Yes! Have to agree with what everyone else said, Melissa. You go get 'em! Most of the runners I've met (in my limited experience so far) have been very nice and nothing but supportive. When this [expletive deleted] cold passes, I'm thinking about joining a group of runners called C.R.A.P. which stands for Crazy Runners at the Park. They do four miles which I know I can do, but I would like to be regularly logging a little more than the two to three plus five that I'd been doing in preparation for the Turkey Trot. I agree that it would be so nice to have some face to face folks to run with and talk with about running.

all best everyone!

Hey its better to be a penguin than a couch potatoe. You guys are out there running thats more than most people do..

keep at it

Gunther TM - Thanks for letting me know about C25k.  Since I have already done road races of various lengths, I won't need to follow that, although it is good to refer back to that type of training plan.

Some have mentioned they are considering doing the Country Music half in Nashville.  I am thinking about doing either that one or the Oklahoma City half.  Anyone care to join me in OKC?  You can do the 5k

if that is a better distance for you.  Wayna72 - you are in the Tulsa area - could we meet up?

Sunrunner

I used to have problems running in the heat. When I moved to Phoenix from San Diego, it pretty much killed my running.  This last summer I started walking / running here in Arkansas and I found that I prefer running in the heat rather than in 40 deg's.   I have no clue as to why the change happened. 

So my problem now is to get cold weather running gear that is not too restrictive. Good news is that the running gear today is very good at allowing you to get what you need in terms of temperature control without interfering with your movement.  I will run in just about any temperature but not when there is ice on the ground.  Winter makes me appreciate the other three seasons as far as running goes.

Have fun! 

OK, my curiosity is up...what is the C25K plan?  I am so glad to find "Penguins"!  I have been calling myself a raccoon in a family of zippy little squirrels!!!  My husband and 2 stepkids are FAST and me...well, i guess I'M A PENGUIN!!!  Glad to know there are others out there!  Gets depressing when I'm RUNNING and walkers pass me!  (I average 12-13 min miles). 

Hi Everyone, I went with my girlfriend this morning and we ran 5 miles.. we did walk a little because we had quite a few hills to conquer but we did it.

That's great Slow Running, 5.25miles, way to tough out the cold.  In general I'm a morning runner as well and I think I need to invest in a wind breaker to wear over my hoodie.

Looooving this thread!  I am a penguin.  Reading your posts is the pick-me-up I needed.  I used to run about 2 years ago never fast but increasingly farther up to a half-marathon (~3:30).  In the last few months have been run/walking to get back into it, I just miss those Saturday 6 mile runs and thighs of steel, couldn't tell me nothing. Lol.  I am excited to be in the mix and hear about your progress and share my own.  Currently I am running 30-34 minutes running 1 minute and walking 1, about twice a week.  My goal for next week is to run 3 days (Wed, Fri, Sun)....  I'll be talking to you guys soon.  KEEP WADDLING!

Thanks, Steve.  I drove to UNC but had my directions wrong.  Given that it was night-time AND a home basketball game, the campus was mad crazy with traffic, both cars and people.  I could not find the field and there was too much traffic to even pull over the get out of the way and figure it out!  The good part is that I was dressed and ready and did not chicken out.  My partner has promised to drive me there himself this weekend so I can see where it is so I will be able to make it next week with no problems, which is very sweet of him.     I sincerely appreciated all the support I got here to urge me on to it, so I am now convinced it will be just the thing I need!