Five at the park

I ran 5 miles (4 on the trails) early this afternoon at the state park.  Sunny and cool (60's) and lots of people on the trails. 

CPT Rowdy Inman 5K

 I ran the CPT Rowdy Inman 5K at Sam Houston State University here in Huntsville this morning.  It is put on my the ROTC in memory of one of their graduates.  Very hill course around the campus.  I finished in 51:47, a minute or so faster than last year.  No age group competition.

Early afternoon

 With a race in the morning, I ran early this afternoon.  Got in 3.3 miles at the park, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K run in Conroe tonight.

Mostly trails

 After working out at Iron Works late this morning, I went to the state park and ran 4.3 miles, mostly on the trails.

Last PT appointment today

 I had my 22nd and last Physical Therapy appointment this morning.  It is taking longer than I expected to recover after back surgery on August 4.  With the treatment and prescribed exercises, hopefully I can get back to my normal slow running.  I went from my appointment this morning to Iron Works and then a run at the park later this afternoon.  Got in 4.2 miles on the park roads.

Noon run at the park

 It was relatively cool at noon today when I went to the park to run.   I started and finished a 4.6-mile run on the roads and trails.  While on the trails, I took a hard fall.  When I got back to the roads through the camping area, a lady (wearing a Salvation Army tag) stopped me and asked me if I wanted to kneel and pray with her.  Why didn't she ask me before I fell?

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands tonight and finished in 51:49, my fastest finish in this race in one year.  Maybe it is the cooler weather, but I had less pain in my leg and ankle.

Alex's 5K

 I ran Alex's 5K in south Houston this morning.  Big crowd and a lot of old friends.  I finished in 50:40 and was 5th of 5 in the 80 and over age group.  I was less than 10 seconds behind the 3rd and 4th place finishers.  This was my 60th race in 2025.

Wrapping up October

 I ran 3.5 miles on the roads and trails at the park this afternoon.  That wraps up October with 111.4 miles, an average of 3.59 per day.  It brings my total to 1,098.6 miles for 2025.  While my running streak (at least 1 mile per day) is nearly four and a half years, today I reached 15 months of running at least 3.1 miles every day.

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.

Late run in town

 Got busy today, with some unexpected errands.  So, I ran in town late this evening.  Did 3.6 miles.

Stayed on the roads

 I stayed on the roads at the park this evening.  Got in 3.7 miles.  Still fighting the sore ankle soreness.  The doctor says it is an extension of the back problem.  The sciatic nerve goes from the back down to the ankle.  Hopefully, it will get better over time.

More physical therapy treatments

 Got a call from the clinic today saying that my insurance company has approved three more treatments for my back.  That's good news.  I went to the park this afternoon and ran 3.7 miles, half roads and half trails.

Sunday at the park

 I went out to the state park mid-afternoon and ran 4.7 miles, almost all on the trails.

Rainy day

 We had a much needed heavy rain very early this morning and another tonight.  I had no race today, but did get out to the park this afternoon and run 3.3 miles, mostly on the trails.  No mud.  The trails were so dry that the rain was quickly absorbed.

Last day before the big rain

 We are suppose to get a lot of rain tomorrow after many weeks of virtual zero rain.  No complaints, but I'll have to squeeze in a run sometime tomorrow.  This afternoon, I went to the park and ran 4.5 miles on the trails.  One trip and fall, but no trip to the ER.  Not even a band aid. 

Fass Brewery 5K +

 I had what might be my last rehab appointment on my back this morning.  Then, worked out at Iron Works.  After that, I received a call from the dermatologist in Conroe.  The  biopsy from a spot on my leg turned out to be cancer and they wanted me there at 4 this afternoon to have it removed.  So, I had it removed quickly at 4 and killed some time at a couple stores in Conroe.  I got to Fass Brewery over an hour before the run  I went ahead and ran 5K and got back to the brewery before the group run started.  Took off again, but only ran a mile.  That gave me 4.1 miles for the day.

Annual physical today

 I went in for my annual physical today.  The doctor looked good, even lost some weight.  As for me, I got my flu shot and blood work.  And, I had to explain my answer in the questionnaire, "Have you fallen in the last year?"  The doctor does not run trails.  I will know the results of the lab work in a few days.  This afternoon, I went to the park and ran 3.6 miles on the trails.

Stayed on the roads

 I stayed on the roads at the park this evening.  Ran 3.8 miles.

Back to Monday

 After a busy weekend, it is back to a relatively slow Monday.  I worked out at Iron Works this morning and went to the park later this afternoon.  Ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Pumpkinpalooza 10K Trail Run

 I ran the Pumpkinpalooza 10K Trail Run in Millican this morning.  Very technical trail, with plenty of steep embankments.  There was also a 5K and Half Marathon race.  I am not sure if I got off the 10K course or the 10K course was just long, but my GPS showed to 7.11 miles at the finish line.  Should have been 6.2 miles.  In any case, I finished in 2.38:51 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  Really tired tonight.  I think from climbing down and up those embankments.

Hooves & Heels Historic 5K

 I drove 75 miles up to Calvert, Texas this morning to run the Hooves & Heels Historic 5K.  I have no idea where the race name came from, but I am sure the locals in Calvert do.  It is the first time in a long time that I ran a race in a new city.  My long time friend and fellow Vietnam veteran, Dennis Alston, is from Calvert, so I did not want to miss the race.  I finished the course in 53:11.  Dennis and I were the only ones over 80 in the race;  he was first and I was second.  After getting back home and trying to take a nap, I drove down to Humble for my grandson's football game.  Lots of driving today.

Two trips to Conroe today

 After running in Conroe last night, I went back down early this morning for an appointment with the skin doctor.  I left that appointment and went to Carl Barton Park and ran 3.3 miles on their nice concrete trail.  I went back down to Conroe this evening for a family dinner.

Fass Brewery 5K

As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight. 

Need some rain

 It is getting very dry here; no rain at my house for over a month and the trails at the park are getting sandy in parts.  I went back to the park this afternoon and ran 4.1 miles, 1-mile on the roads and 3.1 on the very dry trails.

Group night at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening.  I ran 3.4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Strenuous day

 I had a strenuous physical therapy appointment this morning and then a lot of strenuous yard work this afternoon.  I finally got to the park late this afternoon to run.  Running seemed restful.  Got in 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Sunday afternoon on the trails

 Being a 3-day weekend, the state park was crowded this afternoon.  I ran 4.8 miles, mostly on the trails.  Lots of people in the camping area and out hiking trails.

Heights 5K

 I got up super early this morning and drove down to Houston to run the Heights 5K for the 13th time.  The start time was 7:15 this morning, so the temperature was about 70 degree.  The course is out and back on Heights Blvd. and is very smooth asphalt and flat.  I finished in 52:46.  I was first of two in the 80 and over age group.  I left the race and drove straight back to Huntsville to attend the Seven Hills Running Club 40th Anniversary Party, which was in progress when I got back.  Since I was the co-founder of the club in 1985, it was important that I be there.  Left the party and went direct to my grandson's football game in Huntsville.  After that, a nap.

Early (relatively) Friday run

 With a race tomorrow morning, I ran this Friday morning, 11 something am.  Ran 3.5 miles, all on the trails at the park.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.  With a 7 pm start and less daylight, it is a night run for the next few months.

Met the new trail czar at the park

 I ran 3.7 miles at the state park this afternoon, mostly on the trails.  While on one of the bridges over the swampy area, I met Eric, the new trail czar at the park.  Seem like a nice guy.  He was replacing missing or rotted boards on the bridge.  That's good.  Maybe I can get him to cut all the protruding roots and stumps on the trails.  Gosh, I have spent a lot of time and miles on those trails for nearly 40 years.

15th Rehab appointment

 I had my 15th rehab appointment at physical therapy today since my back surgery on August 4.  Most of it is focused on strengthening the muscles around my spine.  It is difficult to exercise those muscles.  They think my current ankle problem is a sciatic nerve issue caused by the back problem.  I ran 3.5 miles this evening at the park, mostly on the trails.  The ankle still hurts, but not so much that I cannot  run.

Back to the park

 After running elsewhere for a few days and a busy weekend, I returned to the state park this afternoon.   Ran 3.6 miles, about half on the roads and the other half on the trails.

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

After getting home late last night, I got up at 5 something this morning and drove down to Cypress (northwest of Houston) to run the Texas 10 Series 5-Miler.  Nice sunny and relatively cool weather.  I finished in 1:29:32 with some pain in my ankle.  I was 4th of 4 in the 70 and over age group (the other 3 were in their 70's).  While I did not place, I won $50 cash in the door prize drawing.  Later this evening, I drove down to The Woodlands and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  I finished in 55:33.  With these races, I exceeded 1,000 miles for 2025.

Back from Wylie

 Got back from Wylie (north east of Dallas) late tonight.  I ran 3.3 miles in Huntsville Friday morning before leaving for Wylie.  After spending most of today at a Taekwondo Tournament in Allen,  I got in a 3.1-mile run on a city trail in Wylie this evening before driving back to Huntsville.  I have a 5-mile race tomorrow morning and it will be a test on my sore ankle.

Fass Brewery 5K

I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  My ankle felt a little better. 

Limpy run

 When I started running at the park this afternoon, I immediately started feeling pain in my right ankle.  I assumed the pain would go away, but it never did.  I had no idea how I had sprained it or otherwise injured it.  I ran 3.4 limpy miles and then went home and iced it.  We will see how it goes tomorrow.

End of the month

 Wrapped up the month of September today with a 3.5-mile run (mostly trails) at the state park this evening.  That gives me 104.6 miles for the month (average 3.49 per day) and 983.2 miles for the year (average 3.60 per day).  I have run at least 3.1 miles every day for 14 months.

Interrupted run

 I started running on the roads at the state park this evening.  After a quarter mile, I found a couple with a dead battery and in need of a jump start.  So, I ran back to my truck and drove back to their car.  Gave them a jump and took off running from there.  Ended up with 3.9 miles, about half on the trails.

Sunday afternoon at the park

 Nice sunny 90 degree afternoon at Huntsville State Park.  Got in 4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  I finished in 53:40 something (according to my watch), but the official results online shows 54:08.  No enough difference to worry about.  Slow either way.

All trails

 I stayed on the trails at the state park early this afternoon.  Got in 3.5 miles.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  It is getting dark so early now, that for me  most of the run is a "night run."

Cooler weather

 A cold front moved through today and the high temperature went from the 90's to the 80's.  However, the rain in the area missed my house.  I went to the park about 3 this afternoon and ran 3.7 miles, about half on the trails and half on the roads.

Ran into an old friend on the trails

  

I went to the park to run trails this evening.  Barely go started and ran into an old friend, Monica, who I had not seen in a year or so.  She is an amazing trail runner.  We had a great visit.  Finished up with 3.5 miles.

Mostly trails

 I made it out to the park late this afternoon.  Ran 3.6 miles, mostly on the trails.

6000

 As a runner and streaker, I am always on the lookout for a milestone.  Well, this is my 6,000th post on this blog.  I started on April 19, 2008 at the suggestion of my running friends, Jon Walk and Katy Lampson.  Over the years, the blog has become an important part of my motivation to keep running.  And, I really appreciate those who follow me and help keep me motivated.  Hopefully, somewhere along the way, the blog has encouraged someone else to start running to stay healthy.  According to the stats provided with the blog, it has received 761,774 visits.  It was a nice hot (low 90's) Sunday afternoon in Huntsville.  I went to the park and ran 4.5 miles on the trails.  Managed to stay upright the whole time.

Lumber Jacked 5K

 I drove 81 miles to Lufkin this morning to run the Lumber Jacked 5K, which is run in conjunction with the Lumber Jack Festival.  The course was on concrete walkways and trails.  I finished in 55:51, but they had no age group competition.  I was the only runner over 70.  Met some nice people and got to visit with some old friends.

Noon run at the park

 I went to the state park at noon today to run.  I ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails. 

Fass Brewery 5K

As usual for Thursday, I went down to Conroe tonight and ran the Fass Brewery 5K.  With the shorter days, it is quickly turning into a night run.

Rehab evaluation today

 I had my rehab evaluation appointment with  the doctor today.  He even had me running in the parking lot.  Then, one of the techs having me do exercises.  Not sure where it is going from here,  but I have a regular rehab appointment tomorrow.  Guess, it depends on the insurance company.  Anyway,  I went into town this evening and ran 3.3 miles

Challenging rehab appointment

 I had a new "rehaber" for my back rehab appointment today.  Lots of new strenuous new exercises.  The table was covered with sweat after I finished.  So, when I got to the park this evening to run, my back and leg hurt.  That was on top of sinus issues.  I managed to get in 3.5 miles on the park roads.

Back to park roads

 I felt like I was coming down with something, so I laid around much of the day.  I did go out to the park this evening and get in a slow 3.2 miles on the roads.

All trails

 I waited until late this afternoon and then went to the state park and ran 3.5 miles on the trails.

Change of plans

 I  did not sleep well last night and woke up feeling lousy.  So, I decided not to go down to Magnolia to run Spindle Tree.  I went into town to run this afternoon, but quit after 1.2 miles.  I have to go to my grandson's football game this evening and then out to dinner.  Late tonight, I went to the track and ran 2.3 miles  (total of 3.5 for the day).

Mid-afternoon run

 With a race in the morning and a high school football game tonight, I ran at the state park at 3 this afternoon.  It was hot and my BP was still low.  I ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.  With the days getting shorter, it is pretty dark for my last half mile or so.

Back in town

 It has been a week or so since I ran in town.  Rather than driving to the park, I ran 4 miles in town this afternoon.

Tuesday with the group

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails (no falls).  Even though my allergies continued to cause sinus problems, I felt much better than yesterday.

Park roads

 I seem to be experiencing a bout of low BP, which probably explains my slow 5K yesterday.  Plus, my allergies are acting up.  Sneezing all day.   I went to the park this evening and ran 3.3 miles on the roads.  It was a struggle.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening - for the 164th time.  The race is held on the first Sunday of every month.  After running a 51:06 5K race yesterday, I expected something close to the same time.  However, that was not the case.  I finished in 58:09, one of my slowest 5K's in a while.  Maybe it was the weather.  The temperature was only 80, but the humidity was extremely high.

Tunnel to Towers 5K

 I got up early this morning for the 82-mile drive down to Cypress to run the Tunnel to Towers 5K.  I finished in 51:06, which is my fastest 5K since last December.  They did not not have age group competition, but I would have won the 70 and over age group.

Mostly trails

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

Fass Brewery 5K

 As usual for Thursday, I ran the Fass Brewery 5K in Conroe tonight.

Mostly roads

 I ran 3.8 miles at the park this evening, mostly on the roads, but partly on the trails.

Continuing rehab

 I had my 4th back rehab appointment today, worked out at Iron Works and then ran 4.1 miles on the roads at the park. 

Labor Day 5K

 I ran our club's Labor Day 5K in the hilly Spring Lake Sub-division in Huntsville this morning.  I finished in 52:47 and was 1st of 1 in the 80 and over age group.  This was my 50th race in 2025 (not counting any Fass Brewery social runs).  I should end up with about 75 for the year.

Finishing up August

 After a lot of rain today, I went out to the park this evening and ran 3.6 miles on the roads.  With that run, I completed 107.8 miles for the month of August (average 3.48 per day).  So far in 2025, I have run 878.6 miles (average 3.62 per day).  My streak is 1,574 days or 4 years, 3 months and 21 days.  However, with today's run, I have run at least 3.1 miles per day for 13 months.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 51:40.  Not fast, but my fastest 5K since last April.

Friday morning run

 With a race on Saturday, I usually try to run earlier on Friday.  So, I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 3.9 miles on the roads.  Not much traffic on the roads, but one of the rangers said that they are completely full this holiday weekend.

Fass Brewery 5K

I had my 3rd rehab appointment this afternoon and then worked out at Iron Works.  Then, ran the Fass Brewery 5K social run in Conroe tonight.

Four in town

 I stayed in town this evening and ran 4 miles in around the park on 7th street.  With the heat, its nice to have some shaded areas.

Group night at the park

 I met up with the group at the park this evening and ran 3.4 miles, one mile on the trails and the rest on the roads.

Back to the roads

 After all trails yesterday, I returned to the roads at the state park late this evening..  The camping areas are almost empty, so there is very little traffic on the roads.  Got in 3.4 miles.

Like the old days

 It was a hot Sunday afternoon and I went out to the state park to run TRAILS.  I ran 4.4 miles.  I tripped on  a root, fell and skinned up my knee.  However, I was able to get upright again without crawling over to a tree.   I started running again, but then got bit twice by biting horse flies.  It was like the old days.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

 I ran the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia this morning.  Finished in 53:22.  Slow, but my fastest 5K in a while,  Hopefully, I can get my 5K time back under 50 minutes.  The doc said that rehab on my back will help with my speed.  I see him at the gym once in a while, but have never seen him running.

Rainy run

 It rained much of the afternoon.  It was letting up later this afternoon, so I went into town for a run in the rain.  Ran 3.5 miles.  After a mile or so, it stopped raining.

Fass Brewery 5K

 I ran the Fass Brewry 5K in Conroe tonight,  83rd time.

First rehab appointment

 I had my first rehab appointment for my back today.  Am not sure how many appointments I will have, but I am booked for twice a week through September.  Hopefully, it will help.  Storms  were moving through the area late this afternoon, but I managed to get in a 4-mile run on the roads at the park.  No rain there - or at my house.

Trails!!

 According to my post-op instructions given to me on August 4, today is the day I can start doing strenuous activity again.  So, I went to the part this evening and got on the trails.  Gosh, I have not been on the trails at the park in a long time.  I ran 2 miles on the trails (no falls) and another 1.6 on the roads.  Total 3.6 miles.

Dodged the storms

 I went out to the park to run late this evening.  Storms were moving through the area, but managed to get in 3.2 miles on the roads with only a few drops of rain.  None at my house, either.

Sunday at the park

Due to the heat, I waited until late this evening to run.  Went to the state park and ran 4 miles on the roads.

Heat Wave 5K

 I ran our club's Heat Wave 5K this morning.  It is held in the Waterwood Sub-division, about 20 miles east of Huntsville.  Nice course, but hilly and hot.  I finished in 54:35 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.

Noon run in the heat

 I usually have a race on Saturday morning and run earlier on Friday.  So, I went into town at noon and ran 3.7 miles in the 90+ degree heat.

Fass Brewery 5K

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

Tied my own running shoes

 My back must be getting better.  I tied my own running shoes today with little pain.  Before surgery, when I tried it, it was a very painful process.  Getting out of a chair is easier now, too.  And, I feel a little more stable while walking.  However, I realize that it is going to take a while to fully recover and get back to my normal slow running pace.  I waited until late this evening to run.  Got in 3.6 miles on the roads at the park.

Follow up doctor visit

 After bleeding at the surgery site and going to the doctor for rebandaging last week, I had a follow up appointment with the doctor this afternoon.  He took the bandage off and said I could leave it off and that I did not need to come back and see him next week, as scheduled.  I did not ask him if I could resume "strenuous activities."  I proceeded to the park and ran 3.9 miles on the roads.  I start physical therapy on August 20.

Hot early afternoon run

 I ran 3.1 miles in town at 1 this afternoon, mostly on the shady walkways in the park on 7th Street.

Millican post series party and awards

 I went to Millican late this morning for the Millican Summer Series post-series party and awards.  Lots of good food and friends.  I won the 80 and over age group award for the series, but I was the only one over 80 running.

Late this evening, I went to the state park and ran 4.3 miles on the park  roads.

Southern Star 5K

I ran the Southern Star 5K in Conroe this morning - for the 11th straight year.  I finished in 55:16 and was 1st of 1 in the 80 and over age group.

Tried to stay in the shade

 I ran 3.5 miles in town late this morning, trying to stay in the shade as much as possible.  No more bleeding, but am still  sore from the surgery on Monday.

Millican Summer Series 5K Trail Run Number 6

 I was somewhat apprehensive about running the 3.2-mile technical trail run tonight in Millican.  My back has been bleeding off and on since the surgery on Monday.  I went to the doctor this morning and they rebandaged it.  So, I went on to Millican tonight and ran the last race of the summer series.  My goal was to finish without tripping and falling.  I accomplished that.  My time was 1:06;55, over 2 minutes slower than the last race in the series 2 weeks ago.

Late morning at the park

 I ran 3.4 miles on the roads at the park late this morning.  The doc called today and wants me to start physical therapy.

Split run

 While I am obviously sore from the incision in my back, I am finding it easier and less painful to get upright and move around.  Tissue was removed from around two vertebra to relieve pressure on the nerve by the bulging disk. It was also going down my right leg, causing pain there.  The surgery seems to be working.  According to the post-op instructions, I cannot do anything strenuous for two week - an I cannot take a shower for 4 days.  I went to the park late this morning and ran 2.2 non-strenuous miles on the roads.  Later this evening, I went back to the park, met up with the Tuesday group and ran another 1.3 miles.  Total for the day 3.5 miles.  I hope to get back to a normal running schedule tomorrow.

Surgery done

 At midnight this morning, I went to the old mall parking lot in Huntsville and ran 3.5 miles.  Did not get much sleep afterwards and got up early and drove down to Conroe for my back surgery this morning.  The doc said all went well.  I suppose time and running speed will tell.  I am back home and being real lazy for the rest of the day.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands tonight.  It is held on the first Sunday of every month.  I finished in 55:22.

Spindle Tree 5K Park Run

I got up early this morning to run the Spindle Tree 5K Park Run in Magnolia at 7:30.  Finished in 55:03.

Early afternoon run

 With a race in the morning, I ran about 1 this afternoon.  Went to the park and ran 3.2 miles in the heat.