December 19- January 1st.

Well, the last two weeks have been very sporadic with my training. Two weeks ago I only ran four days, but still got in 60 miles with a 21 mile long run. Going to the cabin has been detrimental to my training. While at the cabin I did not run at all. Granted there is still physical activity going on, snowmobiling and working around the cabin, it still is not the same as putting in the miles. But when I returned to the west side of the mountains I had a great long run, then Christmas off, and two more great days of running before heading back to the cabin again.

This trip was different. I got my self out for a great 10 mile run on Wednesday. I got the chance to head out the groomers and up some snowmobile trails. The run was a lot more fun than I thought that it would be considering my little desire to get out the door. But running in the deep snow was great. I loved how easily it took my mind off running and just allowed me to love being in the mountains.

This was the last day I ran of 2011. The next day I woke up and went snowmobiling all day and never got the chance to run, but then woke up the next day to a very painful right leg. I went riding all day again, but this only made my leg worse. I have not run since Wednesday, and am still having issues with my leg. I can't quite figure out what is going on. Its a deep muscle or tendon pain in my inner thigh that seems to be straining me hamstring at the same time.

So unfortunately my year of running did not end quite the way I would have liked it too, nor has 2012 started particularly well either. But I still ran 3345 miles in 2011 and had a fairly pain free year. For the first time every I held a great running streak, completing a year straight in July. Although since then I missed more days than I can remember having missed in the last 2 years of steady training. But I am still happy with it. My goal for 2012 is too break 4000 miles and continue to stay healthy (after this thigh ailment.) I am also hoping to get back to more of a streak, but still being confident enough to take days off when I need to, but with this, bringing my days down from 33 in 5 months to under 15 in the year. Obviously this is health dependent and considering I am not running at the moment, its not a great start to keeping that number down. As for now my goal is to get out for 3-5 miles tomorrow and see how it feels, evaluate and treat my leg accordingly and slowly bring my miles back up as my leg allows, with the hope that by late this week I will be back to normal again.

As for now, happy new year! Time to start the mileage count over again : )

Deep, deep snow on Fridays ride, one of the most fun times I have ever had riding
   
Here is a song Tay played for me that has been stuck in my head all day. Enjoy.