Thursday, November 13, 2014

Running in Cold Weather (Friday Five)


TGIF!!  Initially, I was not going to join in on this topic.  As a southern gal I thought I would have nothing useful to say.  I'm so very impressed by those of you who really live in cold climates and continue to run outdoors.  But, I got to thinking...cold is relative.  No, we typically don't get anything colder than mid 20s, but that is cold compared to our horrible summer weather.  We get the occasional ice storms (hello - last year) and the very rare snowfall.  So I decided I'd throw in my 2 cents (or 5 cents as the case may be).


WEAR GLOVES.  Obviously, they keep your hands warm but I'm going down a different road here.  The cheap knit ones are ideal for wiping snot.  Yep, I said snot and I own it!  You can also easily throw them in the wash.  If you are like me, once it gets below about 45 the nose just turns on like a faucet.  Be forewarned.  If you see me at a race, don't stick your hand out for a high five or fist bump.  And, don't ask me to bring you a cookie afterwards!  {Just sayin'.}

COVER YOUR EARS.  I don't necessarily have to cover my entire head.  You might need to, but I was truly cursed blessed with 6 heads of hair.  As long as I have a thick wide headband over my ears, I'm quite toasty.  I would definitely cover my entire head is if it was snowing or sleeting.  And, unless I had already signed up for a race, I'd probably be on the treadmill that day anyway.

WEAR COMPRESSION.  On very cold days, put on a base compression layer.  It is amazing how the "squeeze" factor keeps you so much warmer.  The top should be of the turtle variety so that your neck is protected as well.  Add compression sleeves or socks under your compression pants if you need extra warmth and maximum squeeze.

USE HAND WARMERS.  If it is incredibly cold, and especially during long runs, hand warmers work wonders.  However, if you have Raynaud's like me they won't do one darn thing for your fingers...hence the name HAND warmers.  Will someone please invent FINGER warmers?  I am known to pull just my fingers out of my gloves (keeping the gloves on) so I can fold them over the hand warmers.  And no, mittens don't work in a half marathon when you need your fingers to open a GU or operate your shuffle, etc.

WEAR A FLEECE VEST.  When it's frigid, I wear a fleece vest over my compression top.  I really don't like the feeling of being too constricted.  A vest will keep you toasty while leaving your arms to swing freely.  L.L. Bean is my favorite brand.  They normally have good pockets too for all of your other necessary junk.

Please, I'd like to hear your tips for staying warm!


Thanks to Eat Pray Run DC, You Signed Up For What?!, & Mar on the Run! for hosting the Friday Five. 



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30 comments:

  1. Hi it's M @readeatwriterun - good idea on the compression, I hadn't thought of it that way, just base layers. I'm with you on needing finger warmers! I do like Mizuno's Breath Thermo line (now they make hats, gloves, socks and maybe arm warmers too) - gets warmer when it gets wet.

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    1. I need to try the Mizuno Breath Thermo line. Thanks for the tip!

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  2. Great tips!! I've never run with hand warmers, but can't live without them when I go snowboarding!

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  3. I really enjoy wearing my vest for winter runs. I love that I do not have to wear my running belt during the winter b/c of the vest pockets.

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    1. I agree! You can always stuff your hat, etc. in the pockets and unzip the vest if you get too warm.

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  4. OMG, you are too funny with your gloves! Actually I have found those cheap knit gloves to be the warmest on my runs. I got a nice pair of isotoners last year for Christmas and you would think because they were more expensive that they would be better. So not the case. My fingers were freezing in those things, so it's back to knit gloves for me!

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    1. I have "nicer" running gloves too but I always go back to the cheap knit ones!

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  5. I am not a hat fan but I always wear a Smart wool head band and love it!

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    1. I'd rather do the head bands too. I haven't tried that brand. Thanks!

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  6. I like hand warmers at race starts and compression socks when it's cold, too. Stay warm out there!

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    1. Yeah, you can always ditch the hand warmers if you get too hot.

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  7. You are too funny, especially about the gloves! We all do it you just said it! Great tips. Glad I found you through the link up.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by!! Just keeping it real...

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  8. Someone gave me hand warmers at Pinhoti, and it saved my fingers!! That was a cold weekend!

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    1. When it's frigid, they definitely make a difference. And, if you get too hot, just trash them.

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  9. The compression tip is SO true! That is a great reminder, especially with the cold temps we have coming up. Thank you so much for sharing your tips; these are great! Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

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    1. It's all about the squeeze. Thanks for stopping by.

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  10. Lol, love your tips! Gloves are great for wiping snot! I also like running with a vest.

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    1. In my mind, it's the main purpose of the glove. I miss them when it warms up!

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  11. I buy the $1 throwaway gloves at Target/Walmart/Walgreens. I don't always run in them but it's nice to have a pair around...

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  12. You had me laughing out loud at the snot comment! I laugh because I basically think of them the same way. In fact the other day I was out running and well cold temps just make my nose run, so I figured (like I have in the past, LOL) another great use for the gloves.
    Funny thing is, as I was doing it I made a big note to myself, to never pick up someone elses gloves, LOL at least without washing after, ha ha oh well, we do what we gotta do!
    This morning I saw a gal out with a fleece vest running, and I was like why have I never thought about that. Seriously, never have and I have many of them. I am already pretty sure tomorrow's run is going to be done in red fleece, but I might need to switch out my neon green long sleeve top for something else, I don't want to look like Ms. Christmas running down the streets.. Well on 2nd thought, maybe I should and provide someone on their way to work with a morning laugh:)

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    1. I think you should totally look like Ms. Christmas. 'Tis the season. I need a red vest!

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  13. AMEN to cold vs hot. I so prefer the cold. I ran a 5k yesterday in 30 degrees. It was plenty warm while running. It's the standing around afterwards that gets so cold.

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  14. My nose runs constantly when running, but usually just bring out the kleenex. Definitely need to cover my ears and my hands, and like the idea of compression clothing - will have to try that next run :)

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    1. Once after a run, I realized I had pieces of tissue stuck all over my face. I had been out running in a local park. I'm sure everyone was amused. LOL.

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  15. I think you might have hit on something - a fleece vest! I tried this puffy vest on Sunday when it was cold and windy out, and it was perfect until I got going, then I got too hot! I had to take it off midway through and put it in the bottom of the stroller of my running buddy. Fleece is going to be my next choice!

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    1. I wore one yesterday on an early morning 25 degree run (with wind). Worked great!

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  16. Great great tips! I have to have my headbands when running in the cold, and they have to cover my ears!

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