The Running Thread Vol 2
Discussion
Keep in mind that there are a lot of runners out that wouldn't normally be running - New Years Resolutions or RED's. I'm not being elitist in pointing that out, simply observing that a lot of people you might have seen out won't necessarily have been through the same process of trial and error when it comes to clothing.
As for what's best - there's no answer. I'm a big believer in the power of a hat, buff and gloves to add or remove 3-5 degrees and they're easily pocketable if you've 'dressed for the second mile.' And if I ever meet the person that invented arm warmers I intend to buy them a pint. Oh, and a quick shout for Naked bands - I've gotten lazy recently, chucking on a windproof for the first 15 minutes knowing I can peel it off on the go and stuff it into the Naked band with my other crap.
But I've got a cupboard full of various weight base layers, windproofs, waterproof jackets plus tights etc that I mix and match. I do really like the cheap Decathlon tights though - they're light enough that you don't overcook if you misjudge the temp.
As for what's best - there's no answer. I'm a big believer in the power of a hat, buff and gloves to add or remove 3-5 degrees and they're easily pocketable if you've 'dressed for the second mile.' And if I ever meet the person that invented arm warmers I intend to buy them a pint. Oh, and a quick shout for Naked bands - I've gotten lazy recently, chucking on a windproof for the first 15 minutes knowing I can peel it off on the go and stuff it into the Naked band with my other crap.
But I've got a cupboard full of various weight base layers, windproofs, waterproof jackets plus tights etc that I mix and match. I do really like the cheap Decathlon tights though - they're light enough that you don't overcook if you misjudge the temp.
Last year up Ben Lomond -
Good points tenohfive, I use the same methods except just tie the windproof round me waist.
Frustrating time for me, after about 20 years with one cold back in '99 I've suddenly had tooth abscess, kidney infection, food poisoning and plantar back again and all in the past 6 weeks, just when I should be spooling up. Ah well, as the late great Windsor Davis said, 'oh dear, how sad, never mind'.
Good points tenohfive, I use the same methods except just tie the windproof round me waist.
Frustrating time for me, after about 20 years with one cold back in '99 I've suddenly had tooth abscess, kidney infection, food poisoning and plantar back again and all in the past 6 weeks, just when I should be spooling up. Ah well, as the late great Windsor Davis said, 'oh dear, how sad, never mind'.
Long sleeve top with a club vest over it, twin skin shorts and ankle socks. Might take a Rab soft shell if it’s really cold. I’ll have a bum bag with full FRA kit in it, of which the gloves and hat will be used, but usually only until I get too warm in them, then they go back in the bag.
Guess it depends how hard you're planning on running but I'm in the lightweight camp. Chilly for the first 5-10 mins but then just right. have recently discovered thermal leggings though which I'm loving. Lightweight merino base layer on the top with a vest or T over the top if it's <5 degrees out. Thin gloves to stop joint pain in my hands, never had any need for any more than that.
I don't know how people cope with jackets, fleeces etc. Makes me smile when you see people running along local roads with stuff tied round their waist because they're too hot. Obviously slightly different story if you're out running in the middle of nowhere
I don't know how people cope with jackets, fleeces etc. Makes me smile when you see people running along local roads with stuff tied round their waist because they're too hot. Obviously slightly different story if you're out running in the middle of nowhere
My go-to top for when I'm uncertain of how cold it'll actually be is one with a neck zip. It unzips pretty deep, which is a welcome feature when the sun starts shining overhead or those final few miles of a long run when nicely warmed up. I have a t-shirt for the same purpose in the spring/autumn when I'm just not sure.
As others have said, there's a real variety of clothing choices amongst runners at the moment. On the same run yesterday, I saw somebody with tights and a long-sleeve compression top with a t-shirt, hat, gloves and neck gaiter; a few miles later, I saw somebody wearing just a vest and shorts!
As others have said, there's a real variety of clothing choices amongst runners at the moment. On the same run yesterday, I saw somebody with tights and a long-sleeve compression top with a t-shirt, hat, gloves and neck gaiter; a few miles later, I saw somebody wearing just a vest and shorts!
Yup was Minus 5 for me on my Sunday morning in the hills yesterday (NE Scotland). Shorts (exo twinskin), baselayer then a merino layer on top and a light windproof jacket. Hat and gloves and was fine! 22km/800m ascent & 2hrs later it was 0 degrees and felt for once i had layered properly!!
Layers depend hugely for me on length of run and intensity, but most importantly the location of the run and chance of weather getting worse/better.
This time of year if it's a road run of reasonable pace then shorts, short sleeve base, long sleeve base, hat and gloves. A longer or off road run will be thermal leggings, thermal base layer, light weight fleece top, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves. You do get hot, but rather that than cold.
Saturday was this kit, and body temperature was perfect. Around -7 above 3,000ft, but nice and sunny. Cold in the clouds though. That was a longer (18 miles) run with sections of walking.
This time of year if it's a road run of reasonable pace then shorts, short sleeve base, long sleeve base, hat and gloves. A longer or off road run will be thermal leggings, thermal base layer, light weight fleece top, waterproof jacket, hat, gloves. You do get hot, but rather that than cold.
Saturday was this kit, and body temperature was perfect. Around -7 above 3,000ft, but nice and sunny. Cold in the clouds though. That was a longer (18 miles) run with sections of walking.
What anyone's going to need to wear is obviously highly individual and depends on things like resistance to the cold, fat and hair (the latter two can vary between parts of the body). I'm actually fine in shorts well into negative temperatures, whereas I need a hat in anything less than about 8C, and I add gloves to that below 5C. That said, I do find I run better and get fewer aches and pains if I wear thermal leggings below 10C.
ETA: I've tried lots of different brands of clothing and have settled on 'Gore', available from Amazon. Aside from fitting me well, their summer tops are cool in summer and their 'thermo' winter tops warm in winter. They also withstand washing constantly without degrading. The only other thing I add is a long sleeved merino wool top when it's really cold.
ETA: I've tried lots of different brands of clothing and have settled on 'Gore', available from Amazon. Aside from fitting me well, their summer tops are cool in summer and their 'thermo' winter tops warm in winter. They also withstand washing constantly without degrading. The only other thing I add is a long sleeved merino wool top when it's really cold.
Edited by RobM77 on Monday 21st January 13:31
I did a five minute run at eleven minute miles. This shouldn't be as exciting to me as it is. However, shinsplits and all that.
Upshot is that nothing really hurts. I think I can just about feel some tenderness, which is probably 90% psychosomatic and 10% in my head... Still sitting here with an ice pack on though.
I will say this thought - I felt ready to run last week, but gave myself an extra few days off. It's not a decision I'd have made in previous years, but in the spirit of playing the long game, I'm trying to ignore where I ought to have been when I wrote my training and just get better. And as an upside, I've done loads more core and gym work in the time I would have been running.
Upshot is that nothing really hurts. I think I can just about feel some tenderness, which is probably 90% psychosomatic and 10% in my head... Still sitting here with an ice pack on though.
I will say this thought - I felt ready to run last week, but gave myself an extra few days off. It's not a decision I'd have made in previous years, but in the spirit of playing the long game, I'm trying to ignore where I ought to have been when I wrote my training and just get better. And as an upside, I've done loads more core and gym work in the time I would have been running.
Thanks. Ben Lawers, near Aberfeldy: https://goo.gl/maps/xzrqcwhQNPK2
xcseventy said:
Thanks. Ben Lawers, near Aberfeldy: https://goo.gl/maps/xzrqcwhQNPK2
Bloody hell, didn't (unsurprisingly) recognise it - it's a great round isn't it, particularly that little climb up An Stuc. andy_s said:
Bloody hell, didn't (unsurprisingly) recognise it - it's a great round isn't it, particularly that little climb up An Stuc.
Yeah awesome, i'd done the first three before An Stuc, Meall Garbh & Meall Greigh but wanted to do the whole round starting & finishing in Invervar. As that picture shows, perfect day on the hills. An Stuc was mostly fine, albeit I was glad for an ice axe. Full route if interested: https://www.strava.com/activities/2089367287
If it's cold (sub 5C) I tend to go for running tights, shorts over the top, short-sleeve base layer, long sleeve tech top and gloves.
If it's sub zero and/or blowing a hefty wind at that temp, I may add a thermal headband and swap out the short-sleeve base for a long sleeve.
5-10 and I swap the base layer for a regular t-shirt and the gloves for fingerless lightweight jobs. If it's windy at that temp, I might leave the tights, just shorts if not.
Above 10 is shorts and t-shirt
That's a general rule of thumb, it can vary slightly depending on conditions on the day.
If it's sub zero and/or blowing a hefty wind at that temp, I may add a thermal headband and swap out the short-sleeve base for a long sleeve.
5-10 and I swap the base layer for a regular t-shirt and the gloves for fingerless lightweight jobs. If it's windy at that temp, I might leave the tights, just shorts if not.
Above 10 is shorts and t-shirt
That's a general rule of thumb, it can vary slightly depending on conditions on the day.
Finally some decent snow in The Lakes, decided to recce the Montane 26 mile Grizedale route (race in 2-weeks) yesterday. Overall a good session and focused on endurance heart rate around 130 bps.
Specifically for the snow I tried some new gear: thermal leggings, trail running gaiters (for slushy snow), thermal base layer and spare top. I took two hats, thermal and something thinner - just alternated between them to regulate heat. Took thermal gloves and thin gloves as well, again swapped from thermals when it warmed up.
Hoping for no snow on race day.
Specifically for the snow I tried some new gear: thermal leggings, trail running gaiters (for slushy snow), thermal base layer and spare top. I took two hats, thermal and something thinner - just alternated between them to regulate heat. Took thermal gloves and thin gloves as well, again swapped from thermals when it warmed up.
Hoping for no snow on race day.
xcseventy said:
As that picture shows, perfect day on the hills. An Stuc was mostly fine, albeit I was glad for an ice axe. Full route if interested: https://www.strava.com/activities/2089367287
Decent pace! My wife was over Loch Morlich and running around that neck of the woods with some pals that weekend [including a 'beer mile'] and similar conditions - snow but bright. Very jealous.Gassing Station | Sports | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff