I'm retired from racing. Really.

PM- Started my run intending to go 15-16 miles.  Instead, I discovered that my hips are still ultra-sensitive to running on hard surfaces.  My left hip started hurting by mile 4, caused me to turn around early, and left me slowly limping home.  I'm very, very, very frustrated right now.  It's been 10 weeks and I can't run more than 5 miles without pain, other than on dirt.  I'm afraid this  is going to vex me all season, with my primary hope that the melting snow will allow me to do most my running on trails.  11 frustrating miles. 

AM- 4 xt.

PM- 8 xt.

AM- 4 miles running (no pain!), 2 xt.

PM- I wanted to get as many miles as I could handle today, which meant running on trails rather than road.  I slept in a bit and didn't get out until 3:30 pm, when it was 30 deg, snowing, and 20+ mph wind.  Brr.  I drove to the Green Canyon fishing hole and hoped the canyon would be runnable and provide shelter from the storm.  Both proved true.  The road was great- fairly firm packed, with 2-4 inches of new snow on top to add a bit of a challenge (plus more coming down the whole time).  I ran all the way to the Yurt at about 10 min miles, passing 13 ladies skiing to the Yurt.  On the way down, I discovered that they had only gone 1 mile in the time I ran 5- they weren't too fast.  I felt great except for my left groin, which has been bugging me when I run uphills.  I ran down at about 7 min pace.  Finished the 9 miles of lap 1 in 1:16- not bad for a snowy trail run.  Very enjoyable- soft snow, runnable trail, good weather, lots of solitude.

I refilled my water at the car, took a Chocolate Mint Gu (very yummy), and debated whether to spare my groin by finding some flatter stuff, or venturing up Green again.  Of course, the allure of the trail and snow won out, and I ventured up again after driving to the normal parking lot.  Pace was ~10 min miles, and I kept hoping I would pass the skiers again.  I needed to turn around to get home, but decided to go ahead and run all the way to the Yurt for the second time.  I indeed caught all but 2 of the skiers before the Yurt, with most of them making some comment or another about me passing them twice.  Unfortunately, I started to fall apart on the run down, averaging 8-9 min miles as my groin was absolutely killing me, my hips started hurting, and I just ran out of juice.  I was very glad to finish just before dark.  Finished the 7.5 miles of lap 2 in 1:10. 

Total was 16.5 miles of snow running (no mileage padding today, Scott), in 2:26:03 with 2600 ft climbing.  My longest run time-wise by almost an hour since RR.  I felt good (other than my groin) until the last few miles.  I'm sure my hips and groin will complain tomorrow, though, but I'm glad to see I can do 2 hour trail runs.  I'm going to drop down to the 25k Buffalo Run, though- 50k would kill me.  Sorry, Cody- guess our series will be 1 race fewer.