Running my first 5k...in the snow. What to wear?

tynishabeezfit
tynishabeezfit Posts: 154 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Next Sunday is my first time running. I'm doing the Whoville 5k!! YaY!!
Now what the heck am I suppose to wear? Like from head to toe. Lol I have never ran in cold and definitely don't want to over do it.

S/n: I'm in Michigan and it's snowing.

Replies

  • czmmom
    czmmom Posts: 236 Member
    I agree with amyrebeccah... I usually do 2 layers for 30-40 degrees and 3 layers or 2 layers one being a cold gear layer for <30 degrees. For 30-40 degrees I wear one layer of pants. <30 degrees I have running tights that I put under my pants. Good luck!!
  • rduhlir
    rduhlir Posts: 3,550 Member
    What you were is going to depend on how much your body heats during runs. Remember to dress for 10 degrees warmer than what it is outside. A pair of mittens and a nice headband to cover the ears are going to be a must I say. Buy a pair of cheap mittens though, so you can toss them to the side if your hands get too hot. Runner's World has a "what to wear" guide that gives suggestions based on the conditions you will be running in.
  • meshashesha2012
    meshashesha2012 Posts: 8,329 Member
    like the person above me said, it's all going to depend on how much YOUR body heats . i know for me, I have to wear stuff that won't trap moisture in but will still keep you warm , so i avoid cotton because wet cold cotton is not fun.

    i would go with a good pair of cold weather tights to, a moisture wicking tank under a moisture wicking long sleeve shirt and if it's cold enough, a running jacket with appropriate vents on the back. i'd save the cottony stuff to change into after the run
  • Daisy471
    Daisy471 Posts: 409 Member
    Hi from a fellow Michigander! I'm on the east side, in the Thumb. My suggestion: running tights, compression/baselayer top, another long-sleeved top, hat and gloves. Like others said, adjust based on how your body handles the cold and avoid cotton. The runner's world app is a nice guide.

    My sister and niece are running Whoville too. This is also my niece's first 5k! Good luck!
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    The length of the race will also help you decide how much (or how little) to wear. For longer races, you won't be running as hard at the outset, so you might need a little more than for a 5K where the effort is pretty much maxed out from the beginning.

    One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is a warm up. You really need to get warmed up before you run the 5K. Depending on your level of fitness, that warm up can be anywhere between a 1/2 mile run with some jumping jacks or doing the entire course before the race (and then some). Do the warm up while well bundled up, and then shed top layers for the race.

    I'm going to assume the temperatures are going to be somewhere between 25 and 35. For a 5K race, that would be shorts and a tshirt weather, with hat and gloves. If it were just an easy run, then shorts and a base layer top with a long sleeve tech over top with hat and gloves.

    Experiment with it. You should expect to be cold for the first 10 minutes of a run, unless it's a race, in which case you should have taken care of the cold part of the run in your warm up so you can hit the starting line with warm muscles already to go.
  • Capt_Apollo
    Capt_Apollo Posts: 9,026 Member
    whatever you decide, you should run a few practice runs out in the cold.
  • SonicDeathMonkey80
    SonicDeathMonkey80 Posts: 4,489 Member
    I'm a wuss so I dress excessively for the cold. If it's snowing, I will assume it is around 30ish degrees, and that you want to be economical, so here's my recommendation:

    Regular shoes/wool socks (think warm - not sweaty)
    Good insulated-type warmups, or thermo tights
    LS wicking technical fabric shirt with a fleece over it
    A pair of regular gloves
    A hat that covers your ears
    Some cool shades if it's sunny
    Cape optional

    If it's under 15 degrees, I would add an extra pair of gloves, shirt, tights, and definitely do the cape.
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    Next Sunday is my first time running. I'm doing the Whoville 5k!! YaY!!
    Now what the heck am I suppose to wear? Like from head to toe. Lol I have never ran in cold and definitely don't want to over do it.

    S/n: I'm in Michigan and it's snowing.

    Wear a Grinch costume!!!!!

    I just ran one wearing a Santa suit in 5 degree weather! LOL

    HAND WARMERS! i wore hat with ear flaps, ear muffs, scarf, hoodie, under armor, another little zip up thin hoodie thing, tee shirt, 2 pairs of gloves, my gym pants and sweat pants, socks (but i recommend wool socks, I just didn't think of it), shades, running shoes.. or cleats if there is snow on the ground. All of the clothing was under my Santa suit. I also had a face mask that i hated.. it was hard to see out the little eye holes.

    I would also suggest the ability to shed a layer if need be.. I sweat and the sweat made me colder.. i had to remove a layer mid-race and I was all good.
  • tynishabeezfit
    tynishabeezfit Posts: 154 Member
    I'm a wuss so I dress excessively for the cold. If it's snowing, I will assume it is around 30ish degrees, and that you want to be economical, so here's my recommendation:

    Regular shoes/wool socks (think warm - not sweaty)
    Good insulated-type warmups, or thermo tights
    LS wicking technical fabric shirt with a fleece over it
    A pair of regular gloves
    A hat that covers your ears
    Some cool shades if it's sunny
    Cape optional

    If it's under 15 degrees, I would add an extra pair of gloves, shirt, tights, and definitely do the cape.

    Lol ..... A cape! I wear one of those everyday! :)
  • CarsonRuns
    CarsonRuns Posts: 3,039 Member
    I'm a wuss so I dress excessively for the cold. If it's snowing, I will assume it is around 30ish degrees, and that you want to be economical, so here's my recommendation:

    Regular shoes/wool socks (think warm - not sweaty)
    Good insulated-type warmups, or thermo tights
    LS wicking technical fabric shirt with a fleece over it
    A pair of regular gloves
    A hat that covers your ears
    Some cool shades if it's sunny
    Cape optional

    If it's under 15 degrees, I would add an extra pair of gloves, shirt, tights, and definitely do the cape.

    Dude, I would be a puddle! :laugh:
  • tynishabeezfit
    tynishabeezfit Posts: 154 Member
    Thanks for all all the suggestions! I just got my very first bib today! So exciting!
  • cwolfman13
    cwolfman13 Posts: 41,865 Member
    They make winter running gear...visit your local running store or sporting goods store.
  • fleetzz
    fleetzz Posts: 962 Member
    Congratulations on your first 5K!!! So exciting.

    No advice on clothing though. So glad I live in Florida.
  • tynishabeezfit
    tynishabeezfit Posts: 154 Member
    Congratulations on your first 5K!!! So exciting.

    No advice on clothing though. So glad I live in Florida.

    Thanks for rubbing it in! Lol
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Next Sunday is my first time running. I'm doing the Whoville 5k!! YaY!!
    Now what the heck am I suppose to wear? Like from head to toe. Lol I have never ran in cold and definitely don't want to over do it.

    S/n: I'm in Michigan and it's snowing.

    You didn't train for the race? ooof.

    Well, wear shoes, that's a good place to start.
  • cookergirl
    cookergirl Posts: 6 Member
    I ran 5k in 28 degrees. I wore a long sleeve base layer, a short sleeve thin dri-fit , a half zip, running capris, mittens , and a thin hat.

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