Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight for the 25th time.

Last sunny day before more rain

 It was rather warm and sunny this afternoon.  I ran 4.2 miles on the roads at the park.  More rain in forecast for the next few days, just in time for the Rocky Raccoon 50 trail at the park this weekend.

Tuesday with the group

After doing a lot of yard work this afternoon and hauling a big load of yard waste to the city dump, I met up with the group at the park and ran 4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Beaten down trails

 I went back to the park this afternoon to run.  The trails were beaten down after the Rocky Raccoon 100 this weekend.  With over 2 inches of rain on Saturday, there was a lot more mud and water on the trails.  I started on the trails this afternoon and then finished up on the roads - 3.8 miles total.

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

 I got super early and drove 100 miles down to Missouri City to run the Texas 10 Series Sienna 5-Miler.  Beautiful sunny weather.  I finished in 1:23:52 and was 2nd of 2 in the 70 and over age group.  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K for the 145th time.  I finished in 51:35.  Today was day 1,000 on my current running streak.  It is the 8th time I have run 1,000 consecutive days.  During this streak, I ran 3,581.8 miles (average 3.58 per day).  Also during this streak, I ran 200 races.

999 days

 Today was the 999th day on my current running streak.  With the state park closed for the Rocky Raccoon 100, I had to run elsewhere.  I planned to go down to Magnolia for the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run, but the forecast last night was for thunderstorms at race time.  So, I slept in.  Then, a buddy called while I was still in bed and asked why I was not at the race.  He said that it rained, but no lightning.  Well, I could have been there.  Late this morning, I went to Kate Barr Ross Park here in Huntsville and ran 3.2 miles on the roads.

Lots of activity at the park

 The Rocky Raccoon 100 is this weekend at the state park, so there was a lot of activity today.  All the course markings are up and people showing up for packet picket.  Lot of runners camping.  In fact, the park is closed to the public this weekend.  I was there early this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Sandwiched in a run

 I was in Conroe most of the day for my grand daughter's high school wrestling tournament and we had our annual  running club meeting in Huntsville this evening.  In between, I went to the state park and ran 3.4 miles on the roads.  While running through a camping area, I heard my name called.  It was an old friend, Jason Hanley, who I had not seen for years.  While going to Sam Houston State, he ran trails with us.  We had a nice visit.  He was at the park to help with the Rocky  Raccoon 100 this weekend.

Finishing up January

I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 4.2 miles on the trails.  With a temperature of 75 degrees, I expected to see snakes.  No - just water and mud in places.  That gives me 124 miles for the month of January.  Milestones and a streak challenge ahead.  I am approaching 1,000 days on my current running streak and 10 years since my last marathon.  As far as a challenge,  my cardiologist  is scheduling 3 surgeries on my legs.  He said the compression socks are not helping and I have 3 bad veins in my legs. 

Group night

 Even though our group has thinned out, we met at the park this evening.  I ran 3.8 miles, mostly on the muddy trails.  It was 73 degrees - mosquitos are out.

All trails

 All trails at the park this afternoon.  4 miles.

Sunday afternoon at the park

 I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the muddy trails.

Hog Wild 10K Trail Run

 I ran the Hog Wild 10K Trail Run in Bremond this morning.  The race is on a private ranch several miles outside of Bremond.  Plenty of mud, cow patties and fire ant mounds, but no hogs.  I finished in 1:57:34. about 3 minutes slower than last year.  I was 1st place (of one) in the 80 and over age group.  In fact, I was the only runner over 50.

Muddy trails

 I went to the park early this afternoon and hit the trails for the first time since the heavy rains early this week.  Got in 3.3. miles, but had to get through a lot of mud in low places.  Hope it dries out a bit for those running the Rocky Raccoon 100 miler in about a week.  Then, there was more rain later today.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday night, I met up with the group at Fass Brewery and ran the 5K course from downtown up through neighborhoods and back to downtown.

No break in the rain today

 I rained all day.  With no break in the forecast, I went to the park this afternoon and ran 3.3 miles on the roads in a steady rain.  A neighbor posted on FB this morning that he measured 12+ inches of rain in the last 48 hours.  I guess he can add a few more inches with the rain today and what is expected tonight.  Just wish we could store some for the long periods of no rain in the summer.

In between the rain and storms

 Early this afternoon, we had a break in the rain and storms.  I went to the nearly empty state park and ran 4 miles on the roads.  With probably 10+ inches of rain in 2 days, the trails must be a mess.

Rainy run

 It rained ALL day.  I thought about the treadmill at Iron Works, but I was not mentally up to that.  So, I went to the park late this evening and ran 3.5 miles on the roads - in the rain.

Around the lake

 It was cloudy and about 40 degrees this afternoon at the park.  Perfect for a longer run.  I ran a 6.7-mile course around the lake.

Frost Your Fanny 5K

 I ran our club's annual Frost Your Fanny 5K in the hilly Spring Lake Sub-division this morning.  Appropriately named with the temperature in the low 20's.  I finished in 51:20.  It was my 6th race this year.

Noon run

 I started running at the park at noon today.  Sunny with a temperature in the high 30's.  Got in 4.7 miles on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I went down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass Brewery 5K.

Not so cold

 I went out to the park to run early this afternoon when the temperature was in the high 30's.  Got in 4.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Up to 28

 The temperature was up to 28 degrees when I went to the state park to run this afternoon and the roads were in much better condition for driving.  I ran 4 miles, all on the trails.

Frost Flowers

It was 22 degrees this afternoon when I went to the park to run.  We had a light rain this morning, so the roads were pretty treacherous.  Two miles from my house, a truck was flipped over along the highway.  I ran 3.5 on the trails.  I ran into something that I had never seen before, Frost Flowers, sometimes called Ice Flowers.  Jason saw one at the park years ago and told me about it, so I new what they were when I saw them today.  The sap oozes out of slits on the stems of certain plants and freezes.  Obviously, the temperature has to be below freezing, the soil has to be moist or wet and other conditions have to be right.  I do not have a phone with a camera, so I went back to the park late this afternoon and took these photos.

32

 It was 32 degrees at the park early this afternoon.  Not bad after I ran awhile.  Got in 4.5 miles, all on the trails.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 It was in the 30's this morning when I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia.  Finished in 50:55.

Nearly empty park

 The state park was nearly empty this afternoon when I went there to run.  I guess that it was the approaching cold weather.  In any case, I ran 4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight for the 22nd time.

Early afternoon trails

 I made it out to the park early this afternoon and ran 4.7 miles on the trails.

Colder and windy

 After the rain yesterday, it was cold and windy this morning.  Got in 3.5 miles on the trails at the park. A little muddy in places.

Trying to run between the storms

 The forecast was for thunderstorms pretty much all day.  I went to the almost empty state park early this afternoon.  I waited for a storm to pass and then started running on the roads.  At 2.9 miles, another storm blew through, with close lightning.  The last 2/10th of a mile was a little scary, but I finished with 3.1.

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

 I got up very early this morning and drove to Cypress to run the Texas 10 Series Bridgeland 5-Miler.  Like yesterday, perfect running weather.  High 30's and sunny.  I finished in 1:19:28 and was 2nd of 3 runners in the 70 and over age group.  This evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K (for the 144th time).  Finished in 49:20.  Total miles for the day - 8.1 (all on concrete).

25th Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning - for the 25th time.  The temperature was in the high 30's, but was comfortable after a half mile or so.  I finished in 50:32.

Friday before a 3-race weekend

 We had a good rain this Friday morning, but the trails at the park were in good shape this afternoon.  I ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  Believe this was the 21st time running this social run since last summer.

Mostly roads

 I made it back to the park late this morning and ran 3.7 miles, mostly on the roads.

Return to the park

 After 5 days of running elsewhere, I returned to Huntsville State Park late this morning.  Ran 4.8 miles, all on the trails.

New Years Resolution 5K Run

 I ran our club's New Years Resolution 5K Run here in Huntsville this afternoon.  I finished in a slow 53 something and was 1st of one in the 80 and over age group.

Resolution 15K and end of the year report

For the second year, I ran the Resolution 15K on the trails at Millican this morning.  Tough course  Map is above.  Up and down embankments, twists and turns, rocks and roots to trip over.  On the good side, the weather was perfect and no mud on the trails.  I finished in 3:36:29, ten minutes slower than last year.  According to my GPS, the course was 9.8 miles (same as last year).  I won first of one in the 80 and over age group.

This race was my 72nd race in 2023 (73 last year) and 1,368th race since I started racing on May 1, 1983.  My mileage in 2023 was 1,365 miles, up from 1,343.9 last year.  No run in 2023 less than 3.1 miles.  Today was day 965 of my current running streak.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Cold - 30 something degrees.  Finished in 49:58.

Working on a new 5K course

 I have been working on a new 5K course for possible use by the club.  It is on the SHSU campus and school is out for the holidays.  So, I ran the very hilly course this afternoon.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.  If it was a race, I would have won the 80 and over age group.

Appointment at the cardiologist office

 I had an appointment with the nurse practitioner at my cardiologist's office this afternoon.  She thinks my low BP is due to a lack of salt intake  She reduced my BP medicine and told me to take in more salt.  I left there and went straight to the park.  Ran 5.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Long line to get into the park

 I went to the park this evening to meet up with the group.  Usually at the late hour, there is no line.  Today there was.  It took me 20 minutes to get in.  I ran 3.5 miles on the trails and roads.

Christmas at the park

 I got to the park at noon and headed out on the trail with normal BP.  Got in 4.5 miles.

Easier run

 My BP was still low this morning.  I took on plenty of salt at lunch and later went for a run on the roads at Kate Barr Ross Park.  I did not feel as weak and completed a continuous 3.2-mile run.  Hopefully, I am getting back to normal.

Another hard run

 I had planned to run the Spindle Tree 5K  in Magnolia this morning, but the BP was too low.  Late this morning, I went over to Kate Barr Ross Park in Huntsville and struggled through 3.1 miles.

Low BP again

 My low blood  pressure appeared again today.  I went to the park early this afternoon and struggled to run 3.2 miles on the trails.  I have an appointment with my cardiologist next Wednesday to find out what is going on.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday night, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run on Conroe tonight.  I always look forward to running past this house in a northern neighborhood in Conroe. I did not even keep track of my time.

All trails

 I made it out to the park late this afternoon and ran 4.3 miles, all on the trails.  No falls, but had to stop a while and visit with my good friend, Curtis Barton.  Had not seen him for a while.

Annual home health visit

 My insurance company sends a nurse to my home every year to do a health assessment.  Several years ago, they found my AFIB.  Today, I was asked if I have fallen this last year.   I told her that I had fallen a bunch of times and explained that the falls were associated with trail running.  She advised me to quit running on the trails.  So, early this afternoon, I went to the park and ran 3.7 miles on the roads and trails.  No falls.

Same weather as yesterday

 Another sunny and cool day in Huntsville.  Ran 3.5 miles on the trails at the park early this afternoon.

Longer Sunday run

 Beautiful sunny Sunday afternoon, with the temperature in the 60's.  I ran 6.7 miles on the trails at the park.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I got up early this morning and drove down to Magnolia to run the 100th weekly Spindle Tree Park Run.  It was my 24th time for running this race.  I finished in 48:34.

All trails

 I ran 3.7 miles early this afternoon at the park, all on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight. 

Rain at the park

 There was rain early this afternoon at the park, but not at my house.  However,  I did a post-rain at the park; 4.3 miles, mostly on the trails.

All roads

 As usual for Tuesday, I met up with the group at the park this evening.  Stayed on the roads for 4 miles.

Sunny and cool

 Looks like good running weather this week.  I ran 3.5 miles at the park this afternoon, mostly on the trails.

Sunday at the park

 Sunny and cold this afternoon.  I made it out to the  park mid-afternoon and got in 5.6 miles, mostly on the trails.

Jingle Bell 5K

 I drove over to Livingston late this morning and ran the Jingle Bell 5K at noon.  I finished the hilly 2-loop course in 51:38.  I was 1 of 1 in the 80 and over age group.  That was my 69th race this year.

Longer Friday run

 My 5K race tomorrow is not until noon, so I ran a little longer this Friday.  I ran 4.6 miles on the trails.  I am glad to report that I was not attacked by any squirrels.  Guess the park being closed for 2 days of squirrel hunting paid off.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K at 7 tonight in Conroe.  I did not set my Garmin, but I am sure I was fast.

Park closed

 With park closed today for squirrel hunting, I had to run elsewhere.  I worked out at Iron Works and then hit the roads from there.  My run included some concrete trails in the park on 7th street.  I ended up with 4 miles.  With so much traffic on the city streets, I remember why I started running at the state park.

Early group run

 The state park will be closed for squirrel hunting from 5 pm today until Friday morning.  So, our running group met up early this afternoon.  I ran 4.1 miles on the trails and warned all the squirrels I could.

Mostly trails

 I made it out to the park later this afternoon and ran 3.6 miles, mostly on the trails.

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

 I ran the Texas 10 Series Conroe 5-Miler this morning.  This was my 11th straight year for the 10 or 5-Miler at Conroe.  I finished in 1:22:24 and was 2nd of 3 in the 70 and over age group.  This evening, I went back south to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 49:30.  That gives me a total of 8.1 miles for the day.

Missed my race this morning

 I have run the Reindeer 5K in Lufkin every since starting in 2014 and was signed up for this morning's race.  I ended up getting sick about 11 last night and spent the whole night awake back and forth to the bathroom.  I had a high fever and the chills.  It became obvious that I had to skip the drive to Lufkin.  I finally got a little sleep this morning, but still had a temperature up to noon.  I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.2 miles on the trails.  I feel okay this evening and plan on running two races tomorrow.

Easy Friday

 With 3 races coming up this weekend, I took it easy today with a 3.1-mile run on the trails at the park this afternoon.

Two runs

 I planned to run the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight, but  there was a thunderstorm forecast.  So, I went to the state park early this afternoon and ran 3.1 miles on the roads - in the rain.  The forecast for tonight was updated and no rain was expected for Conroe.  I went down tonight and ran the 5K at 7 p.m.  That gives me 6.2 miles for the day.  I finished November with a total of 118.8 miles and 1,235.2 for 2023.

5 on the trails and roads

 I got in 5 miles on the trials and roads at the park early this afternoon.  Looks like bad weather for tomorrow.

Park roads

 After a crowded Thanksgiving weekend, the park was relatively empty today.  I went out late this morning and got in 3.5 miles, all on the roads.

50 and clear

 50 degrees and clear skies.  Good running weather.  I ran trails at the park early this afternoon.  Got in 4.1 miles.

Cool Sunday afternoon at the park

 It was in the 50's when I got to the park later this Sunday afternoon.  Still lots of people on the trails.  Got in 4 miles, all on the trails.

Work and run

 I worked at our club's annual Leftover Turkey Run this morning.  I put out the course markings and worked the finish line.  Nice crowd of 69 runners.  This afternoon, I ran 4.5 miles on the trails at the park.  

Friends of the Running Community 5K

I ran the Friends of the Running Community 5K in The Woodlands this evening.  This is the 3rd race of the Montgomery County Triple (three Thanksgiving week races in Montgomery County).  I completed all three, so I was awarded the Pine Cone Award.  After eating too much today, I ran a slow 52:45..

Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler

I ran the Run Thru the Woods 5-Miler in The Woodlands this Thanksgiving Day.  I finished in 1:26:37 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  There were 1,200 registered runners in the 5-mile race and 3,600 in the shorter races.  Big crowd and a lot of good friends.  Below are my finish times for this race.

2023        1:26:37

2022        1:22:01

2021        1:16:15

2020        1:10:35 (virtual)

2019        1:10:05

2018        1:07:33

2017        1:05:22

2016           59:17

2015        1:04:56

2014        1:00:47

2013        1:02:07

2012        1:00:44

2011        1:05:00

2010           55:35

2009           53:32

2008           58:47

2007           56:12

2006           58:56

2005           57:28

2004           53:14

2003           54:03

2002           51:10 (age 61)

Thanksgiving Eve run

 I got out to the crowded park at noon today and ran 3.2 miles on the trails.

Cooler

 It was back in the 50's today and good running weather.  Got in 3.7 miles on the trails at the park this evening.

Trails and roads

 Early afternoon run at the park after it quit raining.  3.5 miles on the trails and then the roads.

Around the lake

 Nice day for running, 68 degrees and cloudy.  I made it to the park late this morning and ran a 6.7-mile course around the lake.

Conroe Turkey Trot 5K

 I ran the Conroe Turkey Trot 5K this morning for the 9th time.  I finished in just over 51 minutes and was one of one in the 80 and over age group.

Trails and roads

 I went to the park late this morning and ran 3.3 miles on the trails and roads.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I went down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass Brewery 5K (social run) at 7 pm.

Snake Number 5

 I encountered my 5th snake of the year while running 5 miles trails at the park late this morning.  This one was a gulf coast ribbon snake, non-venomous, but aggressive.

"Adventure" run

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and decided to run where I do not normally run.  I took off down a road that I had not been on for a while, then went on a trail that I had not run for years.  I found a narrow trail off that one, but eventually found the trail under water.  Anyway, I made it back after running 3.5 miles.  Someone in the group said the new trail was to a bird viewing stand.  I think maybe it was to a snake viewing stand.

Late morning at the park

 After working out at Iron Works, I went to the state park and ran 3.6 miles on the trails and roads, partly in a light rain.

Sunday at the park

 I made it out to the park mid-afternoon this Sunday and ran 4.7 miles on the trails.

CPT Rowdy Inman Memorial 5K

 I ran the CPT Rowdy Inman Memorial 5K on the Sam Houston campus here in Huntsville this morning. It was sponsored by the ROTC.  Except for a loop around the track at Bowers Stadium, the course is either up or down.  It was non-competitive and I finished in 54:05.  

Misting rain and cooler

 It was 52 degrees with misting rain when I arrived at the park early this afternoon to run.  I ran a completely unplanned course on the trails, which turned out to be 3.2 miles.

Late run

 I had to take my wife down to Tomball this morning for surgery (all is okay) and did not get back to Huntsville until after dark tonight.  I started to get to the park and run with a flashlight on the roads, but it was raining and I was not sure when they closed the park gates.  With dread, I went to Iron Works and ran 3.1 miles on the treadmill.

Almost the same course

 I went to the park early this afternoon and ran almost the same course I ran yesterday.  It came out to be 3.8 miles.

Snake #4

 I almost stepped on a copperhead on the trail this evening.  Luckily, my foot landed next to his (or her) tail as it straddled the trail.  Of course, I was running so fast that it would not have had a chance to strike. I felt okay running and got in 4 miles, mostly of which was on the trails.

Back to The Woodlands

 I had to take my wife to an appointment in The Woodlands today (that's 6 trips to Conroe or further south in the last 5 days), so I did not get to the park until later this afternoon.  Felt a little better and got in 3.6 miles on the trails and roads.

Texas 10 Katy 5K and Sunday Night 5K

 I drove down to Katy early this morning for the Texas 10K Series.  I was signed up for the 5-mile race, but switched to the 5K.  Nice clear weather and a flat course on concrete streets.   I struggled a bit at a half mile and again at 3 miles and finished in 54:28.  Slow, but better than yesterday.  I was the only one over 70, so I received a first place in age group award.  I drove back to Huntsville and we had visiting family all day.  I broke away later this afternoon and drove down to The Woodlands for the Sunday Night 5K.  I felt better and finished in 51:06.

Back Pew 5K

 I ran the Back Pew 5K at the Back Pew Brewery in Porter this morning.  Before becoming a brewery, it was a church.  From the start, I was dizzy and weak and the hills were particularly challenging.  My BP seemed to be back to normal, so I do not know what is going on.  Anyway, I finished in 59:51 and was 2nd in the 80 and over age group.

Later Friday run

 I had to take my wife to Tomball (hour+) for a doctor's appointment this morning and ended up going to the park late this afternoon.  Ran 3.1 miles on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I went down to Conroe and ran the Fass Brewery 5K at 7 pm today.  Flashlight all the way.  I did not even check my time, but am sure it was slow.

Lots of people on the trails for mid-week

 I ran 4.2 miles on the trails at the park early this afternoon.  I do not recall seeing so many people on the trails for mid-week.  Nice weather, I guess.