Eclectic, I don't blame you for not chancing the slippery stuff. I don't run when it's icy at all, not just to avoid falling down but you can slip and twist a joint and be sidelined for a long time - if not permanently. Not worth it.

I got in 5 miles today. It was about 40 degrees out but sunny, so it was chilly at first and then very nice. Yesterday I went with my husband to do stair and ramp climbing. He's training for a Scout Venture Crew trip to the Philmont Ranch in the New Mexico mountains and they train by climbing stairs and parking garage ramps at City Hall or various other locations.

Urlea, I usually carry my bike water bottle on shorter runs. You can get a carrying case that has a strap and pockets for cell phone, keys, etc., which are nice, but I usually have enough pockets (shorts, etc.). On longer runs, I use a lumbar Camelbak Alterra. I don't recall its capacity, but I used it for 7-10 miles in the summer. It also has some pockets for gels, keys, etc. Everybody seems to have a preference - carry a bottle, lumbar Camelback, lumbar pack with bottles, can't carry anything - just depends on what you get along with.

Deb