Sometimes, you have to decide if it's better to set aside personal goals and help someone else. Plus an update on my intentions for Rocky Raccoon on Feb. 8. And I talk about plans for an occasional feature on master's athletes.

Photo: Carly and Javi.

Injury or nagging aches and pains can really be a drag. I am on the fence about gutting out a 50K next weekend versus playing it safe and running a half marathon. I have an achy hip and don't want to be debilitated, so my decision will be made next week.

Also, I share an inspiring message from a fellow runner who just earned a beauty of a buckle at a 108K over the weekend.

Here is the link to Louisa's Go Fund Me.

It really helps to have a training group, because if you're me, you will occasionally decide it's OK to not do what you're planning to do. It also helps to have a running buddy. In my case, it's Maria,  who is about my pace and makes easy conversation.

I also ran my first 5K in about 5 years. It was surprisingly OK.

Also, I give y'all an update on Louisa, who broke her ankle last week during a fall at Bandera.

Here is her Go Fund Me link if you would like to chip in.

Photo: Me and Maria

I ended up losing my friends at a race due to a handful of stupid delays/impediments on Sunday at the Hoke One One Bandera trail run.  Those delays led to me being where I needed to be at the end after a friend got seriously injured during a fall. 

Photo: Louisa, Kelly. and Vero.

Photo by: Julio Montalvo of Counterpunch Media

I spent my New Year running (and walking) for six hours from midnight to 6 am for a good cause. It also provided an avenue to mend a fence or two, as well as provide some much-needed confidence. I also discuss my upcoming races, including one where I will travel to Wisconsin, of all places!

I had some unusual mental demons haunting me at a race on Saturday: a couple of nightmares in the days before. That, coupled with being the caboose and a few other things had me battling the DNF Fairy the entire time.

I am, admittedly, in a bit of a slump. I'm working on how to break out of it. I guess this is all part of the deal with running.

Since it's That Time of Year, I wanted to share with you some of my suggestions for gear for the runner in your life. Or, maybe yourself!

You are an experiment of one, so take my suggestions as just that.

If you have no ideas, a gift certificate to a local running store is always a winner. :)

Photo features Rabbit tank top and shorts and an Amphipod handheld bottle.

I had an epiphany near the end of a run on Saturday. It led to facing past demons and the baggage that comes with it.

It may trigger some with eating disorders, so be warned.

This one deals with self-worth, self-image, a borderline eating disorder and depression.

It is also about not blaming people for the hand you're dealt. Ultimately, this is uplifting. I am good.

It was hard finding a photo for this episode but I chose this sunflower field that I shot in Garciasville, Texas a couple of years ago. Despite the darkness, there is hope. And also, I'm kind of like the main sunflower in that I stand apart from the rest of the field.

It's easy to underestimate a race or training run when things have gone well for a long while.

Well, I learned that struggles can sneak up on you after a good streak. Pushing through and reminding yourself that things won't always be there tomorrow are important lessons.

Photo of me and Judith on the rock dome at Reveille Peak Ranch.

Two super-cool things happened on Saturday: I got to run my favorite trail race of the year, and I caught up with some good friends from the Rio Grande Valley. This is kind of an homage to the RGV, the place where I first discovered trail running.

I also talk about a race I did over the summer in the RGV, which is held at my favorite running spot.

Oh, and a shout-out to a guy from Houston named Shawn, who recognized my voice as we waited to pick up our race bibs yesterday. That was one of the coolest things . in recent memory.

In the photo: Luly, Sandra, yers trooly, Hugo, Mary and Gabe. Love you guys!