A break in the rain

 I went out to the park at noon today.  It rained most of the day and the temperature was 45 when I headed out on the trails.  I ran 2.5 miles without rain, and, not surprisingly, never saw another person or creature on the trails.

Tuesday group run

 I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.  Light rain and temperature in the 50's.

Back to the park

 Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails at the park.  There were very few others on the trail.

Old neighborhood

 I had visiting family today and never made it to the park to run.  Instead, I ran 1.9 miles in the Forest Hills Sub-division, my old neighborhood.

Crowded trails

 I ran 4 miles on the park trails late this morning.  With nice cool Fall weather, there were lots of bikers, hikers and other runners on the trails.

Fitted for new custom orthotics

 I went to north Houston this morning to get fitted for a new pair of custom orthotics.  My old ones are 3 1/2 years old.  Afterwards, I met my son for lunch.  On the way home, I drove through some heavy rain south of Huntsville.  About 4 p.m., I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Roads

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

Snake

 I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  When I was on a narrow section of the trail along the lake, I heard something in the grass next to my feet.  I looked down and it was a large water moccasin.  Whew!  That was close.  It was only the second snake I have seen on the trails this year.

Half and half

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and the other half on the roads.  Earlier today, I had an annual home checkup with a nurse sent by my insurance company and then voted.

Over 11

 With a 3-mile run on the trails at the park this morning, my streak is now over 11 years.

11 Years

 I felt a little beat up today after yesterday's 10K, but I went to the park this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  Today marked 11 years on my current running streak.

Pumpkinpalooza 10K

 I ran the Pumpkinpalooza 10K trail run at Millican Reserve (between Navasota and College Station) this morning.  Perfect running weather with the temp in the 60's.  The course was mostly new and very technical.  So many roots and rocks and at least 25 embankments to climb down and up.  I was lucky to only take one fall.  My GPS said the course was 6.75 miles (a 10K is suppose to be 6.2).  Since GPS normally measures a trail course short, I expect the actual distance was closer to 7 miles.  My finish time was 2:09.52.  I ran a 10K trail run there last March and my time was 1:52:19.  In any case, I was first in the 75 and over age group and got to see some old running friends, including Lloyd Joyce, 86, of College Station, who ran the 5K.

Friday trails

I ran 2.5 miles on the trails this morning.

Park roads

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

Three on Wednesday

 Late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

I was the group at the park

 Very unusual.  I was the only one in the group that showed up at the park this evening.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Monday at the park

I ran 3 miles on the park roads late this morning.  I was surprised that the park was crowded on Monday, until someone reminded me that today was a holiday.

Sunday crowd

 As usual for a fall Sunday, the state park was a little crowded today with a lot of bikers, hikers and at least one other runner.  However, I got in a 4-mile trail run.

Back to trails

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

On the road again

 I went back to the park this morning and ran another 2 miles on the park roads.

Light rain

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads in a light rain.  No problem with my left foot arch.

Stitches out

 I went to the doctor in Conroe this morning and got the rest of the stitches out of my leg.  During yesterday's run, I started getting pain in the arch of my left foot.  I iced it last night and it felt a little better today.  I decided not to aggravate it, so I put on new running shoes this afternoon and ran 1.5 miles on the trails at the park this afternoon.  I think it is time to get new custom orthotics.

Rheumatologist appointment today

 I had an appointment with my rheumatologist this morning regarding my rheumatoid arthritis.  He took me off the 4 big horse pills I have been taking daily and sent me to the lab for a lot of blood work.  Maybe he can come up with something that works.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Monday trails

 I ran 3 miles on the trails late this morning.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 44:20.  Not fast, but it was my best 5K time since last spring.

Saturday trails

 The park was crowded again when I went out to run trails late this morning.  I got in 4 miles.

Friday trails

 Late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the park trails.  Beautiful weather.

Park road run

 As usual for Thursday, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

4,000

 With a 4.000-mile trail run at the park this afternoon, I reached 4,000 days on my current streak.  I had to move the decimal 3 places.  A few years ago, I would have only moved it 2 places.  This morning, I went to the doctor in Conroe to get the stitches out of my leg.  They only removed half of them and I go back next week to get the other half out.

Park roads

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

60's

 The temperature was in the 60's when I went out to the park this morning to run.  Very comfortable.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Another crowd at the park

 Guess the slightly cooler weather is increasing the crowd at the park.  This morning, I had to park at the lower parking lot.  In any case, I ran 3 miles on the trails.

Crowded park

 Saturday and nice weather.  As expected, the state park was crowded this morning.  I went out there late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Back to trails

 A friend came over from Lufkin this morning to run trails with me at Huntsville State Park.  We did 3 miles.  The stitches have been in my leg for 9 days, so no problem

Thursday group run at the park

 As usual for Thursday, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2 miles on the road.  Six more days until I get the stitches out of my leg.

Tropical storm has passed

 The tropical storm has passed  My guage shows about 3 inches here, but Houston to the south received a lot more.  Late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the state park roads.

Lots of rain

 It rained most of the day  We seem to get too little or too much.  I went to the park this evening to meet up with the group.  I drove through heavy rain to get there, but it stopped in time for our 5:30 run.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Cooler weather

 At least, the tropical storm is bringing in cooler weather.  It was 69 degrees when I went out to the park late this morning.  I ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Park roads again

 I had some errands to run before the rain (Tropical Storm Beta) started today, but I managed to get in 2 miles on the park roads this morning.

Same 3

 I went to the park late this morning and was tempted to get on the trails.  However, I decided to run the roads again.  Did the same 3 as yesterday.

Stitches holding up

 After 2 days of short runs, I ran 3 miles on the roads at the park this morning.  I did not feel any pressure on the 20 stitches in my leg.  Today, my running streak reached 10 years and 11 months (3,988 days).

Short park road run

 With fresh stitches in my leg, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 1.3 miles on the roads.  It was beginning to storm, anyway.

Surgery and laps

 I had a spot on my left leg surgically removed in Conroe late this morning.  I have not measured the incision, but it took 20 stitches to close up.    When, I got back to Huntsville, I ran laps at the track (without breaking the stitches).

Regular group run at the park

 As usual for Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I ran 3 miles on the park roads.

Park roads

 I ran out of time late this Monday morning, but got in a 2-mile run on the park roads.

Back to the park

 After not running at the park for two days, I went there late this monrning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Gruene 10K

 I drove over to New Braunfels yesterday and ran the Gruene 10K this morning.  This was my 10th straight year for running this race.  I finished in 1:44:02, probably my slowest 10K ever.  There were only 2 of us in the 75-79 age group and I was second.  Due to the virus, masks were required before and after the race and there was no award cermony.  They started the race with the release of small groups at one-minute intervals until everyone was on the course.  It was not like the normal times in the beer garden next to Gruene Hall, but at least they had the race.

Laps

 With a 10K race in the morning, I ran laps at the track this morning.

Park roads

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

Park roads

 I went to the state park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the roads.

2.2

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Labor Day 5K

I ran the our club's Labor Day 5K in the hilly Spring Lake Sub-division in Huntsville this morning.  I finished in 47:54, four seconds slower than the 5K yesterday.

Sunday Night 5K

For the 108th time, I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  I finished in 47:50.  Slow, but 47 something seems to be my norm lately.

Saturday trails

During normal times, I would be running a race somewhere on Saturday morning.  Instead, late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Beat the storm

I went to the park late the morning and started a run on the park roads.  Obviously, a storm was approaching, but I got in 2 miles just before it arrived.

Different course

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran a different course.  It ended up being 2.9 miles, 1.1 on the trails and 1.8 on the roads.

Got soaked

I went to the park late this morning and ran 2.5 miles on the trails, the last 1.5 in a fairly heavy rain.

Half and half

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.2 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Cardiologist appointment today

I had a long-awaited appointment with my cardiologist today, expecting a decision on implanting a pacemaker.  I came prepared to argue for continuing my running streak through the procedure.  I even brought a printout of a FB discussion with another streaker who was able to continue his streak after a pacemaker implant.  I had the appointment, but only saw the nurse practioner.  She said that he was only doing emergency implants now and scheduled my next appointment for November.  So, if nothing else goes wrong, I should get past the 11-year mark on October 18.  I made it to the park about 3:30 this afternoon and ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Fallen tree

I went out to the park about noon to run trails.  I ran 2.5 miles to a turnaround point.  After turning around, I ran about a 100 yards and a tree had just fallen over the trail.  I passed a couple and they said that the tree fell in front of them.  Well, I am glad that no one was hurt.  I made it back safely for a total of 5 miles.

Back to the trails

After a few days running on the roads, I ran 3 miles on the park trails late this morning.

10-10-10

I ran 3 miles on the park roads late this morning.  Today marked 10 years, 10 months and 10 days on my streak.  That's 3,967 days.

Park open again

The park reopened today, so I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.2 miles on the park roads.

Avenues

Since the state park is closed for a hurricane, which is not hitting Huntsville, I ran an unplanned route through the hilly avenues in Huntsville.  It turned out to be 2.3 miles.

Last run at the park for maybe a few days

Huntsville State Park closed at 8 tonight until further notice due to the Hurricane Laura, which is bearing down on the Texas/Louisiana coast.  Looks like we might get some rain for the next two days.  Hopefully, there will not be any delay in reopening the park.  I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.2 miles on the park roads.

On the road again

After a longer trail run yesterday, I ran 2 miles on the park roads late this morning.

Five on the trails

I went to the park about noon today and ran 5 miles on the trails.

Same 3

Late this morning, I went to the park and ran the same 3-mile loop on the trails as yesterday.

Friday trails

I made it to the park early this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails,.

Thursday with the group

I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails - without falling.

Mid-afternoon run

I had an appointment with the skin doctor in Conroe at 1 p.m. today and did not get out to the park to run until after 3.  With about a half mile into the run, I tripped on a root and took a hard fall.  I got to the one-mile point and decided to turn around and make it a total of 2 miles.

Park roads

I decided to run more on the roads.  I get tired of dodging roots on the trail and trail running seems to be terrible training for road races.  I met up with the group this evening and ran 2.2 miles on the park roads.

Rain last night

We got a little much needed rain last night, so it was a little cooler for my morning 2.5-mile run on the trails at the park.  However, the rain brought out a lot of flying critters.  Lots of swatting during the run.

Sunday morning run

I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.

Heatwave 5K

I ran our club's annual Heatwave 5K at the Waterwood Sub-division (east of Huntsville) this morning.  I finished in a slow 48:42.

Yesterday and today

I forgot to post last night, but I met up with the group at the park and ran my regular 2.5-mile loop on the trails.  I ran the same course this morning, in the other direction.

Back to trails

I probably need to start alternating between roads and trails for better training.  Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails.

Park roads

I met up with the group this evening and for a change, ran 2 miles on the park roads.

Foot pain

I developed some foot pain last night.  It was the kind of pain that tells me that I need to get new custom orthodics.  I ran 2 miles on the trails this morning and it feels better tonight.

Back to 2.5

Just before noon today, I ran my regular 2.5-mile course on the trails at the park.

Another 3

Late this morning, I ran another 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Friday trails

Late this morning, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Twice at the park today

I went out to the park for a trail hike with my 4 year old grandson this morning.  With the virus retrictions, it was his first trip to the state park in months.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Four at noon

I got to the state park at noon today and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Another 2.5

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

Back to the park

Late this morning, I went to the park and ran my normal 2.5-mile loop on the trails.

Laps

I had planned on running the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  However, with allergy and sinus problems, I just went to the track and ran laps.

Normal course on the trails

Late this morning, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.

Hot 3 miles

I did not check the temperature late this morning, but I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.  It seemed extra hot and humid.

Wednesday and Thursday

I forgot to blog yesterday (Wednesday), but I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.  Today, I met up with the group and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Just 3 of us at the park

There was just me, Lorie and Tammy at the park this evening.  I ran my normal 2.5-mile loop on the trails.

Uneventful trip to the park

Late this morning, I safely drove to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Had a wreck on the way to the park

On my way to the park this morning to run, I had a wreck.  I was on the one-lane I-45 service road in the construction area.  The guy in front of me took a left exit to I-45, but changed his mind and swerved back onto the service road.  I was unable to completely stop and he ran into my truck.  Fortunatly, no one was hurt and there was relatively minor damage to both vehicles.  His was an Audi, so fixing minor damage will not be cheap.  He admitted fault to the police officer, but I still have to go through the hassle of getting my truck fixed.  Besides running into a wild pig in France in the 60's and a deer in Texas in the 90's, it was my first wreck since a fender bender in 1957.  After the delay, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Dog Days 5K

I ran our club's Dog Days 5K at Elkins Lake this morning.  We spaced it out, giving everyone a 2-hour window to complete the course.  This is the hilliest course we have.  I never walked a step, but I ran slow up the hills.  I finished in a lousy 49:57, probably my slowest 5K ever.  I suppose running trails every day does not help with road training.

Broke 2.5-mile streak

After 5 straight days of running 2.5 miles on the trails at the state park, I went out there this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Three days

I forgot to blog last two nights.  However, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails all three days.

Another 2.5

I ran another 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this morning.

Sunday at the park

Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

10 years, 9 months

I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  Today was 10 years and 9 months on my streak.  I do not recall ever seeing so many others on the trail.

Cardiologist appointment this afternoon

This morning, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.  This afternoon, I had an appointment with the cardiologist.  My Afib is down to 10% of the time and my resting heart rate is in the 50's, up from the 40's.  So, no decision on the pacemaker implant.  Non-emergency surgeries are not allowed in Texas for now, anyway.  They want my heart rate up in the 60's.  I go back for another appointment in 6 weeks.  In the meantime, my streak is safe from an implant.