A Perfect 23K (I love my ipod Nano)

Unfortunately, I talked myself into skipping the Running Room's Sunday Run Club run. I almost never miss it. But I managed to have my most satisfying run in a long time. This was the first time I've run this far without any company. (Just my new training partner - my Nano). How did I achieve such a great run:
Nutrition
Pre-run - one egg, scrambled, with a little ketchup, and two pieces of whole wheat toast with butter and honey. During the run - water and Gu vanilla gel. A mouthful about one hour in, and another at about 1:40. Felt a little crampy at about 2 hours, but thankfully, the feeling passed quickly. Recovery - a few of Peter's chocolate-covered espresso beans and a peanut butter/honey sandwich.
Clothing
Seemed to get this just right for the weather, which was -9 celsius with no windchill factor. On top, just my running bra, long-sleeved shirt, and running jacket. Just tights on the bottom, not even winter weight. My new MEC boy short underwear and Defeet pink/black socks - gifts from Santa. I felt perfectly dressed, not cold, and didn't have to discard layers.
The Route
Ran from home (near the Civic Campus of the Ottawa Hospital) down Sherwood to Dow's Lake, then followed Queen Elizabeth Driveway to the NAC, up to Parliament Hill and down Wellington to the Portage Bridge, over to Hull, then Laurier to Alexandra Bridge, back over to Ottawa, then south on Sussex to King Edward, a turn around there, and north on Sussex til it meets Colonel By. Took the Colonel By path straight through to Bronson, where I crossed back over to the Driveway, then to Dow's Lake, and back home along Sherwood. This route takes you past many tourist destinations and some stunning architecture and panoramic vistas. I fall in love with Ottawa all over again every time I run the bridges.
My New Training Partner
With over 600 songs on our new Nano, I could just hit "Shuffle Songs" and be sure of enough tunes to carry me throughout the run. I was out 2 1/2 hours and enjoyed 40 songs. I loved not knowing what song would play next. Some were songs I'd never heard before, as the songs on our computer have been put there by my husband and grown sons, as well as me. It turned out to be a pretty eclectic mix - everything from Gillian Welch and David Grey to Chocolate Watchband and the Medieval Babes.
If anyone has a song they suggest I make sure is on my running playlist, please let me know. As you can see, my taste is music is pretty diverse.
Next Sunday is 26 - but I think I'll get out of bed this time and find some company at The Running Room.