It was another wintry run this morning.

But warmer (kind of). . . .we were above zero this morning: 5 degrees! We’re making progress. The rest of the week looks promising as well—no negative numbers. (Oh dear, I’ve gone insane.)

I ended up running a total of 6 miles this morning in 56 minutes. Definitely nothing stellar, but I’ve quickly learned I have to lower my standards during the winter.

I tried out my new shoes for the first 4 miles. I’m really liking them. They are very cushioned—I was nearly starting to feel rocks in my other shoes, and they fit like a glove.

Brooks Glycerin 8

I finished the last 2 miles in my old shoes: Saucony Ride 4. I really enjoyed these shoes as well. They fit me very well, but I’ve had them since this summer, so it is time to retire them. I know they definitely have more than 500 miles on them. I’m thinking more like 700!

(This picture was when I first got my shoes. Oh how this makes me miss summer so desperately.)

I rarely purchase the same make/model of shoes time after time. I’m not really sure why; I guess I like to change things up.

As far as clothes these days, I usually wear 3 layers on top (base layer + fleece pull-over + thicker jacket), 2 layers on bottom (tights + regular running pants), a neck warmer, hat, and mittens. And I still get cold.

My go-to jacket during the brutally cold winter has been this Asics Storm Shelter Jacket.

It is thicker than a lot of other jackets and does a really good job of protecting me from the wind and snow.

I would like to find another winter running jacket to rotate in since I’ve been wearing this on nearly every run since Christmas. (It has been in the single digits or below zero since Christmas. I know because I’ve been keeping track.)

Any suggestions?

I also painted my nails this weekend, and I tried out the new fad with my ring finger being a different color. Craig said I look like a 14 year old girl. Ha! I think it is fun, but it is a little strange as well.

Yes, my hands are extremely dry and wrinkly from the weather and dry air up here.