2015!! Day 1 - Snow Blind (Starr Hill) - 10 miles

The last time I celebrated the New Year escapes me. No matter how many B list celebrities the networks are willing to drag out the Times Square ball drop is still anti-climatic. Sure, if there had been an event to get me out of the apartment I would have braved the crowds, absorbed the cover charges and dealt with the bitter cold of the early morning but there wasn't. Really what is there to say... 2014 that just happened.

A week ago I had brought up the topic of resolutions to my father. He was quick to point out that most of what I proposed sounded more like goals. The idea of a resolution was tabled until I heard from my friend Jeff. Now something you should know about Jeff is that the man once ran one hundred miles and drank one hundred beers in a week. While I had never undertaken a running drinking challenge I did manage to run every day of 2012. In this spirit Jeff returned to a previous conversation in which I had proposed a run and a beer a day for one year.

Is this possible? Sure, sure it is. Still, the chance of injury and alcoholism are worth consideration. Then again, if I continue to binge on Netflix like a complete meth addict I'll be the next Mike Teavee. I quickly told Jeff that I would give January a try and then evaluate. I mean who knows, maybe I'll find my golden ticket at the bottom of a bottle?

The Beer: Snow Blind - Starr Hill Brewery (Charlottesville, VA)

I was expecting a typical heavy winter lager with a lot of complex flavor and a bitter aftertaste. Then I read the brewer's comments. Described as "full bodied" with "massive caramel aroma". The first sip of the dark brown brew was remarkably sweet and smooth. There was no bitterness about it. At 7.4% ABV it left a nice warm buzz. I'd certainly fill it up again with this one, pass me a Santa hat and I'll lay low by the fire all night.

The Run: 10 miles easy (1 hr, 14 min)

My asthmatic lungs still feel charged after a full week at the parent's house for Christmas. Damn allergies.