Cold weather running

[Phaedrus49er]

Okay, I know this may or may not have been covered before, but websites dedicated to running haven't been helping much.

Given that my body and mind are still in a yearly training cycle based around wrestling being a November-through-March venture, I've never had to worry about outdoor training during the winter. However, being on a body composition phase is forcing my hand to giving it a go. I've learned what kinds of clothes to wear in what layers depending on the weather. My question is: what brands/fabrics/stores am I looking for to find that base layer of moisture-wicking clothing? I imagine I'll need head-to-toe coverage since Hell--er, the South--has frozen over the past few weeks. Thanks for any suggestions.

[i2ambler]

Pearl izumi makes some good base layer material for moisture wicking. HIND also. You can find some good Hind stuff at your local saucony store.

-jason

[poopy pants]

What temps we talkin' here? 30-35...35-40?

[Phaedrus49er]

Originally posted by Tony Soprano:
What temps we talkin' here? 30-35...35-40?

Variable, but mostly in the 20F-40F range, where shorts and a sweatshirt and windbreaker aren't going to cut it.

dude how cold can NC really get?
I wear polyproplene shirt under a goretex windbreaker...
any running store will carry both..

[poopy pants]

Originally posted by Phaedrus49er:
</font><blockquote>quote:</fon t><hr />Originally posted by Tony Soprano:
What temps we talkin' here? 30-35...35-40?

Variable, but mostly in the 20F-40F range, where shorts and a sweatshirt and windbreaker aren't going to cut it. </font>[/quote]I don't run in temps colder than 36F. For THAT temp I wear Dri-Fit pants and two long sleeve running type shirts and a hat.

[sarah]

Lately it's been between 18-35 when I go out in the mornings. I have a Mountaina Hardware base fleece layer that I, as a chick, put a wicking tank under. Also, Temps above 30, I go with normal running tights. Temps under 30 call for the Polar Tech Fleece tights. Smartwool socks, Montrail vitesse trailrunners, Synthetic warm hat, and magic gloves.

If it's windy, I'll throw a windbreaker over the top layer, but I get pretty toasty and actually have to vent the fleece often. The other night I was trailrunning in a tank top and tights at 40 degrees.

My advice: Be chilly when you start. It'll take some time to figure out how much you warm up.

[Kaiser]

Originally posted by sarah:
The other night I was trailrunning in a tank top and tights at 40 degrees.

It's women...excuse me: chicks... like you that almost cause me to ride off the doubletrack and into a tree.

Sarah brings up a very good point: same as in riding, you need be cold for the first 10 minutes or so. Cold like you 're thinking "wow, maybe I underdressed" because if you are not, you will be soaking wet in the second half of your run (or ride) and then cold in the last quarter.

When I used to run in the cold, I wore Hinds DriLite (sp?) tights or Brooks tights, sometimes with a pair of Nike DriFit pants on top (hey, I'm in Chicago!), and a base layer full sleeve top (any synthetic brand will do) with a breathable top with a zipper (for venting when you start to sweat) - I like the Nike Sphere Drifit ones, but I'd sometimes wear my Pearl Izumi biking jacket, which vents very nicely. Some people wear gloves here in the North, but my hands would always warm up quickly when I ran, so I never did. If it gets near freezing, a cheap polypro balaclava for your head may be a good investment.

Unlike Sarah, I usually skipped the jogbra top - my B cups don't like to be constrained.

[Phaedrus49er]

Talk about a relevant thread for me now. Sounds like I'll be hitting the online retailers in the next couple weeks since I don't think I'll be able to afford the New York Sports Club anytime soon

[Marykaa]

PHAEDRUS you might want to check out cross-country ski sights to see how they dress.. should give you good ideas for running in cool weather.. between 28 and 35.. the difference isn't so much the degrees.. but weather it's windy or not.

[ODB]

Below 60F

Nylon shorts
Long sleeve nylon shirt

Below 45F

Add:
Light wind jacket (illuminite)
light fleece gloves
something over my ears

Below 35F

change shorts to Hinds dri-lite tights

This is general, I'll change things up depending on windy and humidity. But it gives you an idea. For biking I need more windbreaker qualities. I've also used a ski mask when it is below freezing but usually pull it off during the run when I get too warm. Another good idea is to have nylon shirts that have at least a half zipper so you can vent when you get to warm.

[Marykaa]

I was getting ready for a little hike when I thought of you.. maybe these would help :

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The Ear Bag, just clips on to the ear.

[kmwest]

runnersworld.com has a "Dress the Runner" feature.

I need to go pick up some tights... it's gettin' a little chilly here!

[ODB]

Originally posted by Marykaa:
I was getting ready for a little hike when I thought of you.. maybe these would help :

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The Ear Bag, just clips on to the ear.

Those would look so funny on me. I usually use a Buff or headband so I can keep sweat out of my eyes while keeping my ears warm.

[duff beer]

Originally posted by Phaedrus49er:
</font><blockquote>quote:</fon t><hr />Originally posted by Tony Soprano:
What temps we talkin' here? 30-35...35-40?

Variable, but mostly in the 20F-40F range, where shorts and a sweatshirt and windbreaker aren't going to cut it. </font>[/quote]20F - 40F is not cold to a Canadian

I wear shorts and a t-shirt until it gets to about 5C (40F), light sweats and a dry-fit shirt until about -10C (about 15F), dry-fit pants with sweats on top and a long sleeve dry-fit shirt and a sweatshirt are good enough until about -25C (-12F?). Any colder and I will use my treadmill. My friend once won a half marathon when it was -32C (-25F) with strong winds, but I don't like running outside when it's that cold.

[Marykaa]

DUFF BEER said :
but I don't like running outside when it's that cold.

I just checked and -25°C = -13°F.

and same here for xc-skiing, specially that it might get windy ..

but my real "it's TOO cold" limit is the 0°F / -18°C.. I grew up with it, and still feel it as a limit.

[Phaedrus49er]

kmwest, awesome link, thanks! It looks like I already have what I need to run into the mid-30s, after which I'll probably need to get some head cover and pants (I can't figure on wearing tights--boxer briefs give me enough grief as it is).

FWIW, can I just say that Craig's List rocks? Just today, I saw a Garmin Forerunner 201 for $80, used once, and no manual. MAN I'm thinking hard about that one. Figure with that and the great HRM that Kaiser recommended awhile back (and has been a GREAT complement in my running training), I might actually be able to get out during middays over the winter depending on ground conditions.

[Marykaa]

ODB...I have headbands as well.. but I figured everyone knew about headbands. [img]smile.gif[/img]

What I like about the earbags.. beside them being small enough to carry in a pocket just in case.. is that I can wear them under a tuque when it's really cold.

but what is a BUFF?

[gobbla]

buff = bandanna (if not...disreguard )