After a long absence, the sun is back today. Hooray. Yesterday, my run kept getting pushed back until finally before dinner, Chowder and I got out for a short 3 miler. Not speedy, but it felt really nice and was quite relaxing. Although it was dark, we went to the hiker-biker trail before looping back home. Trusty headlamp, I love you.

qotd: 2023-- any big plans/races in development? Nothing yet for me. Some of our ideas are contingent on the kiddos. DS1 might be in Texas at some extended point later in the year, and DS2 should be starting college, possibly staying in northern AZ. If that's the case, we might take an extended fall trip out West. DH is still teleworking and I'd like to get in a Grand Canyon hike.

And yesterday's question-- yes, I have a few casual group runs that I attend weekly. And my running club has a winter trails program that I thought about signing up for, to meet other trail runners and get higher mileage, but I might have missed the sign up deadline.

Probably gonna skip the run today as I'm gonna try to get into this fairly remote area for some exploration. Today may be my only chance as we're supposed to get about a foot of snow starting tomorrow. A lot of swamp with island pockets of old growth pine and hemlock. It's maybe a half hour from here but I've yet to get in there as it's pretty wet and mosquito lively so right now it will be frozen with only about 6" of snow. If that doesn't work out I'll just do 4 or so on the bike path.  The next couple days here will start with freezing rain then change to heavy snow with high winds.  A recipe for power outages.

QOTD--timely as a few minutes ago I just cancelled some camping reservations in Ark. and Texas for March. DW and I will be on Florida's emerald coast for Jan and Feb and after the way Dec has gone so far we'll just need to relax here as opposed to more travelling. Otherwise there really is nothing set in stone except my usual Ontario canoe/fishing trips.  As far as any racing--well that's all over for this dinosaur.

LB--good for you on the running and hunting. Good luck.

4 very chilly, predawn miles this a.m., with hill repeats.  I really had to talk myself out of bed 'cause I knew it was gonna be cold and I was right -thermo of my car read 32 when I left for work at 7:45.  Now I'm at work with my heater blasting trying to warm up my frigging cold office so my hands will work.

QOTD: I'd like to run a couple of 50k races this year for the first time over 4 years.  Skyline 50k in August is a possibility since I got to defer last year due to PF, but I know it's gonna be hot and I don't run in warm weather.  There's also Forest Ranch Four 50k in April, but I don't know if I can be ready for an April 50k and finish.  I signed up last year, but again, PF got in the way.  A friend ran it, so I need to pick her brain about the course.

5 last night out at the lake under grey and crisp conditions, and today was 5 at lunch on the local trail in sunny and crisp conditions. Not complaining, 35 or so with no wind is pleasant weather for December. Not much to report on the runs, though we did see a good size fox down below us in an open area as we skirted the cedar forest. I think we surprised him.. he looked a bit startled to be spotted out in the open like that.

QOTD.  No big plans or races. Maybe do the chilly cheeks trail race this January. We do plan a few weeks in FL in February to see my parents, so need to find a weekend place to go soon that is dog friendly.

Did 5 mi this morning.  Warm and humid - yucky summer sort of run. Enough said.

qotd: DD is planning on a multi-day adventure race in August up in CO, I'll probably crew for that. Then in September I'm in the Mogollon Monster in AZ.