Running on empty

[kitchen_kink]

Hey friends list,

So say I wanted to continue running outside for a while, maybe even when it's really cold out. (I might have caught this crazy running bug.)

1. What sorts of things will I want to wear, keeping also in mind that I am more likely to have the exercise-induced asthma response when it's cold (are there running-muffler type things??)

2. Where should I get such things to ensure high quality without smashing my wallet into a million pieces?

Comments

[moominmolly.livejournal.com]

I have exercise-induced asthma in the cold, and find it much improved by tying a scarf around my neck and wearing a fleece face mask which covers my nose and mouth.

[fanw.livejournal.com]

Yay! I'm trying to do this too!

I don't think you will really need the latest poly-propyl-wonderfabric. Just do lots of layers. I find I wear what I would normally run in (jogging bra, tanktop, longsleeve shirt) and then put a loose sweater or fleece and then finally a windbreaker. That keeps me warm and toasty while giving me lots of layers to unzip and alter once I warm up.

I usually wear gloves to start, but my hands warm up fast. And my legs never seem to need more than just sweatpants.

You'll find the right set of layers. Things with zips are a plus so you can get air if you want it!

[cycon.livejournal.com]

Be sure to cover your ears, as well as your nose. I know you can get headband-style ear warmers at stores that sell running/biking accessories.

[beah.livejournal.com]

You will want a hat that covers your ears, gloves, and a lightweight breathable/wicking jacket with pocketses for if you get too hot with the hat/gloves on. They absolutely sell polypro masks that will help you get warmer air into your lungs, probably at any sporting/camping goods store. I also loved my neck gator for running. You may want a pair of lightweight breathing/wicking wind pants to wear over spandex, too.

Whatever you do, don't put cotton next to your skin, because it will stay wet and you will not stay warm. Synthetic layers are good, and you definitely want the topmost layer to be the fancy-schmancy stuff. Otherwise, you will wind up with a layer of sweat "snow" between it and the rest of your layers.

I adore Marathon Sports, but they're not the cheap source. I would suggest Target or TJ Maxx. Look for brands you recognize - Champion, CoolMax, that sort of thing.

[mrj15.livejournal.com]

Target has some good stuff at reasonable prices. As someone else said, look for Cool-Max, Dri-weave, etc. in the label.

As for the cold the answer is layers and sleeves. I wear tights when I run - short in warm weather, long in cold. For cooler weather I wear a running bra or tank with built in bra, a long sleeve running shirt (technical fabric, not cotton) and a running jacket, also technical fabric. I also wear gloves and a ski cap as my ears get cold quickly. As you heat up you can peel off the jacket and even the long sleeve shirt if necessary (not likely in New England winters). I tie them around my waist with the sleeves as I take them off. Whatever you do don't get cotton. No matter how cold, if you run you will inevitably sweat and cotton will hold the moisture next to your skin and make you feel wet and miserable as well as cold. I also wear a bandanna around my forehead. I hate having to wipe sweat off my brow every few minutes. It fits fine under a ski cap. I may not look ready for the cover of Vogue, but I am comfortable and get a good workout done. Welcome to the club.
Michele

[feri-hearted.livejournal.com]

from my cross country son in 20 degree weather; t-shirt sweat shirt, hoodie, windbreaker pants, gloves, some form of head gear be it a ski mask, or a surgical mask with a hat that covers ears.

26 to 35 he loses the sweat shirt.

[danceboy.livejournal.com]

www.campmor.com

They don't always have what you need, but when they do, it's cheap. They do have a "running clothes for women" category, but they also have a "cross training" and "active" categories with non-complete overlap.

Marshall's and TJ Maxx both have some useful tops mixed in with cotton T shirts. Less oriented towards athletics and no site searches, but you can try stuff on. Also they have athletic socks and gloves. I doubt you'll find anything specific to running, so no tights or useful shorts.

Oh! You might be the perfect person for the City Sports basement. City Sports in Downtown Crossing has a half price(ish) basement for the stuff that didn't sell as fast as they'd like. Not much makes it down in a woman's small or a man's medium...

Also, what beah and mrj15 said. With some additions; in really cold weather, I try to stay just shy of sweating (put another way, I try to maintain a light glow...). Otherwise, when you slow down, you'll freeze. This means that once I'm going, I may be jogging in the winter wearing light tights, T-shirt, hat, and gloves (with jacket and long sleeve around my waist). But I'm generating enough heat that I'm pleasantly warm.

I also try to start out wearing little enough that I'm chilly until I'm running. This encourages me to actually run, and means that I'm not carrying as much once I am. This was hard for me; I like to be warm. I've found I need to keep my extremities warm (and the neck is an extremity).

Another thing is "carry cash". You are more likely to pull something in the cold, and _far_ more likely to not want to just sit down and work it out. Having enough to take a cab, or a meal, or whatever is very good. An Amphipod is fairly pointedly the size of an id, credit card, T pass, and some cash.

Be well.