The Best of Holiday Wishes to All

OK, so I've been lame and not written anything for a year.  Danielle and I ran the Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK 50 together this fall and it was amazing.  I got all fired up to begin writing again, but experienced some "issues" with my old blog site, runwvmountains.  Then, as so often happens, I got out of the mood.

I'm not one for New Year's resolutions, but because of my looming retirement on Dec. 27, 2013, my resolution is to begin writing again.  I am waiting for Jan. 6 at 10:00 a.m. when registration opens for Vermont 100.  Hoping the server doesn't get bogged down, and I can get my registration accepted.  Then I'm going to start my training regimen in late January.  So, with retirement I should be able to train as well as write.  I know this is just too rambling, but I did want to get something out there.  Adam Casseday (fresh from Hell Gate) is going to help me develop a training plan shortly after the first of the year.  Oh, did I mention I'll be dusting off my fly rods too.  Let's see, run, write and fish.  Not bad for starters.  I promised my lovely wife I would not totally drive her crazy.

Yesterday (Sunday the 22nd) was freaky warm and I decided to take the opportunity to take our Golden Retriever Lola to Otter Creek for 8 or 10 miles on the trails.  It was crazy.  I've been hanging in Otter Creek ever since I was a kid and I've never seen so much water.  For starters, the trail was running full of water just about everywhere except a few high spots.  It was like running up the middle of a creek.  Then I got to the first creek crossing (Yellow Creek) and I couldn't get across.  It was ripping.  The water in Yellow Creek is very dark due to tanic acid, and when the water is high, one cannot see the bottom.  I took about two steps into the creek and was in up to my thigh.  I knew of a submerged log, coupled with slick rocks and I figured it was a recipe for a swim.  I wasn't up for a dunking so made the decision to cut it short.  Lola was all confused, but she got over it.  We ran back to the trail head, ran up a couple of side trails till we were stopped by high water, and then just called it a day.  I'm still in recovery mode and the lack of mileage wasn't a big deal.  I just didn't want to get wet & cold. 

Sorry this is so dis-jointed.  I'll focus a little more closely after the new year.

Merry Christmas & Happy Healthy New Year!!!

Happy Trails to All,
      jim