Thursday, January 20, 2011

What to Do, What to Wear....Winter Running is Here!

Are you hot or cold blooded?  I believe you should dress based how you adapt to the weather as you run. You should always layer up.   I am one of those people that always have cold feet, hands, and ears.  As I run, all my extremities heat up.  I prefer cold gear by Under Armour http://www.cabelas.com/mens-heavyweight-tops-performance-underwear-armour-metal-8482-coldgear-mock-t-neck.shtml?type=product&WT.tsrc=CSE&WT.mc_id=GoogleBaseUSA&WT.z_mc_id1=751274&rid=40&mr:trackingCode=FE979052-F5D2-DF11-82EF-001B21631C34&mr:referralID=NA and dry fit loose fitting running tight by Nike http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?cp=USNS_KW_0611081618&ref=http://store.nike.com/&l=shop,search,c-1+100701/pn-1/sl-dri%20FIT#l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-364672/pgid-364674.  I also like to wear a cotton 'T' over my cold gear so as the cold gear wicks, I still am protected from the elements. 
Some other apparel to consider are running socks, head protection, gloves, and shoes.  I believe cold gear socks such as North Face http://compare.ebay.com/like/150417156588?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&rvr_id=200969826856&crlp=1_263602_309572&UA=%3F*I7&GUID=a5f3302012d0a0aad5421fd2ff5f11dc&itemid=150417156588&ff4=263602_309572 are over-rated.  The material makes my feet sweat twice as much, then get cold during the run as air blows through the top of shoe.  I prefer thick cotton socks.  In terms of head protection, I use a balaclava by Spider http://www.ski-n-stuff.com/product-info.php?pid9795.html.  It serves two purposes.  For 15 degrees Fahrenheit (F) and below, I use it as advertised with a Nike dry fit http://www.amazon.com/Nike-lightweight-running-ponytail-opening/dp/B003V5GH7Gor Under Armour http://www.underarmour.com/shop/us/en/mens/accessories/headwear/cold-weather/pid1208912-Men-s-Arctic-Beanie-II/1208912-407 beanie.   For temps above 15 degrees F, I double up the neck piece of the balaclava and use it as a head band.  It works great and fits snugly over ears.  In terms of glove choice, I prefer cotton gloves by Adidas http://www.footlocker.com/catalog/productdetail/model_nbr--149031/sku--5134600&SID=8732&inceptor=1&cm_mmc=SEO-_-Feeds-_-Froogle-_-null over the dry fit.  As with cold gear socks, dry fit gloves make my hand sweat and then run cold while running.  For shoes, I prefer a neutral, sturdy shoe such as Nike+ LunarGlide http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?cp=USNS_KW_0611081618&l=shop,search,searchList-lunarglide&ef_id=eWFNONCAAgAAwrw:20110121002353:s#l=shop,search,searchList-lunarglide or Brooks Ghost 3 http://www.holabirdsports.com/cgi-bin/search?Submit.x=0&Submit.y=0&productname=brooks+ghost+shoes&gclid=COq14smEyqYCFUmo4Aodv3FVJA.  This keeps your feet from getting injured on those hard winter surfaces.  I hope this helps those that keep it going during those dark cold winter months.

4 comments:

  1. Hi! Found your blog through daily mile. I'm now following you. I love everything in the cold gear line by under armour. It's the best by far! Hope ill check out my blog too :)

    Http://justrunmego.blogspot.com

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  2. Thanks Meg O! I checked out your blog as well. Very creative and in depth thoughts! I'm kind of new at the creative thing, but hope to get into a groove. I like your story about the gloves and the fact that you keep it going in the hard core weather!

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  3. Do you run on snowy or spotty icey surfaces? If so how do you adjust?
    AmyLou

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  4. I love running in snow on a trail when the snow is about an inch. Its like running with extra cushion. Obviously you have to be careful. Usually with a good pair of shoes, I don't slip too much. Once the trail gets worked over a bit and turns icy, then its not very fun. When its icy out, I usually run in the grass next to the trail.

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