At last, a Group Run that didn't get cancelled!

The group stretches and warms up prior to setting out in nippy temperatures this morning.

Our last two Group Runs got canceled--one for ice, and one for ridiculously cold temperatures. It wasn't exactly balmy this morning, but we finally managed to pull one off. A roadside thermometer on the way up said it was 15 degrees. I dressed in full regalia: lightweight long johns under my running pants, long-sleeve base layer shirt, quarter-zip midlayer, and jacket, along with hat and gloves. I was okay but never exactly toasty warm on this run, so it looks like 15° or so is the bottom end of my outdoor running comfort zone. (Not exactly hardcore, am I? But hey, at least Coach Rob didn't come to this one in shorts!)

The marathoners and half-marathoners are running different mileage now, so we are getting strung out further and further apart. Gone are the days when the walkers and runners ran 3 miles together in a tight little knot. At the beginning of the session, we went around and gave our names, what event we're running, and how many miles we wanted to go today. I was one of four wusses covering only four miles. (Actually, it should have been three, but since I didn't run yesterday's four-miler, this seemed like a good shot to make it up.) Several runners were doing eight or "trying for eight but maybe I'll only do six." We also had a winter season half-marathoner on her taper, doing 4 easy miles before she leaves for the Bi-Lo Marathon and Half Marathon in Myrtle Beach on Thursday. Needless to say, we were all jealous!

We eventually pushed off and ran on clear-ish paved trails. I say clear-ish because the trail still had a light dusting of snow and a little slush in one or two spots, but the footing was generally good and no one worried too much about slipping and falling.

As we passed the 1.5 mile mark, I called out to Coach Rob (the only one with a Garmin!), "Hey, don't forget to call two miles so I know when to turn around!" It eventually became clear that he intended to do no such thing, and on and on we ran. I resolved I was going to turn around when my watch hit 25:00 no matter what, only to finally see Coach Paul standing and waiting to tell the three of us who came jogging up, "This is about two and a quarter right here."

This is how my 4-miler turned into a four-and-a-half miler. I made it back to my car in 49:12, which works out to a 10:56 pace per mile. I was pleased as punch to be running sub-11-minute miles outdoors over this (slightly) longer distance, although the medial side of my right knee started hurting a bit during the last mile.

This is Eric and Melissa. They are siblings-in-law, actually, and they are running in both honor and memory of several family members. Isn't that a cool thing to do with your in-laws? I ran with them for a while, but then my knee was bothering me and I sped up so I could get to the end and stop!

I don't know why the heck my camera didn't focus, but this is Ty. He's a musician and his band just performed as an LLS fundraiser. If this photo had been in proper focus, you'd see the ice on his beard. He did 5 miles in under an hour today. Rock on, Ty!

After a Group Run, a runner's thoughts inevitably turn to food. This is the lip-smackin'-good plate of New Orleans Grillades and Grits I had at brunch.