I got all suited up for an outdoor run last night because the temperature actually hit 20 degrees. It’s been in the single digits or below zero since Saturday. I know there are many of you out there who have hit the pavement in the below zero stuff, but I am not quite there yet. I was planning on doing 5 miles but decided to keep going and did 6 instead. I felt much warmer then I thought I would and I explored a new trail, so now I have a new 6 mile route.
I see a lot of questions on what to wear fro winter running. Runners World has a handy tool called “What to Wear” depending on the temperature and weather conditions. It helps, but I really believe trial and error and finding out what you are comfortable in is best.
Now, I wasn’t always dressing appropriately and taking precautions like I do now. It wasn’t that I was a rebel, I just didn’t know better. In my teens and college years, I carried with me a certain pair of warm up sweats. These sweats were school issued probably back in the 80’s, but they were the best. things. ever. if you asked the track and cross country girls. They were worn in, beat up, and had holes. I don't remember who found them tucked away in a box in the athletic storage room, but the coaches, who frowned upon jeans with holes already in them, distressed clothes, and partook in general adult-to-teen disapproval, said we could have them. They couldn't understand why we liked those things so much. I know that since then, sweats and yoga pants have taken off and many girls wear them to school now. Whereas then, we only wore clothes like that on special theme days, or for what they were supposed to be worn for – athletic endeavors.
These pants were worn as actual warm ups for track meets, winter runs, and their intended purpose. I also kept wearing them for winter running oh, until I was about 21. They got a little snug when I grew some womanly hips. Well that and they had deteriorated quite a bit and were become less warm. I even sewed a patch in them to try to get some more mileage out of them. They were also adorned with safety pins holding holes together. Keep in mind I wore only these, no tights or anything beneath them.
Guess what? I still have them. Sorry Mom.
I wore these pants, one to three cotton shirts on top, and the hat pictured below. I ran in this even in North Dakota winters. Sorry Minnesotans, North Dakota winters are way worse. The wind…my God the wind! I was much more hearty then I am today. I have to remember my winter running past when I think it’s too cold.
In my older and wiser years, I have started to gather some better suited for winter running attire. For a day like yesterday, 20*F with a light wind making the wind chill about 10-12*F, I recommend starting with base layers. Look for pants and shirts that are tight fitting, made of wicking tech fabrics, and are made for cold weather. My favorite top is a Nike Pro Combat long sleeve with mock neck and thumbholes I got on clearance at Nike.com. Make sure it’s tight fitting to keep you warm and dry.
Next, add some layers over your base. I still wear lots of cotton t-shirts, so in this case I went with a t-shirt and then a long sleeve over that. You could get away with one long sleeve over your base layer if it was a bit warmer.
My black Puma pants over tights, one of my outer layers and my Nike Pro Top. And Go Bison.
The legs stay warmer since you are moving them. You are running right? For a day like yesterday I wore my base layer tights and then a pair of Puma cotton pants that are thick, but not too thick. Any bit warmer and I would wear the tights only, or the Puma pants only.
As for accessories, I stick with a basic hat. Having a nice wicking hat would be lovely, but I have gotten by without one for years. 14 years to be exact. Just be sure to wash your hats every couple wears. (As for the other stuff, I try to wear my base layers twice before washing. You don’t work up much of a sweat in the winter, and since I don’t put my tech fabric stuff in the dryer, it takes a day or two to dry.)
This hat has been with me for a long time. It was along for those runs with the pants above. They match!
I have always loved “hockey” style hats. The long sides help keep cheeks warm. Also pictures is my Minneapolis Marathon hat. I did not run the Minneapolis Marathon, but got the hat from volunteering with Team Ortho. It’s a great running hat.
I also buy a few pairs of cheap finger gloves from Target. Most of the time I don’t wear any gloves. My husband still can’t understand my lack of gloves on most occasions. I just pull my sleeves down over my hands which is why I love that a lot of the long sleeves are longer and have thumb holes.
I wear the thumb hole sleeve over my glove and I also tuck the cord to my iPod through my outer sleeve. Reasons for this being the cold cord doesn’t touch my bare arm and the cord tends to get stiff in the cold, so by doing this it’s out of the way. (I like to hold my iPod because I like to change the music or turn it off if I want.) I also wear whatever watch I am using over the outer sleeve so I can see it.
I wear my regular running shoes unless it’s wet and slushy out, then I wear old shoes. I am hoping to get some Yak Trax soon, but the trails have been maintained pretty well considering the snow we have had, and I was able to run on bare pavement most of the way. I probably should feel a bit guilty considering parts of Minneapolis and St. Paul still haven’t been plowed. But I don’t. I like where I live!
Spend some money on a few base layers and use what you have from there. Be brave, but be safe. Falling on ice and frost bite are not cool. And that’s my little ditty on winter running.
