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On different clothing items needed for cold-weather runs

Running and Fitness
Saturday, November 17, 2018

This past week was a bit unusual in that a very cold Arctic front came through about a month early. It caught a few runners unprepared for the extreme below freezing temperatures. Cool mornings in the 40s is regular optimal running temperatures. But when the temperature drops down into the low 20s and upper teens with a wind chill factor, then a runner needs to be prepared for the conditions.

Fortunately the retail outlets were up and ready to be of service to the runners and outdoor workers.  Old weather clothing was available online, on Facebook, at lumber yard stores, and Ebay and major retail stores for clothes that are necessary for the cold weather runner – or so the advertisements go.  

It starts at the top with wool watch caps in bright colors and extra warm wool, or knit fabric, to keep the head warm. If the runner is not a watch cap person the headband ear warmer is also available. Some of the more fancy caps can turn in to a hoodie with a draw string attachment to keep the wind out. And the best part of all of these goods is that they are priced for an “early Black Friday” sale. You may have thought that Black Friday Sales were for the day after Thanksgiving. Actually the one-day sale now starts two weeks before Black Friday and will probably last right up until early Christmas sales begin.

Heading on down the body for warmer clothes the neck warmer is the next item to help you with cold weather running. Most are wide enough so that if you want to bring the warmer up over your mouth to prevent the cold air from chilling the lungs these items are ready to help.

If you are leery of buying so many separate items the all-purpose face warmer, hoodie, and neck warmer combination is the one item to fill all your cold weather needs. The advertisement photos had the runner looking like he or she was from outer space but it was the answer to the runners comfort.

The jackets are the next item and with new technology the jackets are very light weight.  They are lined with a new, very thin fabric, to be wind proof and very warm, while wicking away the moisture from sweat. Air vents for evaporation are in the back shoulder area to keep moisture from building up.

In the “old days” the standard for runners was the cotton sweat pants for colder days. Then the big thing was form hugging tights for the legs. These tights are still popular and many people wear them for everyday pants. The latest advertisement viewed online was the thin lined warm nylon pants. Instead of just a thin layer of nylon, or Gore-Tex material, they now come with another layer of lining to keep you warm. The advertisement mentions that these pants are the most comfortable and warm pants you can find.  

To add comfort to the legs in cold weather you can now buy leggings that heat up to keep the calf muscles warm on frigid mornings. If you are not into leggings, or high socks, they also come in the anklet size and provide warmth for the feet and toes.

The hands are also included in the ‘keep the runner warm’ advertisements. The runner pushes a little button on the top of the glove and the glove heats up from imbedded wires.  

If you can’t wait until Christmas for all these new items to keep you warm while running there is always the standby methods that runners have used for years. A ball cap, or a watch cap bought at a surplus store works great for the head. Cotton tubing you can buy at pharmacies is a good substitute for a neck warmer and mouth protection, or as an ear warmer. A hi-tech, long sleeved,under shirt covered with a nylon jacket works well once the first mile is covered to warm the body core temperature up. If it very cold a wool sweater, or even a sweat shirt, over the hi-tech under shirt, and under the jacket works about as well as anything.

For the feet some runners use Saran Wrap under the socks for extra warmth. Some runners like to put the thin wrap over the socks to keep the feet from becoming wet from sweat. Wet feet on a cold morning run feels like it will chill the entire body. I think covering the head, and keeping the feet warm. Will work for most runners to be comfortable on a run.  

Gloves can be the fancy knit gloves or the cotton garden variety gloves. I like the yellow cotton gloves as they were great backups for a runny nose on cold mornings. And the nice thing about these “work” gloves is that they often come in packs of five at a low price. If you happen to lose one, or it wears out, you can always rely on one of the pairs in that five pack.

There will be more cold morning runs in the next few months, but that does not mean you cannot be comfortable during the run.  If you get really innovative a large leaf sack with holes cut out for the head and arms works amazingly well.  After being a trail vehicle on marathons, or half marathons, you would be amazed at the number of black leaf sacks left on the side of the road about two miles into the run. Whatever method you choose, do not let cold weather keep you from your daily run.

San Marcos Record

(512) 392-2458
P.O. Box 1109, San Marcos, TX 78666