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I had participated in the Houston Senior Olympics for at least 3 years in the past, but they are no longer active. This is the first year I became aware of the National Senior Games, and I registered to participate in 3 of the Texas State Senior Games that were being held here in Houston at Bear Creek Park. The 5K race was scheduled for Monday, October 26th, at 9:00 a.m., and the 2 Mile walk was also scheduled for Monday, October 26th, at 11 a.m. The 10K was scheduled for Tuesday, October 27th, at 9:00 a.m. The Senior Olympics had always been held in March, so when I registered for these new games I wasn’t aware that the Houston Half Marathon would be the day before these games were to take place. About two weeks ago, I realized they would all be held within 3 days of each other. That concerned me since I was having problems with a stubborn infection due to some minor surgery at the beginning of September for an old root canal that had “gone bad,” and my regular dentist had told me I shouldn’t be running since my immune system was compromised. However, when the Endodontist did the surgery I asked him about running, and he said as long as I felt okay while I was doing a run just to keep on running, but if I started feeling bad then stop right away. Then I found out I was allergic to the penicillin I had been on and since the infection was being stubborn I was put on a different antibiotic, but the rash I had developed just would not go away, so I was taking an antihistamine. Of course since most of those are known for their dehydrating effect and causing drowsiness, this was just another problem. I STILL have had infection around that tooth so the Endodontist will do more surgery in that are. On top of all that, I had developed an Achilles Tendonitis problem at the end of September... Also, I usually can hardly walk for a day or two after I run a half-marathon or marathon. Everyone was telling me to skip the Senior Games; but I’m stubborn, and I very seldom use good judgment.

I had developed a large blister while running in the half-marathon, and it might have been due to compensating for the Achilles Tendon support I was wearing on my other foot since I NEVER get blisters any more while I’m running. So I decided to wear a support on BOTH feet so they would be equal; however, that dear blister decided to start acting up right away, so I was limping a bit during the 5K. Thinking positive, though, if the same situation that happened in the half marathon with the porta potty incident had happened at the 5K, I would have had a wet support instead of a wet sock!!

Soooooooooo.... the day after the half marathon I did my usual stretches in the morning, the ones that I had learned in physical therapy from all my ortho surgeries and injuries; and my legs felt pretty good. The weather forecast was not good at all, but it wasn’t raining near my home, and it wasn’t raining when I arrived at the 5K. The route for the 5K goes around the same loop twice. About half way around the first loop, it started raining cats and dogs and thundering and lightning, and that lightning sounded mighty close. I thought the race would be called by the time I reached the end of the first loop, but it wasn’t. (I later was told by two of the volunteers that the race SHOULD have been called, but such is life!) It just rained harder and harder and there was more thunder and lightning, and Bear Creek Park floods real fast. The puddles we were running through were getting deep, and my shoes were full of water and making those sloshing sounds. I’ve run in the rain before, but never in rain that came down that hard, and not when it was thundering and lightning! But at least I DID finish the 5K.

I’ve always received either gold medals or silver medals in any of the HOUSTON Senior Olympics I had participated in, but that was not to be the case in the STATE games. I didn’t realize until I talked to some of the women after the 5K that they came from as far away as El Paso to participate in the state games. There were three little grey-haired ladies (I’ll bet none of them were over 5'2," and don’t get me wrong, my natural hair is the same color as theirs, but they don’t color theirs!) in the 70 - 74 age group who ran at least 3 or 4 minutes faster in the race than I did! So I finished the race in 4th place in my age group - with NO medal!

The park was flooding in places already by the time we finished the 5K, and the forecast was for continued heavy rain and flooding, so the 2 mile walk that was to follow on Monday and the 10K scheduled for Tuesday were cancelled. My hands were so cold after the race that, due to my Reynaud’s Syndrome, couldn’t even open a bottle of water and had to ask someone else to open it for me. Also since it had turned colder and windier, I was cold and wet post race, and it took me several hours after I got home to finally get warm. I was so exhausted when I went grocery shopping a few hours later that I didn’t even know what I was doing; and I just wanted to go home and sleep! I sure would not have wanted to wait around freezing and wet for another 1 1/2 hours to do a 2 mile walk; and after the way I felt on Monday, I didn't even want to think about racing in a 10K on Tuesday! So, for me at least, that saying “THINGS HAPPEN FOR A REASON” certainly applied in this situation!

I've posted a few photos from the 5K in the photo section.

You are one brave lady! 1st or 4th you are a winner!

Thank you Rad; and now on to the endodontist once again, tomorrow, for more dental surgery to see if this persistent infection will finally disappear!

Oh, I had that last year. Finally had the tooth removed and had an implant. The root of the tooth was cracked causing a chronic infection. A year and 5000 dollars later all is well. Good luck with yours.

That's exactly what the endodontist said might be going on. What's so bad about THAT tooth is I have a permanent bridge with several crowns on it that would have to be removed; and, of course that bridge can't be saved. I already had a situation on the OTHER side of my mouth early this year with a tooth that had to be removed after 25 years of problems, and it ALSO had a permanent bridge with several crowns that had to be replaced. Soooooooo... my whole annual income this year will probably be spent on TEETH! Not fun!

do they ever have any "real" sports in the championship, like fencing?

I'm sure they do. Since I'm only interested in the 5K, the 10K, and the 2 mile walk, I never check out any of the other senior games. You're welcome to check out their website.