If you are running a spring marathon, you are going to have some training runs in the dead cold of winter. You got this! It’s actually not as bad as it sounds, as sometimes that cold air feels good when your heart is pumping. Your body adapts fast. In fact, runners say that when you run, it feels about 20 degrees warmer to your body. A chilly 30 degree run might actually feel like 50 degrees once you’re about a mile in! In light of completing 11 miles this week in training for my spring marathon, I give you 11 items I use to keep warm and cozy during those long cold runs.
THE COUNTDOWN:
Marathon training is not for the faint of heart. But for those of us who are working on the character trait of perseverance, training for a marathon is a great test of endurance. I began my running journey over a decade ago and aim to run at least one full marathon and one half marathon a year. I'm a huge fan of running marathons and love the physical and mental challenge. Join me in my countdown to 26 miles!
Marathon training is in full swing!
THE GOAL: KEEP WARM:
GLOVES. No really, use them. I’ve learned that once your fingers go cold, your brain only thinks about your cold fingers. If you get too warm, you can always stash them in your pocket or ditch them on a side road to pick up later. Warm fingers are happy fingers. I choose the brands Head and North Face for my running gloves. Need a trick if those fingers will not stay warm? Slip rubber gloves into your winter gloves. This base layer causes your hands to sweat, which causes your fingers to stay warm.
SKI GLOVES. Not going to lie, my fingers get super cold. I had a really bad experience on a long, cold run and did not wear gloves. My fingers have never forgiven me since. If you’re like me and you fight feelings of frostbite on your appendages, pick up a pair of ski gloves. I use mine often when the temperatures with the wind chill is in the teens or below. I literally am able to run a further distance, as long as my fingers are warm.
EAR BANDS. Protect those ears! When the wind picks up, I find that if my ears are warm, I’m warm. Bonus, these head bands help keep my earbuds inside my ears so that I can run to my tunes. Columbia has a few athletic standard versions, as well as North Face. I recently have been wearing ear muffs that go around the back of your head so that it doesn't tug on my hairline. I use the brand "Metdog": they are adjustable and under $20. I use these when I'm out on a hike or walk in the suburbs when it gets cold. They keep me a bit warmer than a beanie and tend to stay put.
SUNGLASSES. It’s hard to believe that you’d need sunglasses on a cold winter day; however, if it’s snowy outside, the sun’s reflection off that blanket of snow may bother your eyes. Be prepared and stick a pair in your gym bag. I usually opt for cheap aviators that don't leave me with a suntan of raccoon eyes.
LEGGINGS. The right bottoms make such a difference. Honestly, your legs warm up pretty fast, as that is the body part that is constantly moving; however, I invested in a few pair of hard-core bottoms to keep the lower half of my torso warm. I love all the 32 Degrees Cool Wear and Zobha leggings. I look for bottoms that reach my ankles, as I try to keep bare skin to a minimum. Believe it or not, Costco & Sams offer some great choices, and I'm a fan of anything that comes in "tall".
BASE LAYER LEGGINGS. On super-cold days, I wear a tight version of long underwear under my athletic leggings. Think of it like footless tights. The goal is to keep everything tight to keep the warmth in. That extra layer is helpful when the temperature is in single digits or the windchill is below zero. 32 Degrees is my favorite brand for those base layers.
<<32 Degrees Cool leggings | Brooks Shoes | Leg Warmers>>
BASE LAYER TANK. I always wear a tight tank top as my base layer. A tank literally coats your torso and those important organs, and it’s amazing what this extra layer does in keeping you warm. I'm loving the brand DKNY for all my layers underneath my clothes -- they tend to stay in place and move with my body well.
HAT. I usually wear my hair in a ponytail, so most days, I opt for a ear band that goes around my head to allow my ponytail to move back and forth; however, wearing a hat is a smart idea. It keeps the warmth in, as most heat escapes from your head. I’m a huge fan of these super-cute messy bun beanies from Three Bird Nest with a hole to pull your ponytail through. They are great for cold weather runs, as well as any winter activity.
LEG WARMERS. Those chicks from the 80s really had a great idea! I slip on a pair of leg warmers that cover the skin in between my leggings and my socks. It keeps the cold snow from hitting my bare skin which allows me to stay warmer longer -- and leggings don't mess with my sock game. I make sure to wear socks specifically for running, as I want the bottom of my foot to stay padded in all the right spots. Leg warmers allow me to slip an extra layer over my leggings but not overtop my socks.
VEST. It’s amazing what protection over your core does. A vest keeps all those organs in your upper torso and abdomen warm. Basically a coat without sleeves, it allows for a more free movement of your arms and elbows. Free Country and Patagonia have some great versions, and I stock up every time I see them on sale. I find myself wearing a vest out and about, as it does continually keep me warm.
JACKET. On those cold runs, it’s important to dress in layers. You can layer a running jacket over a tank and even a long-sleeve shirt. You can find them in several different colors, and these jackets look great even while running errands. I specifically look for the kind that zip up and have a thumb-hole to lace my fingers through so that it stays in place.
GET YOUR FOCUS OFF THE COLD The temps might be chilly, but look for a newness on those cold runs. When you get your mind off how cold it really is, you'll start to see your surroundings in a different light. Listen to those birds chirp and notice how pretty and white that snow looks. After a snow fall, it's unbelievably quiet. Think of your runs as an adventure. You'll never know what you will discover!
