Well, that pretty much sums up my 2012

Last weekend, I was looking for my phone. I have a house with some wooden steps in the back that lead to the basement. I was wearing some nice, fuzzy winter socks (they're purple and they have reindeer and snowflakes on them),  kind of half paying attention, and I slipped on one of the top steps and went ass over tit down the stairs. 

Thump, thump, thump, thump, thump. Ouch.

It knocked the wind out of me, messed up my left shoulder, and absolutely smashed the shit out of the two toes on the outside of my left foot, which are now very nice and purple and even fuglier than usual. 

It's not that big of a deal, and, on the scale of things, it could have been waaaay worse, but I haven't really been able to run on it since. I went on a four-mile easy run that felt ok on Friday, but the next day, my toes were hurting in a not-so-good way, so I think I'm going to have to stay off it until it's fully healed.. 

I'm sure it'll probably be fine in a week or two, but it's the umpteenth break in my training this year.

Over the past 13 months, I've had less than four of pain-free running, with most of it being this summer from May-July. Other than that, it's been limpity limp limp. I definitely made some mistakes about not being patient enough in recovery, but this one was just stupid. 

But, as frustrating as this year has been, I had one goal race, and I achieved my goal. Most years, I wouldn't trade a year of healthy running for a successful goal race, but this year I'll take it. No need for negativity.

As my friend, Coach Jay, says, patience. It matters not a whit if I'm running sub-18 in January or 18:40, because I had to take a month off. I need to take the long view and get healthy. Only then will I have a shot at the big goals.

Gotta take the long view. 

Merry Xmas and Happy Holidays all.

Enjoy the season, and be careful wearing fuzzy socks on steep stairs:)