing water.

Met up with the group

As usual for Tuesdays, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Course measurement

This afternoon, I finished measuring a new course for a club run in May by walking the course with an engineer wheel for about 2.5 miles (I had already done part of it earlier).  That was tiring; I'm not use to walking.  Later this afternoon, I worked out at Iron Works and then went to the park and ran 2.4 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

I went back down to The Woodlands this evening to run the Sunday Night 5K, put on by The Woodlands Running Club.  My friend, Jon Walk, ran with me and we finished in 43:25.

The Woodlands 5K

I set my alarm for 5:15 this morning to get up and get down to The Woodlands to run the 5K at 7:30, held in conjunction with the marathon and half next Saturday.  I woke up and looked at my watch.  It was almost time for the alarm to go off.  So, I turned on the coffee and went to take a shower.  I looked at my watch again and it was three something.  I went back to bed, but never got back to sleep.  I got out of bed about 5 and got down to The Woodlands early.  Nice to get a good parking spot.  I finished the 5K in 42:44 and was 3rd of 4 in the 75 and over age group.  The age group award was a code for 50 percent off of next year's race.  I like that idea for an age group award.

Morning park run

With a race tomorrow morning, I went to the state park this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Stumble in the park

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Early in the run, I tripped and stumbled forward.  I grabbed a small tree and spun around it (rather than hitting it).  I'm okay, but somehow, cut my leg in three places.

Catching up

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails yesterday, but forgot to post last night.  This afternoon, I ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Looking ahead, I plan on running two 5K's this weekend, a half marathon the next weekend and 10K's the next 2 weekends.

Same course as yesterday

After working out at Iron Works this afternoon, I went to the park and ran the same 2.5-mile course on the trails as yesterday.

Back to the park

After church and dinner at a Mexican restaurant, I went out to the state park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  A mile into the run, I ran into trail running buddy, Lorie, and her sister, who were completing a loop around the lake.