My "season" started last week. So, time to look back at last year.

My total exercise load was almost exactly the same as the last four years. Last year was slightly less because I was injured in September, sick in October, and sick again in November. Even last year the load was only 10% less than the others.

The almost identical numbers are interesting to me, since I don't look at totals of anything during the year. They just come out the same.

My #running distance this year was only about 600 miles; the lowest mileage total in five years and only 60% of last year. All this really means to me is that I had more control over my schedule and therefore biked and skied more. Running these days is more my last resort exercise, though I end up running close to every day.

I did three parkruns and bettered my time on each one. Enjoyed them all, though 5K is not something I have ever trained for. How can anyone not enjoy the #parkun experience!? I wish the US had more events.

I did a two-day gravel bike "race" with friends, without training. I did well -- mostly because my friends weren't as well-trained as they thought they were. 😀 The gravel "race" was the highlight of the exercise year. I'm just so familiar with the bike. In addition, being on gravel I wasn't constantly comparing my riding to past road racing, which is always depressing. 😀

I only raced once last season and was injured when I did it. This year, I'll do more races. Not so much to win, but because I enjoy the challenge.

It's clear -- knock on wood -- that the only sport in which I get injured is running. If I were wiser, and had more control over my schedule, I'd stop running and ski and bike instead. Slow build or not, as my running mileage increases, various and changing pains pop up and increase.

This year's solutions to getting injured while running are to do last year's solutions more intensely: more cushioned shoes, lose more weight, more strengthening exercise, and build even more slowly. The only thing I can add this year are trips to see an orthopod. I have one scheduled soon, and I plan to schedule one for closer to my "peak." Suggestions are welcome.