Well, I went running with my faster friends today!! We met at 7:00 on a trail and headed off with a few snow flurries. It was a good, quick pace and they were very sweet to do all the talking since I was obviously breathing hard. I was able to stay with them for a mile and a half, until I finally told them to go on ahead. My goal is to be able to stick with them a little longer each Saturday. I actually caught up with them again at 2 miles because one of them had to use the glamorous port-a-potty (better than a VPB, though!). I turned around at 2 1/2 so I could get in 5 miles today; and as soon as I turned around those snow flurries that were just cute before, became brutal on my eyes. I pulled my hat down as far as I could, but I was still blinking and tearing, and occasionally I had to crane my head back to see if there were other runners that I was going to plow into. Anyway, my eyes survived and I was very surprised that 5 miles really didn't feel different than 4 miles. It was nice to be outside and to be able to run with some friends for part of it. It's also nice to have my run done by 8:15. Oh, that was funny - when I showed up at 7:00, I was the first car in the parking lot, and when I left, I had passed so many runners heading out, that the parking lot was crowded when I left! Hopefully I can sneak in a nap some time today ... | 