I had a victory today. That might be a little over the top but…it’s a victory to me. For those who don’t know, I’m training for a half marathon at the end of this month. DC has been so cold this winter and much of my training has to be done on the treadmills. Well, apparently the rest of the folks in my apartment building feel the same way. Needless to say, the three measly treadmills that are usually free all day, have since been occupied at most times. They’ve been used so much that now they are barely working. It has been so hard to find a time with an available treadmill. Today, I was actually able to run in sub-40 degree weather.
I know it probably sounds less exciting than you thought it would but it’s a HUGE deal to me. I now know that I no longer have to depend on the deadmills treadmills. So, how’d I do it?
I found the perfect combination of dress and I realized that people run in even colder temperatures every single day. Here’s what I wore:
- My regular workout pants. These are compression capris from Old Navy. I love these because they’re actually in my size. I can always count on Old Navy for inexpensive plus-size clothing. Yay!
- My calve sleeves are a must and serve double duty in cold temperatures. Not only do they provide the compression I need to fight shin splints, they also offer much-needed warmth in my legs. I don’t use long running tights so these help cover exposed skin.
- I did some research and most of what I’ve read says that you should dress like it’s about 10-15 degrees warmer than it really is. The temperature outside was 34 degrees so I dressed as if it was 45. I wore a long sleeve workout shirt over a sports bra. I don’t have a long sleeve tech shirt so I went with a yoga shirt instead. This shirt has a hood so I was able to wear a windbreaker that didn’t have one. I actually got this windbreaker from a race so it’s perfect for running. Both the shirt and the jacket have thumb loops. These thumb loops were perfect to keep my hands warm before I started the run.
- I also wore a skull cap. I have a hood, but the skull cap covered my ears and stayed on tight. I had the hood in the event the wind started blowing.
- A good pair of running socks really does make all the difference for me. I used to blister so badly but now that I’ve discovered these Feetures, I have no more blisters. They also keep my feet feeling warm on these cold days. If your feet are prone to get hot, try the thinner pair. In any case, well-fitted, moisture wicking socks really do help.
- Lastly, my shoes. This is a given but I just have to add this. Make sure your shoes aren’t wet from your rainy run. No need adding to the likelihood of getting sick. I ONLY wear these shoes for my runs/walks.
If you’re interested in running in the cold, try some of these tips to find what works for you. I attempted to run in these temperatures 3 times before I found the right combination. The last thing you want is to get sick so trust your body. I hope these tips help. Let me know what you think.
