Hard Core? Only as a Columbia Sportswear fan

Yesterday it was at least upper 50s, but maybe even 60s. It was rainy and windy. When I went for a run yesterday, I saw all these severe weather warnings on the tv. Today, it was so cold - and snow flurries! So, the first snow, but not the first satisfying snow - that first time it sticks and the whole city is white and clean.
On my way home, I was almost blown away by the wind - no kidding - I got knocked off course a few times. Soon after (as I always do when I'm left to ponder the EXTREME weather this place is prone to), I see someone jogging. These people are way too hard core for me to relate to. Running outside was the last thing on my mind. Instead, I seriously spent the whole day thinking how much my coat rocks! I have a parka from Columbia. I now declare that as long as I live in this God-forsaken tundra, I will always have a Columbia jacket!
So, as I'm writing this, I'm listening to RR's latest podcast. Apparently, like our athletic goals, our minds are now melding. We're talking about the same thing. I can understand her sentiment about having to finally haul out the winter coat. I look at it like playing chicken - how cold can it get before I put the Columbia on for the first time? Today, I flinched.
On an upbeat note - RR and I have agreed to set a goal for our triathlon training - May 2006, baby. This is one I had my eye on last year, but as I had just started my training, I figured I'd do it a different year. I guess 2006 is that year.

It all comes full circle

Road Runner and I began running at the same time - after coincidentally downloading the same "From Couch to 5K" training program. We became running "partners" even though we don't run at the same pace, and she has run much longer races than I have. This last year, I was also cross-training with a triathlon program. My goal was to do my first triathlon this past fall. It didn't happen, and I'm okay with that. I realized it was a lot harder than I thought - I haven't been swimming in a while and only have consistent access to a short pool, don't have my bike handy, and have no idea how to transition from one sport to another. I did pretty well for a good while, but eventually let it fall by the wayside while I worked on my running. Recently, I found information about indoor triathlons, where you run (I think on a treadmill - though maybe on an indoor track), ride a stationary bike and swim in the pool. Thinking this is a good way to enter the triathlon world, I have just begun training for that again. Turns out, Road Runner is doing the same! Well, she's training for a triathlon - I don't know if she is going to do an indoor one first. She just started, and she is already voicing the same concerns that I had. Who knew? I guess these problems are pretty common, which must mean there are known solutions. It will be nice to compare notes. I have a different book than she does, so maybe we can swap tips.