Trails

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

Another race gets cancelled

The Southern Star Brewry 5K, scheduled for August 1, has been cancelled.  This would have been my 10th straight for this race.  My next big race is the Gruene 10K in New Braunfels on September 12.  With October races being cancelled, I am sure it will be too.  In the meantime, I went to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Sorta back to normal

Most of the inflammation was gone today and I pretty much got back to normal.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Doctor appointment

I had an appointment with the rhuematologist this afternoon.  He adjusted my medication and took xrays of both my feet.  The inflammation was still there today, but so bad that running was a challenge.  I went out to the park late this afternoon and ran 2.3 miles, about half on the trails and half on the park roads.

Better

I felt better today, so I went to the park this afternoon and ran my regular 2.5-mile loop.

Back to the park

My inflammation was down a little today, so I went to the park and did a short 1.4-mile trail run.

Close call

My inflammed foot was worse today and even had inflammation in the other foot.  I saw the doctor this afternoon.  He adjusted my medication and also gave me some pain pills.  I have an appointment with another doctor in Conroe on Monday.  Late tonight, I went to the track and ran a very painful mile.  This morning, I would not have been able to do it.  Close call, but the streak lives on.

Now, the left big toe

I woke up this morning with my left big toe joint inflammed.  I ran a painful short 1.2 miles on the roads at the park this evening.  Doctor's appointment tomorrow afternoon.

Where are the biting horse flies?

Normally, the biting horse flies are out in droves at Huntsville State Park from May to July.  Maybe they are quaranteening somewhere this year.  I am running the trails almost every day and I have only been bit a couple times.  Not complaining.  I ran my 2.5-mile loop at the park late this morning.

Short wet run

I met up with the group at the park this evening.  It was just me, Curtis and Jason.  Since it was lightning and raining, I cut the ran short.  Ended up doing 1.3 miles.

Back to the park

After 2 days of road 5K's, I went back to the state park this afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  My firned, Jon Walk, slowed down to run the race with me.  I finished in 47:17 and we solved a lot of world problems.

Firecracker 5K

I got up early this morning and drove and hour and a half to Mexia to run the Firecracker 5K.  It was one of the few races in Texas this 4th of July.  For the last 24 years, I have run the Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville, but is was cancelled this year.  I finished in 45:50 and was first in the 60 and over age group.  I was the only one, of course.

Park was full

Being is was the day before the 4th of July, the park was full this morning.  Luckily, I made reservations on line last week.  So, I was able to get in and run 2.5 miles on the trails.

Same course

I ran the same 2.5-mile course on the trails this evening, except that I did not have to navigate around the picnicers.

Something different

I went to the park late this morning and ran my normal 2.5-mile route on the trails.  About half way through the run, I found a family with several kids having a picnic in the middle of the trail.  In my 30+ years of trail running, I have seen that before.

Another 2.5

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

Maybe it's my age

Maybe it's my age, but I forgot to post again yesterday.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails yesterday and did the same today.  At least, I did not forget to run.

Forgot to post yesterday

I realized this morning that I forgot to post yesterday.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.  Late this morning, I got in 4 miles on the trails.

Bad news day

Last night, I learned that an old friend, Charlie Viers, passed away.  He was about my age and completed over 200 mrathons.  Then, this morning, Lance Phegley, Editor of Texas Runner Triathle magazine, announced that the magazine was going out of business.  I've been a subscriber to this magazine and it's predecessors since the late 80's.  Later this morning, I got an email from Stu's Country Mile 5K that the race on July 4 has been cancelled.  This was going to be my 25th straight year running that race.  My appointment with the cardiologist is next month and he was going to decide on whether to implant a pacemaker.  I suppose my streak can continue for the time being since the govenor announced today that non-emergency surgeries will not be allowed in Texas until further notice.  The good news, though, is that I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Wet run

Since it was supppose to rain this afternoon and since I had a doctors appointment in Conroe this afternoon, I went out to the park to run trails.  On the way, I got a low tire warning light.  It had already been raining hard at the park and it continued.  Low spots on the trails were flooded.  So, I ended up running 1.1 miles and went to get my tire fixed.

Just before the rain

I met up with the group at the park this evening and got in 2.5 miles on the trails, not long before we got some much needed rain.

3,900

Minor streak milestone today - 3,900 days.  I went to the park late this morning, just after it rained at the park, and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Lots of flying insects.

New shoes

I put on new running shoes out of the box today and ran 2 miles on the trails at the park.

June Bug 5K

I ran our club's June Bug 5K this morning in the hilly Spring Lake Sub-division in Huntsville.  The format was run on your own between 7 and 9 a.m.  I ran it about 8:30 and finished in 47:20.

Another 2.5

Late this morning, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Lots of hikers and bikers on the trails for a Friday.

Regular run with the group

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

Run between appointments

I had my annual eye exam late this morning and an appointment with the skin doctor in Conroe this afternoon.  In between, I went to the park and got in 2.5 miles on the trails.

Short trail run

The group wanted a shoter run at the park this evening.  So, I ran 2 miles on the trails.

Cardiologist appointment

I had an appointment with my cardiologist this morning.  Before making a decision on implanting a pacemaker (streak breaker), he wants to review my sleep data.  So, I go back to him in a month.  In the meantime, my streak is safe.  This afternoon, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Another no-fall day

I went out to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails, without a trip or fall.

No falls

I ran the same 2.5 miles on the trails this morning - and no falls.

2 Falls

Seems like it has been a long time since I tripped and fell on the trails.  This morning, I ran my regular 2.5-mile route and fell twice.  Got the knee once and then the elbow.

Another 2.5

As usual on Thursday, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Run between appointments

I had three appointments today, one with a lawyer and two with doctors, but late this morning I made it to the park for 2.5 miles on the trails.

Hot at the park

The heat index was well over 100 at the park this evening, but not too hot for 2.5 miles on the trails.  Jason passed me and afterwards asked me if I saw the snake.  I did not, but I am sure he saw me.

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.