Lots of time at the park

 I went to the park this morning, waited in a long line to get in, and then ran 2.5 miles on the  trails.  I went back out to the park this afternoon for our club's annual Run the Trails 3.5-mile  event.  I delivered the race clock and then hiked out  1-mile with my camera.  I served as a photographer and course monitor.  After the last runner, I hiked back in and took down course marking materials on the way back.

Green Ultra 10K Trail Run

 I ran the Green Ultra 10K Trail Run at Millican Reserve (between Navasota and College Station) this morning.  Beautiful  weather, clear and in the 40's.  According to my GPS, the course was 6.4 miles.  I finished in 1:53:50 and was 1 of 1 in the 70 and over age group.

Crowded park for a Friday

 I had to wait in a long line to get into the park late this morning.  Lots of people at the park for a Friday.  I ran 3 miles on the trails.

5K distance

 I got to the park ahead of the group this evening and took off running.  I ran 5K on the trails and finished up about the same time as the others.

Nice time of year at the park

 The park is starting to green up with the approach of Spring and the temperature is nice for running.  I went out late this morning and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

No line at the park

 There was no line to get into the park this evening to run with the group.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Long line at the park

 When I got to the state park yesterday, the line to get into the gate was so long (spring break) that I turned around.  I went to the parking lot near I-45 and ran and entered the trail head there.  I was suppose to have a day pass, but put my annual pass on my dash board, instead.  Luckily, I did not get a ticket.  I got in 3.3 miles, mostly on the south perimeter jeep trail.

Trip to Tyler

 I ran 2.5 miles on the trails at the park this morning before driving up to Tyler for a long-overdue family get together.  The drive was 2.5 hours both ways in the rain, but it was nice to visit  with family again.

5K x 2

 I ran the Captain Rowdy Inman Memorial 5K on the SHSU campus this morning.  The course was in and around the campus was very hilly, but any race around that campus will be hilly.  I finished in 42:26.  There was no age group competition.   Later today, I went to the state park and ran the 5K distance on the trails, to give me 6.2 miles for the day.

Back to 4

 Back to the park this morning for 4 miles on the trails.

Thursday with the group at the park

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

Regular 4

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran my regular out and back 4-mile course on the trails.

Earlier than usual Tuesday run

 I usually meet up with the group at the park on Tuesday evening.  However, I had to take my wife to The Woodlands for an appointment late this afternoon.  So, I went to the park this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Back to trails

 After two days of racing on concrete in The Woodlands, I returned to jumping over and around roots on the trails at Huntsville State Park this afternoon.  I ran 4 miles.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening for the 114th time.  My 5 year old grandson ran with me.  It was his second 5K.   I finished in 43:56 and he was a couple seconds ahead of me.

The Woodlands Marathon 10K

 I ran The Woodlands Marathon 10K this morning.  It was the first year they had a 10K in conjunction with the marathon and half marathon.  There were over 500 finishers just in the 10K.  I finished in 1:30:04 and was 5th of 5 in the 75 and over age group.

Nearly empty trails

 It was cloudy and in the low 60's this morning when I went to the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  Surprisingly, I only saw one other person on the trails.

Trip to The Woodlands

 I drove down to The Woodlands late this morning to pick up my packet for Saturday's race.  I ran some other errands down that way, so it was more than picking up a  bib and T-shirt.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Nice day for trail running

 It was sunny and in the 60's when I went out to the park to run trails.  I was in between other things I had to do, but I got in 3.2 miles.

Got my second COVID vaccination

 I got my second COVID vaccination at 9 this morning at the Texas Health Department here in Huntsville, four weeks after getting the first.  I was not sure if I would have side effects, so after getting the shot, I ran one mile on the streets in my old neighborhood.  The only side effect was that I was hungry all day.  No fever, chills or anything else.  This evening, I met up with the group at the park and ran 3 miles on the trails.  That gave me 4 miles for the day.  Since I got my second shot, the Governor announced later today that the mask mandate is over.  I did realize that he knew when I got my second shot.

Late morning trail run

 I went to the park this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.  This was my 4,152nd consecutive day of running.

80's

 It was in the low 80's when I went out to the park to run this afternoon.  Such a contrast to the cold weather a couple weeks ago!  I ran 4 miles on the trails.  For the short month of February, I got in 87.8 miles (average 3.14 per day).

The Woodlands Marathon 5K

 I ran The Woodlands Marathon 5K this morning.  The race is held one week before the marathon.  I finished in 41:29 and was 2nd of 3 in the 75 and over age group.

Three

 With a race tomorrow, I went to the park late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Rain

It rained on the way to the park this evening to meet up with the group.  However, it eased up for 2.5 miles on the trails. 

Another warm day

 Today was another day with the temperature in the high 70's.  I went to the park this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Back to normal

 After single digit temperatures a week ago, it was in the high 70's today.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Park open again

 Huntsville State Park unexpectedly reopened today.  I went out there late this morning and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.  The trails I ran were in good shape.  From what I was told, most of the damage was due to frozen and broken pipes in the buildings.

Lone Star Trail

 With Huntsville Stare Park closed for repairs, I ran on the nearly Lone Star Trail late this morning.  Also ran on the closed section of the I-45 service road.  Ran a total of 2.1 miles.

Race for Hope 5K - Virtual

 The Race for Hope 5K I was supposed to run in Lufkin this morning was changed to a virtual race.  So, late this morning, I went back to the church parking lot and ran the distance in 41:22.  Flat course and no  ice.  Huntsville State Park has been closed for the last few days and will not  reopen until next Thursday at the earliest.

Races cancelled

 I was suppose to run a 5K in Lufkin tomorrow morning, but it was changed to virtual due to the icy weather.  Then, on Sunday morning, I was going the run the Texas 10 Series 5-Miler in Sugar Land.  Also due to the weather, that was rescheduled for April.  Well, darn.  So, this afternoon, I went to the same church parking lot that I ran yesterday and ran 10 laps around the large parking lot.  That turned out to be 3.2 miles.

Church parking lot

 I think the high temperature today was 32, so most places were covered in snow and ice.  I found a large church parking lot near my house that was relatively clear.  I went late this afternoon and ran multiple loops around the lot.  I had to dodge some ice patches, but got by without a slip.  I ended up running 2.1 miles.

Something different

 We had freezing rain this morning and the road I ran the last 2 days was iced over.  So, I decided to go to Iron Works and run on the treadmill.  It was closed, so I decided to run in the snow at the track.  I got there and it was iced over.  On the way home, I noticed that there was no ice or snow on the shoulder of a ramp onto the highway near by house.  I parked my truck and ran up and down the ramp until I got in 1.5 miles.  I had 2 nice people stop and ask me if I needed any help. Running streak day 4,140 done.

Not much better

 No snow today, but the temperature was in single digits last night and in the 20's today.  I ran 1.3 miles in my neighborhood and slipped a few times.  With some traffic on the snow during the day, it was more like ice.  Freezing rain is in the forecast for tomorrow.  Ugh.

Streak saving run

 The temperature got down to 12 last night and I woke up to 4 and a half inches of snow (most since I moved to Huntsville 35 years ago).  The streets were not drivable.  Early this afternoon when it was up to 15 degrees, I ran a little over a mile on the roads in my neighborhood.  I feel sorry for the streakers up north.  I have no idea how they put up with the cold and snow.  The weather does not look much better for the rest of the week.

Back to the state park

 It was 28 degrees when I went to the park late this morning.  Luckily, the roads were not icy and safe to drive on.  I ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Hog Wild 10K Trail Run

 I drove an hour and forty minutes up to Bremond to run the Hog Wild 10K Trail Run.  As I drove north, it go colder and the landscape became iced over.  The roads were pretty dry, but I did pass a flipped over car just west of Centerville on Hwy. 7.  And, the race director said that one of the volunteers flipped his car over on Hwy. 6 coming up for the race.  The temperature during the race was 25 degrees and the grass and the trees were iced over.  I dressed warmly and was comfortable during the race and I never slipped or fell on the ice.  According to my GPS (and others) the course was 6.5 miles.  I finished in 1:46:39 and was 1 of 1 in the 70 and over age group.

Just cold

 It was 32 degrees this morning when I went to the park.  I ran 3 miles and never saw anyone else on the trails.

Cold and wet

 It was 34 and raining when I met the group at the park this evening.  Four of us showed up.  I ran 2.3 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Wet run

 I thought I would  beat the forecasted rain, but not.  I went to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails, part of it in a heavy rain.  The good news is that I only saw one other person on the trails.

Normal Tuesday

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

Back to the park

 After 2 days not running at the state park, I went out this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails..

Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler and Sunday Night 5K

My toe inflammation was better this morning.  I got up early and ran the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler in Conroe.  The race is normally held in Cypress in Harris County, but was moved to Conroe in Montgomery County, because Harris County would not give them a permit due to COVID.  That's fine with me;  Conroe is a lot closer.  I finished in 1:11:17 and was 2 of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 45:13, almost 2 minutes slower than last month.  In any case, I finished the day with 8.1 miles, all on concrete.

Darned inflammation

 I woke up this morning with inflammation in my big toe joint.  Huntsville State Park was closed today for the Rocky Raccoon 100, so I went to the track late this morning and ran 1.5 miles.

Light rain

 There was a on and off light rain when I ran trails at the park this morning.  I ran 3.5 miles on the  trails.

78

 Here it is early February and it got up to 78 degrees this afternoon.  I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Out and back

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran my out and back 4-mile course on the trails.

Got my first COVID vaccination

 I got my first COVID vaccination this at 9:15 this morning.  No side effects so far and this evening I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.

Back to the park

 After 5 miles on concrete streets yesterday, I went to the state park this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Texas 10 Series College Station 5-Miler

 I forgot to post last night, but I ran 3 miles on the trails at the park.  I got up real early this morning and drove over to College Station  to run the Texas 10 Series College Station 5-Mile race.  I finished in 1:08:46 and was 2 of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  That gives me 114.3 miles for the month of January, an average of 3.68 miles per day.

Back to 4

 I went out to the park early this afternoon and ran 4 miles on the trails.

New shoes

 This evening, I ran in my new New Balance shoes for the first time.  The last time I ran in New Balance was back in the 80's.  They were very heavy shoes then.  We will see how long the new lighter version lasts.  I haver custom orthodics, so I have to wear a neutral shoe.  Seems like when I get use to a brand and model, they discontinue the model.  In any case, I ran 2 miles on the park roads to break in the new shoes.

Regular 4-mile course

Late this morning, I went to the park and ran my regular out and back 4-mile course on the trails. 

Group Tuesday

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

Monday on the trails

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

Longer run

 I went to the park late this morning and ran 7 miles on the trails.  It was overcast and in the 60's, but saw very few others on the trail.

Frost Your Fanny 5K

 I ran our club's annual Frost Your Fanny 5K in Huntsville this morning in the hilly Spring Lake Sub-division and finished in 43:19.

Two days

 I forgot to blog last night, but I ran 2.5 miles on the state park trails yesterday and another 3 today.

Four bikers and a hiker

 Late this morning, I ran 6 miles on the trails at the state park.  Only saw 4 bikers and 1 hiker on the trails.  Overcast sky and a temperature of about 60.  Nice.

Another warm day

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 2.5 miles on the trails.  With the temperature in the 70's, we were attacked by mosquitos after the run.  Someone said that they saw a big rattlesnake at the park a couple days ago.

Warmer weather

 It was almost 70 when I went to the park late this morning.  Being a holiday, the trails were crowded, but I got in 5 miles.

Real early morning run

 I got a call yesterday from an old friend that I have not seen in many years.  He and I were officers in the Rose Runners Club in Tyler, Texas in 1984.  He was coming through Huntsville early this morning and wanted me to run with him at Huntsville State Park.  We met at 7:15 a.m. (middle of the night) and ran 4 miles on the trails.  We had a good run and visit.

More good running weather

 I made it to the park late this morning and ran 5 miles on the trails.

Nice running weather

 It was sunny and in the 50's today.  I went to the park and ran 4 miles on the trails.  Also, being a Friday, there were not too many people on the trails.

Group on Thursday

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

Back to 4

 After 3 days of slacking off with 2+mile runs, I went to the park this morning and ran 4 on the trails.

Half and half

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

Same course as yesterday

 This afternoon, I ran the same 2.5-mile trail course that I ran yesterday. It was 37 degrees, but the bridges were coated with ice and snow.  Again, I never saw anyone else on the trails.

Cold and wet run

 It was about 35 degrees and raining when I went to the park this morning.  I got in 2.5 miles on  the trails.  No surprise, but I did not see another person on the trails.  Later today, we had rare snow in Huntsville.  Probably about 2 inches.

Did not expect the park to be so crowded

 Late this morning, I had to wait in a long line to get into the park and then park in overflow parking.  There were so many people on the trails, I had to keep my mask on much of the time.  I ended up getting 4 miles on the trails.

4,100

 I ran trails at the state park this morning.  This was my 4,100th consecutive day of running.  To commemorate the milestone, I moved the decimal point three places and ran 4.100 miles.

Another 3

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

Earlier run

 It was suppose to start storming this morning about 11 and last most of the day.  So, I went out to the park earlier than normal this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Roads

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3 miles on the roads.  Good to see Camille, who recently moved back from Portland, join us - after a 26-year absence.

Nice Monday weather

 It was sunny with the temperature in the 60's when I went out to the state park to run late this morning.  I got in 4 miles on the trails.

Sunday Night 5K

 Being the first Sunday of the month, I went down to The Woodlands this evening to run the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 43:34.

Back to trails

 After a couple days running roads, I went to the park late this morning and ran 4 miles on the trails.

New Year Resolution 10K

 I ran our club's New Year Resolution 10K this afternoon up and down the hills of Veterans Memorial Parkway and finished in 1:34:17.

2020 in review

 My RA and Afib seem to be stable with medication for both.  At least for now, no pacemaker implant is in sight.  My 2-mile run on the state park roads this evening gives me 101 miles for the month of December and 987.2 for the year.  With the run today, I finished 2020 with 4,092 consecutive days on my streak.  With so many races cancelled this year due to COVID, I competed in only 37.  My normal is close to 70.  It looks like early 2021 will be a continuation of 2020, but hopefully running and racing will get back to normal by the spring.  Happy New Year.

Park not as crowded

 The park was not as crowded when I went there to run late this morning.  I got in 4 miles on the trails.

Roads

 Took a break from the trails this evening.  I met up with the group and ran 3 miles on the state park roads.

Back to 4

 After a couple days at 5 miles, I ran 4 on the trails at the park this morning.

Another 5

 I ran another 5 miles on the trails at the park late this morning.  Can't believe the crowds at the park.  I went south from the Nature Center today in hopes of avoiding people.  It didn't work.

Five

 Late this morning, I went to the state park and ran 5 miles on the trails.

Christmas day

 After the visiting family left this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 4 miles on the trails.

Park blocked

 I went out to the state park this morning to run trails.  When I got to the park entrance off of I-45, there was a semi jack-knifed on the park road.  One end of the trailer was on a pile of dirt and half the wheels were up in the air.  A pickup truck was trying to pull the whole rig, but was getting nowhere.  The entire road was blocked and no one could enter or leave the park.  I waited for a while, but it became obvious they were going to have to call for a big wrecker.  So, I turned around and drove to the track to run.  I ran 2 miles, which is about my mental limit on a track.  Merry Christmas.

5K average

 I ran 4 miles on the trails late this morning and am averaging 3.13 per day (just over 5K) for the month of December.

Reverse direction

 I met up with  the group at the park this evening and ran what is becoming my normal 2.4 miles, half roads and half trails.  Just to do something different, I reversed direction.

Monday trails

 Still a lot of people at the park, but not as many as yesterday.  I went out  late this morning and ran 3 miles on the trails.

Sunday crowd at the park

 The state park trails were crowded when I went out to run late this morning.  Some people on the trail wear masks, but others do not.  Just to stay safe, I take one and put it on when passing other people.  In any case, I ran 4 miles on the trails

Rainy 5K

 I went down to The Woodlands this morning for a social run at Fleet Feet, honoring my friend, Coach Bill Dwyer.  Got to visit with Bill and lots of other friends.  I ran 3.1 miles along the waterway and got soaked with rain.  It was even tough driving back to Huntsville through very heavy rain.

Friday afternoon park run

 I ran 3 miles on the trails at the state park this afternoon.  Tripped and fell for the first time in a while.

Thursday 2.4

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

4 on the trails

 It was 43 degrees when I went to the park this morning and no rain.  Nice running weather.  I got in 4 miles on the trails.

Late posting

 Just realized that it is after midnight and I have not posted.  Usual Tuesday.  I met up with the group at the park and ran 2.4 miles, half on the trails and half on the roads.

Cold

 It was in the 40's when I went to the park this morning to run.  Got in 2.5 miles on the trails.

Same course as yesterday

 Late this morning, I went to the park and ran the same 3.5-mile course as yesterday.  Except today, much of it was in the rain.

Nice weather

 It is suppose to rain all day tomorrow, but today it was cool and dry.  Late this morning, I ran 3.5 miles on the trails.  Besides the normal bikers and hikers, I saw a bunch of other runners.

Beat the rain

 It was suppose to rain pretty much all day, but I was able to run 4 miles on the trails before heavy rain this afternoon.

Half and half, again

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