Cold Weather Running

guest — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 22:14:31 GMT

I am fairly new to running in general and am wrapping up my C25K training tonight. I live in Wisconsin so I know a thing or two about cold weather I ran outside Monday night because I have a race Saturday and I thought I better get used to running in the cold, it was probably 20-25 degrees that night. This is what I learned. Rich in NH is absolutely right, mittens are the way to go, I wore gloves and my hands were freezing, the whole time I thought I should have worn mittens! I don't like hats so I wore my earpops which are earmuffs that go round the back of the head instead of over the top. I got them for $4.99 at Burlington Coat Factory. On top I layered and even that wasn't enough. I had an Under Armour tank on, then a long sleeve top and then a heavy hooded sweatshirt, I should have added a lighter jacket and that would have been perfect. On the bottom I had on a new pair of running tights but I should have doubled up because my thighs were freezing! A heavy duty chapstick is a necessity as Old Coyote said and to protect my face I left my makeup on which acted as a nice barrier from the dry, cold air. On my feet I had a pretty basic pair of Adidas running socks and my Inov8s. I really should have worn my Saucony trail shoes since they have a more grip, the Inov8s were weird in the begining and I thought I might slip on the pavement.

If you are running at night don't forget reflective stuff, I didn't want to spend a ton on fancy clothes with the reflective details so this is what I did. I looked in the cycling section at the sporting goods store because they sell reflective straps with velcro that cyclists use on their ankles for about $6 or $7, I put one on my ankle and one on my arm. They also sell little lights to clip to your clothes for $5 or $6, I think they are really meant to clip to a bike but it works fine for me.

A scarf around the neck helps with breathing, I was thinking of getting a fancy face mask but I heard about trying a scarf from a fellow runner and it works, I didn't feel uncomfortable breathing at all, just make sure it is the mositure wicking kind.

I didn't want to spend a lot of money on gear so I shopped TJ Maxx, Burlington Coat Factory, Marshall's those types of stores. I found running tights for $24.99 and $14.99 and tops from $9.99. I did splurge on my shoes because I had an injury that I don't want coming back and the Under Armour tank because I couldn't find any at the other stores I mentioned. I am running my first 5k this weekend and am really looking forward to it but all my cold weather preparation is for nothing since it will be in the 50s here this weekend

Good Luck and Stay Warm!

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Cold Weather Running