Northern Winter Runners HELP!

lauramblair

I'm (hopefully) running a half Marathon in the Dallas Marathon on Sunday. We had an ice storm overnight last night with .5 inch of ice and 3 inches of sleet on top of it.. Temperatures aren't expected to go above freezing until Monday, so it depends on what crews can do with the roads but I won't be surprised if they cancel it, but I'll be so sad if they do!

Anyway, so as of this moment, the race appears to be on. It's going to be 20-22 degrees at corral time, ~25 degrees at race time, maybe climbing to 27-28 at the end of the race. What do I wear??! I've run in the 20s before, but they were shorter training runs and I was just able to make loops by my house and shed layers.

I was in Chicago earlier this week on business and bought up some winter running gear. I got a hat and gloves, so I know those are a given.

A couple weeks ago I did a 13 mile training run in 36 degree drizzle. I wore just standard pants, a long sleeved shirt, vest, and headband/ear cover. I was chilly at times when the wind gusted but overall comfortable. So this race will be ~10 degrees colder than that.

I bought fleece lined running tights in Chicago. Do you think I'll be too warm in those? Or just go with standard pants?

On top, I'm pretty sure I'll be too cold in a shirt and vest? But will I be too warm in a jacket and shirt? And if I go with Jacket, do I do a long sleeved shirt or short sleeved shirt underneath it?

I have a throw-away sweatshirt and pants for corral waiting. But as you can tell, I'm a mess! What do I wear?? I hate not being able to shed layers as needed!

Im_NotPerfect

In those temps I just wear cotton yoga pants and then I'll wear a sports bra, wicking short sleeved shirt, and a 3/4 zip running shirt over that. I also have a thin ear wrap and some mittens that I usually end up taking off during the run. Those are my favorite temps to run in so have fun!!

dboese92

I did a half marathon last weekend where the starting temp was 28 degrees. I started in thin long sleeved shirt with fleece over that, and shorts. Head band to keep my ears warm and running gloves for my hands. I removed the gloves about 1/2 way thru. Many folks were shedding layers as the HM went on.

Being from MN, I might be a little more acclimated to those temps than someone from Texas, but I was perfectly comfortable. The rule of thumb I have always used is "dress like it is 20 degrees warmer than it actually is" - by the time you get moving, you will warm up. Of course, wind, rain or other adverse conditions can change this.

Is there someone along the course that will be watching you? If you had extra layers, could you shed them and hand them off to your spectators?

I agree with Im_NotPerfect - those are the best temps for running! Good luck and be sure to let us know how it goes!

lauramblair

Well, it's all a moot point now. The race was just canceled. So disappointing!

dboese92

Bummer!!

You'll have to go out and run 13.1 miles anyway, in honor of the race!!

danalin26

Come to San Antonio! We are having a night run tomorrow evening. http://www.illuminationshalf.com