And any running consistency goes to shit. December. Seems to happen every year. Isn’t this supposed to be a fun and happy time of the year? Why is it all stress? Too many extra things going on; extra school and club functions, every club has Christmas parties, you have to meet up with everyone, can’t forget all the cards expected for everyone (even neighbors you don’t know!), and then you bleed money on gifts, food, booze…..the list goes on and doesn’t stop. Wait, and whoever thought up “elf on a shelf” can burn in hell. The last thing I want to hear when I’m half asleep at 9pm is “it’s your turn to do the elves.”

Rare early run recently from our cold snap. Loved it! Temps in the low 20F

Maybe Christmas was fun as a kid, I certainly know my kids like getting anything and everything they want (then just sit on iPads!), but as an adult it’s shit. 

For the past two weeks I’ve ran maybe 15 miles each week. I scour the web for articles on loss of fitness from not training trying to mentally accept the fact that it’s ok. You know what I want for Christmas? Time. 

However, I know there IS time, I just need to take it. I’m concerned my daily martial arts practice at home has stolen my willpower to run 6 days per week. Has one solid habit replaced another? I’ve been really struggling with this, mostly because being a runner is a part of my job. And I really really enjoy my job. Fingers crossed it’s just that time of the year. 

I was bummed I couldn’t take advantage of the cold running as much as I’d liked to have. Absolutely love running when it’s all white. 

Rare selfie above a sandstone cliff overlooking the River Severn (gray beard, not frost!)