Running in 2024

2024 was a tough year. I was injured most of the time, started no races, and realized less than half of my running volume goal. Lessons learned include:

• Don't try to run through an arthritis flare-up. Switch to lower impact activities.

• Be conservative about increasing training volume. 10% a week is a healthy limit.

• High intensity training in a pool is fun and useful.

• It's good to make friends with elliptical trainers and treadmills.

I had a moment of decent fitness in June and enjoyed running in the Alps during my family's summer vacation. One day I ran up to a gondola station below Mont Blanc, four miles of 20% grade trails, one of the steeper runs I've ever done. It was a nice to grab a coke, an espresso, and a brownie at a café before heading back down. Definitely a highlight of a difficult year.