<p>A foot of snow! May I ask, what “part” of the mitten are you located KMC? I was thinking it was southeast Michigan, but I didn’t think they got that much snow! </p>
<p>The snow and ice are not going to melt here until the weekend. Still angry that mother nature has messed up my pavement. Planning a gym visit later today. </p>
<p>Finally, there is a banner ad that can be useful!! 20% off anniversary sale at Moosejaw, Patagonia included. Take a look. And REI sent me one of their 20% off coupons - it is not much, but some stuff never goes on sale, so ever bit helps. </p>
<p>I did not make it to the Lulu store last night. Was tired as a dog…</p>
<p>A ha! Thanks BB - just ordered the Patagonia Better Sweater for D2 for Christmas from Moosejaw - 20% off, free shipping and 5% back on Ebates. Winner, winner! (thank you!!!) </p>
<p>Ack - this thread has been hugely helpful with nutrition and exercise info but until yesterday I had never heard of a “better sweater” and now I want one. Very bad for the budget.</p>
<p>A question for those who have one–does the collar stay up or can you turn it down? All of the pictures I have seen are with the zipper all the way up – but if you are wearing it inside, can you zip it up part way and turn the collar down? </p>
<p>I’m pretty sure kmcmom is from southwestern Michigan. They got slammed with lake effect last night and today also. I’m a couple of hours north of her and we got tons of snow too. My H said it was bad this morning and it’s done nothing but snow since. Probably a foot or more. </p>
<p>MathildaMae, I would wear the better sweater with the collar up but they can be worn however you want. Up or down, whatever is most comfortable. </p>
<p>I tried to run on the dreadmill, truly I did. Had heel pain and quit. I am going to try and walk around the neighborhood later. It looks like the snow might be letting up, but it is probably temporary. </p>
<p>Matthilda Mae:</p>
<p>The Better Sweater is a pretty heavy fleece. The collar will unzip and open up, but it probablywon’t lay flat.</p>
<p>Here are a couple of YouTubes modelling the women’s Better Sweater:</p>
<p><a href=“Patagonia Women's Better Sweater 1/4 Zip - YouTube”>Patagonia Women's Better Sweater 1/4 Zip - YouTube;
<p>kmcmom:</p>
<p>Wow, Snowshoes! Christmas is about the earliest I could imagine breaking mine out.</p>
<p>I can’t imagine that either wolves or coyotes would want anything to do with a hiker. I would definitely be more worried about a human with a jumpy trigger finger!</p>
<p>Maybe i’m blind, but I have almost never seen wildlife on my hikes.</p>
<p>The Better Sweater looks like my Arcterx sweaters (pricey) from a few years ago. I don’t wear them to exercise, but they are great for casual wear.</p>
<p>The Patagonia better sweater is also similar to the Marmot norhiem sweater.</p>
<p>Good lower body workout at the gym last night. I had time to run 1.5 miles on the treadmill afterwards - I would have liked to do more but I had to be somewhere later in the evening. It felt good to be moving after a weekend of sitting around.</p>
<p>KMC-snowshoeing is hard work! I’ll bet is was gorgeous out there, though. We have a lot of coyotes around us and they seem apprehensive enough about humans that I don’t think I would worry about them. Wolves would be a different story though! I do agree that a trigger-happy hunter is probably the biggest risk! Stay safe!</p>
<p>Atay warm everyone - it was 9 this morning with -10 windchill when I took the dog on a short walk. Brrrrr! No long walk this evening, I just walked indoors in the office at lunch for today’s exercise. Not much, but it’s something and at least I’m at 13K steps for the day.</p>
<p>13K steps - bravo!!! </p>
<p>Coyotes or wolves–you’re getting your excitement in, kmc! We’ve crossed paths with an occasional coyote down here, but they’ve been extremely skittish. We’ve had a bunch of recent press about coyotes moving into the suburbs of the city, pets being nabbed, sightings galore, even some localized trapping which is supposedly an ineffective way of dealing with them because of their rapid reproduction rate. Fortunately, no attacks on or injuries to humans and hopefully no idiot humans will decide to feed them. That hasn’t worked out well for other critters, like bears.</p>
<p>The Better Sweater is pretty. I only wish it’d be worthwhile to own one, although we are experiencing a hint of the cold even in Florida. It’s in the upper 40’s now, supposedly hitting the 30’s tonight. I did get outside to run 2 plus miles this afternoon. It felt great without the heat–only broke a light sweat and was able to wear capris and a long sleeved tee. </p>
<p>This D of mine getting the Better Sweater is starting to have too good taste. The other item on her list is a pair of $180 Hunter rainboots. I’ll need more than a 20% off coupon to snag those suckers! </p>
<p>Sometimes I feel like my latest sport is running hurdles on CC. 
</p>
<p>Weather isn’t bad here today. Cold but not windy or raining, and I was able to hit the trail with one layer on top (warm inside) and crop length as opposed to full length bottom half.</p>
<p>Reporting my findings on the Lulu puff hoodie. I met it in person at the store and was not impressed. The pink color is actually more red than pink, and the fabric is not as soft as the last year’s one. The metal zippers do not beautify it in any way. I confirmed my suspicions about the roo pocket - not very functional. 
Good thing they will take stuff back until the end of 1st week of January, so if you do not like it, MOfWC, you have time to return it. </p>
<p>Ugh. I jumped the gun on that. Thanks. I’ll have mine the weekend after Thanksgiving. I’ll be in northern VA and my sister will bring it down from PA.
I looked at the puff jackets at Athleta tonight. They were cute but not for running. There were some nice warm tights there, though… </p>
<p>Abasket…deb’s right, I’m a west Michigan gal these days ;)… and now up to about a foot and a half of snow
But i’m betting you thought I was on the east side because of the Grand Bend connection. I grew up in Ontario ;)</p>
<p>I’m celebrating small victories these days, and today’s was getting out in the 24 degree morning for an outside run. Took me awhile to put everything on, but it was fine once I was out there. I have some disability that causes me to completely erase from my mind over the spring, summer and fall which are my warmest gloves, hats etc (and sometimes where they are in my closet!). Anyway- 3.1 sunny, cold miles.<br>
I wore polartec tights with my quilted Lulu puff shorts (mainly a decorative item) over them. Lulu Swiftly long-sleeved top (that is great fabric- very thin but warm) and the 2 seasons ago Lulu puff pullover. A buff around my neck, Patagoina beanie (the Better Sweater fabric) and Polartec gloves. Wanted mittens but they were hiding. </p>
<p>Getting out in these temps is no “small” victory, MomWC.</p>
<p>My path up the hill was completely erased by overnight snow so I got to break the whole mile trail all over again. Then I had to shovel a path from to pool house to the studio to the main house as we have an employee-guest who stayed rather than braving the drive in the storm, though it had started to peter out around nine So I’m counting that as my weight resistance for the day. No juice left to rake the roof, but I predict that’s in my imminent future too as mch has a nasty nasty chest cold and I don’t want him doing delirious acrobatics ;)</p>
<p>Always celebrate those small wins! 
</p>
<p>MOWC, enjoy the fact that you are an equal opportunity running clothes wearer - mixing up those name brands - plenty of $$$ going to each of them, right?! </p>