Remember Me?! Happy New Year!

Has it really been 2 weeks since I posted and commented on your blogs? Shame on me! I just wanted to check in and say "Hi" to everyone out there in Bloggerland. I'm still alive, still running outside in this ridiculously cold Connecticut weather, and counting down the days until spring arrives. I hate all of you that are complaining about it being too hot! I'll trade you a cold and windy 32 degree "feels like" 10 degrees freezing my ass off and my toes and fingertips are cold day any day! At least it's getting darker later, so I don't have to worry about running in the dark and tripping on sidewalk cracks or running into telephone poles or garbage cans. My times have been consistent; around an 8:50 per mile average pace, with my usual negative splits. The cold air has me gasping for breaths the first half mile or so, especially if I start by running uphill. I compare it to being underwater and trying to suck in air. However I am always prepared: I wear my Runner's ID bracelet that my wonderful daughter bought me. This way should I pass out and become a sidewalk popsicle, the medics have the option of calling my wife or daughter and telling them what a jackass I was for running in subzero wind chill temperatures. No, I won't run on a "dreadmill" or go to the gym. Too "germy" and too boring. My favorite running route, the Farmington Canal Linear Trail does get plowed whenever it snows, but only the first 1 1/2 miles. So that sucks, but I appreciate the mile and a half of quiet time with nice scenery. Surprise, I'm usually the only person on it. Speaking of nice scenery, excuse me ladies for saying this, but I've started appreciating the winter apparel that you wear when you run. It's cool that you have such fashionable attire to wear, while us guys run wearing the boring gray or black...well, at least this 53 year old man does. I just can't wear those leggings that men wear (scary), or something bright and colorful. Women can pull it off, and pull it off well. Heck, you even have hats that allow room for your ponytails. Who's better than you? I'll stick to wearing my bought on sale at a great price Nike or other brand name gray or black tops and bottoms, and leave the fashion statements to all you ladies. Sorry, I got sidetracked...
If I run on the sidewalks there's always areas where they're not shoveled, or are shoveled and have icy areas. Road running becomes a challenge, because there's always a car or two that passes me by as close to me as possible. It's like a game of "chicken." I wish the driver would at least slow down and give me a high five out their window. Maybe I should run with a key in my hand and stick it out as they graze me and reward them with a cool keyed racing stripe the entire length of their car. OK, I'm just kidding...
Hey, I had New Years running resolutions. Let's see, I have to go find them in my blog. Be right back...Here they are! 1) Always have fun whenever I run: Always?! OK, I mostly had fun whenever I ran. Close enough. Goal accomplished. 2) Stay injury free. NOT! After an initial diagnosis last January of Achilles Tendonitis by what turned out to be an incompetent podiatrist, complete with a VERY painful cortisone shot, I actually found out by going to a competent podiatrist in April that I had Morton's Neuroma, which is far less serious and doesn't require cortisone shots. 3) Run at least 1 marathon this year; two if my body can handle the training. DONE! I ran the Hartford Marathon and the NY City Marathon. 4) Place in the top three in my division in any race and win a cheesy award. Well, I did and I did! Back in May I entered a new 5K race, hoping to win an award against less than stellar competition. My strategy worked, as I came in 2nd and won....drumroll please...four 2 oz. bags of Brioni coffee and a "Hotel California Tequila" t-shirt. 5) Read as many running blogs as I can, and be supportive of my fellow runners by commenting in their blogs. That was easy...done! P.S. Welcome to my 3 new stalkers/followers. EricaH, Continuous Changes, and GISRunner 6) Buy the Garmin Forerunner 305 so that I can better track my progress. I was like Ralphie from "A Christmas Story." Ralphie said: "I want an official Red Ryder, carbine action, two-hundred shot range model air rifle!" I said: "I want an official Garmin Forerunner 305 high sensitivity GPS receiver with new courses feature and robust wireless heart rate monitor for optimal performance." Ha! I bought it, and it still needs a name! 7) Run as many races as possible with my daughter. It's definitely quality "father/daughter" time. Did it, and have the best race pic ever with her. See the pic under "About Me" in this blog. 8) Run a race with a "blog buddy." Well, I didn't run a race with a blog buddy, but I did run in the same races as two of my blog buddies: Carlee and Lindsay. I've also met them both, so to me that counts.
OK, gotta go now. Time to go prepare for the new year. I'll be attempting to catch up on all your blogs over the weekend. Happy New Year, my blogging buddies. P.S. Note to self: Redo "Previous Races" part of blog that I accidentally deleted...Grrr