Warmed up

 The temperature was 70+ when I went to the park today.  Got in 4 miles on the trails.

Group

  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.4 miles, half roads and half trails.

New computer

 I bought a new PC today and spent a lot of time trying to recreate bookmarks, etc.  It is much faster.  I  did go out to the park this morning and run 3 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

 For the 111th time, I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.   I finished in 45:03.

Not so crowded park

 Maybe it is the colder weather, but for a Saturday the state park was not so crowded.  I ran 3 miles on the trails.  I passed a few people, but not like other weekends.

Friday trails

It was cold and clear today.  Nice trail running weather.  Late this morning, I ran 4 miles on the trails at the park.  I passed several other runners.  Not that I was going fast, they were coming from the other direction.

Earlier than normal Thursday trail run

 I had to go somewhere this evening and was not able to meet up with the group, so I went to the park earlier this afternoon and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Old neighborhood

 The state park was closed today for hunting.  Late this morning, I drove to the Forest Hills Sub-division (my old neighborhood) and ran 2.8 miles on the streets, partly in the rain.

Park closed early today

 The state park closed at 5 pm. today for squirrel hunting and will open again at noon on Thursday.  So I went out at 3:30 this afternoon and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  I warned all the squirrels that I could.

End of November

 With the temperature in the 40's this morning, I went to the state park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  My total milage for the month of November was 91.1 miles (average 3.04 per day).  So far this year, my total is 886.2.   I have never logged milage until recently and had to refer to this blog to complete each month for 2020.

Texas 10 Series Conroe 5-Miler

 I got early this morning and ran the Texas 10 Series Conroe 5-Miler at 7 a.m.  This was my 3rd straight race in Conroe.  Lots of runners, but they took a lot of precautions to make it safer in the pandemic.  There were a lot of friends there, but I did not take much time to visit.  I finished in 1:11:01.  After picking up my award to 2nd in the 70 and over age group, I went home and back to sleep.

Southern Star Brewing 5K

 For the 6th straight year, I ran the Southern Star Brewing 5K in Conroe this morning.  It is usually in August, but was rescheduled due to the pandemic.  It rained before the race and a little during the race.  I finished in 45:32 and was 2 of 2 in the 70 and over age group.

Rainy day

 It rained much of the day, but I got in a 2.5-mile run on the trails at the park.

First time in 19 years

 This was the first Thanksgiving Day in 19 years that I have not run the Run Thru The Woods 5-Miler in The Woodlands.  Due to COVID pandemic, it was changed to a virtual race.  I ran it in Spring a couple weeks ago.  So, late this morning, I went to the state park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Trip to Tyler

 I drove to and from Tyler today to visit an ailing relative, but got in a 2.5-mile run on the trails at the park this morning before I left.

Bigger group at the park

 All the regulars were at the park this evening for our group run.  Plus, Sara came down from Lovelady with her niece to run with us.  I ran 2.3 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

3 on the trails

 Early this afternoon, I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.

Crowded trails

 The trails at the state park were crowded when I went out to run late this morning.  With the pandemic in full swing, I wear take a mask when I run and pull it up over my nose and mouth when passing other people on the trails.  Some others do the same, but some do not.  I ran 4 miles today.  About half way, I ran into Cammille, who use to run with us about 20 years ago.  She moved to Portland and recently back to Huntsville.  We had a nice visit.  Hopefully, she will rejoin our group runs on Tuesday and Thursday.

Conroe Turkey Trot 5K

 I ran the Conroe Turkey Trot 5K in Conroe this morning.  I like the 9 a.m. start.  Mostly concrete trails, but flat.  I finished in 42:56 and was 2nd of 4 in the 60 and over age group.  It was my 34th race this year and my 1,150th life-time race.

Cardiologist appointment

 I had an appointment with my cardiologist this morning.  No pacemaker for now; next appointment is in January.  So, the streak is safe for now.  This afternoon, I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park.

Annual physical

 I had my annual physical today.  Am still alive, but will not know more until all the blood work comes back.  Tomorrow, I have an appointment with the cardiologist, but with the pandemic going on, I doubt that he will schedule a pacemaker implant.  In the meantime, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.3 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Snake 5

 I ran 4 miles on the trails at the park this morning and encountered a fifth snake on the trails this season.  This one was another gulf coast ribbon snake.  They are easy to see, but I wonder how many copperheads I ran past and never saw.

Half and half

 I met up with the group at the state park this evening and ran 2.3 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Run Thru the Woods 5 Miler - Virtual

 One of my streak races is the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler every Thanksgiving Day in The Woodlands..  Due to the pandemic, it was made a virtual race in 2020.  I had some errands to run down south today, so I ran 5 miles on the Greenbelt Trail in Spring this afternoon.  I had never run on those paved trails before.  Nice, with rolling hills and smooth asphault pavement.  I finished in 1:10:35 for my 19th straight year for this race.  My time in the in-person race last year was 1:10:10.

Sunday at the park

 Late this Sunday morning, I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Lots of people on the trails, so I wear take a mask and put it on when I get near anyone.  The park has been much more crowded on weekends during the pandemic.

Back Pew Brewing 5K

 This morning, I ran the Back Pew Brewing 5K in Porter.  I have driven through Porter many times, but never ran there.  There were a little over 200 finishers, but virtually everyone wore a mask before and after the race.  I finished in 46:04 and was 2nd of two in the 70 and over age group.

Friday trails

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

"Regular" group run

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran what is becoming my "regular group run" - 2 miles on the park roads.  We all try to finish about the same time, so, obviously, they are running longer distances.

Changed the distance

 Just for something different, I ran a 3.5-mile course on the trails at the park this morning.

Late post

 I forgot to post last night, but it was a normal Tuesday.  I met up with the group at the park and ran 2 miles on the roads.

Heights 5K - Virtual

 I had signed up for the Heights 5K in Houston on October 3, but it was changed to a virtual run in November.  Anyway, I ran the 5K this morning in my old neighborhood (relatively flat) in Huntsville and finished in 46:00.

Sunday trails

 I ran 3 miles on the trails late this Sunday morning.

Snake 4

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran 5 miles on the trails.  A half mile into the run, I looked down and saw a copperhead in the middle of the trail.  Luckily, I saw it in enough time to go around it.  That's only the 4th snake I have seen on the trails all season.

Friday trails

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

New orthotics

 I went down to Houston this morning and picked up my new custom orthotics.  I ran 2 miles on the park roads this evening and they felt okay.

Gimpy 2.5-mile trail run

 The inflammation in my big toe joint was a little better today, so I ran a gimpy 2.5 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.

Short road run

 I woke up this morning with an inflammed right big toe joint.  So, I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 1.2 miles on the roads.

Snake 3

 During my 3-mile run on the trails at the park this morning, I had a snake scoot across the trail in front of me.  It was only the 3 snake I have seen on the trails all season.  No threat, though.  It was a Gulf Coast Ribbon snake (non-poisoness, but agressive).

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening and finished in 46:57.

CASA of the Pines 5K

 I drove a little over an hour this morning to run the CASA of the Pines 5K in Kinnard.  It was my 1,145th race and the first one in Kinnard.  The course was out and back on a very rough road.  I finished in 47:21 and was first in the 70 and over age group (I was the only one).  Felt like I could have done better, but was just trying to avoid tripping and falling.

Friday trails

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

Roads

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

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.