Back to the park

 After 3 days of running elsewhere, I returned to the state park this evening and ran 3.3 miles, almost all on the trails.

Labor Day 5K

 I ran our club's Labor Day 5K in Huntsville this morning.  I had problems with one of the side effects of one of temporary heart medications I am taking.  I got lightheaded 3 times and had to stop running.  The three H's (hills, heat and humidity) did not help either.  I finished in 1:08:07, my slowest road 5K ever.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands tonight.  Finished in 57:59.

Madisonville 5K

 I drove up to Madisonville this morning and ran the Madisonville 5K, a new race.  The course was a single loop.  Asphalt roads, gravel roads, concrete trails and cross country.  I finished in 59:14.

Earlier run on Friday, as usual

 With a race on most Saturday mornings, I run earlier on Friday.  I went to the park about noon today and ran 3.5 miles,  mostly on the trails.

Split run

 After it rained most of the morning, I ran 2 miles in town.  Tonight, I went down to Conroe and ran another 2 miles at the Fass Brewery Run.  4 miles total.

The storm went the other way

 We were suppose to get a lot of rain today from a tropical depression, but it went east of Huntsville.  Only got 1/8th of an inch at my house.  I went to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.7 miles on the roads, partly in a very light rain.

Ahead of the storm

 I went to the park at 3 this afternoon to get in a run before the tropical storm.  It was a little cooler, so I ran 4.1 miles, mostly on the trails.  In the last mile, there was distant lightning and a light rain.  No rain at my house, but it is suppose to rain all day tomorrow.

Wrapping up August

 Seems like a long month.  Maybe it was the heat and virtually no rain at my house.  I managed to run a total of 102.2 miles for the month, giving me a total of 805.2 so far for 2026.  At the end of August last year, I was at 878.6.  This afternoon, I had a dental appointment in Huntsville and a skin doctor appointment in Conroe.  I ran 3.5 miles at the park this evening, mostly on the trails.

Sunday at the park

 After church and visiting family this afternoon, I went to the park late this evening and ran 3.8 miles, mostly on the roads, but a couple miles on the trails.

Spring Park Run 5K

I ran the Spring Park Run 5K in Spring this morning, just like last Saturday.  Was interested to see if the heart procedure I had last Monday would make a difference.  I really did not feel any different, even though I ran a whopping 9 seconds fast today.  Finished in 56:58. 

Mid-day run

 I went to the state park at noon and ran 3.4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery run

 I ran 1.7 miles in town this afternoon and then went down to Conroe tonight and ran another 2 miles at the Fass Brewery Run.  Total 3.7 miles for the  day.

Stayed on the roads

 I stayed on the roads at the park late this evening to minimize the chance of falling.  Got in 3.3 miles.  

Back to the park

 I had to be careful, but I got in a 3.2-mile run at the state park this evening.  Did most of it on the small, but relatively smooth Loblolly Trail behind the Nature Center.  Lap after lap, but no trips or falls.

Surgery day

 I started today with a 3.2-mile run at the track at midnight this morning.  A few hours later, I drove down to Tomball for my heart procedure.  They went in a large artery in my groin to the complicated side of my heart to do electrical repairs (ablation).  I was out the whole time and it lasted and hour and a half.  I have never had so many wires attached to my body.  I found two more stickers on my leg after I got home.  The doctor said it was successful.  It should improve my heart function - and hopefully my race times.  I get to do strenuous things again in seven days.

All trails

 It was 100 degrees when I got to the park this afternoon to run.  Got in 3.5 miles, all on the trails.

Spring Park Run 5K

 I drove down to Spring this morning and ran the Spring Park Run 5K.  First time in a few months.  I finished in a slow 57:07 and was one of one in the 85-89 age group.  I am in hopes that my ablation procedure on Monday will help get my heart strength above the 30 percent.

3.3 at 100

 I ran 3.3 miles at the state park when it was 100 degrees this afternoon.  Mostly trails.

Fleet Feet Run in The Woodlands

Normally, I run at the Fass Brewery in Conroe on Thursday night.  Today's Fass run was cancelled, but it was combined with the Fleet Feet Running Store Thursday 5K run in The Woodlands.  So, I went down there.  I did not know the course, but ended up improvising.  I completed 3.2 miles and got to visit with a lot of good friends.

More trails

 I seem to be leaning toward running more on the trails lately.  It is hot and dry and the biting horse flies have gone into hiding.  I went to the park earlier this afternoon and ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Procedure scheduled

 I received a call today from my doctor's office telling me that that my new procedure to fix  my Afib is scheduled for next Monday. It is suppose to be more complicated and riskier than the last one, taking about and hour and a half.  Hope it works.  Later this evening, I went to the park and ran 3.3 miles, mostly on the trails.

Shady roads and trails

 Another hot August Monday.  I waited until  late this evening to go to  the park and run.  At least, the roads and trails are somewhat shady then.  Got in 3.5 miles, about half roads and half trails.

Sunday at the park

 I made it out to the park late this Sunday afternoon and ran 3.3 miles, mostly on the trails.

Skipped a race this morning

 We had our club's annual Heatwave 5K this morning at the hilly Elkins Lake Sub-division.  My BP was too low to run.  So, I volunteered to be the race photographer.  I rested all afternoon.  I felt a little better late this evening, went to the park and ran 3.4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Mostly trails

 I ran 3.2 miles at the park early this afternoon when it was good and hot.  Mostly on the trails.

Two trips to Conroe today

 Went to Conroe twice today.  First trip was for an appointment with the cardiologist who performed the ablation on my heart a couple months ago.  That ablation is still working, but he wants to do the other chamber in the heart.  It is much more complicated and will take and hour and a half to do.  That is being scheduled.  After returning to Huntsville, I went into town and ran 1.2 miles.  Tonight, I went back to Conroe for the Fass Brewery Run.  Ran another 2 miles.

Hot and humid

 According to my truck thermometer, it was 91 degrees when I ran at the state park at 6:30 this evening.  Obviously humid, too.  Got in 3.2 miles, including 1 mile on the trails.

Park nearly empty

 I went to the state park late this evening and ran 3.2 miles on the roads.  I was surprised by how few people were in the park.  Hardly any campers or anyone in the day use area.

A little longer

 I had a busy day and it was nearly 7 pm before I got to the park to run.  Stayed on the roads and ran 3.7 miles.

Sunday at the park

 I made it out to the park late this Sunday evening and ran 3.3 miles on the park roads.  I had obviously rained at the park earlier (not at my house) and it was relatively cool. 

11 Below Brewing 5K

 I ran the 11 Below Brewing 5K in Conroe this morning.  Finished in 56:46 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  This was a replacement race for the Southern Star Brewing 5K which had been held for 11 years in Conroe.  Southern Star recently closed.

The photo is one of several posted of an armadillo crossing the course.  He was probably running faster than me.

Hot run at the park

 I ran 3.1 miles at the park early this afternoon.  Very hot and most of the distance was on the trails.  Hardly anyone in the camping area and I saw no  one on the trails.

Millican Summer Series #6

 I ran the Millican Summer Series 5K (+) Trail Run in Millican tonight.  It was the last race of the 6-race series.  Finished in 1:09:12.  First of one in the 80 and over age group.  From there, I drove to Conroe for the Fass Run Club 4th Anniversary Party.

Felt a little better this evening

 I spent most of this afternoon in bed, but did feel a little better this evening.  Went to the park at 7 tonight and ran 3.2 miles on the roads.

Roads and trails

 I ran 3.1 miles at the park late this afternoon, mostly on the roads.

Park roads

 I waited until late this evening and ran 3.1 miles on the park roads.

Sunday Night 5K

Ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands this evening.   My first race since the last Sunday Night 5K, a month ago.  Did not feel well and finished in 1:00:06.

Late Saturday run

 I felt lousy all day and waited until after 7 tonight to run.  Went to the park, determined to stretch out my distance.  Got in 3.2 miles on the park roads.

Wrapping up July

It's been a bad month for running.  Ran only 61 miles, the first month in 2 years that I have run less than 100 miles.  I had hoped to get back to a normal routine of running and racing.  I felt weak all day and spent most of it in bed.  I went to the park about 1:30 this afternoon and struggled to run 2.1 miles, part of it on the trails.  I had planned to run one of the 5K park runs tomorrow, but I am sleeping in.  

Fass Brewery Run

 I woke up this morning with an infected left eye.  Luckily, I was able to get to see my eye doctor this morning.  He prescribed eye drops, which the drug store did not get ready until tonight.  I ran 2.3 miles at the Fass Run tonight and picked up my eye drops tonight.

Doctor appointment today

 I saw my primary care physician today.  He prescribed a spray for my sinuses and an anti-biotic that is suppose to care of my sinus infection, as well as my infected leg.  Later this evening, I went to the park and ran 2.4 miles.

Park run, again

 I spent much of the day in bed, but I did get out to the park late this evening for a 2.3-mile road run.

Went back to Iron Works

 I went back to Iron Works late this morning to try to get back to an exercise program.  I did some, but soon went home and back to bed.  I made an appointment with my primary care physician this Wednesday and hopefully he can figure out what is going on.  I think it is sinus related.  I went to the park late this evening, when the roads are virtually 100 percent shaded (still 90 degrees) and ran 2.5 miles

Still felt lousy today

I still felt lousy today and spent much of it in bed.  I made it out to the park at 7:30 this evening and ran 2.3 miles on the shady roads. 

Feel like I am coming down with something

 I stayed in bed all day, except to meet some old friends for lunch and to mow the grass.  Feel like I am coming down with a sinus infection, but am antibiotics my my leg injury.  Not sure if the medicine will work on both places.  Just before dark tonight, I went into town and ran 1.8 miles.

Bandage off

 I returned to the state park today at noon and ran 2 hot miles on the roads.  Later this afternoon, I saw my cardiologist to get the bandage off my heart from the pacemaker implant on July 7.  Now, I get to run, drive and shower.

Fass Brewery Run

 I went down to Conroe tonight and ran 2 miles at the Fass Brewery Run.  About half was in a light rain.

Leg infection

 Despite using a ton of bacitracin ointment on my leg injury from the treadmill accident last Thursday, I woke up with an obvious leg infection this morning.  I got into see a GP this afternoon.  He prescribed an anti-biotic, which I started taking this evening.  My leg is hard to stand on when getting out of bed or up from a chair.  However, after running a bit, it does not hurt too bad.  I went into town this evening and ran 1.6 miles.

Late run at the track

 I went to the track late tonight and ran 2.5 miles.

Broke the treadmill streak

 I have been running one mile on the treadmill every day for 12 days.  The treadmill because it is relatively cool in Iron Works and hot outside.  I have tried to avoid sweating because of the risk of infection.  So, tonight, I went to the track late this evening and ran 2 miles.  It was still 89 degrees.  Nice running without the defib vest and heavy pack on my side.

Day 12

 Today was the 12th day of 1-mile on the treadmill at Iron Works.  I think I am beyond the point of having to worry about sweating and infection.  Was suppose to get the bandages off on Tuesday, but that got rescheduled for next Friday.  My plan is to run elsewhere tomorrow.

Day 11

 The burning pain in my shin got worse last night.  I even got up in the middle of the night to change the bandages and treat with anti-biotics. Iced it a couple times today.  This morning, I went to our monthly club run at Elkins Lake and took photos.  Tonight, I went back to Iron Works and a ran a careful mile on the treadmill.  It was tolerable.

Day 10

 I went back to the "scene of the crime" tonight at Iron Works.  I ran 1-mile on the same treadmill that threw me off last night.

Day 9

 The day started off with a call from my cardiologist's office.  My follow-up appointment has been moved from July 21 to July 24.  That's another 3 days with the bandages and clearance to run again.  I was supposed to be busy tonight, so I went to Iron Works mid-afternoon to run on the treadmill.  Mistake.  There were too many people there.  During my run, an old friend stopped by to visit.  I lost my concentration and fell off the machine.  Skinned up my knees and shin, but was otherwise okay.  Got up and finished a little over a mile.

Day 8

 Another mile on the treadmill at Iron Works tonight.

Day 7

 My surgery was a week ago today.  I am halfway through this pause in my running routine.  I went back to Iron Works tonight and ran another mile on the treadmill.

Day 6

 I ran1 mile on the treadmill at Iron Works tonight.

Day 5

 I made it to day 5 without a problem.  Ran 1 mile on the treadmill at Iron Works this afternoon.

Day 4

 These posts will be pretty much the same everyday, I suppose.  I go back to the doctor on July 21.  If all goes well, he will tell me that I can drive and run again.  In the meantime, another 1 mile on the treadmill at Iron Works tonight.

Day 3

 I ran another mile at Iron Works tonight. 

Day 2

 I went back to Iron Works late tonight for day 2 of running 1 mile on the treadmill.  I brought a little portable fan with me to help reduce the possibility of sweating, which might lead to infection.  That worked well.

Streak saver run

 I spent most of the day in bed.  Late tonight, I went to Iron Works and ran 1 mile on the dreaded treadmill.  The streak is still alive.

Surgery day

 I ran 2 miles at the track at midnight this morning and another 1.2 miles in town at mid-morning.  Total 3.2 miles.  Went down to Tomball this afternoon to have my pacemaker removed and replaced by one that has a built-in defib.  It was basically the same surgery that broke my streak back in April 2021.  I think the anesthesia I got was the placebo.  I seemed wide awake for the whole surgery and felt everything.  Did not get out of the surgery center until after 7 tonight.  Very sore now and restricted.  The good news is that I get to turn in the defib vest, which I have been wearing for over 3 months.

Hot 3.2

 I went to the park at noon and ran 3.2 hot miles on the roads and trails.  Surgery tomorrow.

Sunday Night 5K

 I went down to The Woodlands tonight and ran the Sunday Night 5K.  Finished in 55:09.

Stu's Country Mile 5K

 I ran Stu's Country Mile 5K in Centerville this morning - for the 31st time and 30th straight year.  Hot, as usual.  I finished in a slow 54:56 and was third of three in the 70 and over age group.

Back to the trails

 I ran 3.4 miles at the park about noon today.  Most of the run was on the roads, but part was on the trails.  No biting horse fly attacks.  Maybe it is too hot and dry for them.

Fass Brewery Run

 I ran 2 miles in town this afternoon and then another 2 miles at the Fass Brewery Run in Conroe tonight.

Later run on Wednesday

 It is getting so hot that I waited until about 5:30 to go to the park and run.  At least, there is more shade on the roads.  Got in 3.3 miles.

Finishing the month

 I ran an uneventful 3.4 miles on the roads at the park this afternoon.  That makes 102.8 miles for the month of June and 642 miles for 2026.

Echo results

 I had an echo exam on my heart on June 18 and got the results this morning.  I was hoping to hear that the virus that supposedly caused my congestive heart failure was cleared up by the medication and my heart if functioning normally now - and I can quit wearing the defib vest.  Well, it did not turn out that way.  My heart is still operating at 30-35 percent and they don't know what is causing it.  I still have to wear the defib vest.  On July 7, they are going to replace my pacemaker with one that has a built-in defibrillator.  Then, at some point, I can stop wearing the vest.  I had to break my last streak a little over 5 years ago for my pacemaker implant.  So, my current streak is in danger.  Hopefully, they can figure out what is causing me to run so slow and fix that.  In the meantime, I went to the park this evening and ran 3.4 miles on the roads.

Running partner today

 My 10-year old grandson asked if he could run with me at the park this afternoon.  Of course, I said, sure.  It was hot, but we ran 3.2 miles on the park roads.

Polish Pickle 5K - 30th straight year

 I ran the Polish Pickle 5K in Bremond this morning - for the 30th straight year.  I finished in 53:45 and was 3rd of 4 in the 80 and over age group.  Missed 2nd place by 1/10th of 1 second,

Friday at the park

 I went to the park about noon today and ran 3.1 miles

Millican Summer Series Race 3

I ran the Millican Summer Series Race 3 tonight in Millican.  I finished the 5K+ technical trail run in 1:07:35, which is a little faster than the same race a couple weeks ago.  I would have finished in less time, but I tripped and took a hard fall.  Skinned up my knee and had to gather up the battery and stuff that fell out of my defib vest battery pack.

Late evening run

 It's shadier on the state park roads later in the evening. Still hot (mid-90's), but I got in 3.6 miles this evening.

Two in one post

 Maybe it is my age, but I forgot to post yesterday.  I have heard of streakers forgetting to run and breaking their streak.  Hope I do not do that.  I ran 3.3 miles on the roads at the park late yesterday.  This afternoon, I had a 30-minute live radio interview on a Kentucky radio station sports show.  Always good to talk about running and streaking.  With his Kentucky accent, I am not sure I heard all the questions correctly.  Of course, he may be saying the same thing about my answers and Texas accent.  Later, I went to the park and ran 3.5 miles on the roads.

Sunday at the park

 With family visiting on Fathers Day, I did not get out to the park until late this afternoon.  I ran 3.6 miles on the shadiest roads I could find.

No Label 5K

 I got up real early this morning and drove to Katy to run the No Label Brewery 5K.  The humidity was terribly high, but the course was on the flat streets in Katy.  Finished in 55:16 and was first of one in the 80 and over age group.  Got to visit with a lot of good friends.

Hard 3.1

 I ran 3.1 miles on the roads at the park early this afternoon.  Felt lousy, so it was a hard run.  Maybe it was the heat.

Two runs

 I ran 2 miles in town late this morning and then another 2 miles in Conroe tonight at the Fass Brewery Run.  4 miles total.  In between the runs, I had an appointment for an echo exam of my heart to determine if it has improved over the 35% from 3 months ago.  I will not get the results until my appointment with the cardiologist on June 29.  In the meantime, I am stuck with wearing the  darn defib vest.

Roads, again

 I went to the park in the middle of the afternoon when it was good and hot and ran 3.6 miles, all on the park roads.

Stayed on the roads

 With the huge biting horse flies out in force on the trails this week, I stayed on the roads at the park today.  Still no guarantee of not being attacked, but less likely than on the trails.  I got in 3.8 miles.

Got attacked on the trail

Lots of rain last night.  I started running on the roads at the park this afternoon.  Hopped on the trails and was soon attacked by huge biting horse flies.  Their biting season is normally May thru July.  Have not encountered any this year - until today.  Maybe the rain stirred them up.  I think I fought off 10 or so of them.  I got back on the roads as soon as I could and finished up 3.5 miles.

Beat the afternoon storm

 I went to the park right after church today to beat the expected storm.  Got in 3.6 miles, mostly on the trails.

June Bug 5K

 I ran our club's annual June Bug 5K in the Spring Lake Sub-division in Huntsville this morning.  Hot, humid and hilly.  Finished in a slow 58:38.

Roads and trails

 I made it out to the park early this afternoon and ran 3.3 miles on the roads and trails.

Millican Summer Series Race 2

 I skipped Race 1 two weeks ago, but I went to Millican this evening and ran Race 2 of the Millican Summer Series 5K Trail Run.  As usual, the course was a little long according to my GPS.  Hot and humid.  Very technical course with lot of up and down embankments.  Was worried about my leg collapsing going down the steep hills, so I took it easy and I stayed upright the entire course.  Finished in 1:09:50.

Hot and humid

 As expected for this time of the year, it is getting hot (90's) and humid.  I went to the park in the middle of the afternoon and ran 3.5 miles, mostly on the trails.

Stayed upright

 I made it out to the park this afternoon and ran 3.4 miles, half on the roads and half on the trails.  My left leg was a little sore, but my right knee was okay.  No falls.

Fall on the trails

 I went to the park this afternoon and ran 4.1 miles, mostly on the trails.  While going down a hill near the end of the trail segment of the run, my left leg collapsed and I fell.  No cuts, but I got dirty and twisted my right knee.  Hopefully, I will be okay for tomorrow.

Sunday Night 5K

 I ran the Sunday Night 5K in The Woodlands tonight for the 173rd time.  Finished in 55:38.

Run Through the Pines 5K

 I ran the Run Through the Pines 5K at the Alabama-Coushatta Indian Reservation, east of Livingston, this morning.  Hilly course on the asphalt roads through the reservation.  Nice race.  My first at the reservation since 2016.  I finished in 55:40 and was first of one in the 60 and over age group.

Friday at the park

 I made it out to the park late this morning and ran 3.4 miles, mostly on the trails.

Fass Brewery Run

 I ran 2 miles in town in Huntsville early this afternoon before going down to Conroe tonight.  Ran another 2 miles at the Fass Brewery Run.  Total 4 miles for the day.

Global Running Day

 As usual for Global Running Day, I went down to The Woodlands this evening to run.  They have three separate organized runs along the waterway.  So, I showed up at Fleet Feet and found that they moved their run to tomorrow.  So, I ran the 5K course by myself.  Saw a lot of good friends running the waterway with the other two groups.

Dodged the storm

 I went to the park late this afternoon with storms coming through the area.  Got in 3.6 miles, mostly on the trails. 

Empty trails

 I ran 3.8 miles at the park this afternoon, mostly on the trails.  Never saw anyone else on the trails.  Guess it is getting too hot.

Hot Sunday afternoon at the park

 It was in the low 90's this Sunday afternoon at the park.  I ran 4.1 miles, mostly on the trails.  That gives me 103.7 miles for the month and 539.2 for 2026.