Warming Up for Winter

I've been using the gym for the past week, but today I decided it's time to get back outside. After my last run, my foot was sore and I'm so paranoid about getting an injury that I kept holding back and not going out for a run. But I have been working out in the gym with no problems, and the sun was shining this morning again finally, so outside I went. I wasn't worried about going a certain distance or going a certain speed, in fact I didn't push myself at all, even took a few walk breaks. I ended up with a 5 mile run which is great. I ran in the range of 10-11 min mile, which is fine for me, but my overall speed looks slower because I did take a few walk breaks in there. I walked so I could pay attention to myself; how did my feet feel, was I cold, how was my breathing, etc. I think it's good to take a self-assessment when you are running once in a while. I have a tendency to lose myself in the music and the rhythm of it, and then I don't realize my calves are hurting or my legs are freezing or something. In a way it's good, because it means you ignore the pain and get the run done. But in a way it's not good, because if you're cold and you need to layer up, it's better to realize that, or if you're hurting and you need to back off, it's important to listen to your body. But in order to listen, you must pay attention, so I tried to do that today.
What I am really happy about, is that I haven't gone outside for a run in two weeks, and yet today I was able to do a nice easy run that was 5 miles long and speed averaged 10-11 mpm. That's where I wanted to be when I first started running again, so it shows that I am getting that fitness level than I'm looking for. It also means I need to set another goal for myself and get to the next level, whatever the next level for me is.
Also- I haven't been out to run because I thought it was cold. It's in the 30s here, which to Minnesotans is not actually cold yet, but to Californians, this is winter cold. And I have a great pair of winter running tights that I can't find since the move, so I wore winter yoga type pants instead. They were warm and comfortable, did just fine, but I really miss my running tights. Where the heck did those things go??? I also wore an under layer for warmth and then a jacket. I was actually too hot. I should have left the jacket at home because less than halfway in I wished I didn't have it. It wasn't too bad though, and it's a good sign that I can get too hot running in 30 degree weather with gear I already own. I'm on the lookout for a good winter running outfit, maybe I can get that for my birthday???

Here I am at the end of my run, and above is my route. I saw that the small ponds around here are starting to form ice. Pretty soon I will get my chance to run in the snow for the very first time ever. It's coming!!!