Cold weather running

workout_ninja

I just bought myself long running tights and went for a run at 9pm at a temp of 3 degrees - they were awesome! Get yourself running tights, long sleeves and layer up. Its always easy to take layers off if you get too warm. I read once that you have to dress for it being 10 degrees warmer than it actually is.

SteviMcEwan

I usually don't run if it's cold and wet. However I do not mind the cold on it's own. I just hate being cold and wet - it just makes me miserable.

ANYWAY.. back to your original question. I did my run outside in the cold this morning with a normal bra, sports crop top bra thingie, a running sleeveless t-shirt, a running jersey and a running jacket, along with full length running trousers. By the time i was half way through my run I had taken of the jacket but everything else kept me a lovely toasty temp inside while my face was freezing from the cold. I agree with everyone else. LAYERS x

MSeel1984

I guess it also depends on how cold you're talking.

Here in the Mid Atlantic it rarely reaches the arctic cold temperatures it did in Montana where I grew up.

There was a winter this arctic front came down from Canada-the university I was going to is at the mouth of a canyon so tons of freezing cold wind came down through there. One winter it reached 20 below. You could see students running around from class to class, long underwear, sweat pants, some snow pants too. Two pairs of socks and heavy boots, thick coats, mittens and scarves bundled up around our faces. You'd pull the scarf down when you got inside and there would be ice crystals forming on the fabric.

If you're talking cold like THAT cold, you're better off to work out inside. Nothing is worth running/exercising in serious cold like that...*shudder*

moya_rargh

The clue to the answer is in my avatar

Just completed my first Santa Dash, if anyone's wondering*



*nobody's wondering

Diet_Soda

It was super cold at the race I did on Thanksgiving. My body was properly warm, but my hands and feet were miserable. I had on thick socks and a I was wearing gloves. By the time I was done, my fingertips were waxy white and I couldn't move my fingers. I have another race in two weeks, so I have got to find something different before then. I bought toe warmers last night and some wool socks. I will also be using hand warmers and wool mittens over my gloves.

rduhlir

This is the guide I use:

30 degrees: 2 tops, 1 bottom. Long-sleeve base layer and a vest keep your core warm. Tights (or shorts, for polar bears).
10 to 20 degrees: 2 tops, 2 bottoms. A jacket over your base layer, and wind pants over the tights.
0 to 10 degrees:3 tops, 2 bottoms. Two tops (fleece for the cold-prone) and a jacket. Windbrief for the fellas.
Minus 10 to 0 degrees: 3 tops, 2 bottoms, extra pair of mittens, 1 scarf wrapped around mouth or a balaclava.
Minus 20 degrees:3 tops, 3 bottoms, 2 extra pairs of mittens, 1 balaclava, sunglasses. Or, says Arribas, “Stay inside.”

You will have to tweek and tune it for you.

As for gloves, I have 3 sets I use. A lightweight fingerless pair, a lightweight fingered pair, and a set of Underarmor Running gloves that have a pouch on top of the hand for disposable hand warmers.

geeberfever

Hahaha @moya!

Thanks for bringing up the breathing issues too Sabine. I really need to bring something along to cover my mouth in the beginning! These are all good tips! Where I'm at it's usually 30 or below for the winter, so I have many chilly runs ahead of me! I personally love the winter and cold runs though!!!

janinab75

Under Armor Outlet is great, try online. Also Costco has some great stuff right now, I just got some gloves there that are really good. They have some Merino base layers that I love, tights and shirts. Layers are a must, base and heaver stuff. Also, sometime "running warehouse", runningwarehouse.com has some good stuff on sale.

greenhudler

Agreeing with LAYERS! Someone mentioned being sure gloves are lightweight because you don't want to have to take them off if you start sweating. I actually wear a pair of mittens where the mitten part can be buttoned to the back and then leaves me with fingerless gloves -- I really enjoy wearing them and they weren't expensive either. Now obviously this isn't something you want to wear if you need to always have gloves on because of very low temps -- but I'm in a coastal area that doesn't get super cold. When I lived in the mountains I had a pair of just nice lightweight gloves. What you need will depend on where you are and how low it gets

Someone else asked about cold on your face. I currently just wear an ear band, but I have something similar to this coming in the mail because a friend who runs a lot suggested one if I was going to keep running in the cold:
http://www.backcountry.com/giordana-windtex-hannibal-face-mask

geeberfever

I actually have one of those face masks things!!! Looks just like that, but is pink camo. (my mom won some weird giveaway online!) But I feel like I look like a total scary weirdo in it!!!! Don't have the guts to wear it out just yet, but maybe once it gets even colder out I'll be singin' a different tune! haha!

greenhudler

I actually have one of those face masks things!!! Looks just like that, but is pink camo. (my mom won some weird giveaway online!) But I feel like I look like a total scary weirdo in it!!!! Don't have the guts to wear it out just yet, but maybe once it gets even colder out I'll be singin' a different tune! haha!

I completely understand lol!! I almost didn't wear it because I thought that if I saw someone in one it would be creepy, but then it got cold and I decided I had no choice if I wanted to keep running :P

happycauseIride

All great advice. LAYERS! I find that, in addition to my body, my lungs "get cold". For me, transitioning them to warm them up helps. So when the weather dips below about 25f I wear a bandana around my neck, and start my run with it pulled up. As I get warmer I start breathing through my nose some, and about 5 minutes in I'm able to move the bandana down and go about my run.

This is the problem I have. The rest of my body is dressed warm enough, but the cold air on my lungs makes me tire quickly. I will have to try a scarf and see if that helps. Thanks.

OP, I wear running tights and a pair of wind pants over them as cold as 15 so far. The running tights alone are not warm enough for me and if my legs get cold, they get stiff and I'm done. And I have a wind jacket that I wear too. I sweat like crazy in it, not because it's too hot but because it's doesn't breath, but it keeps the wind out and I stay warm. I just wear moisture wicking shirts under it. I like warm weather much better. Good luck!

happycauseIride

it's 66 here today so I suggest running tights and a hoodie

lol..this is shorts and a tee running weather

Shorts & tee for anything above 30.

30? It gets that cold?

Um, I have 8 degrees right now and the sun is shining.

leslisa

Well, I'm in FL now but I'm from IN.

1st tip: For tops: Visit Goodwill and/or garage sales for different sized sweatshirts. I used to start with two or three sweatshirts over my t and as I got 2 or 3 miles in I'd start shedding - wherever/whenever it felt right. If someone stole my $1 sweatshirt they needed it more than me. That was 30 years ago :laugh:. I still do the same, but usually just with one sweatshirt over my running bra, then t, then sweatshirt. If I get really hot (it can be 50 b-4 sun and 75 when the sun comes up during a 1 or 2 hour run) - I'll stuff the t into my waistband.

Bottoms: Don't like anything with a foot in it. My feet will sweat and then turn to Popsicles. I actually prefer my calves uncovered but my knees covered. Go Figure. Occasionally I would wear leg warmers but I'd strip those suckers off about the time the sweatshirts started coming off.

Feet: I always wore my regular running socks. Back in the day they were crap. Sweat wicking ones are awesome now.

Hands: Oh so important. I'll be warm everywhere but my fingers will be numb. Get a good fitting pair of gloves of whatever type you like. I experimented witch a few pairs until I found some I really enjoy. They are bright yellow and also act as beacons to morons who want to run me over.

Face - Scarf, mask, bandanna - anything to cover my mouth or my lungs used to burn like crazy. My fav was bandanna cause I could breath easier.

Ears - Also always cold. I prefer a band but have worn a beanie. Has to accommodate my hair being pulled back (it's down to my waist).

Shoes - if you are running where the roads are frozen you might need something with better grip than you normally wear so you don't slide and land on your tailbone (does that sound like first hand experience? - cause it is). Embarrassing and hurts for quite a while. I think if I was running in those areas now I'd wear XC cleats.

Fav places to get cheapo, quality running gear is Bealls Outlet and Ross off the clearance rack. Amazon Warehouse sometimes has some good stuff too. I always check clearance for running stuff if I'm shopping. Never know what you'll find.

Prob most of this was covered above but no time to read everything :happy:

tempehforever

Here's how I decide what to wear based on temperature:

60 degrees and up: shorts and tshirt/tank
50-60: shorts, lightweight long-sleeved top
40-50: cropped tights, long sleeves + tshirt
30-40: long tights, long sleeves + tshirt (maybe gloves)
20-30: long tights, long sleeved-shirt + zippered outer layer, hat and gloves
10-20: very thick tights (or 2 pairs), 2 long-sleeved layers + zippered outer layer
Under 10: treadmill

I generally don't carry water unless the temp is into the 70s.

For races, however, I wear shorts and a tshirt unless the temp is below 40. I'd generally rather be too cold than too hot.

bkbenda

Here is a link where you can enter weather/run conditions and it will recommend appropriate clothing.

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

jannalovescoffee

Here is a link where you can enter weather/run conditions and it will recommend appropriate clothing.

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

Great link! Thanks!

Sabine_Stroehm

Here is a link where you can enter weather/run conditions and it will recommend appropriate clothing.

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

That's very cool!

RunBrew

I just got back from an easy 3-mile taper-run for a Half Marathon on Saturday. It's currently 10*F with a 3mph wind.
Race weather for Saturday's 9am gun-time is predicting between 0 and 4*F

I wore the following for the run today,
Feet: injinji toe socks with Darn-Tough light hiker calf socks over them, Merrell Mix-Master trail runners sized up for more socks
Legs: REI Powerflyte tights and wind-proof front runner briefs
Top: Fila Mid-weight 3/4 zip mock-collar running shirt, Marmot "Stride" running jacket
Hands: cheap neoprene running gloves
Head: standard fleece beanie and sunglasses

This pile of gear is my standard go-to when under 20F.
bewteen 20 and 30, I'll go lighter tights, same shirt but no jacket and swap for some cheap knit dollar-store gloves, and a lighter merino wool beanie.
Above freezing I go to shorts or some thin tights and a lighter long-sleeve T, no hat, keep the gloves for warm-up.
At 40, it's shorts and Short sleeve T.

jenilla1

I may sound dumb, but do you guys carry water when you are running? If so, how? I have a large nalgene and it gets heavy

I don't unless I'm at the gym. I drink water before I run and then again after.

Me too. I don't need water unless I'm running more than 10 miles.

ETA: This thread scares me. Where I live it rarely ever freezes. I can't imagine running in the cold. I'm such a big baby that I whine when it gets down into the low 60's!!! I warm climates!

tempehforever

ETA: This thread scares me. Where I live it rarely ever freezes. I can't imagine running in the cold. I'm such a big baby that I whine when it gets down into the low 60's!!! I warm climates!

See, I have the opposite problem. I think the ideal running temp is about 35-40 degrees. I whine when it gets above 70--I hate getting overheated!

ksy1969

ETA: This thread scares me. Where I live it rarely ever freezes. I can't imagine running in the cold. I'm such a big baby that I whine when it gets down into the low 60's!!! I warm climates!

See, I have the opposite problem. I think the ideal running temp is about 35-40 degrees. I whine when it gets above 70--I hate getting overheated!

LoL, this is my wife. She doesn't like running above 70 degrees. I love it. I love getting my sweat on. I also like running when the temp is 35 to 40 degrees. However, below 20 degrees and it is off to the treadmill at the gym. Same thing if there is ice or fresh snow.

happylife2014

Here is a link where you can enter weather/run conditions and it will recommend appropriate clothing.

http://www.runnersworld.com/what-to-wear

This is great!! Thanks much!

happylife2014

I may sound dumb, but do you guys carry water when you are running? If so, how? I have a large nalgene and it gets heavy

I don't unless I'm at the gym. I drink water before I run and then again after.

Me too. I don't need water unless I'm running more than 10 miles.

ETA: This thread scares me. Where I live it rarely ever freezes. I can't imagine running in the cold. I'm such a big baby that I whine when it gets down into the low 60's!!! I warm climates!

khakstol

Something to consider in cold weather is the change in the cushioning of your shoes. As the temp drops so does the cushioning effect of your runners. Ice is always a challenge as we often get Chinooks which melt the snow turing paths into ice. When this happens I add Yak Trax to my runners to make the my footing secure. Also I never try to run for pace when the conditions are cold and the footing is icy. I just set myself an amount of time to run and go as far as that is for that particular day.