A year in Andrew Part one

In looking back for pictures for the other year end blogs, I came across a ton of pictures of my other red, my son.  Here are some pictures through the year that I thought were fun:)

January:

The first bike ride of 2016

Sledding with Stella in January

February:

Valentines Day with my favorite red!

March:

Easter Egg Fun

First time at Fritz's

Train Show Kansas City

April: 

Curls

Haircut!

First T-ball practice

St. louis Science Museum

City Museum, St. Louis

May:

Muscles with Willie at the Bill Synder Half

Angry Bird's Movie!

Face painting at it's best!

These two

June: 

Taking care of Sick Stella

Riding the park train

Dreamy eyes

July: 

Riding on the Ferris Wheel at Wamego 4th of July 

4th of July in Wamego

First Dental Cleaning

Dino exhibit at Flint Hill's Discovery Center

Running Goals 2017 and some number crunching

I realized that I had mentioned what races I was going to do in 2017, but I had never talked about what my actual goals are.  Honestly, I still don't exactly know what they are, and I think that is okay.  Why do we always think we have to know what we are doing as soon at midnight rolls around on New Year's eve?    Here are my goals from last year that I posted on Another Mother Runner's website:

I was mostly injury free in 2016, other than this bothersome foot that isn't a major injury, just a nuisance sometimes.  My strength training has been pretty much non-existent for quite a while, and I can't seem to get my strength training mojo back.  I keep eyeing a couple of apps that help with group type classes, even though my coach sends me exercises to do. I am hoping that even though it may cost me something to either download an app or actually go to a class, that it will motivate me to get back to pumping some iron.  I just can't seem to get back to doing it on my own.  

I kind of skipped the full marathon and moved to a 50 K.  Whoops. I also did more trails thanks to my coach requesting one of my weekend long runs be on a technical trail.  While we pretty much did the same trail over and over, and didn't seek out any new trails per se, I would say this is a goal met.  

I did complete my third Heartland Series and got my coveted finisher's jacket.  While I love all of the races in this series, I am going to have fun branching out and doing some new races this year.  Goal met.

Now on to the numbers for the year.  I did 12 events this year total, 2 virtual races, 2 5Ks, 1 10K, 4 half marathons, one trail 25K, and 2 50Ks with one of those attempts being a DNF.  I had two DNS races thanks to my foot being a butt head.  I had to be a lot more careful this year with recovery and racing, due to the fact that I wanted to do bigger distances, so missed out on two 5Ks I wanted to race and one 10k.  Instead, I volunteered for the 10K and donated to the other 5Ks.  I also skipped my 10 miler that I like to do in December, due to money being tight thanks to Stella's illness.  I was so hoping to get to KC and do the group run yesterday out at the winter loop, but I came down with a stupid cold that has had me mostly in bed the last two days.  Oh well, the races I did made the year worth it.  

We will be attempting another 50K in the spring!

I finished with a grand total of 1205 miles, which is only 5 miles more than I had last year.  If you look at my Garmin connect data, it says I ran 1176 miles, but this does not count my treadmill miles, and I have no clue how to add in treadmill miles (if someone knows educate me).  My MapmyRun data is also off thanks to it double counting some of my mileage, after I figured out how to pair my Garmin connect with my MapmyRun app.   I never run with the app on anymore and just trust my watch as the app kills my battery life.  MapmyRun has me at 1647, which is a nice number, but not correct.  I tried to go back in and delete runs, and I got a whole month fixed, but the next time I logged in, it basically went back to the way it was so I gave up.  Either way, I am looking to make that total even more in 2017, as I tackle a spring and a fall marathon, and hopefully a spring and late fall 50K.  I did not track how many miles stella ella got and how many deuce got, but I may have to keep up with that now.  I am going to let deuce run the wicked with me, and if training agrees with him AND the RD lets me, I will possibly let him run my next 50K with me, but that is a TON of IFS.  My longest run was my 50K i finished, which my garmin clocked at 31.25 miles.  I think my biggest training week was around 50-52 miles.

The Bean!  Coming to see you in the fall!

So on to the goals.  Like I said, I really don't have any set in stone as of yet, but I have been thinking about them a lot lately.  I would like to give Chicago another go at getting a better time, but I really have enjoyed not worrying about speed work lately, so it will be hard going back to doing one or two speed work sessions a week.  I really am just enjoying running lately, and getting the distance on my feet and body.  I am totally and utterly in love with Ultras, so they have to be a part of my life.  I have three races paid for and planned thus far for this spring/fall, and honestly, I do NOT have time goals for any of them.  I have enjoyed in the past racing for PRs, but I think those days might be behind me and I am fine with that.  Conquering the distance is my new thing, and I am ready to do some fun 50Ks!  I honestly entered Chicago on a whim, thinking I wouldn't get in, so depending if I can find a 50K I want to later in the fall post Chicago, I may just use Chicago as a supported long run.  

I guess if you twisted my arm and made me write down some goals, they would be as follows:

Get BACK to strength training and stay on it!  I love the way I look and the way I feel when I am consistent, so why can't I get back in the groove?  I MUST get back in the groove!

Volunteer at more races.  I really, really enjoyed helping and cheering other runners on.  We are having a local trail marathon and 50 miler that I found out about post registering for my road marathon that I hope to get to volunteer at and learn lots! I so want to crew and or pace some of my friends who are doing longer distances, so anyone want to take me on as an apprentice????

Enjoy Chicago more since I know what to expect.  We are staying an extra night, versus flying back Sunday night, which means I can revel in my accomplishment.  Hopefully that means some beer, a long hot shower, and some more time with my hubby minus kiddo!

Get back to trail runs with the Trail nerds in KC!  The 10 miler I did was the hardest thing I have ever done (Well maybe Wilson lake was a bit tougher, but I didn't finish the race) and they are dog friendly. While I think Deuce is going to take some time getting use to races and group runs, I think he will love the trails just like Stella did.  

And a final goal, which is not a running goal, but it is kind of is to get Stella back to health.  I feel like we could be so close to figuring this out, and I hope we stay on that path.  I need to get her back to running with me, as it is her passion in life just like me.  I hate seeing her face when we leave for our runs in the morning.  She feels well enough that she wants to come with Deuce and I.  

There you go!  Sort of goals!  Yeah for 2017!  Let's do this!!!!

The in Between Week 9

Merry week after Christmas!  Hope Santa brought all that you wanted and more!  My hubby and I actually exchanged gifts this year and I got set of wireless head phones and a foot massage/PT thingy by Moji that I have been begging for!  Little red got more than enough which is why I am glad i am off Tuesday to cart some stuff he doesn't play with to Good will while he is at school :)

Monday:  Rest day.  Last day with family and last day off for little red to play with his toys all day.  I am kind of excited he is getting so into hot wheels now as that was one of my favorite toys when I was a kid.

Stella started the morning out with some diarrhea.  I thought, no big deal, bland diet, some pumpkin and some rice for a meal or two.  By the afternoon, things had gotten way worse and she could barley walk.  I don't think the two are related as we had played some ball when she was feeling good earlier but still.  Glad we are headed to KSU Tuesday for her blood draw.  

Tuesday:  Planned 6 miles.  Didn't get much sleep so when the alarm went off at 4:20, I was half tempted to tell Melly I was not going.  Stella luckily slept all night, I think thanks to the Codeine, but she still could barley walk.  I am pretty sure I woke up every hour on the hour and touched her, as she was sleeping next to me on the floor.  No accidents during the night, but while I was out running, she had a few blow outs on the hardwood.  No big deal, it was pretty much rice and brown water.  

Wednesday:  You know the drill.   No accidents in the house when I got home so I thought, wow, we beat this!  That was easy!  Then she had dinner and had a blow out outside.  Poop.  Literally.  She had one accident overnight but her mobility is much, much better.  Got to Facetime with my brother as he was visiting my mom and step dad last night.  He isn't the best with keeping up with communication, so it was really good to have a full hour or so of his attention.  We talked about my addictions running and racing and little red and little red even colored a few pictures for Uncle Al.  Got to watch a little bit of the KSU bowl game together before mom's phone was about dead.  I sure do miss him and wished we lived closer.  Maybe we should both move back to Denver (he played for the broncos for years).  

Thursday:  Planned 5 miles.  I had heard on the news that the wind chills were suppose to be in the teens with some pretty stiff wind.  I bundled up accordingly and was hot and sweaty the whole run.  The wind was out of the west and north, so we really didn't have it till the end of our run, and honestly, it wasn't bad at all.  I even took a pack of Hothands with me for my hands and really didn't need it.  Oh well, was nice to have toasty hands I guess.  

Stella had one accident overnight, which I decided to clean up post run, because I don't have the strongest of stomachs first thing after I wake up.  She didn't want her canned food, which honestly kind of scared me, but then she wolfed down the kibble they gave me.  While I was running, she had another explosion.  I have no clue how that much comes out of one little dog.  The vet I am working with at KSU emailed me last night and suggested that the Azathioprine was messing with her tummy, and while her blood work looked great, that we should probably go ahead and move her to the maintenance dose immediately.  I have mixed feelings because again, we have changed our thought process.

Friday:  Well, that dreaded cold that everyone has been passing around finally visited me.  I woke up with my head totally congested and a low grade fever.  My rule is I don't work with a fever, so got my student to handle what all was going on in the lab while I tried to rest as much as possible.  I am NOT good at resting.  We also has our lab Christmas/New Years celebration to attend Friday night.  I took Tylenol, something I never do because I feel like fevers have a job, and hoped I could go.  I ended up going, against my better judgement, but I was fever free.

Stella has solid poop! YIPEEEE!!!!

Saturday:  Again, I woke up with a fever and horrible head congestion.  I for a fleeting moment thought about trying to do a long run, and quickly decided getting better was my number one priority.  I know a few days of missed work outs won't hurt.  I wanted to end the last day of 2016 with a long run, but it wasn't meant to be.  Oh well. I ended the year with about 1200 miles, which is pretty much the amount I got in 2015.  Maybe someday I will be able to make that number greater.  

my nurse when I am sick

Sunday:  We were party animals and barely stayed up till midnight.  I was probably in bed 2 minutes post midnight.  I woke up a few times for coughing and completely congested nostrils, but other than that, slept in till 10 am!!!!  I think I needed that for sure!  Still feeling pretty bad, so not running today either.  Won't hurt to take a few days off and completely recover.  I am jealous of all that got in new years miles today, but I want to be healthy in 2017, so waiting.
 

Have a happy New Year!!!!  I have had such an up and down year with stella, so kind of ready to see what 2017 brings!  I can't believe that 2017 will be Andrew's last year in Preschool and his first year in Kindergarten!  Slow down time, NOW!  I had a great year in running, despite some minor injuries and one big fat DNF.  I completed my first Ultra and can't wait to do many, many more.  Bring on the year of the Ultras and Marathons!  Andrew Jackson and Chicago here I come!  50K here I come!  Still undecided about the fall as of now, but thinking some more 50Ks are on tap for me and maybe a speedier marathon (ehem Chicago, might be coming for you).  Have a great day today and eat all of your lucky foods!

Stella recheck: Last one in 2016 (alternative title is FU 2016:(

I am beginning to hate the year 2016.  Lots of great people left this world.  Lots of great dogs left this world.  This has been the year of Stella's illness, the year of bleeding money, blind faith, and wavering hope. Sometimes i feel like I just need to put my big girl panties on and stop whining and posting about this shit. Sometimes I obsess and this is all I think about.  Yeah, it's just a dog, I get it.  But she is my dog.  My heart and soul.  My kiddo before my real kiddo.  And it fucking sucks to see her suffer.  Let me back up a bit.

We started her new drug combo on Monday, December 19th.  Azathioprine plus the steriods she was already on, prednisone (15 mg every other day).  Her last relapse we thought, was due to her going down to a level of pred that was too low (10 mg every other day) and the fact that the cyclosporine was not doing anything to help.  We dropped the cyclo in hopes that a new immunosuppressant would do the trick.   Fast forward to yesterday.  The day after Christmas, a beautiful day in KS.  Stella, my iron gutted girl woke up and had diarrhea.  Odd, but well, shit happens.  We had not noticed anything missing food wise or crayon wise, so the cause of the upset tummy was a mystery.  She had been super active after starting the new drug combo, and that made us super hopeful.  I had not started walking with her again, but was tempted to.  She seemed like the old stella, the pre illness stella, and I was super hopeful that we had finally found the magic bullet.  I didn't dare breath a word on social media for fear of jinxing it.  Yeah, I am superstitious like that, stupid right?  I had however posted about stella's tummy to try to get information about pumpkin. You see, I had a can of 100% pure pumpkin that tony was intending to make pumpkin bread with, but I had no clue how much to give or how often.  I went to social media to get some answers, because most dog people I know carry that stuff around like it is gold.  I got lots of great answers, so I gave her a 2 tablespoons and hoped for the best.

Well, for a while, all was right with the world and she stopped gushing brown water out of her butt (which is a good thing, aussie butt hair likes to trap that stuff and I was tired of washing her butt with wet wipes).  We decided to throw the ball a few times for her and deuce as she was FULL of energy.  They were over joyed and raced after each throw.  She was fine during our session and looked great!  Now fast forward again a few hours later, and you have a dog that couldn't even walk.  It was like her hind end wouldn't work at all, like an old dog.  The pain seemed to be in either both back legs, as she would pick one up and put it down and then the other,  or in her hips.  She walked with a stiff gait, with both legs stiffly straight out.  I felt like the pain must be further up.  Of course the codeine she was prescribed doesn't do anything for the pain, but does knock her out.  She was panting constantly, with what appeared to be a stress pant, although she was not running a fever.  Her gums were pale, but her cap refill time was right at 3 seconds.  I decided to give her the codeine and pray it knocked her out and lessened her stress.

Lucky for me, while the codeine didn't really do anything for her pain, it  did knock her out, and she slept all night, no accidents.  I had given her a cup of rice with her pumpkin (2 tablespoons again) for dinner.  We were headed to KSU in the morning at 11 anyway, and my vet had said to wait and see what KSU wanted to do about her tummy, so no meds that night. Of course while I was running, she pooped all over the dining room, but at least runny water is easy to clean up.  An aside though, never have witnessed a dog poop pure rice.  Kept having to remind myself it was NOT worms, just undigested rice.  Had flashbacks to when I worked in a kennel and a dog pooped and puked up roundworms.  I digress.

At KSU we saw our normal guy and the student she saw last time.  They were both dismayed that she had a flare up.  They felt like the tummy issue was unrelated, although I am still not so sure.  She is on canned food for a few days and metrinidizole.  She of course had a slight fever and had pain in three joints, so full blown flare up.  We danced around the word relapse, but I am betting if she has a high white count in her blood work, that will change and we will be in relapse.  Here is where I am going out on a limb and trusting.  We all felt like because she was only one week into the loading dose of the Aza, that we could not conclude it was or was not working.  We are going to stay the course, get another week of the drug in her system, and then re evaluate.  I have been given the green light to do three or less days of 15mg pred dose when she has flare ups, to try and minimize the pain, since nothing really works to reduce her pain (last night was a 0 dose night and it killed me to not give her anything).  No more exercise, even thought I was previously told that exercise does NOT cause this disease to flare up.

I feel like we are having so many inconsistencies right now,  relapse versus flare, under control versus out of control.  As she lies next to me while i type and cry, she looks peaceful and pain free.  I feel like she is worth it, worth fighting for, worth every penny of re checks and blood work, and all of the  heart ache and worry.  I honestly spend more brain space on her most days than my own child.  My picture of normal and expected keeps changing.  I know for sure that this is a long drawn out fight and that there is no rule or reason to this disease, that each immune system is different and you can't really have expectations, but I want to have them. I want to see a light at the end of the tunnel.  I am hoping it isn't a freight train coming my way (thanks metallica for that one).  Please let us find the magic bullet, please????

The in Between: Week 8

Hello Winter.  Nice of you to dump some nasty stuff on us.  Hoping this week thaws out our running routes.  Me and the Mill have a hate: hate relationship.

Monday:  Rest day.  Wrestling and grocery shopping.  PJ day at school.  Wishing we had PJ day at work.

Tuesday:  Planned 6 miles.  Ended up hitting the mill around 5:20ish.  Need to get up earlier I guess.  That was painful.  Had to get off twice to hit the restroom.  Pulled the damn key out three times, so each time the time and distance restarted itself.  Pretty sure I went more than 6.  Took a walk break every mile for a tenth, so I wouldn't loose my mind.  Watched a documentary on Neflix called Finding Traction about Nikki Kimball running the Long Trail in Vermont, and her attempt to break the men's record.  I wish it had been longer, because I finished it before my run was done, and it did help me stay distracted.  I will admit, when she was bawling during one of the hard times, I was crying right along with her.  That hit me right in all the feels.

Today was dress like your favorite Christmas character at school.  Andrew went as Rudolph and this decision was made at 7:42 am.  Let's just say some scrambling happened, but I made it work.

2T pants out of the too small drawer, a brown t shirt turned inside out, a long sleeved shirt that had black sleeves, some of my black dress socks for hooves, black socks of his he never wears for foot hooves, and some antlers I had just purchased at the dollar store.  Whew.  Plus my undergrad that works for me had theater make up for the red nose, since I don't have make up, well correction I have make up, just not bright red lipstick for a red nose.  

Wednesday:  Cross training.  Just listened to a podcast about strength training and how it increases your running efficiency.  Was pumped up to go home and work out.  Change of plans.  Sing, the animated movie about the koala bear who runs a theater and has a singing contest, came out and I had to go see it myself take andrew to see it.  We just had a brand new IMAX theater open up close to our house (well 2 miles closer than the old theater), so we took andrew as a surprise and had fun.  Someday I will start working out again!

Today was dress up nice day.  Should have ironed his shirt but oh well.

Thursday:  5 mile run planned.  Up bright and early and hoping for no ice.  I had driven our route on the way to the movies the night before, and it seemed okay as long as we went a different way into the gravel.  What I didn't account for was the fact that we had to do sidewalks in downtown, and there was still ice in places.  We took it slow and enjoyed the Christmas lights on our way out and back.  Funny how feels like 22 felt like summer after the previous few runs.

Friday:  Was suppose to be cross training and or strength.  I decided to switch things up since Christmas is on Sunday.  Did what work I had to do in the lab, and headed home for a quick run.  I actually ran in shorts and a long sleeved t and sweated!  I think we can say global warming is the real deal!  5 miles done.

Saturday:  12 miles planned.  I know it is hard to describe to others how a run is magical but this one truly was.  There was a fog that had freezing drizzle/air in it and it coated everything to make everything white.  I felt like I was running in a winter wonderland!

The funny thing was, it really was not that cold.  I was quite comfortable due to NO wind.  

We did catch sight of that loose dog again.  The dog ran away from us both times we saw it, and while scared, appeared to be unhurt.  My heart hurts for it though, because it is a short haired dog.  I couldn't call the sheriff's office, as my phone was dead, but at least he has somewhere he is bedding down and staying alive.  

My long run today just felt effortless.  Glad to see that life has returned to my legs once again.  When I got home, my mother in law made me scrambled eggs, biscuits, bacon, and for dessert chocolate gravy and a biscuit.  I so do love having family at home for the holidays!

Sunday:  Day off!  Christmas Day!!!!!!

27 miles.  Onward and upward!  Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

A time line of Stella's illness IMPA: Links to all Posts in 2016.

I have had some people ask about a time line of stella's illness or wanting posts, so I thought I would just make a blog post with all of the links to all of the posts here.  Remember this was originally diagnosed as Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and is now a diagnosis of IMPA.  I am trying to get as much on my blog as I can about this horrible disease so that people can follow here story and see what worked and what didn't if their dog is ever diagnosed with this disease.

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/06/stellas-story-rocky-mountain-spotted.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/06/stellas-story-week-3-with-rocky.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/06/week-4-stellas-rocky-mountain-spotted.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/07/week-5-of-stellas-story-rocky-mountain.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/07/stellas-recheck-update.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/07/well-we-had-our-recheck-today-at-ksu.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/07/stella-recheck-take-3.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/09/stella-ella-recheck-take-4-or-5.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/10/stella-update.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/10/stella-updateits-back-why-i-hate-impa.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/10/stella-ella-recheck-number-who-knows.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/11/stella-ella-recheck-november-edition.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-quick-update-on-stella-lameness-has.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/12/stella-update-and-my-thoughts-yet-again.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/12/stella-recheck-changing-drugs.html

http://runningwithreds.blogspot.com/2016/12/stella-recheck-last-one-in-2016.html

Are we still in the in between? Week 7?

I think I may be officially training again, need to clarify LOL!  There is some confusion, since I am still trying to figure out exactly what my goal is for spring 2017.  I have my spring races set, just need to make up my mind about what the heck I am doing with each of those races.  I have some warm up races and some possible goal races in mind, if I can figure out what the heck my goals are.  I would love to have a speedier marathon time, but I also would like to finish my next ultra stronger.


Monday:  Rest day and wrestling.

Tuesday:  6 miles planned.  Woke up to feels like 4 with a 12 mph wind.  Was kind of excited, since i felt like I had a good combo of clothing for this kind of weather.  Melly wasn't feeling well, so she opted out and I set out alone with Deuce.  Since my phone is a wimp and likes to die in this weather, I had gone ahead and put my Christmas music on.  Had in the back of my mind the dog that supposedly was attacking other dogs/animals out on my route.  I was hoping it had been found and captured.  Pretty sure I jumped at every sound I heard that was pretty much the crazy wind, until I got to one of the few houses on my route.  I am pretty sure it was a dog about the size of a lab that jumped out behind us.  Best I can tell, it was bedded down in the tall weeds around their mailbox.  It looked black, but hard to tell in the dark with just my head lamp.  Deuce headed out after it, as it was making screaming noises, but I called him off and he came back like a good boy.  If I was jumpy before that,  I was SUPER jumpy after that event.  I did contact the humane society that is located out there post my run, and I did look on all of the wamego pages to see if anyone had reported a loose dog, but saw no posts.  I also called the wamego PD, who referred me to the Pott County Sheriff's office who contacted animal control. I sure hope they found the poor dog!

Wednesday:  Does grocery shopping with a 4 year old count as cross training?  No?  Dang it!

Thursday:  Planned 5 miles.  Was really excited to maybe see the tail end of the geminid's meteor shower.  Nope.  Woke up to clouds.  It actually wasn't too cold this morning, no wind and feels like 24.  Didn't see any signs of the dog, so hoping it got caught or reunited with it's owners.

Friday:  I took the day off to take stella to KSU vet med and to do a thousand things on my list. Working out was one of those things. I purposely did not take a shower in the morning to force myself to not have any excuses not to work out.  Was raining and icy, so no bike ride outside.  As you probably guessed, no work out.  I ended up going to bed super early and getting 12 hours of sleep!  YIKES!

Saturday: 4-5 miles planned.  Supposedly sunday would be the colder, but dryer of the two days, so moved my long run to sunday.  Got up to snow and ice so made the right decision.

This was my view.  Chose to go 4 miles and had to play mind games with changing the speed just to get those 4.  Praying that I don't have to do 11 or 12 on there tomorrow!

I was replying to Melly on FB to take my mind off of the pain of the mill, and i accidentally hit the FB call button.  We ended up talking for the next two miles.  I think tomorrow if we both have to hit the dreadmill that we will have to do this.  She doesn't have an Iphone, so this would work!  All things aside, as much as I bitch about running on the mill, I am glad I have one, and that I don't have to go to a gym on these bad days.

Sunday:  11-12 miles planned.  We got a few inches of snow on top of ice, plus negative wind chills.  I decided to wait till 2 pm to run, when it was suppose to be the warmest temperature of the day.  I was hoping that there would be enough snow that my yak trax would make it easier to run.  I love running on snow, but I do NOT like running on ice.  I really couldn't tell via FB how the roads were at all, because most people were staying in and running on the mills.  Cold does not bother me, but ice does.  I went back and forth all day on what to do.  I really didn't think mentally I could do 11 or 12 miles on the mill, yet I didn't want to potentially break a bone, since I am officially entered and paid up for my full and my ultra.  

In the end, I decided to suit up and head out.  My hubby even gave me an early Christmas present before I left, new Mizuno breath thermo gloves and a new winter hat from saucony with a pony trail hole!  I ended up wearing a full face/head buff, a buff for my neck, my mizuno breath thermo base layer, some fleece lined running pants from road runner sports, compression socks, a running skirt, my brooks jacket, my new mizuno breath thermo gloves, new saucony hat and my UD pack.  My phone, although buried under several layers died at mile 2.5.  My honey stinger waffles also froze again, and were super hard to eat.  The nipple of the one bottle I had in my pack froze solid, so I couldn't take in any more liquids past about mile 5.   I only made it 10.23 miles, as I was kind of worried about the fact that ice on the gravel was super slick, and that there were many spots where the snow had been plowed and or drifted, which made my yak traxs useless and kind of painful to wear.  My fear was that I would slip and fall and hurt myself, and not have a way to call tony.  I knew I could finish up on the mill.  I was nice and warm, not sweating, just a nice level of warm, even though I had frozen eye lashes.  I made it back, changed quickly, and hit the mill to finish out a little over 11 miles.  Let's just say this winter is going to be very, very interesting.  How do all of y'all train for Boston in this mess?

26 total miles.  Hello winter.  It's going to be long and interesting.