-9.6 degrees

(This is before the run as I am contemplating our sanity.)

And the thermometer keeps dropping on the weekend. Today my friend T and I ran in our coldest temperature yet. It was -9.6 but at least there was very little wind. The plan was to run 11 but we had discussed making it shorter and saving the longer run for Sunday if we needed to. She ran yesterday with a bitter cold wind and was a little tentative about today. Her husband shook his head in amazement when she left home to meet me (I don't think it was in admiration as he told her "No heroics.") T ususally wears much less than I do but today she was still reacting to her run on Friday. She began the run with 5 - yes 5 layers on top. She did remove a coat not too far into our run. I wore my usual 3 layers for colder temps. We both wore two layers on the bottom. I got out the hand and feet warmers that I can count on one hand the times I have resorted to. I also got out my face mask (see the pics, lovely isn't it, quite the fashion statement!) for the first time this year.

We headed out and decided it was bearable with very little wind and would do the whole route! The best part of my 11 mile route is there is a loop in the middle. If I am running less than 10 at home it is an out and back and while it is a pretty route I do enjoy a loop. The bad part about this loop is it is very hilly. I need to do hills though so I guess that was a plus. As we were headed up the biggest hill we met another runner. I was thinking we weren't the only crazy ones out for a run which is exactly what she said as she ran by!

I felt like I weighed a great deal more than I do. My muscles were stiff and I felt very sluggish. It is a bit demoralizing to run when you feel that stiff. Both T and I began to feel tired around the 7th mile. I tried not to think about it and to keep my spirits up. I know so much of this is mental.

When we finally got back to my house we found that we had not gone the ENTIRE 11 miles! So we headed down the road to complete the 11! I am sure that as ESH at Sweat Once a Day reads this she will groan, roll her eyes and think, "Oh, Mom, you are so anal!" Yes, I am. I know it. I admit it! A plan is a plan and needs to be followed. Yes, I know listen to your body, use common sense.............! I will get there some day.

But we completed it and felt good about our fortitude. It was a quick walk to the bathroom and a long rewarding HOT shower! Let's hope tomorrow is warmer as well as next weekend. The thermometer needs to move in the other direction on Saturdays!

We made it!